Caneel Bay Reviews

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Caneel Bay Reviews

"Caneel Bay is as close to heaven as your going to get here on earth, It is pure paradise!"

My husband and I visited June 30,2009 through July 5th. As soon as we got off the plane in St Thomas we easily found Caneel Bay's lobby located in the airport.

We checked in right there, were given bottled water and cookies to eat while we waited for the taxi to take us to Charlotte Amalie.

We gave our luggage to the Caneel staff and they told us that our luggage would be at our rooms when we arrived at the resort. Our taxi took us to Charlotte Amalie where we shopped for about 1 hour until the Caneel boat arrived.

It was a huge boat, had two levels and, waiting for us, dressed in a white sailor out- fit, was a handsome smiling gentleman who helped the ladies onto the boat, his name was Elvis.

He made us our Rum punch on the boat and gave us refreshing towels for our face. The ride was so much fun and took about 30 minutes.

The boat goes very fast and you feel like you are on a jet ski, it was bumpy at times but does not at all make you sea sick at all (in case anyone was worried...don't you will be fine!)

We pulled up to the resort it was the most amazing site with the most turquoise blue water that I have ever seen, white sand and the most amazing trees, palms ferns, and flowers.

We were then greeted by another staff member who gives you a tour of the resort, shows you personally to you room.

We had an ocean view room. We were in room #2. Waiting for us was a chilled bottle of champagne and bottle of rum.

Our room had brand new furniture, big white bath robes and fluffy towels, and the bathroom had fresh flowers for us.

We visited all of the beaches the resort had to offer everyone was beautiful.We snorkeled and saw at least 15 different species of fish including a barracuda, sea turtle, and a Sting Ray. We went sailing and kayaking in the ocean.

One day we rented a jeep and toured the island, this is a must.The locals are so kind and gracious.

At the concierge desk they have a copy of all of the restaurant menus in town and they will arrange you reservations for you.

The Lime Inn had amazing lobster and king crab. We also ate at Hinds amazing 5 course meal (scallops,grouper,branzino ,rack of lamb,then desert, paired with wines)amazing!

On the day we rented the jeep we ate at a restaurant in Coral Bay called Sweet Plantains amazing food wonderful chef and bartender (this restaurant is where Angelina and Brad dined when they visited St John).

At the bar on Caneel beach, ask for Leslie, he makes the best drinks at Caneel and he is the friendliest too. He also is the employee who does the complimentary rum tasting.

It is held at 3 pm and is a must! It lasts an hour and Leslie makes you 5 different drinks, you walk (if you can) away bombed all complimentary!

I can't say enough about this amazing resort except that every single employee was not only smiling and friendly, but bent over backwards to make sure you were having a good time and got everything you needed.

We always were joking with our servers in the morning and if you greet everyone with a "Good Morning,Good Evening" you will be sure to get amazing service.

Everyone was so gracious and I kind of felt like a princess there.

Maui is extremely hard to beat. But Caneel Bay did it. The beaches were amazing, completely out of a magazine.

We are certified divers and the snorkeling right off the beach was better than any dive we have done. Yes, unbelievable. Amazing corals, sting rays, 2 sea turtles, squid, barracuda, tons other fish.

The food was good. A bed and breakfast package is a must. Dinner in town is only a $5 trip and worth it.

We went into town multiple times for dinner. We can't wait to go back. Out of all vacations - this ranked #1.

I've been fortunate to travel to a lot of different countries.I've stayed at some really nice properties around the world.If you like a laid back atmosphere, then this resort will leave you happy.

The setting is beautiful, the grounds are immaculate and well cared for. The staff was attentive, but not obtrusive. Questions were always greeted with a smile and "yes".

We borrowed some snorkel gear from the water sports center and spent the afternoon snorkeling Hawksnest Bay.

We had no trouble entertaining ourselves on the property. I only wish they would let the guests take the kayaks/Sunfish further out into the water.

Tip: Walk to the front of the hotel property and hitch a ride into town.

Don't bother with the cabs unless you are faint of heart. Everyone is friendly and willing to give rides.Traffic on the road is frequent enough that we had to wait a minute or two...max, during the evening (7 pm - 11 pm).

Tip: Take the Caneel Bay ferry that services the resort.

The resort ferry leaves from Red hook on St. Thomas and from the harbor in Charlotte Amelia, St. Thomas.

There is another ferry that goes to St. John, and it lands about 10 minutes away in Cruz Bay.

At the resort you will pay resort prices. The breakfast buffet was a feast.The food was good, but if you want to get out, there are some nice places to eat in town too. Ask around. We weren't disappointed by the suggestions.

There are a couple of public beaches close by, and again, hitching is acceptable to get from pt A to pt B.

The "snorkel trail" at Trunk Bay is a nice feature in shallow protected waters. Take the gear from the resort

My only regret was not staying another night or two.

Just got back from Caneel Bay with our kids, ages 14, 8, and 6.It was one of the best vacations we have ever taken.

We felt welcomed from the moment we stepped onto the ferry in St. Thomas and even more so when we stepped off at the resort.

Our rooms were simple and clean (and kept clean with twice daily maid service). The beds were very comfortable.

The beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world and are rarely crowded.

