We are going to take our family of ten to St. John in August to celebrate our 50th. I'd prefer not to go in August, but with four busy teenage grandchildren, it is the only choice. I secured (still cannot believe it) frequent flyer seats for all of us to leave Bemidji, Minnesota and Sioux Falls, SD to meet in Minneapolis. Saves me a ton of money.

I need advice on lodging. I don't want a villa because I don't want to spend precious time buying food and cooking. We will spend at least 4 nights at Caneel. I'm thinking the other 4 should be spent within walking distance to Cruz Bay as nights are quiet at Caneel.

I've looked at Gallows and the mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. I wish I had checked it out when we were on the island in November.

I've also entertained the idea of a few nights on a boat to sail to the BVI's. I haven't started a search on that possibility.

I'd appreciate some suggestions. Thanks, Owa

there are some nice condos within walking distance of Cruz Bay..although caneel is beautiful i'm sure the teenagers will appreciate moving into town for a few days !!( caneel's fairly quiet) some condo options : www.palmterrace.com, www.suitestjohn(Battery Hill Condos), www.vivacations.com(Lavender Hill Condos). if available rent a few of them for the group and get to hang in cruz bay !!

Owa - take a look at www.moorings.com you can get quotes and further info. We have chartered from them a couple of times and I know many others who have used them as well GL in your search. It sounds like it will be a fantastic trip. And congrats on your anniversary!

owa; Though a bit expensive if you rented a 48-50 ft. sailboat from the Moorings with a Captain and Cook it should sleep 5-6 if the children do not mind doubling up. You could go as far as Peter Island and Jost Van Dyke where the snorkeling is still pretty good. The food we have had is quality products but home-cooking prepared considering you are on a boat. Four (4) days on the Moorings in that size boat or one of their Cat's or sail boats would run about $5000 for 5-6 people for 4 full days, at that time of year. We have used them 3 times (2 times in the V.I.'s) 5 & 8 years ago and 2 years ago in the Grenadines. They would pick you up at St. John. One time they even picked us up after 5 nights at Caneel.It was lovely. But, if the weather is poor the kid's might get :cabin fever" where at Cruz Bay they would have some action even in poor weather.

Owa---understand...there is great competition on st john. There are many who post at these other sites as part of a campaign to discredited others.

I have lived and still work in Virgin Islands, BVI, and other islands and st john.

Caneel is remarkable amd you chose well.

Gallows Point...where i stay for a week monthly--is ideal for your family of ten IN AUGUST because it allows you to dine outside of the villa while taking advantage of the resort.

Your teens will love it.

10 family members welcome at Panini Restaurant a 2 minute walk from Gallows at Wharfside Village.

10 family members welcome at Fishtrap Restaurant Restaurant a 2 minute walk from Gallows across street from Panini.

10 family members welcome at Joes BBQ Restaurant a 2 minute walk from Gallows across from post office.

10 family members welcome at Cafe Roma Restaurant a 2 minute walk from Gallows across from 1st Bank and Connections.

10 family members can get FOOD DELIVERED ---vegetarian, salads and pizza and many things--to Gallows by Ronnies by calling
Ronnie at Cruz Bay 340/ 693-7700.

10 family members can get FOOD DELIVERED by Kati Lady at www.katilady.com

a family of ten CANNOT walk up and down from Lavender Hill or other steep hilly areas.

I humbly assure you that Gallows is best.

If you stay at Gallows, chose units 8 and above.

Let me know when/where you and family are staying and we meet.

Thank you all for your replies. Maybe we should stay near Cruz Bay and take at least one trip to the Baths, etc. My husband and I will be on Tortola for 4 nights in May and plan to take day trips to some of the islands. This will give me more of an idea of which islands the family might like. Stankase, you have a good point about the weather. Also, I have some big grandsons that need space to sleep. Maybe a boat isn't such a good idea. Marbleheadguy, I e-mailed Gallows yesterday, but they have not replied. Thanks again, Owa

Owa---here is GM's personal assistant email:

[email protected]

Ask her for off season rate for august and that a guy who lives/stays there monthly sent you...

I'm there starting this weekend.

