The Peacock Inn

 

By Jeff & Stephanie Sylva

Combining a history dating back to the early days of this nation together with a dedication to providing modern, luxurious accommodations and upscale fine dining, The Peacock Inn has established itself as an iconic landmark in downtown Princeton, NJ.

The only luxury boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant in this university town, The Peacock Inn, has garnered a long list of accolades and an impressive guest list that includes members of the Continental Congress, Albert Einstein, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

HOTEL HISTORY
The inn’s history begins in the 1770s when Jonathan Deare purchased the property from Thomas Stockton and offered fellow members of the Continental Congress rooms with fireplaces and breakfast, tea, and dinner. In 1911 the peacock, a symbol of royalty, good food, and good luck, was adopted as the hotel’s emblem. It is believed that the basement of the Inn, also known as “Peacock Alley,” served as a Prohibition-era speakeasy.

Evidence of such was discovered in 2006 during a 3-year renovation when original drawings by jazz age artist John Held, Jr. were found. These drawings, etched on the basement’s cement walls, are now framed and hanging on the dining room walls.

The 16-room inn is part of the Ascend Hotel Collection and has earned the AAA Four-Diamond Award four years in a row, including the AAA Inspector’s Best of 2020. The entire inn has been completely updated with a clean, contemporary design. The rooms are bright with abundant natural light and decorated with a pleasing mix of neutral and muted earth tones. In addition to high-end bedding and luxury amenities, the bathrooms feature a glass-enclosed rain shower and radiant-heated floors.

WHERE TO STAY
Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas Built in the style of a Venetian palace, the Ritz-Carlton treats guests like royalty. Sophisticated guest rooms features balconies which peek out over beautiful gardens, an infinity-edge pool, the beach, and the sea beyond. Additionally, there’s Internet, marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, and lots more. The spa, salon, and fitness center will soothe body and soul; the Ritz Kids program packs in a full day of activities for kids, including collecting seashells and feeding iguanas. A 54-foot catamaran is available for a day or sunset sail. Info: ritzcarlton.com.

ST. JOHN
Columbus sighted St. John over 500 years ago, but it was Laurence Rockefeller who put it on the map. He purchased most of the island in the 1950s and then turned over the bulk of it to the federal government for a national park. About two-thirds of St. John, including 5,600 underwater acres, is now preserved as Virgin Islands National Park. Cruz Bay, the main town, has a colorful waterfront and narrow streets lined with interesting shops and some excellent restaurants. Nearby, Mongoose Junction is a maze of stone buildings housing upscale shops and boutiques that feature resort wear, jewelry, handcrafts, and more. Be sure to visit the National Park Visitors Center, adjacent to the Cruz Bay wharf, to learn about outdoor activities and hiking adventures in the park. For example, Trunk Bay has an underwater snorkel trail with plaques that identify the corals and fish. You’ll also want to explore some of the island’s 30 fabulous beaches, such as Cinnamon Bay, Hawksnest Bay, and secluded Honeymoon Beach. Eco-adventure is the primary appeal of St. John, but don’t let that fool you. Cruz Bay offers after-dark entertainment.

WHERE TO STAY
Westin St. John Resort & Villas The island’s largest resort offers a nice prime beachfront location along with plenty of activities to keep family members busy. Need to explore: rent a car to see nature upclose and the area’s beautiful beaches. Spread over more than 40 acres and adjacent to Great Cruz Bay, the resort is lush with planted gardens which add to the feel of being in the tropics. White sandy beachees beckon sun worshippers and a large pool will satisfy loungers.
Info: marriott.com.

ST. CROIX
Better known as the Big Island, St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands with an intoxicating laid-back feel you’ll soon get accustomed to. Cruzan life focused on agriculture through the 1960s, when vacationers discovered the islands beautiful beaches and reefs teeming with sea life. Buck Island Reef National Monument, off St. Croix’s northeastern coast, includes a 700-acre marine garden with an underwater snorkel trail. Some 200 sugar plantations once covered St. Croix, and ruins of sugar mills still dot the landscape. To get a grasp of plantation life, visit Whim Plantation, near Frederiksted. Its Great House has period furnishings, including original furniture handmade by slaves. Be sure to try a johnnycake, a local specialty still prepared in the kitchen. Frederiksted, on the islands western end, is the smaller of St. Croix’s two towns and its main port. Historic Fort Frederik has protected the waterfront since the 1750s. Lining the narrow streets nearby, Victorian-style, gingerbread-bedecked buildings house boutiques catering primarily to cruise-ship passengers. Christiansted, on the northeast coast, is St. Croix’s commercial center and offers the best shopping opportunities. Both towns have rich histories, and exploring on foot will reveal historic landmarks and unique colonial architecture. A self-guided Heritage Trail traverses the entire island, linking the two towns and tracing St. Croix’s history, culture, and environment.

WHERE TO STAY
The Buccaneer Hotel Aimed at travelers who want everything at their fingertips, The Buccaneer offers gorgeous beaches, pools, and plenty of sports facilities. The palm-tree-lined main drive is welcoming and leads to the large, pink main building atop a hill. The rest of the resort sits on a former 300-acre former sugar plantation, where guest quarters are scattered about the manicured lawns. Accommodations are spacious and styled with a tropical theme and include local art. Go ahead and splurge for a Beachside Doubloon room just steps from the sand. There are camp activities for kids ages 4 to 12. Info: thebuccaneer.com.

For more information on the U.S. Virgin Islands, go to visitusvi.com.