usvi-on-line
Parking now $20 at Caneel
We were there in December, went for a walk and the sunset. While were were pretty "dressed up" for St. John standards it was obvious we were not for Caneel standards and we sure got some looks on our way out as we passed thru the bar/restaurant as the evening festivities had started. Man, did we feel out of place. Then, since we didn't want to stop for a drink, we went to the desk to pay our $10 parking fee and handed them a $20 and he couldn't make change. Maybe that's why they raised the fee!!!!! 
If we go back, I think it will be lunch time.
If we go back, I think it will be lunch time.
That's part of what I love about going there...coming in off the beach, lugging a backpack and snorkel bag, sandy, hot, dripping. That place needs some of the nameless rabble to pass through it at times.lazylane wrote:We were there in December, went for a walk and the sunset. While were were pretty "dressed up" for St. John standards it was obvious we were not for Caneel standards and we sure got some looks on our way out as we passed thru the bar/restaurant as the evening festivities had started. Man, did we feel out of place.
-Card Carrying Member of the Nameless Rabble
Let me ask a question. We've never stayed at Caneel so I don't know the history of the place etc., but why would they let anyone utilize their property for beach access or any other reason. It seems to me they are being gracious allowing any non paying guest to come on the property. We always stay at Gallows and I can't imagine they would allow a non guest to come on the property and use their beach. I know they don't own the beach but I assume they do control the property. Maybe they are legally bound to provide some sort of access but I doubt it. If I had to bet, access will be limited in the near future to guests only. In the meantime we probably should be thankful they would even let someone on the property.
Hopefully a local will chime in to correct me or expand on this topic. As I understand it, resort is leased from the National Park by Rosewood. Access to the main beach was probably written into the agreement way back when.dhanc1 wrote:Let me ask a question. We've never stayed at Caneel so I don't know the history of the place etc., but why would they let anyone utilize their property for beach access or any other reason. It seems to me they are being gracious allowing any non paying guest to come on the property. We always stay at Gallows and I can't imagine they would allow a non guest to come on the property and use their beach. I know they don't own the beach but I assume they do control the property. Maybe they are legally bound to provide some sort of access but I doubt it. If I had to bet, access will be limited in the near future to guests only. In the meantime we probably should be thankful they would even let someone on the property.
We visit Caneel at least once per trip (sometimes we stay there) and have never felt unwelcome or that our business was not appreciated.
The staff, for the most part, is West Indian and as we all hear about over and over (and over again) on this forum, it is a culture where first impressions/greetings matter and that isn't super-duper friendly, all smiles and "how can I help out" right off the bat. Maybe that is part of the perspection problem?
We will be there as visitors next month and will report back on our experiences.
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Need2GetAway
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The actual land that Caneel is on is owned by the National Park Service (that's you, taxpayers), hence their responsibility to offer public access.
In 1983 (?) when the land was donated to the NPS by Jackson Hole Preserve (via Laurence Rockefeller - who donated all the NPS lands in 1950 something) it was stipulated that the resort business could run on a lease arrangement until 2023, at which point the whole thing would be transferred to the NPS. A few years ago there was a bill introduced to the House to allow for an extended lease of the business past 2023, due to the importance of the resort to St. John's economy. I don't know the current status of that.
In 1983 (?) when the land was donated to the NPS by Jackson Hole Preserve (via Laurence Rockefeller - who donated all the NPS lands in 1950 something) it was stipulated that the resort business could run on a lease arrangement until 2023, at which point the whole thing would be transferred to the NPS. A few years ago there was a bill introduced to the House to allow for an extended lease of the business past 2023, due to the importance of the resort to St. John's economy. I don't know the current status of that.
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Xislandgirl
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I have never spent any time on a Caneel Beach and never even considered it while on vacation.
There are so many great beaches on STJ that cost nothing, are nearly deserted(at times) and do not come with a fee. I will never understand the appeal.
I have been there for meals, but I never had any desire to spend beach time at a resort that I am not staying at.
To each their own, I guess.
There are so many great beaches on STJ that cost nothing, are nearly deserted(at times) and do not come with a fee. I will never understand the appeal.
I have been there for meals, but I never had any desire to spend beach time at a resort that I am not staying at.
To each their own, I guess.
We visited Caneel as outsiders in November. Lunch was tasty, drinks were good. We could only use their main dock beach area. Nice, clean place, but not really our style. I do, however, respect their rights to manage their private property as they choose. Maybe someday we'll stay there. No TV, No internet. My kind of dream vacation if I could afford it.
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Need2GetAway
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Re what there might to “get” about Caneel (at least from my limited perspective…)
First off, I think that Caneel may appeal more to beach people than to villa people. And, the beaches are pretty darn spectacular, with turtles guaranteed every afternoon at Scott Beach.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K ... site"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-voJ7 ... 0pana2.jpg" height="347" width="800"></a>
Back in 09 we were lucky to catch that very short lived $325/night deal (with the breakfast buffet!) at Caneel for 4 nights, plus 2 nights at Gallows. The idea for us was to minimize “jeep time” and maximize beach time since this was a short trip of only 6 nights and it worked perfectly. And for a short trip, we also weren’t interested in playing house at a villa. Yeah we felt a little like the Clampets when we first checked in but got into the groove pretty quickly (nice toiletries, comfy robes, bed turndowns, etc. will do that to you)
For the 3 of us, (we are walkers too) we loved the added bonus for us of being walking distance to several beaches for things like this: my wife really enjoys the beach in the morning, I like it in the late afternoon. So if we are on the beach in the late afternoon, just about the time the lighting is getting real interesting for photography, she starts squirming and saying I gotta get out of this bathing suit and take a shower, etc.
