Something for Everyone at The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas
Meet Arjun Channa, the General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas. You’ll discover why to choose St. Thomas as well as his recommendations for the most unforgettable experiences.
Arjun Channa, the General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, has 3 decades of experience bringing a wealth of international expertise. He has held various roles in Algeria, UAE, Jordan, Beijing, Kenya, China and the list goes on! With a diploma in Hotel Management from International Hotel and Training Institutes in Neuchatel, Switzerland, he is fluent in French, Italian, Hindi and conversational in German & Mandarin. Arjun’s a proud husband to his Sicilian wife of 25 years and father to his 4 children, one of them being a 5-year-old Husky. During his free time Arjun mentors, enjoys public speaking, reading books, celebrates giving back to community but more importantly he loves to spend time with his family; travelling our world and discovering amazing people is embedded in his ‘being’.
Why should travelers choose St. Thomas versus other Caribbean islands?
With our proximity to St. John, Lovango Cay and the British Virgin Islands, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas sits on the eastern side of St. Thomas, closest to the ferry dock, making it easy for our guests to take advantage of the island-hopping experience. With a 4–5-night stay, our guests can stamp their passports in Jost Van Dyke aboard our exclusive Lady Lynsey II catamaran, have dinner on Lovango Cay and visit the National Park in St. John all from the shores of Great Bay or a short ride to the inter-island ferry (15 min ride).
What’s new at the resort?
Our top Golf swing suite is the ultimate gaming room. Featuring 80 18-hole virtual golf courses, plus 10 additional virtual games, a customized food and beverage menu, a personal concierge attendant and one hitting bay and a private space for entertainment, the Topgolf Swing Suite is the perfect space for family fun, business meetings or team building.
What are some of your favorite on property experiences that guests shouldn’t miss?
Our Sea to Sails event, where our local fisherman brings in the fish and lobster from their boat right to our shore where Guests get to choose their fish for the grill in the evening.
What’s your favorite place to have coffee in the morning at the resort?
Our Southwind market place that serves the world’s best brew, Illy. After 136 quality checks this coffee makes it to our Guests and Members hands to give them a taste of authentic Italy right while soaking the Caribbean air and sun.
How do you cater to families and what are some recommended activities?
Our Ritz-Kids is unlike any other and our family pool with water slide and splash pad makes it the perfect haven for any family of any age.
Where is the postcard shot on property?
Our sacred Sea Grape Trees where everyone wants to either get married, celebrate a marriage or renew their vows, as it creates a natural arch with the Caribbean Sea peeking through. We also host dinners on the beach under the trees as it creates a beautiful ambiance in the evenings.
What’s the one treatment not to miss at the spa?
Our seaside enclave where we host our Couple’s massages right on the edge of Great Bay with the waves crashing into our reef and rocks.
What’s the best time to visit?
Anytime of the year with year-round tropical temperatures, with each room facing the ocean and extra-large balconies, even when it rains the landscaping comes out alive. Otherwise, October to June are ideally the best given the change in scenery up north.
What are you most proud of at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas?
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas has well over 25% of the island’s workforce, its most important resource, our Ladies & Gentlemen who are over 20 years in the life of 26 years of the company. Our Service culture is our strategy, our people.
What do you want Four Hundred members to know about your property?
Come experience the Ultra Luxury Gateway to the Caribbean – we have over 39 different islands of the Caribbean represented in our Work Force. Start your experience from here. At this beautiful resort we have something for everyone.
Contributor — Four Hundred by Design