Jen

My fiance' and I are in the process of planning our honeymoon for June 2002. Which resort do you recommend more highly...Biras or Caneel? Your help is greatly appreciated!!!

Alisa

Neither. I just returned from my honeymoon at Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda. It was picture perfect.

Sue

If its beautiful beaches you want,pick caneel, The beach at Biras or little dix do not compare to the seven beauties at Caneel.

Louis

If there were just one or two things you both would want above all else, what would that be? With that information provided, you might get a better answer. Perhaps there might even be a better destination for you both. Since you have set the time frame and the price range this makes things less difficult. Remember that there are not many people out there that have been to most of the major locations in the Caribbean so most have no real basis for comparisons. All top scale resorts in the general area have a lot to offer. Today there is considerable difference between Biras and Caneel. If you have never been to either place before or the Caribbean, most likely you will be very happy with either. If it were me I would go to Guana Island but I don't think this would be the best for you if Caneel apeals to you both. Of the two, I would go to Biras. I walked through their property when they were refurbishing everything but I never stayed there. My decision would be based on what I saw and what others have said. I am familiar with both Caneel and Little Dix from way back but they have not changed much other than adding more children and A/C. Of those two I would chose Little Dix but that is our tastes. You can see that your question is not easy to answer.

Rob

Would love to help you. What is important to you in a resort? Where will you want to spend your time at the resort? On the beach? Prefer a pool? Want lots incredible seclusion? Or is dining more important? Is a luxury room important? How about a simple villa all your own? Hard to tell you which.
If I said I recommended Biras highly would that suffice? Doubt it, so you see how valuable it would be for us to know what is most/least important in a resort vacation to you.

Ann

To Louis' point, Jen, Alisa thinks LDB was "picture perfect", whereas I came close to detesting it for it's ho-hum, ordinary resort character. Give us your preferences and dislikes. Are you beach bum? Do you want to be catered to? Or do you want a small resort and to sit on your porch and watch the clouds go by. Some are Biras, some Caneel. Some neither and some either.

Karen

Either can be a wonderful spot but as the others said you might prefer one over the other because of personal preferences which you don't mention. Caneel is a lovely property with 7 wonderful beaches to choose from and some you can stay right on. You have easy access to the rest of St. John and the great beaches and snorkling and just a 15 minute ferry ride to St. Thomas if you crave some "excitement" or shopping. It is the best of the USVI. Biras is more isolated on 3 bays and more intimate and private. They don't have the variety of accomodations that Caneel has and their units are very comfortable (love those grotto showers). Their swimming beach is a three-quarters of a mile ride on bikes from the rooms but the rooms overlook another lovely walking beach. The food at Biras is possibly the best of the BVI. The beach is on the small side but with so few guests, it really isn't crowded. And I have spent hours on a float just watching the rays and fish swim around me! Loved it! You do have the option of using the complimentary Whalers to putt about North Sound at Biras and that is a plus. I haven't been to Caneel to stay since the Kids' Program was started and Rosewood "upgraded" the property by adding a/c, Kids' Club and some other amenities but the Terrace Dining Room only serves buffet now and not sure that in off season that they would have all three restaurants open every nite - but it is convenient and easy to eat off the property in Cruz Bay (about $4pp and a quick taxi or you can rent a jeep). To explore VG, you boat to Gun Creek and get your rental or taxi there. You can putt to Bitter End or hike there - but don't eat there - or even try Saba Rock but then it is accessable by boat only also. Brias does offer an option of sail/land packages and limits, or did limit, the age of children. It's not very family oriented and for me, that is a big plus! Check www.scubamom.com for her reviews of Biras and other BVI spots that might be interesting (Guana Island).

Louis

This is amazing that there is so much top information here so soon. I wonder if anybody will take advantage of it? I hope so. All of us like to share our experiences.

Linda

Yes, the beaches at Caneel are better than the beach at Biras (which is still lovely!), BUT remember that at Biras you get complementary use of a Boston Whaler - we had a different, private, INCREDIBLE beach each day - it was HEAVEN. I loved Caneel as well and hear great things about Little Dix, and since they are both now very kid-friendly, I can't wait to go with my kids, but that would be the same reason I wouldn't recommend it for a honeymoon!

Joel

The information already provided is excellent. Caneel and Biras are outstanding examples of resorts that are very different, yet at the top in what they do. I would not want to do any injustice to Caneel, but I have to vote for Biras. I really like having the individual bicycles to roam the extensive grounds. I think the swim beach is the most beautiful I've ever seen; it is alone on its own bay. Imagine a bay that is deeper than it is wide so that it's shaped like a tongue. Either side of the bay is mountainous and at the bottom of the bay sits the beach, maybe 150-200 yds long, with only 2 or 3 dozen lounge set-ups (indicating how private and secluded the resort is). The beauty, as someone said very accurately, is right from a Gauguin painting of the South Pacific.
You get around by personal bicycle, because it's a big place. You can easily walk to the "castle" where the restaurant is perched on the top, but you would bicycle to the marina or to the beach. A very nice touch!
There are also trails to hike that take you to the summit of the 4 nearby peaks.
The packages are quite excellent and having a motorboat at your disposal for any purpose, is lots of fun.
Best food I've had in the Caribbean; certainly the best in the BVI.
You can walk over to BEYC which is fun to do, but you'd not want to skip a meal at Biras to eat there.

Louis

If the choice was between Caneel Bay and Biras Creek, we would pick Biras Creek. I said we as that includes my wife. However, Jen has not indicated any information on what she would like which is really the key to the question. I wonder if she is still out there?