What more can one say about a hotel with beautiful beaches and incredible service. From the moment one steps off the plane in Thomas the time you leave the island, complete with a wave from the dock from the staff you will be catered to and pampered by the friendly staff.

We went on the off season and got an incredible deal on our room which was upgraded to be next to the beach.

The only downside is the food, not really great or anything to write home about so we ended up hiking down to cruz bay every night which has loads of great options.

I would definitely go back again.

I read the reviews before the trip and was a bit concerned about the "bungalow" experience. I have been used to the big entrance marble floor type accomidations.

We arrived from a short ferry ride to a warm welcome and special attention to our room. The grounds have rolling hills and spread out, but shuttles are readily available to take you from beach to beach.

The bungalows are very nice but not 5 star scale. The private beaches are what this place is all about. There is not one place where you look up and see another resort or high rise building along the beaches. Truly a place to soak in the sun and enjoy the surroundings.

Trips into town are short rides for a quick 10 bucks. You do not want to walk the hills on your own into town. Food on the grounds are good and people say a bit pricey, but I found it about average for what most pay while on vacation.

There are no TV's in the room and and phones are just outside the bungalow. Wireless internet is available for those who need to stay connected like myself. But by day three I really embraced the getaway and left it all behind.

If you are looking for perfection in being pampered and the highest in elegent accomodations, it falls just a touch short. But the beaches more than make up for it after you "let go". Coming from a person who didn't think surroundings could ever really blow me away as I have been to many many beach resorts, I will be going back to disconnect and enjoy some down time.

The rooms fall a bit short of giving the five stars I've seen, but
well worth a trip to make your own review.

My husband and I just returned from another stay at Caneel Bay. Perhaps it is the truly lovely nature of the staff or the breathtaking beauty and serenity of the grounds but, impossibly, it seems even better than the last time we stayed.

The staff, as always, was wonderful; patient, helpful and attentive... they are a joy to be around. By "staff" I mean from the garden crew, to the room service to the wait staff to the people that staff the boats and offices. They do a great job. If you have an issue or special request... please be patient and assured that they will do their utmost to resolve the situation or meet your request whatever it may be.

Paula, Jeremy, Frank and of course, Dennis who made my birthday dinner on the patio of the Turtle Bay Estate House even more magical, deserve special mention. As well as the two gentlemen that graciously hauled our heavy dive gear and two scuba tanks from one end of the peninsula to the other :-)

The food was excellent and there is a very wide selection to choose from. Do not expect to lose weight on this vacation unless you plan on a wonderfully peaceful early morning run everyday!

The beaches, as always were meticulously clean and pristine and the clarity and warmth of the water is almost shocking to the senses. It is one of the unique features of Caneel that you can always seem to find a beach that will offer you what you seek, be it solitude or windsurfing. Snorkeling is great at all of the beaches but the rocky points around the property are particularly nice.

At this point I would like to say, to those of you that dive, this is a tremendous place to go especially if you have a spouse or children that don't dive. They will have plenty to do while you enjoy some incredible fun underwater. The staff at Chris Sawyer is the best! Ann, who staffs the office with the patience and good humor of a saint is terrific. Miki, Travis, Kip and Jeff deserve special thanks for taking us out for some of the most memorable diving we have done. Please be generous with these people! They work very hard :-). If you have ever thought about learning to dive... this would be the place to do it. The dive guides and instructors have an obvious love for what they do and you can't have a better experience with diving than that.

It may seem that I have left out details but I have covered them in my last review (May of last year).

All I can say is... well... it is a VERY difficult place to leave. For us it will always seem like home. If you are looking for a place to restore your soul, your perspective, your heart surrounded by beauty and truly good natured people... this is your place.

We've been lucky enough to travel to some of the finest places on earth...beautiful hotels, fine dining, and gorgeous scenery. But we have NEVER been to paradise...until now.
Caneel is the essence of understated elegance. The staff was friendly without being intrusive, the 7 beaches are breathtaking, the sand like powdered sugar edging the clearest turquoise water imaginable and there is a constant breeze that feels like silk on your skin. The resort was well maintained without pretentious manicuring. The food was good and plenty. Most of all it was QUIET and uncrowded. Our room was lovely in its simplicity. For turndown each night, a card with a quote and a beautiful shell was left on our bed. Yes, it is "island time" there...it is supposed to be. We have never returned from a vacation so rested and refreshed. Cannel Bay is a magical place with unique qualities. We WILL go back...often. 1 tip: get up and watch the sunrise on Hawksnest Beach at least once...it will take your breath away.