New sign at caneel

[thebin]

We were there probably Dec 18th and we didn't pay anything nor were we asked too nor did we see that sign. We parked in the guest/taxi lot no prob. How old is that sign?

We also visited the month before you in November.
Like I said, the place is lovely, just not for us.We parked in the same place as you folks did, as well.
To me the walk to/from the car was a drag with all the beach needs-(chairs,beachballs,frisbees,coolers,badminton set,horseshoes,lawn jarts,towels,hammer & nails to hang the "ring game" that we purchased at the Soggy Dollar last year,grossly oversized sombreros,etc...), and although the drinks & grub were good, it was definately overpriced.
The sign is obviously new.
Smiles-
MJ

We never had any plans to hit Caneel- we did it because one of us was still quite sick and if you've seen the "facilities" at the national park beaches...

I have to actually disagree about the prices. The premium they charged over other people the island wasn't nearly as painful as I thought it would be. We all had burgers- which were I think $16. Now what would you expect to pay for a good burger and fries elsewhere on STJ? $14 I think is the minimum I would expect and did see. The Caneel burger was also very very good. $2 premium for a 4.5 star resort lunch, while using their air-conditioned bathrooms, and we paid nothing for parking....I think that's more than fair. Now again, the beach we stayed at (the main one near the restaurants) was nothing special at all. But all in all, I would have expected them to hammer us on prices much worse. This on an island where our first lunch quote was $14 for 4 ribs and fries in a shack in the back of town.

[jayseadee]

Having rode the Lind Trail on my butt, I'd probably pay the $10

note for Tipsy/Mahojim -

LysaC stayed at Just Enough; here's her TR
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ght=enough

[mahojim]

I'm hearin' ya. And, as mentioned, it's a groovy joint to hit on the way to/from Honeymoon.
And the nachos were awesome.
Whereas the fee for Trunk seems to go unnoticed on this thread, I agree that it's more than worthwhile to have a nice shower after the beach, clean restrooms, and pleasant help.
Then again, you're talking to a camper of sorts, that usually brings his(our) own drinks & food to the beach.
I guess I'm just too out of shape for the walk to/from the parking lot.
I'm all about easy access.
I forgot about your TR with the illness you experienced, and that would be the place to go were it to happen to me.
No offense to you.
Where did you get beat up on the ribs? Hopefully not Uncle Joe's,it's usually a homerun!
Smiles-
MJ

[Agent99]

Having rode the Lind Trail on my butt, I'd probably pay the $10

Funny Jayseadee!

[Teresa_Rae]

I can't see the picture but I assume it's about the new entry fee?

I think it's a poor business decision on their part. The only reason my husband and I have even considered staying at Caneel is because we've walked the grounds for free and thus have been able to see the appeal of the resort. If they'd been charging the fee all along we likely would have never set foot there and it wouldn't even be on our list. Having free parking is probably Caneel's best form of advertising and they really could be shooting themselves in the foot. Time will tell.

[mahojim]

Having rode the Lind Trail on my butt, I'd probably pay the $10

note for Tipsy/Mahojim -

LysaC stayed at Just Enough; here's her TR
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ght=enough

Thanks, Janet! Just read it, and can't wait to see this cozy little joint!
Smiles-
MJ

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[tipsy]

thank you jayseadee for the heads up on the cottage. just read it and has made me more excited to get to STJ now!! so glad to see such a great review on it. and that is met all expectations. And now that know about the stairs, will hit the treadmill a little harder (after the holidays ) to get in shape.

mahojim, looks like we'll be passing in the airport, we're leaving on the 24th. Look for a 60 yr old woman crying her heart out,being dragged away by her DH. Unfortunately,don't have a laptop so can't send you a report while on island. What time is your plane coming in? maybe can meet at airport and give a quick review then.

as for the parking fee, if the beach is worth it, then we pay it. Here in NY, thats a low rate to park at the beaches,fees can be high as $25 +. All depends on what you like. There seems to be enough free beaches that s/b no problem finding another one. as in all other things, up to the individual.

[Teresa_Rae]

I'll pay the $10 but I hope they don'y mind if I go on out to Scott for a while.

Yes...I'd pay the $10 in a heartbeat to visit the "forbidden" beaches

[thebin]

I'm hearin' ya. And, as mentioned, it's a groovy joint to hit on the way to/from Honeymoon.
And the nachos were awesome.
Whereas the fee for Trunk seems to go unnoticed on this thread, I agree that it's more than worthwhile to have a nice shower after the beach, clean restrooms, and pleasant help.
Then again, you're talking to a camper of sorts, that usually brings his(our) own drinks & food to the beach.
I guess I'm just too out of shape for the walk to/from the parking lot.
I'm all about easy access.
I forgot about your TR with the illness you experienced, and that would be the place to go were it to happen to me.
No offense to you.
Where did you get beat up on the ribs? Hopefully not Uncle Joe's,it's usually a homerun!
Smiles-
MJ

I assure you no offense taken!
Not sure the name of it with the $14 1/4 rack ribs. It was on the way from Cruz into Great Cruz Bay- really a hole on the side of the road past the school and I think just before the gas station. Looked like nothing but locals- not a touristy place at all. So we thought maybe it would be a good deal. Nope.

[jmq]

I'll pay the $10 but I hope they don'y mind if I go on out to Scott for a while.

Yes...I'd pay the $10 in a heartbeat to visit the "forbidden" beaches

If you happen to wander over from the main "public" Caneel beach, do it in a very low key manner carrying minimal stuff such as a snorkel bag and a small beach bag; don't park yourselves on the parts of the beach right in front of the beachfront rooms; don't use the Caneel floaties; and don't park yourself in their beach chairs. However, don't be surprised if you are politely asked by Caneel staff to move back over to the public beach, especially if its high season. That said, during our June stay at Caneel, we never saw any Caneel staff out "patrolling" the beaches like we had in the past - maybe thats an area they cut back on to control costs or during off season?

[Teresa_Rae]

I'll pay the $10 but I hope they don'y mind if I go on out to Scott for a while.

Yes...I'd pay the $10 in a heartbeat to visit the "forbidden" beaches

If you happen to wander over from the main "public" Caneel beach, do it in a very low key manner carrying minimal stuff such as a snorkel bag and a small beach bag; don't park yourselves on the parts of the beach right in front of the beachfront rooms; don't use the Caneel floaties; and don't park yourself in their beach chairs. However, don't be surprised if you are politely asked by Caneel staff to move back over to the public beach, especially if its high season. That said, during our June stay at Caneel, we never saw any Caneel staff out "patrolling" the beaches like we had in the past - maybe thats an area they cut back on to control costs or during off season?

I've never had the guts to try

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[Noreen]

SJ, I've lived here for 22 years and still haven't been to the NJ shore. (Unless you count a few trips to AC to see Jimmy Buffett.) Your description has not changed my mind about this, lol.

[Bigcheeze]

Honeymoon is one of our Must Do Beaches...$10 is fine with me. We have just learned to take less when we go.