Villa or Caneel Bay for 2

[turtlegirl]

If cost was the same for 2 people, would you stay at Caneel Bay or a simple but nice villa with distant ocean views and why?

[Wanda Creech]

You can't go wrong with either one of them. Both
are great.
Caneel has wonderful beaches, beautiful grounds,delicious food, and just
a great place to stay.
Private villa I like best just because it is very
private. You get your own pool, hot tub, and view.
Downside you have to drive to get to a beach and
food.
I love both but now always stay at a villa.

[liamsaunt]

I would do both! Spend a week at a villa then three nights or so at Caneel. You get the best of both worlds.

[alw1977]

I might be in the minority, but I'd pick Caneel. The beaches on that property are so spectacular, and it's difficult to get access to several of them unless you stay there. Even though I love villa vacations for the privacy, villas are a certain amount of work. Since you don't have daily maid service, you end up picking up after yourself and cleaning dishes, washing towels, etc. The one downside to Caneel is the lack of a kitchen. I get tired of eating three meals a day at restaurants. I've also heard people describe meals at Caneel as an "investment" because they cost so much. Will you be getting a car?

[Gromit]

Villa Villa Villa.

I just love having a small peice of paradise all to myself. I love having my own pool, kitchen, porch etc.

Plus there's a ton of privacy (depending on where you stay) and well ... you know... it's PRIVACY (Do what you want with that)!!

Just sayin....

[PA Girl]

We have done both types and enjoyed both very much for different reasons.

I share alw1977’s feelings on the housekeeping aspects of renting a villa. It requires just a little more work than I would like on vacation.

If someone else would cook, clean up, and do the laundry, I would feel differently but in our family this falls to me. I am not complaining it’s just the way it is in our life. Other people feel differently and like the privacy, cooking facilities, etc. of a villa.

We switched from staying at Caneel to renting a villa due to family size, group size and time of year for our vacations and I miss the no-brainer aspect of staying there.

I prefer to be at the beach, exploring, and hanging at the Beach Bar over making sure there is food in the house, clean towels and the like.

That likely makes me sound spoiled but darn it, I want to be spoiled on vacation

When we stayed at Caneel we always rented a jeep and spent lots of time exploring and going out in town, which made it the best of both worlds for me.

[turtlegirl]

Thanks for your replies. I suppose you could stay at a villa without the work. We do plan on eating most of our meals out. 10 days would be perfect but we already have airfare and we only have a week. I like the room and privacy at a villa, it just seems that the chance to stay at Caneel for the same price is too good to pass up!

[alw1977]

"it just seems that the chance to stay at Caneel for the same price is too good to pass up"

Right there's your answer. If the villa you've selected is just so-so and the cost is equal, then I'd jump on Caneel in a heartbeat. Have fun!

[turtlegirl]

If you Do have a jeep at Caneel, do you park it in the main lot and then have to take a shuttle to your room?

[PA Girl]

If you Do have a jeep at Caneel, do you park it in the main lot and then have to take a shuttle to your room?

Yes, you park in the main lot and take the shuttle or walk. We walked most of the time but to each their own.

[iowaguy]

Even though we usually stay at a villa (we tend to travel in herds), if it were just 2 of us, I would pick Caneel.

However, and I know this wasn't part of your question, I would pick one of the renovated premium suites at Gallows Point (with a great view) over a courtside room at Caneel (with no view), but thats just me.

[turtlegirl]

Thanks for the monkey wrench, Iowaguy Gallows point does look awesome.

PA Girl, we're definitely walkers, just wondered if it was "too far" to walk from parking lot to room.

How about if it's your first time staying on STJ-would that make a difference to anyone staying at Caneel or a villa?

Do the rooms at Caneel have cathedral ceilings or are they low and flat? Thanks again.

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[PA Girl]

We always stayed on Scott Beach and thoses rooms had the open beamed catherdal style ceilings.

If you are walkers, I can't imagine you would find anywhere on the resort too far to walk.

We nearly always walked from Scott Beach to the main resort area and the parking area. In fact, walking on the paths thru the plantings in the morning was one of our favorite things.

Caneel was our first trip (honeymoon) and I thought it was a great way to visit STJ for the first time because we didn't need to worry about or do anything except chill out, swimming, snorkel and relax.

[Gromit]

I think there is some advantage to satying at Caneel for a first-timer.

HOWEVER... I think it would be too easy to just STAY on the grounds at Caneel and not get out and explore on your own. And lets be honest.. it's half the fun!

When you're in your own villa you are definitely going to get out and explore in order to get to the beaches.

Here's the thing... honestly... you can't go wrong either way.

It just depends on what kind of vacay you want.

I like the freedom of space and privacy that a villa affords me. If I want to be with people, I head out. If I want the world to myself, I saty in the villa.

A lot depends on what kind of mood you're in.

I like having a pool all to myself!