Our story
We are all stronger together
Meet Corina & Ryan: Stewards of a historic estate, growing a regenerative future
Welcome to Feather Leaf Inn, our oceanfront eco-inn and retreat space in Frederiksted, on the west coast of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.
In 2018, we came together around a question: what kind of business could help regenerate ecosystems while supporting healthy communities?
Our shared passion for plant-based living, cooking, history and Caribbean ecology shaped the answer.
From California to the Caribbean
After moving from California, we helped breathe new life into St. Croix’s historic Pink Fancy Hotel, now known as Sugar Apple Bed and Breakfast. That experience inspired another ambitious restoration: the centuries-old Butler’s Bay Estate.
When we first encountered the property, its buildings and grounds needed extensive care. But beneath the weathered surfaces, we saw something extraordinary: a place rich in history and natural beauty, with the potential to bring people together.
Our vision was to create a welcoming retreat where guests could reconnect with themselves, discover St. Croix and enjoy nourishing plant-based food.
Restoring buildings, honouring history
The estate’s transformation has been a labour of love, bringing neglected spaces back to life as welcoming accommodation overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Its west-facing setting offers ocean views and sunsets that invite you to slow down.
Caring for Butler’s Bay also means acknowledging its past. As stewards of a former sugar plantation, we are committed to sharing its history of slavery, recognising the atrocities experienced here and working towards a more just future for the people of the Virgin Islands.
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Helping the land thrive
Through our conservation work with Thriving Islands, Feather Leaf Inn explores how coastal landowners and hotels can reduce their environmental impact and support ecosystem regeneration.
Our work includes:
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Growing local food sources and planting fruit and nut trees.
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Using renewable energy.
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Supporting plant pollination through beekeeping.
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Participating in coastal restoration.
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Encouraging neighbourhood watershed management.
These commitments shape how we care for the property and welcome our guests.
Our plant-based cooking celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients, including food grown on-site, connecting what we eat with the land around us.
A place to rest, connect and discover
Whether you’re joining us for a Caribbean getaway or hosting a group retreat in St. Croix, we want you to feel welcome and cared for.
Relax, breathe in the ocean air and make space for good food, shared experiences and a deeper connection with the island.
We hope you love it here as much as we do.
Corina & Ryan
