I am considering Caneel Bay for a 5-day trip in November, but I am throughly confused by the reviews the resort gets from travelers on this site and Tripadvisor. Everyone seems to agree that the natuaral setting for the resort is fantastic. However, there seems to be a lot of disagreement re. the service, food and lodging. Some people rate them as being terrible, while others say they are all fine. With the lodging, I get the impression that the problem is mostly the lower-end rooms, and that the suites and cottages are pretty nice. Is this the case? Any thoughts on the contradictions in these reviews?

Thanks.

Caneel Bay has a great location and that is the draw. The rooms are nothing fancy. If the staff were more friendly and hospitable it would be a marvelous place to stay. I had one experience with a really rude dining room staff that was totally uncalled for. Food was average and expensive, but there is easy transport into town. I think that people look at the value for money and for some it is a fine value and for others it just seems like you pay a lot to stay in an average room with rude service.

Much depends on what is important to you. This November will be my eighth trip to Caneel Obviously, I love the place. That which constantly draws me back to Caneel are the following: Seven heavenly beaches from which to choose, and which usually are occupied by only a handful of other people and affords great privacy, not row upon row of loungechairs crowded with sunworshipers, terrific off the beach snorkeling, accomodations spread out among the spacious, beautifully landscaped tropical ground offering a uncrowded spacious retreat. I enjoy fine dining, and have never had a meal at Caneel that I have not enjoyed. I have always been treated well by the staff, but I have found that treating each member frindly and respectfully. While the rooms are not 'glitzy', they are clean, spacious, comfortable, well attended and have a real Caribbean feel. (I do not travel to the Caribban for a suburban exerience.)

Dianebridle's description of Caneel is right on. Many criticisms stem from people not doing their homework before going and expecting marble baths with gold plated faucets and glitzy lobbies.
Caneel is upscale casual, with fine rooms in a West Indies style.

We were there last September. Agree with previous comments about the rooms - I thought ours was charming, and very comfortable. I found the staff to be extremely accomodating and friendly. The privacy and the grounds were amazing, and that was the draw for us. We enjoyed the meals we ate there.

I'd say people on staff went out of their way for us at least twice, and I would definitely return to Caneel Bay. Um, if I weren't going the villa route this time in order stay on St. John longer!