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St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John were known collectively as the Danish West Indies until the United States bought the territory in 1917 during World War I, prompted by fears that Germany would establish a U-boat base in the western hemisphere. The name was changed to the United States Virgin Islands, and almost immediately thereafter British-held Tortola and Virgin Gorda -- previously known simply as the Virgin Islands -- hastily inserted "British" on the front of their name.

The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort is located on the east coast of St. Thomas. The hotel was built in 1992 and renovated in 2000. It sits on a bluff overlooking St. John and the British Virgin Islands. The hotel is famous for its 99 steps down to the pool and beach area. There really are 99 steps -- we counted them! But for those who do not wish to make that trek up and down those stairs, the hotel offers a shuttle service.