Caneel Replacement?
 

Hello everyone! I want to go to Caneel because of all the great snorkeling off of their beaches and around St. John. My fiance isn't excited about the less-than-stellar reviews about their rooms. Since it'll be our honeymoon she'd really like a luxurious room. I realize the Cottage 7 rooms at Caneel fit that bill but they're too expensive. Is there another resort in the Caribbean that offers great snorkeling off of the hotel's beach and has luxurious rooms? I've looked at Coral Gardens in Provo...are the rooms really nice there? I've also looked at Hotel Presidente in Cozumel but am a bit worried about the language barrier as neither of us speak Spanish. That might not be a big deal on the resort but if we wanted to go driving around that would be a problem I think. Please let me know if you have any suggestions! Thank you!

If you pick a first floor beachfront room at the Presidente you will not be disappointed. You will be able to walk out the back door to your own deck area and then onto the beach. There is no problem communicating with the folks who live in Cozumel.This is a resort island and English is spoken by most of the tradespeople that you will encounter.
The beach snorkeling at this resort is absolutely fantastic. I have been to Caneel several times and to the Presidente several times and the snorkeling is truly better at the Intercontinental.

I second that snorkeling is great in Cozumel, and you don't need Spanish in order to get around. I didn't stay at the Presidente so I cant help you there.

Grace Bay Club in Provo would probably meet your luxury quotient and its a beautiful resort, but to get to the best offhsore snorkeling its about a 15-20 minute walk down the beach.

Scubamom has a great website which compares a number of resorts int he Virgin Island. There's a chart showing activites by resort -including offshore snorkeling. Check it out for some more ideas if you want an english speaking island.

http://www.scubamom.com/bvi/resorts/index.html

If you want really fabulous accomodations in Provo, take a look at Point Grace. Really large, really nice beachfront condos with gorgeous furnishings, much nicer than Coral Gardens and closer to the reef than Grace Bay Club. I have been to both Cozumel and St. John and don't think you can really compare the two -- Caneel Bay is a very different experience than the Presidente, I think there are much better choices for you than Cozumel and the Presidente. Why not consider a villa on St. John? Then you will really get luxury and it will probably be no more expensive than Caneel Bay.

Thanks Emily, Rumrita and Eileen for your suggestions! The Presidente sounds great as far as the snorkeling goes. I still want to go to Caneel. I'm going to check out Point Grace and the Grace Bay Club. I asked her about a villa on St. John...many of them look awesome, but we don't particularly want to have to lift a finger to cook anything (it's our honeymoon after all :)). Thanks again for your thoughtful and helpful replies.

gwaine: we love caneel..we had a great time there last year and am returning again in may for 12 days. the rooms are more than nice..what a great place for a romantic honeymoon...snorkeling is amazing...swam w turtles and rays...food was great and so were the staff...we are going back doing the allure package....we too were concerned after reading reviews but truly found caneel amazing and worth every penny....

dekinjack...thanks for the reply...that's reallly where I want to go...like I said, the less than stellar reports about the rooms are the only holdback...that and it's expensive, but you only have your honeymoon once!

gwaine: I did so much homework before our trip to caneel bay..i was absolutely perplexed when i read negative remarks etc. here i was going to spend a lot of money and there were people who said basically that it sucked....reading between the lines i also saw so many repeat customers who was right? we went last july 2003. we went for a week and had the most perfect time. we've been married 38 years and have done some traveling. we know NICE.

the employees were absolutely remarkable. we said hello to everyone we saw...they responded as well....a smile and a hello goes a long way.... (some people who pay this kind of money sort of think that they own the em-ployees)...lol....the people in the caribbean are a very proud people and rightfully so...the rooms were very nice...not glitzy or overdone but very comfortable and relaxing. beaches amazing....stingrays/turtles we swam with...we brought our own snorkeling equipment and do so each time. dont listen always to the less than stellar reviews...it helps to re inbetween the lines......by the way we are going back may 1 thru the 12......60 more days...YEAH

Dekinjack...thanks again! The snorkeling is why I want to go there...looks like you don't even have to leave the resort for that(though I will as I've heard remarkable things about Leinster/Haulover bays, etc.). If we go there we're definitely going to rent a jeep and explore. That being said I know my fiance isn't going to want to travel all the time so I wanted a hotel with excellent snorkeling from the beach. What room type did you all stay in? The courtside are much cheaper, but I'm wondering how long it will take to walk to the beaches from there. I'm also debating whether or not to get the meal plan. I would rather have a meal plan include breakfast and lunch than one that includes breakfast and dinner. That way we could eat at the hotel while we're at the beach and go to Cruz Bay for dinner. I wonder if they'd let us do that. Anyway, it's very exciting. I know you're excited! I have to wait until August!

