Caneel Bay Beach
Caneel Bay Beach
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4.0
255 reviews
Excellent
138
Very good
61
Average
33
Poor
11
Terrible
12
kjmwp
white plains, ny13 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
Terrible experience. Remember from old. Elegant, beautiful charming.
We did not realize there had been virtually no restoration after hurricanes. Charged $12/person just to park/enter property. 5 minute shuttle drive down potholed road to beach where there was little other then then spectacularly beautiful beach/bay
We were going in late afternoon for cocktails
There was a bar cabana, a small boutique and there may have been, not sure, a small place to get some food
Our cocktails were served in plastic cups. When we went to sit on the beach we were told we could not sit in an empty cabana which we were told could only be rented for the day at $800/day. And the beach chairs were also at cost. So essentially no where to sit and enjoy your cocktail except at a picnic table that had a shrub obscured view of the beach
Except at beach the entire place was overgrown with vegetation
Incredible ripoff
We did not realize there had been virtually no restoration after hurricanes. Charged $12/person just to park/enter property. 5 minute shuttle drive down potholed road to beach where there was little other then then spectacularly beautiful beach/bay
We were going in late afternoon for cocktails
There was a bar cabana, a small boutique and there may have been, not sure, a small place to get some food
Our cocktails were served in plastic cups. When we went to sit on the beach we were told we could not sit in an empty cabana which we were told could only be rented for the day at $800/day. And the beach chairs were also at cost. So essentially no where to sit and enjoy your cocktail except at a picnic table that had a shrub obscured view of the beach
Except at beach the entire place was overgrown with vegetation
Incredible ripoff
Written 12 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pkbull
Wichita, KS53 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
First of all, Honeymoon is a beautiful beach. We have visited it many years and loved it every time. Unfortunately Caneel Bay Beach Club has developed it into a place so ridiculously expensive, virtually no one uses it anymore. Chair rental is $25 PER HOUR compared to $10 a day (2022 rates, previous vendor).
They’re trying to “brand” it as a beach club, but it’s basically chair rental with food and beverage service. Guess what….Maho, Cinnamon and Trunk Beaches all
have similar services but at reasonable costs.
The only way to avoid their rates for chair rental is to hike Lind Point Trail (over a mile) with your chair. And it’s not a flat trail……
It really is too bad because it used to be one of our favorite spots. Even if you can afford their rates, why would you pay it!!!
We used to love getting a little exercise on the trail before soaking in the beauty of the beach, but not any more.
Seriously, don’t give them the benefit of your money.
Go to one of the other beaches, enjoy a beautiful day and save some money!!
They’re trying to “brand” it as a beach club, but it’s basically chair rental with food and beverage service. Guess what….Maho, Cinnamon and Trunk Beaches all
have similar services but at reasonable costs.
The only way to avoid their rates for chair rental is to hike Lind Point Trail (over a mile) with your chair. And it’s not a flat trail……
It really is too bad because it used to be one of our favorite spots. Even if you can afford their rates, why would you pay it!!!
We used to love getting a little exercise on the trail before soaking in the beauty of the beach, but not any more.
Seriously, don’t give them the benefit of your money.
Go to one of the other beaches, enjoy a beautiful day and save some money!!
Written 18 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SaltyDog54
Wilton, CT59 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Caneel Bay was once the most beautiful place to visit. Lawns like golf courses, wandering donkeys and deer. Fantastic food and warm and wonderful people. Swim in the bay out to the float dock and chill.
Now it looks like Jurassic Park after hurricanes. Everywhere else has made a great effort in clean up and some you would never know they were hit with a CAT5. Not this place - Greedy Greedy folks-
You can take a golf cart ride to Honeymoon and see for yourself. $10 round trip.
Honeymoon looks great an has a lot of activities
Worth the $10
Now it looks like Jurassic Park after hurricanes. Everywhere else has made a great effort in clean up and some you would never know they were hit with a CAT5. Not this place - Greedy Greedy folks-
You can take a golf cart ride to Honeymoon and see for yourself. $10 round trip.
Honeymoon looks great an has a lot of activities
Worth the $10
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aqua2tan
10 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Recommend against. There were several guards manning the entrance to the former resort off of main Rte 20. A lady under a canopy was dealing with a party of 8 in front of us. She quoted $800 for a canopy $25 for chairs. The only services to go with that was a food truck. That group declined most but did ultimately go in for $200. My wife & I declined all & went several yards up the road to Lind Point & the Lind Trail trailhead & walked down, which is allowed since it's National Park land & public beach. The opportunists were still about & were quick to tell us we couldn't sit on the chairs. Really a shame because the beach itself is gorgeous.