Owa: we've stayed at Gallows a number of times. If there are some specific questions I can try to answer about that place, I'll be happy to give it a shot. We always split our 10 days between Caneel and Gallows. Each, in our opinion, has advantages and also some negatives. You can look at my previous posts on the subject-- or just shoot me some questions and I'll try to answer. By the way, Gallows has a toll-free tel #. You'll find it on their website. (But, obviously, you won't get real objective answers to questions.)

Poss, Thanks for the offer to help. I have e-mailed them twice, but no replies. I'll try calling the 800 Number.

I very seriously looked into sailing in the BVI's but the two daughters said no.

Tell me what you think about this. First , do you think like I do, that they may get bored at Caneel for all 8 nights. My husband and I wouldn't!! I'm thinking of the first 4 nights at Caneel, then the last 4 at Gallows. Second, do you think three rooms are enoght at Gallows? I have to get 4 at Caneel. My 18 year old granddaughter would stay in our room. Her 17 year old brother will bunk with his parents. Then I have a pair of brothers 12 and 15. They will be with their parents, but the 15 year old is very hard to pair, especially on a sofa bed, because he is all over the bed. And, sometimes falls on the floor and doesn't even know it. He has always been a bed terror. I'm wondering if they have a cot we could cram in somewhere. Third, do I spend the extra money for ocean view? Is harbor view really noisy like some have said. I suppose it all depends how one sleeps. Fourth, why do you split the nights. Thanks a ton, Owa

so this is just a suggestion, since I don't have any personal experience in St John to share. But are you sure you wouldn't be better off with a 5 BR villa? I think the prices might save you enough to have groceries delivered, and maybe do a personal chef. Even if you drove to dinner everynight, you might be more comfortable.

we vacation occasionally with family like that (4 couples, 6 kids). We usually assign one couple to dinner duty per night. Nobody has to spend all their time cooking or washing up.

I just think it sounds really crowded in 3 rooms. and everybody dealing with their own breakfasts and lunches makes for less stress.

Thanks china-cat,

When I say three rooms at Gallows, I mean three units with kitchen, eating, living area, and bedroom. There will be more room there than at Caneel. Owa

owa,

Can I be a part of your family for the month of August? ........I miss St John..

Christie

owa,

We were in 10C at Gallows and I didn't really notice much noise at all. It is considered harborview, but it is the last one of that category going out towards the point. Location wise, this would be the harborview unit I would suggest you pick if you go that route.

-Bill

Owa:
We love Caneel because the property is large and extremely handsome. We love to stroll the gorgeous grounds as much as we love having access to those 7 terrfic beaches. The snorkeling is very good, quite varied, with very easy access; each of the beaches has a different feel. (We always see lots of squid at one, turtles and rays at another, etc etc) The beaches are gorgeous, the views are gorgeous (lots of different views, since the beaches face in varius directions), the property is never crowded, there's always plenty of shade, the accommodations are fine (not great), the food's ok (not great). I do think the "kids" would get bored at Caneel for 8 nights, esp. as there's no t.v. (I think there's usually a movie at around 9:00.) By the way, if your various family members enjoy kayaking, windsurfing, sunfishing-- those things are right there (no extra charge). It may keep the younger family members from getting bored during the day.
The reason we don't spend the whole time at Caneel (in addition to the cost) is that much as we love the beaches and the snorkeling there, in fact St John has so many terrific beaches, so many terrific snorkel spots, that we enjoy exploring the other ones also. And we enjoy having breakfast and lunch and cocktails in our own little "home." (And we also enjoy having music again. The tv we can do without.) The views are great from the lanais at Gallows. Also, since we don't think much of the food at Caneel, we like eating in other places for half the trip. (We always eat dinner out.) And we like having town so close-- an easy stroll in and back (uphill on the way back) if one wants a restaurant or some other diversion.
I think 3 different units will be fine at Gallows, but I would DEFINITELY pay the extra for the upstairs units. We had our granddaughter with us on one visit and the space was great; you have to share the main bathroom (it's downstairs-- nice big shower-- where the living room and fold out sofa are), but it's nice to have your own half bath upstairs off your quite private bedroom. In the unit with the problem sleeper, I suggest asking Gallows to give you a roll away bed; I'm pretty sure they have them.
The whole beach/snorkeling thing is very different at Gallows. No real beach at all, just a tiny man-made thingie (with a couple of nice hammocks and some chairs). Getting in to the water is more cumbersome than at Caneel, but the snorkeling is quite good. And there's a nice barracuda that hangs out under the swim float (Frank by name). Oh-- and there's a fairly decent pool right by the "beach." It's not a great pool (has a plastic liner), but it's an ok size and is always clean. And they've got a hot tub by the pool. All this makes a nice difference from the way Caneel is set up.
As for harbor view or ocean view: I think it's more impt that you get upstairs units. We always get ocean view (building #3 has the best privacy and views imo), but I dislike noise, so harbor view wouldn't work. Many folks enjoy the harbor because you see more boat traffic. And many people aren't bothered by the early ferries, etc.
If you think of other details you'd like addressed, fire away.