Here is my take on Caneel. We went for the first time December '02, and are going back this November. We absolutely love Caneel. First, don't worry about the walking. We are 64, and loved walking all over the grounds. We had an oceanview room, loved the view over the water, but if it came down to courtside rooms or not going to Caneel , I wouldn't hestitate getting those rooms if it is only distance you are worried about. The rooms are more than good, large, wonderful towels, just not what you would expect for the price. Our main concern was the snorkeling at any time in a couple minutes walk. I understand wanting to eat some meals in Cruz Bay. We took the meal plan, but you could just get the breakfast buffet. There is coffee, juice, bagels, and breads put out every morning for free until breakfast time--maybe for an hour and a half. If you eat a late breakfast, there is a free tea every afternoon at four with coffee, tea and other goodies. There is a frig in the room. Maybe if you eat breakfast at Caneel, you could get something in CB to tide you over until dinner. Sometimes we would take some fruit from breakfast to snack on. We used to have to travel "on the cheap" so I understand. Although, Caneel is not "on the cheap" there are ways to save money here or there. We have traveled all over the world , and Caneel is at the top of our list. We are going to Bequia (near St. Vincent) this month on a combined business/vacation trip to snorkel. It wil be interesting to compare it to St. John. I hope if you decide on SJ, you have a great, great time. There was just a great trip report on USVI-on-line travel forum of great places to snorkel on St. John. You will get tons of information on that forum. Ask any questions, and the regulars will answer, but most people on that forum stay in a villa. Good Luck.

Gwaine,
If you take a look at the Caneel website, the room pictures are quite up to date and accurate. IMO the rooms are lovely and perfect for a honeymoon. I was down there about a month ago for the 5th time and it's just beautiful. It's quietly elegant, low key and very relaxed. I truly don't understand the negative reviews but everyone has their own opinions and it's just as well not everyone loves Caneel or I'd never get a reservation! Good luck!

Thank you owa and Mermaid! owa I appreciate your input on the rooms and the meal plan. I'd love to stay in an oceanfront room but there is such a substantial difference in price that I don't know if it's worth it. I'm still deciding what to do about the meal plan. We'll probably end up getting it, because I hear the food isn't cheap and I'm going to want to have breakfast (and lunch) every day. Mermaid, thanks for the info...I'm going to check the website again. I'm not even going to consider the Westin because my fiance won't be too fond of driving every day to a different beach and I hear the manmade one at the Westin has no snorkeling to speak of. Granted we'll drive to beaches one or two days, but I'd hate to be in St. John at a beach without snorkeling. :)

Being another Caneel lover, I thought that I would put in my two cents worth.
Caneel is idyllic as a honeymoon or anytime retreat. Because room accomodations are so spread out over its expansive, beautiful grounds, it is uncrowded, and its beaches are almost private, where it is not unusual to enjoy it with just a handful of other guests, making for a most romantic setting.

I agree with owa, if it came to a choice of staying courtside or not going to caneel, I would most certainly opt for courtside. Also a savings can be had with oceanview. In my opinion the best of those being, Cottage point. Located on a hill with a great view, especially St. thomas at night, just two rooms to a unit each with private patios, they are close to Caneel and Paradise Beaces. Another beautiful spot is oceanview at Turtle Bay. Located on a small hill overlooking the sea, the rooms are surrounded by tropical vegetation with a private footpath to the beach. These locations appear to offer the ultimate in privacy. Cannel beach oceanview is closest to the Terrace and beachbar dining. The second floor rooms offer the best views. While the rooms are not glitzy, they offer a distictive Caribbean charm of their own. They are spacious and comfortable and are tended twice daily. A direct call to Caneel with mention that you are on your honeymoon would prove benifical in obtaining location choice or even an upgrade. Don't hesitate to ask. Hope this helps.

Dianebridle,
Thanks very much for the info! It looks like oceanview might be the way to go, especially the Cottage Point ones. I've heard several people mention the ability to get free upgrades so I will definitely ask about that.

We are honeymooning on St. John too, in Sept, 04. What is there to do at night after dinner (besides the obvious)? Any fun dance clubs?

Claudette...I hear that Cruz Bay(apparently close to Caneel) is a pretty happening place. Supposedly some bars, etc. I've heard that it's kinda slow around the time you and I are going though. (I'm going August 29)

To gwaine:

Upon your return, if you can, post a trip report on wherever you decided. It will be fun to hear about your thoughts.