SSypniewski

I will be vacationing at Caneel Bay in St. John this October and I was wondering if anyone has a recommendation for which beach to stay on? Also is it better to be on the ground or 2nd level? My husband and I will be celebrating our 2 year anniversary and we decided on a beachfront room. I heard Scott's Beach is wonderful, however unless you have a "premium" room you will not get a room there, so what would be the next best one (as far as calm, peaceful, etc) Thanks again!

LaurieB

It's been a few years so I cannot remember the name of the Beach. I can tell you it is the beach on the entrance side of the resort, with one story rooms right on the beach. It was the best. Maybe it was Scotts Beach. Very private and quiet. Great snorkling right outside your door. Rooms were also very private. I would choose that beach again.

penny

Scott Beach is wonderful. All the rooms are lower rooms as the buildings are only one story. If you do not go for the for Premium, I would recommend the beachfront rooms on Hawksnest, or Turtle.<BR>

Dianebridle

I have stayed on both Turtle bay and Hawksnest. While both are nice, I prefer Hawksnest. At Turtle Bay, second floor rooms give a better view, but access to the beach can be gained only by walking from the front of the building to the beach. First floor rroms have direct beach access. Second floor rromms at the ends of the buildings on Hawksnestm give anelevated, hencem, better views, and direct beach access. Both beaches are wonderful.<BR><BR>Scotts Beach is very nice, with a gorgeous beach, all first floor rooms, which I believe are only 4/building, and direct beach access. These are $100/night more. My rationale is that by doing Hawksnests, I give myself an extra night for the price difference.<BR><BR>It is all a matter of individual priorities.

KaribIslander

My preference if Scott's is not an option is Hawksnest. On a small narrow beach that gets early morning sun, the rooms are in two-story units and right on a wonderful bay. (Where parts of Fours Seasons was filmed btw). It is known for great breezes making a ceiling fan often the only a/c you need. The other advatange is that it is a short walk over to Scott's for the late afternoon sun - and Scott's is primarily an 'adults only' beach depending on the time of year. Turtle Bay is adjacent to the Estate House for dining and is also a great little beach (but sometimes currents are fast there) but the rooms are above the beach and you will have steps going down to it. Turtle Bay is also the location of the Kids Club but they do use other beaches for the water activity. The dining at Turtle Bay is sit down service. Caneel Beach is the main beach by the main dining room (which serves all buffets) and the rooms there are directly on the longer and less private beach. If I were to choose that location, I would head to the end furthest from the public area where all the water toys are and the Caneel Pavilion where the lobby, bar and dining room are located and nearer Cottage Point. I believe that there are one or two rooms at Cottage Point that are considered beachfront also but a short hop to Paradise Beach. Not sure they would be included in the price range of the others. Since you are going in off season (and a very slow time) not all three restaurants will be open each night but you will want to dine off property some nights too I would think.

SSypniewski

thank you so much for all of the replies. Being that I am staying 1 extra night then I first thought (6 instead of 5) I am opting for the beachfront, can't afford the premium rooms. Hawksnest sounds really nice. I did receive a map of the resort and I noticed that there is another area where there are rooms, I think the beach is called Little Caneel? Does anyone know about this beach? Also being that I am going during off season, do you think Caneel Bay beach would still be crowded and noisey? It just looks like Hawksnest is SO FAR away from all of the restaurants, activities, etc. I heard they offer a shuttle service though, is it very inconvenient?

Dianebridle

Little Caneel is close and convenient to the main pavillian, but since you must go up a stairway to get to those roomsm it is very private. The rooms are on a private but small beach but Caneel's water trafic goes close by. From there it is a short, five minute walk to the very private, Honeymoon Beach.<BR><BR>I always enjoy my morning walk from Hawksnest to breakfast, because the grounds are so beautiful and the seascapes spectacular. As a result, I walk as often as I can and breath in the scenery. However, if walking is not your thing, the shuttles run frequently and wait time is very short. The rooms at Caneel Beach do not seem as private, but they certainly are not over run with traffic. Each area has its individual advantage.<BR><BR>On my first stay, my room was by Caneel Beach, and at that time I felt it would always be my choice because of its closeness to the main area. But in time, I discovered that I usally come to that part of the resort only a couple times of the day, and for me, being on the other beaches is like having a part of my own private fantasy island since very few other guests are there at any given time.

SSypniewski

To &quot;dianebridle&quot; after reading your response I definitely am leaning more towards Hawksnest Beach. Hopefully I can request that beach and be able to stay on it. Being that you have stayed there a few times, would you recommend the 1st or 2nd floor? Thanks again.

Cher

My husband and I stayed at Caneel a few years ago and I would agree with the above posters in recommending Scott Beach as first choice, and then either Turtle or Hawknest for second choices. Too much traffic around little Caneel Beach. Honeymoon beach is OK, but I would much prefer to be on Turtle or Hawknest over that ... locations are much better. If I recall, I thought that Hawksnest got more morning sun, and Scott Beach gets the afternoon sun, with Turtle Beach in between if that makes a difference. <BR><BR>Whether you go 1st or 2nd level probably depends on your preference. The second level may offer better views and a bit more privacy, and the first level offers the convenience of walking right out of your unit to the beach.<BR><BR>You may be even surprised when you get there and they may bump you up to another level. We had a unit booked on Scott Beach and when we got there we were bumped up to a huge suite in Cottage 7 which had access to both Scott Beach and it's own little beach (?Paradise Beach). Enjoy your stay at Caneel ... we loved it there and look forward to returning some day.

Dianebridle

MessageSypnienski<BR><BR>Glad to hear that this helps. <BR><BR>At Hawksnest, you get a much better view on second floor. My sister and her husband had first floor and thought that also. My room was 2nd floor at the end of the building which gives a beachside access to the beach. I am not sure if the middle rooms give direct beach access as well, or if it is necessary to go to the front and then around the building as was the case at Turtle Bay. I believe that there is direct beach access from the middle rooms, but I am not really sure.<BR>You might ask the reservationist.<BR><BR>I think you will love it there; I do.<BR><BR>After your trip, let us know what you think.

SSypniewski

I will be sure to let you know when I return from my vacation. Unfortunately its a ways off yet! Thanks again.

EmilyC

All of the beachfront rooms at Hawksnest have back doors out to the beach.<BR>If my memory is correct, the first floor rooms at Hawksnest are King sized beds and the second floor are doubles. Please check though, we stayed last about 3 years ago so it could have changed. I like Hawksnest best!