Looking for understaded elegance and GREAT beach and water and low crowds. Spent 2 months looking. I chose Caneel Bay, seems to have it all in these catagories.

Did Little Dix some time ago and could fing anything else..Am I wrong?

jb

sorry for the spelling/typing

We thought Caneel blew Little Dix away. Where Little Dix has their rooms strung out behind the one beach, Caneel has 7 tree-shaded white sand beaches, all with wade-in snorkeling, no more than 24 rooms on any beach. Entire property has amazing views from the rolling hills. Usually you are among few to no other people on the beach. Max privacy is upstairs on Hawksnest Beach, which faces the trade winds. The ceiling fan will do for cooling, so you can live open air.

Johnb, perfect choice that meets your needs EXCEPT it's beaches 7 of them all beautiful.

I was just at Caneel and LDB in May. We split the week between the two. We LOVED Caneel, but were disappointed at LDB. Caneel is a great choice!!!

Patrice, why were you disappointed in LDB? We're heading there the end of this month. Caneel Bay didn't work out for the group, sob.

My husband and I are headed back to Caneel Bay this October for the 5th time so obviously we enjoy staying here. The key here i that Caneel Bay has "understated" elegance. The resort is beautifully spread out between 7 beaches. What I love about this place is you feel that you are away, not in another resort that could be anywhere in the US. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer. You made a great choice! - Susan

Regarding LBD...the rooms are beautiful and the resort is pretty, but we liked Caneel much better overall even though the rooms weren't as nice. Our problem at LDB was with the service. We felt like the staff hated their jobs and we were bothering them. The few things we asked from them, the timing was messed up and nobody seemed to care. We liked being in our room and the beach was ok, but we didn't want to do anything that involved the staff. I know a lot of people love LDB, so I hope you have a good time. The management took our issues very seriously and refunded us the resort fee (10% of room price) and gratuities (18% is added to all food/drinks). It wasn't awful and I'm glad I saw it, but I wouldn't return.

Thanks for your reply, Patrice. This trip was supposed to be Jumby Bay, but they closed for renovation, and Rosewood couldn't accomodate some needs/requests at Caneel, so we ended up at Dix Bay. My in-laws have been there and they love it. I'm sure we'll have a great time. Because of the transfer, we ended up with a meal plan, so I'll report back how that goes.

We, too, just love Caneel, but we've become "villa people" on St. John. I'd love to do both some year.

Johnb, enjoy Caneel. It's wonderful.

Your comments on LDB are so interesting, Patrice, since you usually hear that about CB (although my experience with the employees has been much more positive). We go to CB every year a did a day trip to LDB two years ago. I was impressed with the resort but definitely prefer the multiple beach options that Caneel has.

MP07950 - I was actually pleasantly surprised by the service at Caneel. It was excellent! The staff at Caneel was extremely friendly and helpful. We fell in love with Caneel and plan to go back next year.

Thank you all for making me feel so good about my choice!!

Little Dix wasn't that bad when we went, infact it was reasonably awesome...

We can not wait until Caneel!!!

Don't mean to sound cheap but I have some dinning questions:

I see that they add 18% to everything you order, not a problem, do you suggest tipping on top of that? does that mean soggy dollars ?

Is there drink service on the beaches?

Cruz Bay..tipping there, added to check or need cash?

Thanks All!
john