I posted a similar question a few days but didn't get a response so hopefully this time someone will have some feedback. I would like to book a romantic vacation for my 2 year anniversary with my husband and I have narrowed it down to two islands and resorts. Caneel Bay in St. John or Galley Bay in Antigua. I know both islands are different but I was wondering which one is better as far as location, food, service, beaches? Also are there many things to do on St. John vs. Antigua? Don't know what to pick! Thanks in advance, Susan

Susan, I have not visited St. John but I have been to Antigua (although not Galley Bay). We really enjoyed the island and would recommend it. There are beautiful beaches and the locals are friendly. I have heard nothing but great things about Galley Bay also.<BR><BR>Like I said, I have not visited St. John but I have a friend who honeymooned there last year. They stayed at the Westin and really enjoyed the island. They rented a jeep one day and visited several different beaches. I have seen pictures and the place looks beautiful. It is loved by many on this board also. <BR><BR>Either one you choose, you can't go wrong! Enjoy!

I have been to Antigua, but did not stay at Galley Bay. The food is good on the island. Chez Pascal is right by Galley Bay and they have very well prepared cuisine. It's french, so lots of sauces. Their Lobster Bisque and roasted rack of lamb is the best. The residents are very respectful of visitors. As they say, they have 365 beaches. One for every day of the year. They are spectacular. Dickenson Bay is idyllic, but they are all great to lay out in the tropical sun. Antigua has that fine white sand and the water is usually clear.

Just so you know- Galley Bay is running a special right now for certain dates with a &quot;winter for summer rates&quot; promotion which looks good. You can view the special at www.islandinns.com (no I don't work for the company- I am just researching my own honeymoon!)

Thank you very much for the replies so far. I am actually going to go away during the low season, in October, I know, I know its hurricane season but I've been to the caribbean last year and the year before and its been fine. But I am still curiousl about Caneel Bay and/or the Westin. Antigua sounds perfect but I don't know if I would miss the green rolling hills, etc. of St. John??

I noticed you said you would be going in October and I just wanted to add that we were in Antigua the first week of October last year and the weather was perfect. We had a rain storm move in the last night we were there and that was it. So if weather is a concern, you may prefer to go south.

Been to both Antigua and St. John, both are great islands. If your looking for the &quot;Four Seasons&quot; type resort, your not going to find it on either. If your looking to relax, unwind, alright food and great beaches you'll find it at both places. We're more into the less commercialized low key places--great beaches are our number one priority. While neither place is Twenty-something strips, St. John in my opinion is more intimate and has better beaches. That said, my vote is St. John. We actually stayed at a villa and had a horrible time with mosquito's-I got fed up enough to get a room a few nights at the Westin. The Westin is decent, clean comfortable rooms, small workout area, nice pool. It's moderately upscale...little bit of cheese factor in the dining area (your typical caribbean modern meets the love boat)--I'm being hard on it...it's not bad. The resort got hit by a hurricane a few years back, so it's been updated. The grounds and everything were well manicured and the service was decent. I'm not big on dressing up when we go to the caribbean, therefore I'm not big on the resort dining scene. The beach at the Westin, while not bad is not very good. It's man made, so the water there tends to be a bit murky. It sounds like I'm really knocking the place, but it's nice...I'd go back. I haven't been to Caneel, but several friends have. The Beaches on the property are outstanding, though the rooms, while comfortable, aren't what you envision for $600+ a night. What your paying for Caneel is comfort, privacy and some pampering. Check out Caneel Bays website or expedia and look at the rooms. If you end up hitting St. John, regardless of where you stay, I would STRONGLY encourage renting a jeep FOR THE WEEK, and hitting a new beach or 2 a day. The island is safe and rather small, so in 1 week you can hit a ton of different spots and not feel like your racing. Regardless of where you stay, get out and explore! In low season the beaches aren't going to be too crowded, so for your money, my vote would be for the Westin. Check out www.biddingfortravel.com It will give you tips on Priceline. (I'm not a big Priceline fan) however The Westin St. John is the ONLY resort that comes up in St. John--thus far. In the off season you should be able to get a nice room for under $100 easily. In my mind, with $80 at the Westin, I couldn't justify $300+ at Caneel. With the cash you save, you can hit St. Thomas for a day-trip via the short Ferry ride and have your hubby buy you a nice anniversary gift at one of the duty free high end jewelry shops.<BR>With all the great beaches on St. John, there's no need to go overboard on a resort because your going to be out exploring/enjoying the beaches. --enjoy<BR>

Been to both Antigua and St. John, both are great islands. If your looking for the &quot;Four Seasons&quot; type resort, your not going to find it on either. If your looking to relax, unwind, alright food and great beaches you'll find it at both places. We're more into the less commercialized low key places--great beaches are our number one priority. While neither place is Twenty-something strips, St. John in my opinion is more intimate and has better beaches. That said, my vote is St. John. We actually stayed at a villa and had a horrible time with mosquito's-I got fed up enough to get a room a few nights at the Westin. The Westin is decent, clean comfortable rooms, small workout area, nice pool. It's moderately upscale...little bit of cheese factor in the dining area (your typical caribbean modern meets the love boat)--I'm being hard on it...it's not bad. The resort got hit by a hurricane a few years back, so it's been updated. The grounds and everything were well manicured and the service was decent. I'm not big on dressing up when we go to the caribbean, therefore I'm not big on the resort dining scene. The beach at the Westin, while not bad is not very good. It's man made, so the water there tends to be a bit murky. It sounds like I'm really knocking the place, but it's nice...I'd go back. I haven't been to Caneel, but several friends have. The Beaches on the property are outstanding, though the rooms, while comfortable, aren't what you envision for $600+ a night. What your paying for Caneel is comfort, privacy and some pampering. Check out Caneel Bays website or expedia and look at the rooms. If you end up hitting St. John, regardless of where you stay, I would STRONGLY encourage renting a jeep FOR THE WEEK, and hitting a new beach or 2 a day. The island is safe and rather small, so in 1 week you can hit a ton of different spots and not feel like your racing. Regardless of where you stay, get out and explore! In low season the beaches aren't going to be too crowded, so for your money, my vote would be for the Westin. Check out www.biddingfortravel.com It will give you tips on Priceline. (I'm not a big Priceline fan) however The Westin St. John is the ONLY resort that comes up in St. John--thus far. In the off season you should be able to get a nice room for under $100 easily. In my mind, with $80 at the Westin, I couldn't justify $300+ at Caneel. With the cash you save, you can hit St. Thomas for a day-trip via the short Ferry ride and have your hubby buy you a nice anniversary gift at one of the duty free high end jewelry shops.<BR>With all the great beaches on St. John, there's no need to go overboard on a resort because your going to be out exploring/enjoying the beaches. --enjoy