The breakfast buffet was excellent, but would have been expensive ($124 plus tip for the 5 of us) had we not been on the B&B plan.

The staff were very helpful when needed, but were not "in your face" everywhere we turned.

The grounds are well designed, to give the feeling that you are walking around on a garden estate. The cost is a little high, but I don't know of another resort that even resembles Caneel Bay in its concept of "low-key luxury".

Our kids who admittedly are t.v. and video game junkies at home did not seem to mind a week without tv or "technology" in the room.

They enjoyed the beaches and the snorkeling.

We did not take advantage of the children's program, but it was nice to know it was an option.

The best part of the trip for our family was the excellent snorkeling off the resort beaches.

We did rent a car and drive to some of the other beaches on the island, and although they are all beautiful, we did not experience any snorkeling better than that on the resort beaches.

I have tried to think of a "worst part" of the trip, but the only negative experience we had was simply leaving behind a wonderful paradise to head back home to the real world.

My partner and I felt so much at home at Caneel Bay that we have been dreaming about returning ever since our trip in March (And I like to think of myself as the type of traveler who doesn't like to go back to the same place twice).

From the moment we got off the plane, the service was incredible and we felt totally taken care of.

The staff called us by our names and always stopped to ask us how we were doing.

The property itself is gorgeous -- we didn't feel like leaving it because each beach on the property is so different.

The few times we went off the property during the day (to Cinammon Bay & Trunk Bay), we couldn't wait to get back to Caneel Bay.

The other beaches are gorgeous and even more impressive, but the privacy and quiet at Caneel Bay are unbeatable.

Also, if you do want to get around the island (we ate dinner in town most nights), it's fairly easy to get a taxi from the hotel and from town back to the hotel.

The room was incredible - we are young so could only really afford the Garden Room - but even so, the room was spacious, very clean, and comfortable.

While the hotel is pricey, it is really an unforgettable experience.Also, something to keep in mind about the price is that many things are included in the price (e.g., you don't have to pay extra for renting sailboats, snorkel equipment, and there are many activities on the property as well).

Another great thing we discovered one day on the beach is that a server comes by from the restaurant and takes orders on the various beaches and will deliver the food to you! Incredible! (The property is well spread out).

We ate often at the resort and the food is good - but it's worth checking out places in town too (e.g., Asolare which overlooks a cliff and is very peaceful).

Also, every Sunday there is a jazz jam session in Cruz Bay that is worth checking out - great music!

Don't believe the negative reviews about Caneel Bay.....it was awesome!!!

If you're looking for a Ritz Carlton glitzy resort, then don't visit. If instead, you appreciate the understated elegant charm of the Caribbean, then you would love Caneel Bay.

We are seasoned travelers, and found their beach, Scott, to be on of the most beautiful we've seen.

The staff attended to our every need. We're already planning a return. Our two teenage daughters agree; it is a perfect place to land for a week!!

As with most of the reviewers of Caneel, I've stayed at many 5 star resorts and I've been all over the Caribbean..This, hands down, is my favorite place in the world to visit.

Since most everything has been stated in the previous reviews, I'll make this brief. Caneel is the place you go to slow wayyyy down and disconnect.

You have to go understanding that accomodations will NOT be like the Ritz or 4 seasons. It will be simple and comfortable.

You will NOT have TV or a telephone in your room. I'm a TV addict and I don't miss it at all.They do have TV's at the Bar and Grill areas. You will have WI FI in your rooms.

Also, I have an A T & T cell phone and St. John is a part of the USA according to your A T & T plan, so there is no extra charge.

The grounds of the resort are by the far the most beautiful beach grounds I've ever seen. The rest of the resort is green and flowery with deer and donkeys wandering around which was a wonderful surprise to me.

For me, the grounds go way beyond the 1-5 star rating system. This is the only resort that I've ever felt that way with.

Snorkeling for beginners is perfect. You will always see sea turtles and sting rays 10 feet from the shore on Scott Beach. You will always have a beach to yourself if you want one..Diving was also pretty good.

The on site Dive shop did a nice job. The staff was wonderful, helpful, and responsive..All with a big smile..

Every time I left the resort, I was disappointed. The only time to leave is to maybe get some dinner at night. Stay for Breakfast, though..If you eat breakfast late, it should carry through to Dinner.

There is no night life at Caneel. I'm happy about that. I want to get to bed early so I have as many precious day light hours as possible..

I went for the 1st time in August of 2008 because the rates are sharply reduced that time of year. I booked for 7 days, but stayed on for 3 more days because I found it hard to leave. 1st time I've ever done that. I'm heading back in 2 weeks and can't wait!!!!

US Virgin Islands Marriage License Application Requirements and Instructions:

To obtain a Virgin Islands Marriage License, you must submit the following at least 8 working days prior to your arrival in the Territory along with a money order or certified check payable to the Territorial Court for $100.

There is no waiting period for either of you to be on the island, but the paperwork and payment must be in the Courthouse on St. Thomas at least 8 days prior to your arrival.

The bridal couple must pick up their own marriage license, in person, from the Courthouse in St. Thomas prior to their wedding day. Photo ID is also required before the license is released to you.

Caneel Bay Reviews continued