Written 16 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oly2gia
New York24 contributions
St.John's-Virgin Islands: Caneel Bay : "Absolutely nightmare!"
Date: November 27, 2008
Reviewer: Olympia
We were there nearly a month ago- we spent the Thanks Giving there. Although the physical environment is lovely our stay was totally destroyed by the so called insects, which in reality were bed bugs.
My Husband and I, we have stayed in your Hotel from November 27 – 30 2008 in room #3.
The first impression was very good as the welcome at the airport was excellent as well as the boat transfer to Caneel Bay.
While we were treated with the refreshments in the boat, I was thinking if the service in the hotel is the same, we are going to have a memorable holiday (actually this was our first anniversary celebration).
Upon arrival in the hotel, we were welcomed by the Front Office Manager, who brought us to our room and gave all information needed about our room and the hotel rules. Among those information was, that in our room wardrobe there was a spay for flies and mosquitoes and we can use them, as need it.
Also I realized that the air-conditioning was on, and I though, since the hotel is an upscale one, they treat us properly and they do not wait the guest to check in the room and then to turn the air-conditioning on. (How stupid of me) We left the air-condition on until next morning and we have had a nice and cool night but the noise from the air-conditioning was so loud and we decided to turn off the air-conditioning the second night and leave the fun on – which was perfect, temperature wise. BUT that was our biggest mistake. We have been attacked by the so-called flies or mosquitoes. I put the suggested spray all over my body, I sprayed all the linen, but in vain. I and my husband were beaten up by the BED BUGS (as was diagnosed later on by the doctor), that very carefully were hidden by putting up the air-conditioning temperature to cold, and you keep them dormant. When we turned off the air-conditioning , they woke up.
The night of November 28 was horrible and November 29 was even worst. If you see my body I guess, you will fell sorry for me, they are bites from the neck to the toes.(by the way if you do not believe me I can sent you the photos that I took). My husband was bitten too but only on his legs and belly.
My husband complaint to Font Office Manager, and he has been told not to worry as his wife get bites from the flies. (what a lie!!!! By now she should be skinless)
The itching was unbearable, I thought there was something wrong with me or I caught some kind of children disease. It was a nightmare, I could not sleep during the night, I was scratching myself all the time. Finally we left for New York and Monday morning December 01 2008 I went to work but I was unable to work due to itching. I went to the pharmacist to give something to calm me down. The Benadryl didn’t work and finally I end up at the emergency room at the New York Presbyterian Hospital (December 04 2008) full of red bite spots as well as bruises from the scratching. The itching was so hard , I wanted to take my skin off.
The doctor that took care of me gave me the explanation and the final diagnosis –BED BUD BITES. I WAS ASTONISHED.
We went to an upscale hotel to enjoy ourselves, relax and celebrate – we paid $ 700 per room per night and we have not being given a standard clean – safe room.
Oh By the way, the room had cockroaches too. But the cockroaches was nothing compared to bed bugs.
Restaurant : people were friendly but food was poor compared to the rate, that we paid.
I am not against the Chef, the budget the company is giving him, the variety of food , is preparing.
With that rate I would expect an extraordinary buffet presentation. Actually in Saint John town we found a very good French restaurant.
The computer room is unacceptable, with the keyboards not functioning properly.
Apart from all the above the location is fine , but I would never never introduce your hotel to any of a prospective client.
In general the resort needs a generous renovation. We are leaving in the 21st Century not in 1980’s.
I feel deceived and mistreated as a guest. I can understand what a Hotel General Manager is going through but I cannot accept that the person in charge of Cannel Bay lies to guests and provides spray and cover up the bed bugs by saying they are mosquitoes. I think he should take better care of his guests.
Date: November 27, 2008
Reviewer: Olympia
We were there nearly a month ago- we spent the Thanks Giving there. Although the physical environment is lovely our stay was totally destroyed by the so called insects, which in reality were bed bugs.
My Husband and I, we have stayed in your Hotel from November 27 – 30 2008 in room #3.
The first impression was very good as the welcome at the airport was excellent as well as the boat transfer to Caneel Bay.
While we were treated with the refreshments in the boat, I was thinking if the service in the hotel is the same, we are going to have a memorable holiday (actually this was our first anniversary celebration).
Upon arrival in the hotel, we were welcomed by the Front Office Manager, who brought us to our room and gave all information needed about our room and the hotel rules. Among those information was, that in our room wardrobe there was a spay for flies and mosquitoes and we can use them, as need it.
