Well we have finally decided on Caneel Bay in St. John after much investigating and posting on this board,. Thanks for all the input and help. Yes, I realize that we risk bad service, but we are beach lovers and that is what they have the best of. WE don't even care about the 'non-luxury' rooms. What I need help with is what room to book......I hear cottage 7 is right on the sand and that is what we want, but someone said that some of the cottages have obstruction with trees, is that #7..., I want to walk out of my room and be on the sand, I assume that the cottages are all on Scott Beach?
Also, can you run by me the best off resort eat places, and best snorkeling spots that ARE NOT a ways out.
Is there snorkeling on Scott Beach and if so, how is it? Sorry for all the questions, but I am finially ready to nail this thing down.
THANKS AGAIN!!!!
Kate

We have been to Caneel several times!
The rooms are very nice, great mattress, nice linens, plush towels.
Scott beach premium rooms have the beach at your doorstep, great from the beach snorkeling, for me the chicken! I have seen many turtles, rays and schools of fish.
Cottage 7 is on a small bluff, with wonderful views of the water. Upper rooms have the best views, not bad from
the lower floors. Each room is huge,
with a huge deck or terrace. Not directly on the sand-rooms at Scott are closer. Paradise beach and Scott are at your doorstep!
I love the pelicans at Paradise!You will not have a problem finding snorkeling at these two spots.
We enjoy breakfast, lunch at Turtle Bay. We also enjoy the beach bar for lunch, although it can have very slow service, and lots of day trippers.
The best part about staying at Caneel, is that you can go out to Cruz Bay for lovely dinners. Ascolare, Paradisio, Morgans Mango, The Lime Inn! St. John is a wonderful island, Caneel is great, the service quirks are justified as they are not cheap, and Rosewood could do a much better job managing this resort. Its still a nice place to stay!

The above poster is right on ... rooms on Scott Beach are actually the closest to the sand ... although if you are looking at Cottage 7, it's not that much farther and the rooms are much better than those on Scott Beach.

The rooms at Hawksnest and Caneel Beaches are also on the beach. Hawksnest is the more private away from the Caneel Terrace dining, lobby, bar, etc. Two story and delightful breezes. Cottage 7 is the original house and is up on a bluff with a short walk down to Paradise Beach.
Snorkeling is good at Scott's and also at Honeymoon on the Caneel Property. Go to www.usvi-on-line.com for all the great snorkeling spots and updated dining. Zozos, Chateau Bordeaux, Morgan's Mango but there are so many more.

Thanks for the quick and helpful info. I think I will go against Cottage 7 because even though it sounds heavenly, we want sand right outside the room, (which it sounds like both Scott and Hawksnest have.)
You've all been great!