sorry for the double post...virgin at fodors board. If you have any questions, lemme' know. One thing I should add...if your looking for nightlife your not going to find too much on St. John. There are plenty of good watering holes and local music...but if you want serious action, you'll want to take the ferry over to St. Thomas. <BR><BR>

I've never been to Antigua, I vote for Caneel Bay. Several people have said you will not get the Four Seasons experience there, rooms not what you'd expect for the money, etc. The rooms are simply furnished, no tv's or phones in the rooms, some have AC now, but none did when we were there. We were there in the thick of August, but the room had screens on both ends (crossbreezes) and wooden louvres (sp?) that you could open or close as needed. No AC was not a problem for us. Tile floors and nice upscale (marble tile) bathrooms, no tub, but a large walk in shower. I put a lot of stock in a nice bathroom. Anyway, was it worth the $$$? To me it was, you are paying for 6-7 really nice beaches on a property that you don't have to drive to get to. REALLY nice beaches. If you go, do not get the all inclusive meals option because it's nice to go into Cruz Bay to try some of the restaurants there.

Thanks again for all of the responses. My question is more or less directed to the donkeypunch post. I noticed that you said how you enjoy less comercialized and low key places with great beaches, I myself enjoy that as well (I don't care for cruise ship crowds). Would you recommend a different island and resort?

IMO, if your looking for less a less commercialized, low key place with excellent beaches, St. John is the place to go. (Something like ~70% of the island is National Park, so it is less commericalized than any other island--i.e, your not going to find a McDonalds) People are going to argue that you can find less commercialized--sure, but your bordering on private islands with NOTHING else around. (see www.psvresort.com for complete isolation alternative)<BR>The Cruise ship crowds that come to St. John flock to Trunk Bay. If you get a ship schedule when you arrive you can find out when they are going to be gracing the island and hit Trunk that day. It is a gorgeous beach but tends to be more crowded--hit it on an off day. <BR>As I alluded previously if your looking for a really laid back resort, decent (but not 4 Seasons) rooms, and money isn't an object..strongly consider Caneel. But again, don't expect 5star accomodations..expect outstanding beaches on the property, a laid back atmosphere and general privacy. Wherever you end up on the island, rent a jeep for the week and get out and explore.--though if you want to plop yourself in a chair and do nothing, go with Caneel over westin. <BR><BR>You may look at the other places, but you will drive yourself insane trying to make a decision. I'd stick with St. John and enjoy. If your looking for a wild night or an afternoon of shopping, you can easily take a short ferry over to st. thomas and find it all in walking distance.<BR><BR>If curiosity kills the cat, check out the following:<BR><BR>www.littledixbay.com (rosewood/caneel)<BR>www.capajuluca.com<BR><BR>In my opinion the beaches at St. John are better for snorkeling.<BR><BR>Good Luck

Donkeypunch, thank you very much for your help, again! I do feel myself going crazy though trying to decide. I love the idea of Caneel Bay but I am still waiting for better prices. See I am looking to go away in October when it is the low season, but the prices are still on the high side for myself. So why I am waiting I have come across other resorts that make me wonder, such as Jumby Bay (very expensive), Blue Waters (Antigua), and also Peter Island Resort. I just don't know like you said the Jumby Bay and Peter Island are on private islands so that may make me feel &quot;too isolated&quot;? Hopefully the prices for Caneel will come down, especially with all that's going on... any idea where to get good prices for such an expensive place?

Hi,<BR>Just thought I'd put this info out there for you. It is definitely possible to get a more reasonable price at Caneel. I've had very good luck with American Airlines packages. I just checked AA.com right now and you can book Caneel, an oceanview room (they are beautiful!!) for $752 for three nights and $251 for additional nights. That means you could do a week for a little over $1700 or around $250 a night. For Caneel, that's very reasonable. I would not do a meal plan, there are too many restaurants right in Cruz Bay to choose from and you can always eat on the resort if you want to. <BR>You won't regret going to Caneel Bay. Wait till you see the beaches!!!

I think that I am &quot;sold&quot; on Caneel Bay. But I looked at the site you recommended and being that I would be flying from Newark, NJ the fares are still on the high side. I am going to hold out a little longer and see if the prices come down. If any notices good rates from Newark International airport let me know. Again thank you for your help.

If you've not already bought your vacation package, try going to www.luxurylink.com. They've got packages at reduced rates to Caneel Bay and other upscale, less-touristed destinations. (Including private island Guana Island in the BVI)<BR><BR>You can also read an independent review of Caneel Bay by ScubaMom on her website--she's been to many of the top Caribbean destinations where privacy is a priority. www.scubamom.com<BR><BR>Let us know what you decide.<BR>

I will definitely check it out. I still haven't booked the trip yet though. Still waiting for good prices!