Also I realized that the air-conditioning was on, and I though, since the hotel is an upscale one, they treat us properly and they do not wait the guest to check in the room and then to turn the air-conditioning on. (How stupid of me) We left the air-condition on until next morning and we have had a nice and cool night but the noise from the air-conditioning was so loud and we decided to turn off the air-conditioning the second night and leave the fun on – which was perfect, temperature wise. BUT that was our biggest mistake. We have been attacked by the so-called flies or mosquitoes. I put the suggested spray all over my body, I sprayed all the linen, but in vain. I and my husband were beaten up by the BED BUGS (as was diagnosed later on by the doctor), that very carefully were hidden by putting up the air-conditioning temperature to cold, and you keep them dormant. When we turned off the air-conditioning , they woke up.
The night of November 28 was horrible and November 29 was even worst. If you see my body I guess, you will fell sorry for me, they are bites from the neck to the toes.(by the way if you do not believe me I can sent you the photos that I took). My husband was bitten too but only on his legs and belly.
My husband complaint to Font Office Manager, and he has been told not to worry as his wife get bites from the flies. (what a lie!!!! By now she should be skinless)
The itching was unbearable, I thought there was something wrong with me or I caught some kind of children disease. It was a nightmare, I could not sleep during the night, I was scratching myself all the time. Finally we left for New York and Monday morning December 01 2008 I went to work but I was unable to work due to itching. I went to the pharmacist to give something to calm me down. The Benadryl didn’t work and finally I end up at the emergency room at the New York Presbyterian Hospital (December 04 2008) full of red bite spots as well as bruises from the scratching. The itching was so hard , I wanted to take my skin off.
The doctor that took care of me gave me the explanation and the final diagnosis –BED BUD BITES. I WAS ASTONISHED.
We went to an upscale hotel to enjoy ourselves, relax and celebrate – we paid $ 700 per room per night and we have not being given a standard clean – safe room.
Oh By the way, the room had cockroaches too. But the cockroaches was nothing compared to bed bugs.
Restaurant : people were friendly but food was poor compared to the rate, that we paid.
I am not against the Chef, the budget the company is giving him, the variety of food , is preparing.
With that rate I would expect an extraordinary buffet presentation. Actually in Saint John town we found a very good French restaurant.
The computer room is unacceptable, with the keyboards not functioning properly.
Apart from all the above the location is fine , but I would never never introduce your hotel to any of a prospective client.
In general the resort needs a generous renovation. We are leaving in the 21st Century not in 1980’s.
I feel deceived and mistreated as a guest. I can understand what a Hotel General Manager is going through but I cannot accept that the person in charge of Cannel Bay lies to guests and provides spray and cover up the bed bugs by saying they are mosquitoes. I think he should take better care of his guests.
Written 20 December 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
XSverdad
DC6 contributions
Just got back from Caneel last night. We spent our wedding night at the Ritz in St. Thomas, and honeymooned at Caneel. No regrets whatsoever!
I will not waste time discussing the beaches, as it has already been said a thousand times: THEY ARE INCREDIBLE. The water was ten steps from our door!
The meals we had there were all "very good" to "excellent". We ate dinner in The Ruins (provided by the Equator Restaurant) on our first night. This was a surprise for my wife, and she LOVED it. Totally set the tone for our very romantic and special stay. The food was excellent. We also enjoyed the breakfast and dinner buffets and thought they were excellent. The food in Cruz Bay is also excellent.
The service at the resort was generally excellent. I am usually horrible with names, but because the service was so personal and enjoyable, I found myself remembering many of the emplyees' names.
Its a very beautiful place full of very nice and well-trained staff. We could not imagine a better carribean resort for our honeymoon.
We'll be back for sure!
If you are looking to hang-out in a posh suite-type of room and watch TV or talk on the phone, you don't belong in the carribean in the fitst place . . .
Complaints: The bugs (which I generally have a very high tolerance for) were insatiable and on steroids. This was true of anywhere on St. Thomas or St. John - not really a Caneel Complaint. We grew tired of slathering ourselves with bug spray every night.
And lastly - Caneel's Bar area TV could not get Game One of the NBA Finals!!!!!!
I will not waste time discussing the beaches, as it has already been said a thousand times: THEY ARE INCREDIBLE. The water was ten steps from our door!
