Travis23

My soon-to-be wife and I will be traveling for our honeymoon in June and have it narrowed down to Cap Juluca in Anguilla or Caneel Bay in St. John. Can anyone provide some advice? We are looking for great beaches, great food, and fun excursions/activities. Any imput would be helpful. Thanks.

Dianebridle

I am planning my fourth trip to Caneel and my first trip to Cap Juluca for my next vacation. Consequently my knowledge of Cap J and Anguilla is only through research, while with Caneel (which I absolutely love) is first hand.<BR><BR>St. John is a gorgeous natural island with 2/3 being a national park. It is lush and has wonderful beaches. Caneel lodging is very spread out over its extensive acreage. As a result guests can enjoy its seven uncrowded, private beaches, and very private strolls through its botanical grounds. Food is very good at all of their four restaurants.Many fun and interesting day trips and activities are offered.<BR><BR>In addition, Cruz Bay is about a ten minute ride away and offers nice shopping and more dining choices. Also the rest of the island can be explored by jeep or taxi.<BR><BR>My research seems to indicate that the rooms at Cap are more luxurious, but all are located on the same beach. However, the rooms at Caneel are comfortable with twice daily service. Should you choose, Caneel, I would recommend beach front, or premium rooms on Scott's beach which is truly fantastic. Prices are similar at both places. Food there and about the island have great reviews. The island is flat and not lush like St. John. The water and beaches of both appear to be outstanding.<BR><BR>I have read that the snorkeling at Anguilla is not as good as St. John, but my dive book (I snorkel and dive) rates some off shore sites as being very good.<BR><BR>Hope this is of some help. No matter which you choose, your honeymoon will be wonderful and very special.<BR><BR>

penny

I have been to Cap Juluca many many times, I love Anguilla, this hotel is wonderful. I have also stayed at Caneel about 4 times, love St. John and Cruz Bay. The snorkeling is much better on St. John, the food and beaches, all over Anguilla are wonderful. Its much easier to get around Anguilla than the hills of St. John. CJ is on one lovely beach, with a neighboring sister bay, Cove Bay in its natural state. The food and beach front restaurants at CJ are excellent, I found Caneel food to be OK. I do not like their huge beach dining pavaillion, and you have to fight for a seat at the beach bar terrace. Cap also includes a nice continetial breakfast, served daily in your room.<BR>The only problem with this hotel, is it might be booked, and the dates you want may not be available. Both are great choices, and you will enjoy both islands. Hope this helps.

gopack

To Dianebridle or penny: I have a couple questions about Caneel Bay. We are thinking of staying there this June. Are the rooms air conditioned and if not, would it be necessary in June? Also, just how not-that-great is the food? I have read a few other posters who said the food was not that great at Caneel Bay. Just curious. <BR>Thanks!

Dianebridle

The rooms are air-conditioned. I have been there in both late may and November and have found to be the weather and temp about the same. I am a fresh-air, ocean breeze 'nut, so I shut off the A C in the morning and have it on at night.<BR><BR>I enjoy fine dining and I do like their food. The Equator Room has a wonderful view of St. Thomas (ask for a table near the edge), and I felt the food and its presentation to be excellent. The food at Turtle Bay is also very good.<BR><BR>I really enjoy casual lunches at the bar restaurant, where you can be served outside or under cover. My favorites are their swordfish sandwich and their Cobb Salad, the best I have had anywhere, including the Chase Park Plaza, the creators of this dish.<BR><BR>The food and drink served at the complimentary manager's party is certainly better, more bountiful and diverse, than that served at the Ritz (St. Thomas) or Frenchman's Reef.<BR><BR>Breakfast is certainly superior to the Ritz, and their buffet is nice, but if you are lucky to be there for their &quot;Grand Buffet&quot;, it is outstanding.<BR><BR>Everyone has different taste, but I am always suprised to hear of negative reviews at this resort. They try very hard to make things just right.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.

penny

Maybe the food has improved in some spots. I have not been there since Jan. 01. I have always enjoyed the luncheon meals at the beach bar area, the Ceasar&amp; Cobb salad, great hamburgers, and deadly Rum Jumbys. My main complaint is that it can be very busy, and they stopped serving up on the high terrace patio, with the view of Caneel Beach - (this may have changed). It was so busy at the lower terrace beach area, daytrippers, boaters, corporate hospitality set-up, it was a zoo. <BR>When Turtle Bay is open, the dinners are very good, but I do not want this more formal setting every night. I really enjoyed the wonderful breakfasts here, lunch too. Like it much better than the main pavillion.<BR>Have dined at The Equator 3 times, the menu is wonderful, never had a good meal at this spot. It can be very busy too, high chairs and babies!<BR>Not a big fan of buffets, but I did find<BR>the dining at Little Dix Bay to be much better, and prefer their breakfast pavillion. Caneels is too large for my taste, same with the dinner at the pavillion, prefer something much more relaxing!<BR>The a/c is a nice addition, one year it was very very hot for us in early December, so its nice to have the option.<BR>I am not surprised at some of the negative reviews, but the positives well outweigh them. I just feel Rosewood could do a better job!<BR>

Castillo25

Cap Juluca hands down! Been there myself and I could not believe my eyes. What I liked most was the serenity and lack of crowds. The beach was the most beautiful ever (which adds to a very romantic atmosphere), and the room we had was spectacular (and it was a standard room--the door opened right onto the sandy beach and we had breakfast served there every morning!!). It was breathtaking and I would recommend it highly. Have a great time!

KaribIslander

One of the disadvantages of Caneel dining is the buffet-style meals at every meal in the Pavilion. Turtle Bay does have a more formal sit down atmosphere but since they've enclosed it and it now has a/c, it doesn't have quite the same Caribbean feel that Pimm's or George's has directly on the water/beach. Cap Juluca really prides itself in personal service and the water and beach is stunning with each accomodation directly on the beach. At Caneel they do offer less expensive options than beachfront. I have not yet really enjoyed a meal at Equator either but there are several options now including private dining among the ruins of the Sugar Mill and a private wine cellar dinner featuring excellent wine choices to accompany a custom menu. You will have more options of excursions and day trips to many diffenent destinations from St. John and I was surprised at the lack of sailing jaunts from Anguilla. You also have the option of the National Park activities such as hikes on St. John and excellent snorkeling from many beaches.