USVI-On-Line

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We stayed at Caneel Bay & loved it. The good thing is that you don't have to worry about anything, especially if you have a meal & activity plan already paid for.

We ventured off the property a lot to other beaches & into town, so the freedom is there as well.

This year we are renting a villa for the 1st time, but will definitely be visiting Caneel while we're on the island.

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I would hardly qualify as a "St. John expert" but I always have been a big advocate of the resort rather than a villa since I long for creature comforts and actually do prefer sand and salt water within footsteps over a lovely view with a pool! That is especially true on St. John where the beach villas are few and far between. But then I still don't quite get the "cooler crowd" who prefers to drag and fuss with food from home and somehow enjoys doing all or at least some of the daily living chores while on "vacation."
I had the pleasure of joining my family at a rented villa on Virgin Gorda for my first villa vacation a couple of weeks ago (altho I have stayed many many times in a condo on STT which some daresay qualifies, it seems, as a "villa" by some definitions) and altho there was daily maid service (and loads of clean dry beach towels daily), the company sure made up for the necessary tidying up, cooking, shopping (altho we provisioned for most things), cleaning the table after meals, filling/emptying the dishwasher and generally doing much of what I do at home (altho more of it since there were lots more people).
We ate out about half the dinners and had a chef come in one nite and I headed out to different spots for lunch a couple of days. And, of course, we weren't right on the beach but only about 100 yards from it so it was not a problem (those prices get really steep for beachfront). l really enjoyed the time but I certainly enjoyed the time prior to and after the villa when I was hoteling or resorting it too - and I think I always will. I just don't think that I would be happy having to schlepp chairs and all the beach stuff and commute to beaches - I do that at home -('tis a long walk or ride when mother nature calls) and I certainly missed a nice comfy chaise lounge on the beach of our villa (we could leave the ones provided on the beach for the entire week but they weren't so great!) and unfortunately the "beach staff" was sadly absent when one wanted a bit of "service!" But then the absolute best meal was grilling the Anegada lobsters just hours after they were caught (there are some advantages when one of the people traveling with you is a great chef himself!)- beat any meal we had at home or out!!!

We have stayed at Westin many times and Caneel once.
For the first time this past January, we did Westin for 3 days and a villa for 1 week. We loved the villa life, not so crazy about our villa, but loved the privacy of villa living. We ate breakfast in, packed most lunches and ate dinner out most nights! I would choose the villa over the resorts any day, you will probably save money and enjoy yourself more! We will probably always still stay at the Westin because we use points and stay for free, but we will do one week in a villa too!

hawkeyechick,
we'd go gallows point or villa before caneel or westin, hands down. even if you don't use it much, there's nothing wrong with having a kitchen: wake up in the a.m., coffee/croissant on the veranda/deck in p.j.'s, privacy, and a sense of freedom and adventure. but we have good friends who swear by caneel and have stayed there annually for over 10 years running. you can't go wrong either way; just depends what you're looking for.
dave

hawkeyechick,
we'd go gallows point or villa before caneel or westin, hands down. even if you don't use it much, there's nothing wrong with having a kitchen: wake up in the a.m., coffee/croissant on the veranda/deck in p.j.'s, privacy, and a sense of freedom and adventure. but we have good friends who swear by caneel and have stayed there annually for over 10 years running. you can't go wrong either way; just depends what you're looking for.
dave

LSU,
You only got 32 days bud. I'll stop by on the way in the gates and say hi. Jorge


Jorge,

Look forward to seeing ya!

Hi HawkeyeChick! Are you a fellow Iowan?

I have been to Caneel once, Gallows twice, Westin twice and a villa 5 times. And I'm sending my daughter and a friend to Estate Lindholm next month. I've enjoyed every trip! Frankly, you're starting with the best---Caneel. I would love to stay there again but I generally go in-season, with others in tow, and I just cannot justify the expense. If there were just two of us, I would probably opt for a resort. If its a large family gathering, or several couples, the villa works out well. Don't fret---just enjoy. Turtle Bay and Scott Beaches are two great Caneel beaches that villa people can't get to easily. But do get off the property to enjoy the restaurants and bars in Cruz Bay!

Thanks all. I appreciate all the input. Truth be told I'm looking for a lot of R&R on this trip. I'll stay away from the sob story, but, long story short, my husband and I planned this get away to celebrate the end of my cancer treatments. Yahoo! We just want to pull up a piece of the beach, have a few cocktails and throw the clock in the garbage. After reading this, I think we made a good choice as I'm not interested in cleaning or cooking on this trip. If all goes well, maybe we'll return with friends or family in tow next time and a villa will be perfect.

Thanks so much!

Jim, yep. We're here in IC celebrating our new found basketball coach.

HawkeyeChick - We have stayed in villas when we go with others. Our last trip we opted for Estate Lindholm and were perfectly happy with it.

We loved the location and the smaller size than the Westin (stayed there one night our first trip to STJ before getting into our villa). It's alot more private. The only time we ever saw the other people was when we would go down for breakfast.

We had a microwave, a toaster, a coffee maker and a mini fridge, but only used the mini fridge for soft drinks, water and beer.

We planned to eat all of our meals out and did.

I think no matter what, you will be happy just to be there and be away from it all. I don't think you could not be happy on STJ.

Have a great trip!

nothintolose

[quote="dave"]hawkeyechick,
we'd go gallows point or villa before caneel or westin, hands down. even if you don't use it much, there's nothing wrong with having a kitchen: wake up in the a.m., coffee/croissant on the veranda/deck in p.j.'s, privacy, and a sense of freedom and adventure.

no one eliminates that because they are staying at a resort. If the hotel doesn't have coffee pots in the rooms, I have my little travel pot that brews a large thermal cup of coffee in no time. Then with coffee and croissant in hand take a few steps to sit on the beach and watch the morning awaken. For the ole timers, one might remember when Caneel actually had a full breakfast room service on the patio/balcony!
There is no "wrong" way but just different ways to enjoy!

Caneel will be an excellent place to unwind after your cancer treatment--pamper yourself, you deserve it. The massages at Caneel are also great!

Enjoy and hope all is well to you and your husband.

Have done the Westin (rooms) bout four times, Gallows (Condo) once, Secret Harbor (condo) three times and we're doing Secret Harbor and villa (st John) this next trip. I'm already sure I'll miss the "maid" service since I do work fulltime at home as the "maid" already as well as outside the house. As the villa is NOT a budget option and doesn't come with the maid service or room service I don't really know what we're gaining other than our own little pool and a questionable amount of privacy as I've cometo understand a neighbors villa next door looks right down on this propertys pool. I'll post when we return if its something we'll do again or if we're back to full service like you can get at Secret Harbor or Gallows and of course the Westin.

HawkeyeChick - No matter where you stay you picked the right island ... STJ. A great place to rejuvenite yourself after what you have been through. Congrats on that & enjoy!