Caneel Bay - WORTH IT OR NOT?
Mar 7th, 2003, 03:51 AM
#1
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Caneel Bay - WORTH IT OR NOT?
I am going back and forth on this one. I see reviews about the place saying how wonderful it is, on the other hand I see reviews about how "rude" the service is and the rooms are not worth the cost. I am considering staying here during low season so its not as costly, however I would not want to spend the money if its not worth it. Help!
Mar 7th, 2003, 04:42 AM
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In my opinion it's worth it just for the ambiance and the beaches alone. Sadly Caneel knows that too. Still when we were there, the people were not rude and the rooms were just fine. Get a beach front on Scotts beach and you'll be in heaven. Especially in low season you'll be glad you did.
Mar 7th, 2003, 04:51 AM
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I remember flying into Virgin Gorda for my honeymoon 32 (ouch) years ago. We had selected a week at Little Dix and a week at Caneel. Both properties were new and I couldn't find anyone who had been to either, but they looked great in the brochures.<BR>We had to fly in on a little 6 seater and it happened to be during a brief rainstorm. The island looked awful and I experienced sheer terror at having been responsible for this decision.Very sonn, I realized that I had made a great decision and our second week at Caneel was just as great. I have been fortunate enough to go back to both places over the years. We stayed at Caneel last about 4 years ago. It is still great. I believe that it was about 43 steps into the water from the back door of our room at Hawksnest. I don't know about rude service. Our boat was met by one of the hotel staff on the dock. She had a silver tray laden with "chilled" facecloths for those of us who had just made the 45 minute journey from St. Thomas. The manager made early rounds every evening and called guests by their name. No rudeness there. Caneel Bay is a great choice - go for it! And, when you come back, post your reactions to the hotel!
Mar 7th, 2003, 05:03 AM
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(00Ps posted too soon)<BR>Wonderful linens, great mattress, Lady Primrose bath gels, good service. Never had the rude experience! I just prefer to dine off the hotel property, and get out of the resort. It is a beautiful place.
Mar 7th, 2003, 05:08 AM
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Well its sounds that this may be worth the money, huh? I still think though it is really expensive for a beach front room. Does anyone have experience with the tennis/garden rooms (Not the courtside ones, the ones that are a step up)?
Mar 8th, 2003, 06:19 AM
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We stayed in a garden room our first time there. Everything else was filled. We moved on to Turtle Bay for future visits. Actually the rooms are nicer in the garden rooms. We just found it inconvenient to go swimming and snorkeling on such a large property and then have a long hike or bus ride back to the room to change.
Mar 10th, 2003, 09:53 AM
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Well thanks to everyone's help and suggestions I decided to bite the bullet and book (about 2 hrs. ago) a 6 night stay at Caneel Bay in October in a beachfront room. I may have to take out a loan for this one! Again, thanks to everyone's help, it will be a while but I will give a trip report once I get back! I hope its worth it!!!
Mar 10th, 2003, 01:14 PM
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Whether it is "worth" it depends on what is important to you. I think Caneel is kind of "barefoot chic" rather than upscale luxury -- i.e. what's impressive there is the access to the beach, the uncrowded beaches, and the expansive grounds. If you are expecting Four Seasons type luxury and service you may be disappointed. I am always concerned when people think a resort is really expensive and say "I hope it is worth it" because I feel they are bound to be disappointed because the expectations are so high. I agree with a previous poster that St. John is really the "star" and if you are planning to do a lot of touring around the island, trying out lots of beaches and restaurants, you might be happier at the Westin. It depends on what your priorities are and you didn't realy mention those in your post.
Mar 10th, 2003, 03:37 PM
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Good choice. The beachfront rooms are the way to go. I prefer Hawksnest for the wonderful breezes and it is a short walk across the property to enjoy the beach and late afternoon sun at Scotts while Hawksnest gets the early morning sun. It's more low key and casual than say the 4Seasons and you will be delighted with the property. Do get out and enjoy the island too if you can drag yourself away from those great beaches.
Mar 11th, 2003, 04:45 AM
#12
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I definitely got the vibe from the brochure and other posts (about being not in your face upscale resort) I am really looking for a resort with an "old caribbean" feel, before all the high rise resorts came into play with the caribbean. I know Caneel is very expensive but I feel that being its location and not being crowded, etc. will be worth it alone. So I will keep in mind that I am not going to a Ritz Carlton or anything like that but a more laid back quiet place where I can just sit back on the beach and enjoy my surroundings without the crowds. So I think it is worth it in my book!
