We have stayed at Caneel since 1983 and are returning in two weeks. We believe this is our 15th visit ! Does this tell you how fabulous this place is? Most of the staff are familiar to us...they have been there their whole lives. This may explain their indifferent attitude.

We have travelled all through the Carribean and Hawaii and there is no place that compares. We stay on Scott Beach. Years ago we used to stay in the Tennis Garden Rooms and they were really very nice large rooms. Now we want to be right on the Beach.
We have styaed at Little Dix Bay as well. Prefer Caneel.
I would love to chat if anyone would like specific info.
I will gladly review the property when we return.

I too am planning on staying at Caneel, the end of June for our honeymoon. Which beach would you recommend we stay on and what room category. I would love to be on the beach, but it is worth the extra $$$?

I love Scott Beach. The rooms are beachfront and fabulous. Very casually elegant. Nice and quiet. Step out your door onto the sand......well worth the extra $$$$$!

Thinking of traveling to Caneel in July with our three kids. How are accommodations on Hawksnest Beach? Don't need to be the most premium of accommodations, but do prefer a view of the water and easy access to a beach. We are avid snorkelers. Haven't stayed at Caneel, but have been to the BVI. Is a meal plan available for at least breakfast? Hate hunting for restaurant for a family of five--too many decisions with too many opinions with my lot!

IPM--AAvacations.com has a deal right now where the breakfast buffet is included at Caneel...go there and check it out.

I'm not surprised at the bad service. We got married there and it was BAD. People there were just miserable. I voiced the issues to the office of the CEO at Rosewood years ago and it's sad to know that nothing has been done... Oh, well. I guess the same GM is still there. He is one of the bad apples there.

Hi Forrestg,

Sshhhh... Beit Hawa... a more than lovely romantic private home offered by cateredto.com

DH and I consider this our all time fav slinky and romantic spot... we always say we should share it w/ another couple, but end up in the end saying, "naw... let's keep it to ourselves". There's something wonderful about being able to walk around on the decks and patios in the buff, and enjoy the place w/o feeling like you need to explore... not that we didn't, it just was nice to feel that comfortable there. Give it a whirl, you won't be sorry. ;)

I am heading to Caneel TODAY! Have not been there in two years ! I will update you all upon my return. You can always e-mail me also at [email protected].

Well, sorry this took so long, but life has been crazy since our return.

We have been to Caneel many times. We believe this to be our 15th visit! The last time was 2002. We are young....under 50. We travel a fair amount and nothing compares to Caneel. We just spent the first week of May there and I must say...it was the best trip we have ever had there! Everything was outstanding! The food was delicious. They hired a new Chef last year and the food was excellent. We had the package w/ breakfast and dinner. We take the Allure package . The activites are just ennough and all very nice and very relaxing. It is insanely expensive.....but we love it!
All the comments about the service are ridiculous. Just smile and be kind and the staff responds the same way! They were delightful !
My only compalint at all was that here was no music in the bar during the week. I do feel that they should have a small combo band every night, not just weekends.
We stayed on Scott Beach. They have redone the rooms again and the furniture was very nice. The bed was wonderful!
I came back from the trip feeling completely rejuvinated! We travel a fair amount. No place can do for me what Caneel can do.
I can't wait till next year !

First, let me start off by saying that your assessment seems to be very objective and accurate (based on my many stays at Caneel). I last stayed there about a 1.5 to 2 years ago, and at that time, the service was hit and miss (no matter how nice you were to the workers), no one seemed to want to be accountable for anything and the food was mediocore. While I was there, I spent a few hours discussing all of this (indepth) with the assistant manager (to his credit - on his own initiative). My main thrust to him was that the resort was at a tipping point and needed to make some real efforts to reclaim its past glory. One of my biggest complaints was the food quality, so I feel that my complaint (along with countless others complaints) at least spurred them to action on the food front.

As for as the Scott Beach versus Hawksnest, I have stayed at both multiple times in the past, but will only stay at Scott Beach (if able to book it) from now on. This if even though I stayed in Hawksnest for my honeymoon, oh so many years ago, and it will always have a special place in my heart. The main differences are:
1) Scotts Beach is larger and nicer than Hawksnest (although this is subjective)
2) The Scotts Beach rooms are far better maintained (this is not subjective - I had to stay at Hawksnest for 2 nights during my last stay and saw multiple rooms because of the level of disrepair/bugs at many of the Hawksnest rooms)
3) Management actually will do something about room complaints on Scotts versus Hawksnest
4) In the end, my Caneel experience says that the lodging you prefer is still very subjective (e.g., Alan Alda and family nearly always stay in Turtle Bay - even though it would not be my first choice)

Here's to the hope that Rosewood (or whomever) will continually try to make the place better, but, as many have said, they will never be able to screw up the location and the beaches (which is exactly what I told the Asst manager a couple of years ago).