Decided on Caneel Bay for trip in March with wife & 1 year old. Which beach for beach front class would you recommend: Hawksnest, Turtle Bay or Caneel Beach? I'm going to sport for the oceanfront rooms. Also, we'll be making frequent trips to Cruz Bay- does the resort have a shuttle? With rental car, is parking impossible?

cotes,
I'm a newbie to St. John and Caneel and just made reservations for next June for 5 nights in a beachfront room. I requested an upper floor room on Hawksnest because of the breezes off the water, it gets morning sun and afternoon shade, and it sounds like it is one of the less crowded beaches at the resort. The impression that I am left with though is that regardless of which I beach I end up staying on, I won't be unhappy.

We are following our 5 nights at Caneel with a week in a villa rental.

From what I have read, taking a taxi to Cruz Bay from Caneel is no big deal. Don't know about parking, but we are planning on renting a jeep for the week we are in the villa.

Hope this helps.

-Bill

iamq, you are exactly right re Hawksnest Beach--and you also have the most privacy upstairs. cotes--go for Hawksnest--best beach of the three, but with the little one you may have to be on Caneel Beach, but you won't suffer there, and it is close to lobby, restaurant.

Xkenx, do they restrict accomodations for children to Caneel Beach? If not, I'll go for 2nd floor at Hawksnest. Also, my wife enjoys time by the pool which I know isn't great at Caneel- what is closer to pool- Caneel or Hawksnest? Also, is paying for beachfront worth it versus ocean view. With a 1 year old, the thought of the beach outside of our door is appealing. Thanks

I've been to Caneel several times, and I do believe that kids are restricted to the "main" beach (which is kind of far from Hawksnest). May I make a suggestion that you look into the cottages on Little Caneel beach. It's contiguous to the main beach and the rooms are considerably larger than the others around the property. Plus, it's considered ocean view, rather than ocean front. We thought they were quite good for families who are traveling with a child. (I can't imagine a 3rd person in those other rooms-- they're small.) By the way, the snorkeling all along the that side of the property is very good-- all the way out and around the point to Honeymoon Beach. Have fun!

If you are beachfront, you have it right outside your room, which helps with carrying paraphenalia for kids and being close to bathroom.

Poss, thanks for the input on Little Caneel Beach for travel w/child. According to the resort map, they are beachfront accomodation which I may end up splurging for versus oceanview. I was looking for rooms a little bigger so thanks for advice.