Owa-If I could suggest, we took our teenagers for the day to the Baths on Stormey Petrel and it is still a day we laugh out loud about. The captain and first mate led us on an very doable obstacle course where we were sliding under and over the Bath formations-really really fun! It did not have that booze cruise feel and did not stop at the fun drinking spots, but instead an island where we had a good lunch and later snorkled in a few great coves. Something to add to your list anyway!

Another vote to absolutely do some sort of boat expedition-- either to The Baths or one of the ones that stops at Norman Island, The Indians, etc. Our granddaughter (and we!) loved it. By the way, I think Caneel might do a Baths expedition one day a week?

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I called the 800 number for Gallows as they just won't answer their e-mail. Poss, they said I could have a cot for one room. That solves that problem. Yes, I agree I will get the upper units. What do you think about 10, 11, and 12? We are up very early in the morning so I don't anticipate harbor noise will be a problem. I didn't realize most units were ocean view.

Yes, we are definitely doing a trip to the baths, et. I just havn't decided which company. I will want to do it while we are at Gallows rather than Caneel.

Poss, do you take the Caneel ferry? It sure is convenient, but not cheap.

I have told the gang it is going to be very hot and humid. We could use that this weekend here in SD as it is going to be at least minus twenty. Thanks again, Owa

owa,
Minus 20, YIKES!!! It is 15 here in the Detroit area, but feels much colder with the wind chill and it IS windy today. Do you have alot of snow as well?

If you are going with upper harbor units, I would see if you can get 10C and D and 11C. If that is possible, it would put you in the best harbor views and right next to each other. Each building has 4 units, 2 upper and 2 lower. The higher the number of the harbor units, the closer you are into the harbor and closer to the cemetary. As I have mentioned in previous posts, the furnishings were a little "tired", more so in 11C and there were some broken chairs at the dining table in 10C. Hopefully repairs were done. It has a few warts, as many places do. It just has a lot of "pros" as well.

BTW, as I have mentioned before, the ferry noise didn't bother us. That said, it would still be dark with light just beginning, and we would briefly hear the ferry in the distance. It was almost like giant snooze alarm.

Usually, we do the Caneel ferry one way and just hop the regular ferry for the return trip. It's just so convenient not to have to think abt cabs and ferry schedules when we first arrive. But, yep-- it sure is expensive (like everything at Caneel!)
(Caneel annoys us so much, and yet we keep returning. Food is nothing to write home about, service likewise, rooms likewise. But, oh those views! those beaches! the snorkeling! It just bugs me that Caneel can "get away" with so much that's not first rate simply because they're where they are. Location location location!)

Caneel' transportation cost includes taxi, roundtrip and unlimited boat ttransportation to St. Thomas.
Poss, does Caneel have a one way fare?
My first visit, I tried to save money and arranged for my own Caneel transportation. It required taking a taxi to the ferry $$ Loading my too much luggage up the ramp and onto the ferry $. Unloading my too much luggage from the ferry to the taxi area and riding with it on the taxi seats which are located on the back of a pick up $. The taxi area at Caneel is a good walk to the check in area at Caneel. I will never go the route again, It was a miserable experience and not a pleasureable way to begin a vacation. I paid Caneel for the fare for the return trip, and have used their service ever since. It is wonderful to have your luggage taken from the carasol area, where Caneel has a room, and not have to see or worry about it, and find it waiting in your room when you arrive.

Owa, I remember the fun snorkel I had with you, and think of it during these cold winter days. I will be staying on Virgin Gorda in April and will let you know of places that I see. The Baths make for a great stop, that I belive your entire family will enjoy. I did my trip with New Horizans and it was great, but I have read good reviews on Stormy Petrol.
Sounds like you have some great times ahead to look forward.

Diane