Well, at Caneel (and on Spring Bay Beach when we stay at Guavaberry on Virgin Gorda), she picks up and says I going back to take my shower. Great, I'll be up soon, and the getting ready to go out for the evening gets nicely staggered.
Also, one morning I was up extra early, peaked outside, sunrise looked promising, grabbed the camera, slipped out, coffee is set up at 6am at the beach bar, grabbed a to-go cup, walked over to the other side of the Caneel peninsula to watch dawn break.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l ... site"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mxa1 ... 4921-1.JPG" height="707" width="800"></a>
Are there many things better than a having a nice cup of coffee on the beach in the quiet early morning light?
First off, I think that Caneel may appeal more to beach people than to villa people. And, the beaches are pretty darn spectacular, with turtles guaranteed every afternoon at Scott Beach.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K ... site"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-voJ7 ... 0pana2.jpg" height="347" width="800"></a>
Back in 09 we were lucky to catch that very short lived $325/night deal (with the breakfast buffet!) at Caneel for 4 nights, plus 2 nights at Gallows. The idea for us was to minimize “jeep time” and maximize beach time since this was a short trip of only 6 nights and it worked perfectly. And for a short trip, we also weren’t interested in playing house at a villa. Yeah we felt a little like the Clampets when we first checked in but got into the groove pretty quickly (nice toiletries, comfy robes, bed turndowns, etc. will do that to you)
For the 3 of us, (we are walkers too) we loved the added bonus for us of being walking distance to several beaches for things like this: my wife really enjoys the beach in the morning, I like it in the late afternoon. So if we are on the beach in the late afternoon, just about the time the lighting is getting real interesting for photography, she starts squirming and saying I gotta get out of this bathing suit and take a shower, etc.
Well, at Caneel (and on Spring Bay Beach when we stay at Guavaberry on Virgin Gorda), she picks up and says I going back to take my shower. Great, I'll be up soon, and the getting ready to go out for the evening gets nicely staggered.
Also, one morning I was up extra early, peaked outside, sunrise looked promising, grabbed the camera, slipped out, coffee is set up at 6am at the beach bar, grabbed a to-go cup, walked over to the other side of the Caneel peninsula to watch dawn break.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l ... site"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mxa1 ... 4921-1.JPG" height="707" width="800"></a>
Are there many things better than a having a nice cup of coffee on the beach in the quiet early morning light?
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
FTI - Caneel does have WIFI throughout the property.rpplano wrote:We visited Caneel as outsiders in November. Lunch was tasty, drinks were good. We could only use their main dock beach area. Nice, clean place, but not really our style. I do, however, respect their rights to manage their private property as they choose. Maybe someday we'll stay there. No TV, No internet. My kind of dream vacation if I could afford it.
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St. John Lover
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Not only are ALL the Caneel beaches the property of the National Park (thus owned by U.S. taxpayers) BUT--and here's a real kicker for me that I just found out about a couple years ago--Caneel (Rosewood) does NOT pay ANY property taxes at ALL! (even though as others have said, it is leased from the National Park & operated as private profit-making property!).
After having learned & verified that, very frankly, if I feel like visiting one of "my" National Park Beaches (:-)), I just walk in like I belong there (because I do if I want to!) and enjoy myself in the water and at the beaches. I don't use their chairs or hammocks (unless it's off-season & no one is using them) and I certainly don't disturb the guests. I myself like quiet & space which is one thing I love about St. John so I would definitely honor that for others.
Which brings me to end on 2 pet peeves that I've been noticing more & more each year when we visit. I don't care if you're on Caneel beaches or any of the other beaches, since when did it become acceptable down there for people to leave their left-over food & beverage garbage on the beach when they leave AND to play loud music?? Reason I see this as related to above is it's really all about just being gracious and respectful of others and of nature.
After having learned & verified that, very frankly, if I feel like visiting one of "my" National Park Beaches (:-)), I just walk in like I belong there (because I do if I want to!) and enjoy myself in the water and at the beaches. I don't use their chairs or hammocks (unless it's off-season & no one is using them) and I certainly don't disturb the guests. I myself like quiet & space which is one thing I love about St. John so I would definitely honor that for others.
Which brings me to end on 2 pet peeves that I've been noticing more & more each year when we visit. I don't care if you're on Caneel beaches or any of the other beaches, since when did it become acceptable down there for people to leave their left-over food & beverage garbage on the beach when they leave AND to play loud music?? Reason I see this as related to above is it's really all about just being gracious and respectful of others and of nature.
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Florida Girl
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J/K
