jshaw2002

20th anniversary trip coming up next June and we're looking for recommendations. I've read Scuba Mom's reviews of Peter and Guana Island - what are your opinions? We like upscale and private accommodations (don't have to be fancy, but usually require A/C - would that be a problem with Guana Island?), beautiful and uncrowded beaches, excellent food, intimate atmosphere. Don't have to have a lot of activity - shopping, nightlife, etc.

I keep hearing how beautiful, romantic and laid back St. John is. What would be specific recommendations for accommodations there and do you think we would prefer it given our requirements as listed above?

Thank you for your help.

Tuxedocat

Sounds like Caneel Bay is your ticket. I don't know what Guana Island has for food, but it is pretty small. Peter Island has a very luxurious resort, but it is pretty isolated, too. If you want exclusivity but maybe mix it up with a leisurely shopping trip and a dinner out at one of St. John's excellent restaurants (try Asolare for good food and exceptionally beautiful setting). Caneel Bay has long catered to the "rich and famous" and boasts 7 private beaches, and some great restaurants of its own. The accomodations have recently been renovated but they are known for their laid-back elegance. You really can't miss with any of these islands.

christiegr

Check out Caneel Resort on St John..it is a very nice resort.Make sure that if you go there to get AC because we just returned from St John...we rented a villa with AC in the bedrooms and would recommend to anyone who gets a villa to get it fully air conditioned.

I believe that Caneel resorts rooms have AC. Good luck!!

christiegr

hi tux...I guess that we were typing at the same time and also thinking alike.

JimC

I agree with the previous posters -- you might also think about splitting the time at Caneel with Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda.

xkenx

Caneel Bay is incredibly romantic, with their rooms spread out over 170 acres and SEVEN tree-shaded white sand beaches with wade-in snorkeling. Paradise on earth!!

ejcrowe

I can help you with a few questions about Guana, but I've never stayed at Caneel or PI. I honeymooned on Guana in June 2003, staying in one of the Anegada cottage rooms which ended up being extremely private since the other two rooms in the cottage were unoccupied. We had a spacious bedroom and indoor sitting area and an open plan bath & shower, and there was an outdoor patio as well. There were two ceiling fans inside and the cottage was situated such that there were constant breezes coming through. In fact, two nights we got a little chilly and turned down the ceiling fan and pulled up the comforter.

However, the same week were there, one couple complained a couple of times about the lack of breezes in their bedroom and a slight discomfort, but they were also keeping in mind that they had overdone in the sun and had become sunburned.

The food we had at Guana was just about the freshest I've had in the Caribbean. All of the fish served was caught that day. All breads were baked daily. All of the produce was grown right there on the island and picked fresh. It was never gourmet, usually just simply prepared but bursting with flavor and freshness. I loved it.

Breakfast had a cold buffet every morning and the option to order a hot entree cooked to order. Lunch consisted of a cold and hot buffet of about a dozen salads and entrees, followed by a dessert. Fresh fruit and yogurt were available for both meals.

Dinner is a 3 course affair--usually there are 2 choices for each course--and you sign up for your choices by lunchtime each day. If you have any special needs such as vegetarian meals, low cholesterol, low salt, etc let them know ahead of time and they will prepare something just for you.

White Bay Beach is beautiful and with a maximum of 30 people on the island, it could never be crowded. There's good snorkeling just off shore there. There are about 1/2 dozen other beaches around the island--some you can get to only by hiking and others only by boat. We had a castaway picnic on one of the latter and it was very romantic--we chose our food the night before and they packed us up with a cooler, blanket, two chairs and two umbrellas. There's also a small canopy for massages out on the beach, but they must be arranged at least a day in advance.

Guana isn't service oriented--which is not to stay that it isn't staffed or that they're not pleasant. They are--and will be prepared with an answer for any question you have or fulfill any request you have. But it's more a place where the guests like being more independent--they fix their own drinks, for example, as there is no bartender. I loved it, but I don't think everybody would. Please let me know if you'd like more info on Guana.

MIM04

PI and Caneel Bay all have AC rooms. It is funny how AC is such a matter of opinion. I try not to stay anywhere with AC as I like to have the windows and doors open all the time. I lived in the Caribbean for several years without AC and it never bothered me.

I think all three of these places meet your requirements. I think it depends on how much you want to spend and how isolated you really want to be...

jshaw2002

Thank you all for your help. We are leaning toward Peter Island because it feels more like casual elegance to us. The prices make my stomach hurt, but it's our anniversary - I'm hoping I can overcome!

We are working with a travel specialist and have not yet given him our final three. Any other recommendations? We also looked at Cap Juluca, Cuisinart, and Little Dix Bay. Love to hear other opinions.

Thanks again.

lauren27

Have you looked into booking through Andrew Harper Travel? We booked through them for our honeymoon to Peter Island. You have to join their travel club for $120, but they offer discounted rates which way more than made up for the membership fee (actually we ended up saving a few hundred dollars and their rate also includes 2 free massages at the spa.) We haven’t been there yet, but are counting down the days!