The meals we had there were all "very good" to "excellent". We ate dinner in The Ruins (provided by the Equator Restaurant) on our first night. This was a surprise for my wife, and she LOVED it. Totally set the tone for our very romantic and special stay. The food was excellent. We also enjoyed the breakfast and dinner buffets and thought they were excellent. The food in Cruz Bay is also excellent.
The service at the resort was generally excellent. I am usually horrible with names, but because the service was so personal and enjoyable, I found myself remembering many of the emplyees' names.
Its a very beautiful place full of very nice and well-trained staff. We could not imagine a better carribean resort for our honeymoon.
We'll be back for sure!
If you are looking to hang-out in a posh suite-type of room and watch TV or talk on the phone, you don't belong in the carribean in the fitst place . . .
Complaints: The bugs (which I generally have a very high tolerance for) were insatiable and on steroids. This was true of anywhere on St. Thomas or St. John - not really a Caneel Complaint. We grew tired of slathering ourselves with bug spray every night.
And lastly - Caneel's Bar area TV could not get Game One of the NBA Finals!!!!!!
Written 11 June 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KPKIdaho
atlanta4 contributions
Just an unbelievably beautiful place. Terrific and very private beaches, beautiful grounds, and decent food. Our problem was the rooms. Simple is great and expected in the Caribbean. Worn out and badly in need of a renovation is not. Our lock rarely worked - had to jiggle it a hundred times to get it to open, our shower head was loose/rusty and dripped constantly, the tile was so worn down in spots it was almost gone, the grout was dark and stained, etc. This was unacceptable , particularly for $600 / night. We love St. John and love the location, but will not go back until they renovate.
Written 22 August 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bree
Washington DC, DC66 contributions
I am in St. John now and just visited Caneel Bay as a visitor from another hotel in the area that costs half as much. I would have been furious if I paid the >$600 for a room at this hotel as it is mediocre at best. Yes, the beaches are nice for St. John, but beaches are public here and anyone can enjoy them. The rooms looked like bungalows at a summer camp and much of the property grounds are totally not luxurious. When one has to walk on a service road to get to the nicest beaches, that is a problem. Also, they are not walking distance to Cruz Bay where some of the ok priced restaurants are, so tack on an extra $10 bucks at least 2x per day if you want to get out of the resort which to me seemed as nice as a two star in the mainland US.
Written 4 December 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
triphog
New York3 contributions
Caneel Bay: Most beautiful relaxed beaches- never crowded excellent snorkeling right from your beach.
The beaches here are almost like your own private places- floats are available for you to lounge in the ocean.
Note there is no beach service, most people bring coolers with their own beverages- no one will set up your chair for you- but this really is what you want.
Food:
The food is not great. The Turtle Bay Estate House is good, be patient your server will forget things, but it is very beautiful. The Equator is horrendous. Old frozen food and sloppy presentation- cocktails and view are fine.
Local Cruz bay finds for food: Café Roma, very casual but great bang for your buck with nice food and wine.
Tage: Excellent little gem offering gourmet food and delightful atmosphere.
The beaches here are almost like your own private places- floats are available for you to lounge in the ocean.
Note there is no beach service, most people bring coolers with their own beverages- no one will set up your chair for you- but this really is what you want.
Food:
The food is not great. The Turtle Bay Estate House is good, be patient your server will forget things, but it is very beautiful. The Equator is horrendous. Old frozen food and sloppy presentation- cocktails and view are fine.
Local Cruz bay finds for food: Café Roma, very casual but great bang for your buck with nice food and wine.
Tage: Excellent little gem offering gourmet food and delightful atmosphere.
Written 12 April 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
roady2
Denver8 contributions
I was quoted a price when we booked our vacation in May 2008 for a trip in July 2008 never received confirmation or luggage tags like the 6 times we visited before -called a week before departure date and Francine faxed confirmation with higher price than quoted. Through numerous telephone conversations She told me we could work it out when we got down there. Manager Matthew Bartle assured me on the last day of our stay that they would not charge my credit card before we agreed on the price - (The lady that I originally booked the trip through was on vacation) Then my credit card statement arrived and it was charged $1,000 more that quoted price - Through many telephone conversations the price was never agreed to and the credit card company said we couldn't dispute because it was international. Shame on you Caneel Bay!!! BE VERY CAREFUL.....
Written 22 July 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there beach chair rentals at Honeymoon beach
And do you know the cost?
Written 22 January 2015
Sorry I am not sure we like to lay in the sand. However, we did not stay at Caneel just had lunch and went swimming. I would think you will have to pay for chairs if you are not a guest. Call and ask they will let you know. It is a beautiful beach.
Written 23 January 2015
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