Calling all Caneel experts!!

[martini girl]

When considering all of the room options available at Caneel (Jan. 09) how do you decide which one to choose? For instance, the least expensive is the Courtside room for around $600/night (ouch.) Then I look at the beachfront room for $1200/night, double ouch. Is the beachfront room worth double the price?

I like the idea of my room being steps from the beach, but is it worth the extra $$$? I read Carolyn's TR where she mentioned she stayed in a recently-renovated courtside room that looked lovely. Have most or all of the rooms been renovated, or do you take a chance in possibly getting one that was not?

These are the first of possibly many questions as we plan our little getaway without our kids, sniff-sniff. My 10 yr-old shouted at me "You're going to St John WITHOUT me???" Guilt feelings abound.

[traveler22]

MG-
Up until about 5 years ago "in my opinion" it was worth it because Caneel didn't have AC in the rooms. The ones by the beach got the breeze at night to sleep. I once stayed at a beach front room and heard many people at the court side rooms complaining about how hot their rooms were, But now that all the rooms have AC and the place is so beautiful I wouldn't pay the extra. Caneel's little electric bus also drives you around so you don't have to walk too far if you don't want to. It is the most quiet and relaxing place I have ever stayed at. It was totally book when I stayed there and you would never thought so.

[gymnastika]

I think it depends on how much you want to indulge yourselves this trip. Is this a "splurge now, since we won't go for a long time, special occasion trip" or is it "I just want to be in St. John regardless trip"??

If it's the former, it's great to be on the beach, BUT if this is the later, I would def go for the courtside rooms. The premium courtside rooms are actually my favorite because they are double-size rooms. I love having the extra space and like traveler 22 mentioned, the buses take you to all the beaches.

IMO, I would take the cheaper rooms and go to St. John twice!!

I Will be back there in one month!!

[liamsaunt]

$1200/ night?

Courtside, definitely. You'll be a short walk/bus ride from the beaches. The courtside rooms are all renovated.

[Carolyn]

$1200/night is not even a consideration in my mind! I can't imagine spending that. We liked our room so well I wish we could have spent more time in it but all of those beaches were calling us every day. We really did not spend much more time than sleeping, showering and changing clothes in it. Personally I think the rooms at the lower end are nicer than the units right on the beach...except for maybe the special cottage, which Liamsaunt has had the good fortune to stay in.

[iowaguy]

Hi Martini Girl---You may want to consider getting an AmEx Platinum Card, if you do not have one, because it does give you a free room upgrade, if available, at Caneel, plus free buffet breakfast each morning (I think) at Caneel. Haven't tried this myself----have just read about it on AmEx site and on another forum. Personally, I could not spend $1200/night for a room for 2 of us, and would probably go for the courtside rooms.

[mia]

Hey Martini Girl,

I you don't have an AmEx Platinum, I have read that by booking thru Virtuoso you are assured a room upgrade if one is available. I can't vouch for this personally, but most feedback seems to be positive.

We have stayed in the beach front rooms but only during the low season and on one of Caneel's special packages. I can tell you that it was no where near $1200 a night

We are staying there in September....they offer only one option. It includes EVERYTHING....plus we won't need to rent a car for four days. We have decided to opt for garden view or court side to reduce the cost and pray for an upgrade. It's no big deal if we don't get one...the whole property is like paradise.

Ciao...mia