St. John Hotels

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Caneel Bay Resort

At a Glance

Pros

lovely beaches
gorgeous rooms
lots of amenities

Cons

staff can be chilly
isolated location
pricey

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Fodorite Reviews

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Caneel Bay Resort Review

Well-heeled honeymooners, couples celebrating anniversaries, and extended families all enjoy Caneel Bay Resort's laid-back luxury. If you want to spend your days sunning on any one of its seven gorgeous beaches, taking a kayak out for a paddle, or enjoying lingering dinners at its fine restaurants, you can find no finer resort on St. John. Your room, which has air-conditioning or can be opened to catch the breezes, won't come with a TV or even a phone (though management will lend you a cell phone)—all the better to get away from it all. Rooms look as if they're right out of a magazine; if you opt for one of the beachfront rooms, you can get out of bed and stumble a few steps across the sand to the Caribbean. Otherwise, you can look out on the gardens or the tennis courts. Nightlife runs to steel-pan music or an easy-listening combo; if you want lots of action, go elsewhere.

Contact Information

Address: Rte. 20, Caneel Bay, St. John | Map It
Phone: 340/776-6111; 888/767-3966
Website: www.caneelbay.com
Location: North Shore

Hotel Details

166 rooms.
Rate includes breakfast.

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Fodorite Reviews

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Room

Décor

Service

Value

Caneel is wonderful

I have read many negative reviews of Caneel ranging from safety to service to accommodations. Everyone has their own opinion based on how well their expectations were met (assuming nothing terrible happened!). Caneel is not about being plush or pampering. Caneel is about an environment and group of people that do everything they can do to help a person enjoy the most lush property, most beautiful, fantastic beaches in the Caribbean. My wife and I have been twice in 4 years with this visit the best. Transfers were perfect between St Tomas and Caneel. Room was upgraded (stayed in #2). Champagne was chilled. Beds, AC, fantastic. Staff extremely accommodating. Boat crew was wonderful (we went back and forth to St Thomas 4 times). Breakfast buffet is more than adequate and tasty. Is it the Waldorf? No, and I, my wife, the staff, and the people that return year and after year don't want it to be. It is perfection in a way only Caneel can deliver.

by cabfeegig, 10/30/08
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Gorgeous grounds, limited service

The resort grounds are phenomenal. With 7 amazing beaches you really can't go wrong. The service here is limited, anything you want delivered your room comes with a 5 dollar delivery charge and this is not a wait on you hand and foot type of place. For the money, many people expect a resort atmosphere where you are treated like king. That is not the case at Caneel. It is perfect for couples--I think traveling here with children would be hard because of the expansive grounds. It is gorgeous. I have been to many islands and never seen more beautiful beaches!

by akexandrapendery, 9/25/07
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little long in the tooth but great

Island is one of the most beautiful in Carribean and the hotel while older is still in great shape. Staff was exceptional. food was great also.

by nysemem, 3/23/07
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bliss at a cost

Unfortunately, one can't enter a 10 for atmosphere. This is a perfectly tranquil place for adults who like privacy, beauty, service and peace. In fact two beaches suggest no children. Yes, it comes at a cost, but so does nearly everything worth experiencing. The natural beauty is overwealming, the service friendly and fitting St John and the islands. The rooms are not fancy as a Ritz or 4 Seasons may be; they're rustic. There are no rooms or TVs in the rooms-- one has to be able to supply your own entertainment. The restaurants were excellent and expensive. The beaches, all seven of them are exquisite and empty ( never more than a dozen folks on any beach we were on). I would summarize the resort by saying it is a sleep away camp for those who can afford it.

by bigberg50, 12/18/06