While many Caribbean villas come equipped with the latest and greatest amenities that luxury travelers have become more accustomed to in recent years, others allow vacationers to enjoy a more classic island experience. If you are interested in the unique history of the region and have booked luxury rentals near Frederiksted, St. Croix, then a trip to the Estate Whim Plantation Museum can be a truly eye-opening experience.

A restored plantation home dating back to the 18th century, the museum chronicles the life and time of the local Cruzans, with particular attention paid to those involved with the production of sugar cane.

The biggest draw of the facility is its main house, which is unique among the area's sugar plantations due to both the structure's preservation and its unique shape. The home features only three rooms and boasts a unique composition of stone, coral and molasses that makes it closer resemble an elegant European Chateau than the Victorian mansions that the region is often equated with. Within the house, you will also find several upscale reproductions of period furniture, much of which can actually be purchased if you're hoping to redecorate the homestead in a classic style.

Of course, this being a former sugar plantation, the facility boasts several reminders of this function on the grounds. Most notable among them is the property's recently restored windmill, which towers above the ruins of machinery once used to refine and manufacture the sugar produced on site.

While the informative and educational tours of the plantation are most popular during the summer, the winter sees the museum opening its doors to local and international musicians. Each winter, the facility hosts its Candlelight Concert Series, offering open-air entertainment to guests hoping to enjoy a serene night on St. Croix. The Whim Estate Plantation Museum has also been known to host the occasional wine tasting.

Travelers enjoying the classic setting of the plantation will likely want to continue the experience in their villa vacation rentals. For these vacationers, a stay at the Mango Hill Greathouse is just what the doctor ordered. This four-bedroom estate is built in the vein of a traditional Danish Colonial great house. Though its architecture may evoke a simpler time, the amenities available in the facility are extremely modern and include satellite TVs, central air, WiFi, a business center and more.