USVI-On-Line

We may be able to add a trip in June and am considering staying at Caneel...pros and cons?

Also which area of beachfront rooms is the best?

We usually stay at our time share at the Westin or a Villa in Dec....and wanting to do something different.

thanks!

We loved Caneel. The only Con we had was it seemed to limit the overall island experience, since we were paying so much and the beaches on site are so great, we didn't venture out much. We stayed near Scott, and were in between Scott and Caneel Beach. I'd do it again, but I didn't think it would be a big deal to save money and stay near the courts. As long as you're up for walking!

I've been to Caneel once and we stayed in a Beachfront room on Turtle Bay Beach. A few weeks ago, I toured the property with friends who are considering getting married there (by virtue of our convincing, thank you very much).

we took a look at one room on Turtle Beach which happened to be directly upstairs from the room we stayed in, and I have to say, the second floor of that builiding is unbelievable in that you are looking out directly onto the water. The small negative is that you can't walk directly from your patio onto the beach, but that's not really a big deal, and to sit out on your balcony and take in that view is unreal.

Caneel is wonderful. I can't think of any cons. The beaches are beautiful, the snorkeling is terrific, the rooms are comfortable, the staff is helpful, and the grounds are gorgeous. OK, I thought of something...I'm not a huge fan of the food at dinner. But, you can always go into town via a taxi.

The Turtle Bay rooms crasherino refers to are #93 through #98.

Caneel is simply amazing. We were there in January and stayed premium beachfront on Scott Beach (#s 67-86.) We were just in awe of the proximity of the rooms to the beach, literally 30 feet from your porch/patio and you were on the beach. Talk about ultimate convenience.

The staff were so, so attentive; the rooms were very comfortable, and Scott Beach was so incredible that we never went to another! I thought I would miss going to Maho (which I adore) or Francis, however, I never even thought about another beach once we stepped foot on Scott.

The manager's cocktail party was very enjoyable, we got to mingle with other guests and numerous Caneel employees while enjoying munchies and good drinks.
I think the peacefulness and beauty that Caneel offers just cannot be matched. We had such a wonderful time staying there.

...

The biggest pro for me is that you are 10 steps from the water.

We stayed beachfront on Hawksnest. Great for morning sun and snorkeling at both ends. We'd explore the other beaches in the afternoon.

I agree with all the previous postings--Caneel is wonderful. If you can afford it, it is indeed a special place. For me, though, it usually comes down to spending just a tiny bit of time at Caneel or lots more time in a villa (just because of the affordability issue).

But when we do stay there, I always try to get a Scott Beach room first. The beach is adults only; it's great for both swimming and snorkeling. As others have said, the water's just a few feet from your veranda. In the early evening, you can take a quick dip in the water when it's usually just you and the beauty and perhaps a deer or donkey or 2. Pretty cool.

Enjoy.

I can't comment on staying there, as we have always stayed in a Villa for the past 6 years and enjoy the privacy and lower cost than the resorts for alot more room(s) and being able to dine in and not having to eat out 3x a day.

My 2 cents

Dave

Thanks to all for the feedback... reservation is made for 6 nights at Caneel in June -- requested beachfront Turtle Bay!

...

Congrat on booking Caneel,you'll love it. I had a room on Caneel and it was great and close to everything.

Caneel is running some specials through the winter.
One can get a courtside room for $275. and a garden view room for $295. These rates also include b'fast each day.

I'll admit to knowing next to nothing about Caneel...never thought it would be a place we could afford. What are your opinions re: a courtside room?

I'll admit that staying at Caneel has never crossed my mind - but some of those special rates (which are significantly less than some of the published villa rates) are giving me second thoughts.

Our 20th anniversary will be in June, and I can fly to STT and back using FF miles, so a four or five day stay at Caneel (which we've always considered too "rich" for our blood") might just be the ticket.

I'd probably not even consider this, but the villa we'll always want to stay in is booked that week anyway.

Is there any way to know from the room descriptions on their web site (e.g. Ocean View, Beach Front, Premium Ocean View, Premium Beach Front) which are located on Scott, Hawksnest, etc?

There is a map on their web site home page
http://www.caneelbay.com/i/pdf/caneel_bay_map.pdf
that show the rooms with a legend for room class.... when you make the reservation the beachfront have codes according to beach....
BT -Turtle Beach
BL - Little Caneel
BC - Caneel
-- since there isn't a BH for Hawksnest -- that might just be the Beachfront group......

I started this thread and with all the advice have booked requesting Turtle Bay Beach...... after May the rates go down but the night free is over...... Beachfront with breakfast is $495 night......