Caneel is a little steep for me if I want a good room. I was looking at the Westin. The water looks filled with boats. Question; Can you swim there? Should this stop me from going? Don't really want to drive around a lot, beach is kind of important to successful vacaton.

Appreciate your input!!

You can swim at the Westin beach. There are alot of boats moored there. The beach is fairly crowded, and the water is not clear. My kids enjoyed it. I didn't love it. The pool is very nice. However, it is very easy to rent a 4WD and drive to some really gorgeous beaches.

The Westin is on a man-made beach, and small--not my idea of a tropical beach setting. There are no bad rooms at Caneel--the prices are related to whether you are on a beach, and which one. Caneel is beach lovers' paradise. If you've looked at websites, virtual tours, photos, of Caneel, trust me, they do not do this place justice. The reality is mind-blowing by comparison. If you go anywhere else and see Caneel, you will regret not going there. I'd suggest getting the highest priced room you can afford at Caneel. The worst case is that you'd have to stroll or shuttle to one of the beaches. Caneel has SEVEN of them. Tree shaded white sand crystal clear water, with wade-in snorkeling.

john - I would not stay at westin if beach is the most important thing to you, especially if you do not want to drive around. There are so many beautiful beaches on st john it really is worth it to explore them. However, Caneel Bay would be better if you want the good beaches right there.

Ok, I give up!! I guess its caneel Bay. I just won't eat for a while....

Am I nuts to want to go in Mid-September?

September is peak hurricane season. Although the odds are slim for one striking any particular island on a given week, you might want to consider trip insurance. And Caneel is worth starving for. If you can afford beachfront category, upstairs on Hawksnest is most privacy, best breezes off the water.

The Westin beach is swimmable, but it is manmade. There are several large "water toys" in the bay which the kids love. Cruz Bay does have some private boats moored in the harbor, but it is separated from the swim area. If you're into watersports, they are available at the Westin. Caneel does have 7 beautiful beaches, but there are lots more beaches on St. John that are absolutely gorgeous and easy to get to. On some of them, there may be no one but you!

If you feel you can't splurge on Caneel, remember there are cheaper options e.g. smaller inns or condos to rent. I would not be afraid of renting a car or taking the taxis to the many gorgeous beaches on St. John. Even if you stay at Caneel you will regret missing them for the sake of hanging around the resort. Remember, St. John is only about 8 miles long and 3 miles wide. Everything is pretty close by and not like at home, where you might have to drive hours to get to a decent beach.