I am very interested in staying at Caneel Bay Resort for my honeymoon. Seems like a very nice place, especially all the beaches. But I have heard that the rooms do not have phones or tvs. Dont get me wrong, I do not intend on spending my honeymoon using these things, but how is one supposed to stay connected to the world? I can do without tv, but a phone and internet connection may be desired from time to time. Any thoughts from those of you who have been there?

Also, can anyone suggest another all-inclusive hotel (preferably St. John, but doesn't have to be) that is really nice and has the same feel as a really expensive resort, but doesn't cost a fortune like Caneel Bay does.

When you are at Caneel Bay, trust me, you don't miss being connected to outside world!! It was a bit tricky checking on kids at home but also so nice to be away from TVs, computers, etc. Caneel Bay is truly paradise! Rooms aren't overly fancy but you are paying for having 7 perfect private beaches all within a short walk from each other. If you can afford to go, do it. We rented a car for the entire stay but turned it in after 2nd day. IT is fun to explore the island but beaches at resort are as perfect, if not better than rest of island and not the hassle of driving. EAsy taxi into town for dinner if you don't want to eat onsite.

Say you had to stay connected to the outside world a little bit. How would you do it? Is any connection possible?

I'm not sure how you'd do it. I don't know what you do for a living, but when I went to Caneel Bay I gave my secretary the phone number in case of emergency. She didn't call, and I didn't check my blackberry the whole week, and it was fabulous.

It's one of the most relaxing places you'll ever go to--no phone, e-mail, news talking about swine flu, etc.

Take your cell phone from home; most carriers work from there (USVI is US area code).

Note that only SOME of the beaches at Caneel are private.Honeymoon and another(cant recall name) are not. They are quiet and gorgeous--and you dont have to be a guest to walk there, If you enter the grounds of Caneel, just tell them you are going to the beach.

If you do stay at Caneel, skip the lunch buffewt. Overpriced and not particularly good, and lots of flies buzzin' round.

I'd suggest a cottage or villa instead of a hotel. It will be lots less $ than Caneel, and just as, if not more so, peaceful, private, and romantic--and will probably have a TV and phone

There were phones on the property different areas, just not in the rooms. Our cell worked too.

Caneel is paradise on earth. It is so sprawled out, uncrowded, and romantic, you'll feel like you have the place to yourselves most of the time. Caneel is in the National Park with no development to be seen anywhere.You and your new spouse can enjoy each other on the seven tree-shaded white sand beaches with wade-in snorkeling. Bring cell phone for communication. You can even pick up a cell phone with internet access/email.
Ken
ps You can get those "back home" amenities at the Westin on St. John, but that is on one small man-made beach, and crawling with kids.

Caneel Bay is lovely. I'm sure they have an internet access site in the reception area. Your cell phone will work on ST John. Even our refillable minutes phone works there. If you want more services, you might want to look at Gallows Point, resort condos with TV, DVD players, beautiful grounds and great views(Suite St. John offers the more updated units-an oceanview loft suite is best); great restaurant on site, 3 minute walk to town, but you have to drive to the great north shore beaches. That's not a bad thing, but if you want the all inclusive experience and want to walk out the door and onto the beach, Caneel will do it best. Forget the Westin!

The point of Caneel is that there are no phones or TVs. A lot of Caribbean getaway resorts are like that. Petit St. Vincent, for example, doesn't even have a/c. Be aware that there are still quite a few luxury resorts that do not have a/c even because they are situation in a way that it's not necessary. But for those people who require their creature comforts, then this is not paradise. But you do pay dearly for these resorts. I think a lot of them may be offering some good deals this year, so you might find a luxury resort at a lower than normal price, but you still pay a LOT for true luxury in the Caribbean.

Your cell phone will work on almost any Caribbean island if it's a tri- or quad-band GSM phone. But you will pay a steep roaming fee. The best thing is to get off the grid. It's your honeymoon, for goodness sake.

There's nothing else on St. John like Caneel, but I want to make it clear that it's not at all all-inclusive in the sense that things are included in the price. I think you can get a plan that includes breakfast and dinner, but not drinks and lunch. And the food there is expensive.

There are myriad other casually elegant resorts in the Caribbean. Little Dix Bay, which is owned by the same company, might be considered similar, though few have the beach access that Caneel offers. There are some private island resorts in the Grenadines, and almost every island has some lovely high-end resorts. You might enjoy the Ritz-Carlton on St. Thomas. It's more of a traditional luxury resort. You might also enjoy the Buccaneer on St. Croix, but the beaches there do not begin to compare with those on St. John, but I particularly like this family-run resort.

You're not totally without connections to the outside world at Caneel! As previously mentioned, your cell phone will likely work there (I have AT&T and it's been fine) and there's also wireless connections in several places. Plus, there's a small room next to reception where there are 3-4 pcs and you can check email/internet at no charge.

Thanks for the info guys. If I can afford it, I'll surely stay at Caneel Bay; Ive heard nothing but positive comments about it.

If you have a Blackberry with AT&T service it will work perfectly. We had a bit of trouble with TMobile.

I am a big fan of Caneel but if you search the thread I read that the last 3-4 years it has let it self go into some dis-repair. I'm not sure how bad since our last trip of 7 was in 2004 but I read upgrading is needed and the owners are trying to get Federal money since it is within a National Park which was simply lovely. You might want to read on the thread responses of travelers who were there in 2007-2008 for they can really give you the current low-down. Little Dix on Virgin Gorda was lovely when we visited there in 2006 while staying at Biras Creek. Another place to consider is Peter Island Resort. Both LDB & PI are priced about the same as Caneel.

I have never stayed at Caneel, but I have snorkeled at the beaches there and there are the best STJ has to offer. They do have a computer in the lobby for all guests to use and they may have a wifi hot spot there too. There are several wifi hot spots in Cruz Bay. I was there in April and they are doing and have done some work on the property.

I should have added that I am probably the most avid snorkeler on the board-The snorkeling though not what it was in 2000-2004 according to friends I traveled with to Caneel and were back in 2007 it still best's Grand Cayman, Virgin Gorda, Bonaire, Curacao, etc. How long that will last I don't know. That is why we have been going to Belize and Honduras the last few years when my wife does not want to take the 18 and 20 hiour trips respectively to Thailand and Malaysia.

Leaving in a week for Caneel..it's been a year of mixed emotions since reviews are up and down...as far as staff goes, it's how you treat people that makes the difference...no one has a negitive word to say about the beaches...and the prices right now are really reduced..I for one can not wait to get there..phone or no phone..a week and counting!!!!!!!!!

johnb, how much reduced are the prices?

Our room went form 575 to 325 x 6 nights..its big

johnb, did go get those prices thru Caneel directly, or via an agency?