Dianebridle

My room at the Ritz was ocean front, but I believe that the only difference from ocean view is that the latter is on a lower floor allowing for a lesser but still lovely view. My only small complaint, that being in the second or third building down, it seemed like a long, hilly trek to the beach, restaurants and taxi station. However, the rooms are very nice, and it is a very nice resort.

Caneel - While I have not stayed at the Tennis Court rooms, I have heard that they are lovely; however, it is a short walk to Caneel Beach, and it is a very brief wait for a shuttle bus to take you there or to one of the other beaches. The next category up is ocean view. In my estimation, the best of these are at Cottage Point or those close to Turtle Bay restaurant. These rooms give outstanding views with a very short scenic walk to the beach. However, my sister and her husband stayed at ocean view close to Caneel Beach and liked it because of the close, (but not too close) proximity to Caneel Beach and the main pavillion which includes the Terrace Restaurant. and beach bar.

Ocean front is directly on the beach. My favorite is Hawksnest, where the beach is very private. Those rooms are probably the most distant from the main area, but I thouroughly enjoy the gorgeous scenic walk; however, there is never a long wait for a shuttle, if I prefer.

The next category would be the Premium rooms on Scotts Beach. They are in lovely one story buildings directly on the beach. The most expensive is Cottage #7, which is very private and has more room.

While there, I would suggest that you walk to the various room locations. If you are like most of the rest of us, you will be 'hooked' on Caneel and will want to return. That will help you decide which location is best for you.

jpea

Thanks "Dianebridle"; you have provided a wealth of information which has been very helpful to me. I am thinking I will book a Tennis Garden room unless I can find a deal somewhere or hope that I might be able to request an upgrade closer to our departure.

I had looked into the rooms on cottage point, and they are considered Deluxe ocean view, so are priced at $795 per night. They sound wonderful, but I may just have to settle this time around for the Tennis Garden rooms at $625. I just hope they won't be a disappointment.

travelf

We have only stayed beachfront - last time on Hawknest Bay. However, we walked to Scott beach most of the time since we usually went in the afternoon and it was more appealing - it and another beach (sorry, can't remember the name) is adult only. We walked the resort & the tennis rooms as advertized on the website appear very nice. The gym is in that area (if you are so inclined to work out - it was a nice facility).

On the meal plan - even if you choose not to do the MAP, you can get a continental breakfast in the patio area by the office each morning - I don't know if anyone mentioned that. And, if you do venture out for dinner - try Asolare for upscale (we're planning that during our stay next week) - but make reservations - I have read some reviews that there was a long wait even with a reservation though we did not experience that. They did try to seat us in the corner - when we asked to move, they obliged. On my first visit Fish Trap & Lime Inn restaurants were good as well (more casual).

If you get a chance, take a drive around the island - it's beautiful. You can either rent a car (the wheel is on the left but you also drive on the left side of the street) or sometimes you can negotiate with a driver to guide you if it's slow. We plan to drive & walk to some secluded beaches you can only get to by walking.

Dianebridle

To jpea: You won't be disappointed. This November will be my sixth trip to Caneel. I have yet 'to do it all'. Consequently it gives me an excuse to return. Hope upon your return that you have time to post a tro\ip report and give us your thoughts.

jpea

We will be starting out with 4 days at the Ritz in St. Thomas and then moving to Caneel Bay for 3 days. We will be picked up at the Ritz and taken by taxi and ferry over to St. John, however the rate for 2005 has gone up to $75pp.
I still haven't decided which room category to book at Caneel or whether to take the meal plan. I was happy with booking the Tennis Garden room, but my other half wants to get an Oceanview room. I've read that the oceanview rooms, while a little closer in proximity, may have views obstructed by trees. Other rooms continue up in price and category to premium oceanview, beachfront and premium beach front.
My question is, are the rooms any nicer, newer or better? I'm willing to pay extra for the oceanview, but not if the view doesn't really exist.

LauraT

Our first trip to USVI (3 yrs ago) we spent four nights at the Ritz and three nights in Caneel. We had advised Caneel that we were coming from the Ritz, but they did not offer to arrange transportation from the Ritz (other than the ferry)- they never suggested that they could arrange the taxi. We in fact had a bad experience getting from STT to Caneel when they gave us the wrong ferry schedule - waited for two hours at the ferry dock - lost a good part of the day moving...

Having said that, we enjoyed both the Ritz and Caneel. By now, you have probably got the flavor of the differences in the two resorts.

If it were me, I would do Caneel first (I think the airport to Caneel transportation would work better!) and save the luxury of the Ritz for the final couple of days.

I would not do the meal plan at Caneel - overpriced (IMO) and not wonderful food - we found better options outside the resort (and the cab to town is cheap).

I think the rooms are all about the same - with the location being the diffentiator (not the room size, etc.). We stayed in an oceanview - liked being close to the beach (100 foot walk) - but not sure I would pay the extra $$ the next time. We did not have much of a "view" at all (i.e., we couldn't sit on our deck and really see the water - had to stand up and look over the trees).

Overall, we enjoyed both resorts very much. The Ritz gets points for the pool, service, luxury, food and ameneties. Caneel gets points for the beautiful grounds, beaches and proximity to town.

Dianebridle

I too, have done a ritz/Caneel split, as well as Morningstar/Caneel splits. From both places Caneel had a van trransport me from the hotel to their private launch and then on to Caneel. My luggage was awaiting in my room,

My first stay I was unaware of this service, and used public taxi and ferry to Cruz Bay and another taxi to Caneel. Hyge mistake - a big unecessary hassle.

In my opinion, it is better to do St. thomas first, sice it is the location of the airport and your hotel is closer allowing for more daylight hours to enjoy your first night. If you give Caneel desk personell your return flight time, they make sure that you arrive at the airport in time.

Just call Caneel from the Ritz, and ask to have their driver pick you up. They may not volunteer that information because some people elect to arrange for independent transportation and they may not wish to appear 'pushy'.

jpea

My current reservation has 4 days at the Ritz in St. Thomas followed by 3 days at Caneel Bay in St. John.

Looking at the ferry schedule, we have to travel all the way back to Charlotte Amalie with our luggage and then take the ferry over to St. John, which will take over an hour.

The ferry from Red Hook, which is close to the Ritz,leaves at 7:30 in the morning, so we are not going to leave that early.

Since it is just the two of us and I really want to experience St. John, I don't mind taking the extra time to transfer. However, can anyone share their experience on what is the best route to take?

I prefer staying in St.T first, as we will be arriving around 2pm, so we can get to our resort mid afternoon. It may be too much to continue travelling all the way to St.J after our long flight.

I have been told by reservations to contact Caneel Bay Resort once I am in St.T to make arrangemens - but they said we would have to return to Charlotte Amalie for pickup. Has anyone else had the resort arrange something similar or different?

Dianebridle

I did a Ritz/Caneel split. called Caneel from the Ritz several days in advace. Caneel had their van transfer me and my luggage to their private dock at Red Hook and then to their launch and then on to Caneel. Call again, and tell them you know of someone who was picked-up from the Ritz and transfered to the boat from their Red Hook dock and that you would like to do likewise. If my memory is correct, that will place you on Caneel 11 -12. Perhaps they thought you wanted to leave at the time thir boat leaves Chatlotte Amalie. If the person you talk with,insists that you travel to Charlotte Amalie, ask to speak to a supervisor. It should be no problem since Caneel's boat has a daily schedule to Red Hook. Caneel will provide the same service to the airport. I'd appreciate knowing how you do.