Can someone explain the difference between the various room categories at Caneel? We don't plan to spend much time in the room so we are considering just staying in a courtside room, for which we found a great rate ($299/night including breakfast). I'm just wondering whether those rooms are prohibitively far from the beach, or are really small/ uncomforatble. Anyone stayed in one?

if you go onto the Caneel Website there is an adobe file that you can open with a link to the hotel layout. It is my understanding there are little jitneys that can take you too the beach.

A book I read said that the courtside rooms are actually larger than the ocean rooms. I was originally interested in those because they are less expensive, but they seem to be booked for end of June.

We stayed in a courtside room. The rooms are very nice. The reason for the price is location. You are in the middle of the grounds, i.e. no water in sight. You have a doable walk to anyone of the many beaches, but it's a walk. We often rode the local "bus" service when were carrying our snorkel gear, or were just too lazy to walk. So, the question is whether you care about proximity to the beach or not and whether you want some extra exercise. The thing is that you will always get exercise, no matter where you stay at Caneel, it's a very big place.

We stayed in an "oceanfront" room on Caneel Beach with our kids - but spent a lot of time walking from beach to beach. It's really not a bad walk - and you DON'T spend much time in the rooms. Considering that the breakfast buffet is expensive, I'd say that $299 is a great deal and I'd take it! The snorkelling on the property is absolutely amazing! Enjoy!

Thanks all, this is really helpful!

We stayed a the courtside rooms last July and have booked them again for May 1....10 more days. We found them to be of good size and not inconvenient at all. The rooms are nice. By booking courtside we stay ten days instead of 7.

Caneel beach is just down the hill...a 5 minute walk. the other beaches we pick up the tram and you are there in 5 minutes. we love walking the grounds and keeps you inshape...lol.

i think i'll start counting the hours

lukesaunt: Try booking it through American Express travel (which I think you can do even if you don't have an AmEx). The best way to do it is online at www.americanexpress.com. We were told that all of the courtside rooms were booked too, but I think AmEx buys out a block so if you go through them you might have some luck. And if so maybe we'll see you there!