I was suprised to learn that, once again, Caneel has increased their room prices by $45/night plus an additional $8/night service/tax charges for a total increase of $53/night

Since November, 2005, through a series of price hikes, (first a $25/night increase, then by changing the ending of their summer rates from November 18 to Oct. 31, a $100/night increase, and now the $45/night increase), has incresed $202/night in two years. The same room, which in 2005, with service/taxes included cost $618, now costs $820.

If my math is correct, represents approximately 33% increase. Personally, I feel this is outrageous.

Through many postings on this sight, I have made consistant positive comments about Caneel, defended criticisms, and encouraged new posters to stay at Caneel I feel that mmy loyalty has been rewarded by management making room prices unreasonable and unafordable for many. Consequently, I intend not to make any more Caneelfriendly postings in the future.

As much as I would like to see Caneel's prices remain more moderate, they are by no means out-of-line for high end Caribbean resorts, many of which do not offer the setting/beaches of Caneel. Visitors vote with their pocketbooks; if Caneel has a high occupancy rate, it is because it is offering something approaching priceless. If you were selling your home, and it and the setting were offering a number of scarce attributes, you would want to obtain a high price for what you were offering. Caneel is marketing paradise, so the price is steep. Some of these increases may be due to the dollar's weakness the past few years. If Caneel attracts visitors from overseas, THEIR rates have not risen.

I have been looking at prices at other resorts and remarked to my spouse that Caneel is starting to look like a bargain.

It is unfortunate for us that they raise their prices every year, but they do have a variety of rooms and I just "downgraded" my room when I was there in December.

Oh! wow! surprising that the demand for Shoulder Season was so good that they could extend the summer rates! Don't know that I'd be happy about that espcially given the chances of real weather! St. John is just getting more and more popoular and with the demand, up go prices (especially with the supply limited on the island).

I know the economic crunch supposedly isn't hurting the high end of the scale but bet it will make a bit of difference to a lot of guests. I just compared it to a couple of the other high end resorts too in US dollars - ouch!

I suppose that I would not have objected to the nightly price hikes had it not been for the expansion of shoulder season. While I realize that in November, weather can still be iffy, but I feel there should be a price consideration for such. In my past nine consecutive stays at that time, the resort was once evacuated because of a hurricane, another time guests were unable to use the beach or the water because of continual solid sheets of driving rain for one solid week, and the past November, during the last days of my stay unable to use the water, because of riptides, guests were told not to go in because it was unsafe.

During my first stay nine years ago, I was very impressed with the clasiness of Caneel. Guests were given a 20% discount because of the 'inconvenience' of replanting palm trees at Turtle Bay. Nothing like that has ever been offered since at which times as previously mentioned, when conditions were such that is was more than just an incovenience. Incidentally the price of my first room, ocean view has increased 101%.

Since that time, while admittingly enjoying Caneel, I have noticed a decline of those extras which made Caneel so special. Up to several years ago, the manager's party was truly a special event, with a 'to die for' appetizer buffet, which now can be best described as minamilistic. My most recent trip, because of insufficient staffing, service at the beach bar restaurant, at tmes, service was horrible. On one occasion, the small children of our family because of waiting an hour for their food to arrive, after the adults had previosly been served (one by one), were crying becasuse they were hungry. This past November, their shuttle service was provided not by their usual nice air conditined, rain protected first class buses, but by built in seats on the back of pick ups, where I felt that for pregnent women, people with toddlers, the elderly, getting in and out was just plain dangerous.

I feel that if price increases are mandated, then amenties should not be decreased if, not at least, improved. If there are no complaints, like sheep going to the slaughter, things will remain the same. When conditions are not as good,I also feel, that my positive commentary, provides free advertising and more corporate wealth, some of which is comming from my pocket.

I still long for the late '60s, when the place was truly special (It was a RockResort then).