We are not yet decided between Little Dix
Bay in Virgin Gorda or Caneel Bay in
U.S. Virgin Islands, for our honeymoon.
Please qe need some help!!!
Has anyone gone to either or this two
resorts??
THANKS

Little Dix bay for sure over Caneel. I have been to both. I really like Little Dix better...

We have stayed at Caneel and visited Little Dix. We felt that Caneel was more romantic and more private. At Caneel, the rooms are spread out over the grounds and on most of their 7 beaches. No more than 24 rooms on any beach, and you can vary your beaching
with wade-in snorkeling from the beaches, too. The grounds are so extensive, you can nearly get lost, with rolling hills and incredible views from everywhere. At little Dix, all the rooms are along and just back from one beach. Behind the rooms the grounds are ordinary. Rooms and food seemed roughly comparable. Overall, we felt that Caneel blew Little Dix away.

Caneel wins hands down. Grounds are much more beautiful and various-- strolling is a real pleasure. Plus, Caneel is easier to get to, if that's a consideration. Also, the snorkeling can't even compare-- LD is mediocre, Caneel is first rate. Food not impressive at either place. Rooms at Caneel need renovation (due next year, I think); LD I believe has done many upgrades to rooms recently. Still, Caneel is far better in our opinion. Good luck! Congrats on your marriage!! (By the way, we like the Cottage Point rooms at Caneel.)

Little Dix rooms are much nicer - Caneel needs to be re-done. Also, food is better at little dix. I am not saying I dont like Caneel - its great, but working in the hotel industry for years, I really prefer little dix. Again, I dont really think you can go wrong with either one.

Questions for MIM04: We're thinking of maybe giving LD another try (we love St John but have been back so many times). Am I remembering correctly that the grounds aren't particularly gorgeous or spacious, as they are at Caneel? (We love, e.g., walking from our room up to the Great House for afternoon tea-- so lovely.) Another question: do those motorized dinghy trips to other beaches work well, go frequently, etc? Snorkeling is really impt to us, and I know the snorkeling isn't good at LD. But if the ferrying to good spots really "works," that could be fun. (Tho I'd prefer if we could take the little boat ourselves, as has been the case at some other Caribbean resorts.) Room questions: Have you been in the new junior suites? Are they really worth the enormous price? Of the other accommodations, what would you recommend for good privacy, good views, etc.? Premium cottage? deluxe cottage? (Is that the one on stilts?)
In short, any in-put (from recent visits) which might help me decide whether to re-visit greatly apprciated. Thanks!

Why not do both?
Last I knew, you could reserve a split week and free transportation would be provided between the two resorts.
Not sure if this is still available, but might be worth considering.

poss,

How did you hear about the rooms at Caneel being renovated? Do you have any details? Thanks.

-Bill

Jumby Bay in Atigua is also very beautiful...also a Rosewood Resort.

Bill-- I'm not positive abt the Caneel reservations. It's just that I learned (from speaking with the Rosewood 800#767-3966) abt the new junior suites and the room re-dos at LD-- and the woman I was speaking with mentioned that Caneel is getting its renovation (much needed!) next year (not sure what that means, exactly). It simply amazes me that Rosewood can get away with charges what they do for rather small and not especdially interesting rooms. And those new junior suites at LD are $1000 per night-- in fall season!! I don't even want to know what they cost at holiday times. (But the grounds at Caneel-- and all that wonderful snorkeling-- really are great.)

Thank you all for the advices...
I see that opinions are divided.
Both are very nice resorts, and we
will decide soon, and enjoy our
honeymoon.
Thanks again

We just arrived back from LD and have also stayed at Caneel. We originally tripped to LD in 1993 and think it has declined a bit but also believe this is "the region" I thought Caneel was a bit of a dump vs. LD but they both have +/-. You can do the island hopper package and stay in both. Check the website. There is plenty to do and scuba and snorkling are excellent via boat trips. There are some freebies on snorkling at least 2x a week. Be prepared for minor service lapses at LD -- i.e power out at night but comes back on, like no wake up call or front desk coverage in the morning, problems with room service ( it did not arrive on our last day and they had to scramble it to the dock before we took off). The dining at the Pavillion (LD) is fine while the Sugar Mill ( LD) needs work. Keep in mind LD is underconstruction so make sure with room selection that you stay away from the Pavillion and at the lower end i.e. rooms 40 and up. Otherwise be prepared to hear a jack hammer most of the day. The new suites are beautiful but at $1100 but they are right at the pool and the construction-- I would wait on those suites until next year. The older rooms are just fine - after all its the beach that LD is known for and around this Time i.e. April nobody is there. Timing is everything. I heard at Easter they had 99 kids in the kids club. In December they are usually packed.

I'll be heading to Little Dix Bay in early June for my honeymoon was looking for help in room location. Silverg suggests 40 or higher, any specific room? I prefer privacy, a good view and close to the beach.

silverg: Thanks for your very informative report. can you tell me, please, whether you saw the junior suites as well as the suites? Are both in a noisy place? If I love the grounds at Caneel (surely you don't think the grounds are "a dump"?), will I be disappointed at LD? And I know that I wouldn't be happy staying at a resort-- esp at such prices!-- that had construction noise. rosewood says construction will be finished by November. I wonder how reliable that projection is.... Last question: would you recommend booking a premium cottage or junior suite? Big difference in price.. worth it?... Thank you!!