Dinner in the ruins???

Travel discussion for St. John
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Lumiere
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Dinner in the ruins???

Post by Lumiere »

Just read a post where they mention this option. I did a quick search on the forum, but didn't find any topic specifically w/that post. Would love to hear more information about this please. Is it open to anyone vacationing at STJ or is it only available if you are staying at a certain establishment?

TIA!
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liamsaunt
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Post by liamsaunt »

It's at Caneel Bay. I don't know if you can do it unless you are staying there. This is the building they serve you in--you can see some of the equipment in the photo:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519018663/" title="Caneel ruins 3 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/251 ... 2c4dae.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Caneel ruins 3"></a>

At night the ruins are all lit up with torches and they have big hurricane lanterns also. It's either romantic or a little spooky depending on your point of view. I guess the only thing negative thing I noticed about it is that the building is right off the main area where everyone walks when they are entering/leaving the resort. The table is positioned in such a way that you would be be seen by people walking by, and of course you will attract attention!

Caneel also serves private dinners on their main beach.
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PA Girl
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Post by PA Girl »

Caneel's Equator restaurant is built on/around sugar mill ruins.

The restaurant is open to the public (not just resort guests) and Caneel sets up private diners within the lower part of the ruins. It looks very pretty with the torch lighting. I do not know if this particular service is available to the public.
Dave-a-roni
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Post by Dave-a-roni »

Liamsaunt wrote:
At night the ruins are all lit up with torches and they have big hurricane lanterns also. It's either romantic or a little spooky depending on your point of view


That's funny Becky, couldn;t it be both? Kinda Adam's familyish? :lol:

But on a more serious note, this is cool, I didn't get to Caneel this time, but have heard about this. Someone in our group had mentioned that Brad Pitt and Angolina stayed here recently, anyone know if this is this right? Or does anyone care? :wink: :lol: 8)
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iowaguy
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Post by iowaguy »

Dave-a Roni----I'll admit it---I read TMZ and Us magazine--and yes, Brad and Angelina stayed at Caneel, but it was more like December 2006/ January 2007, while Brad was filming----and whatever happened to that movie? Something about Benjamin Button.
---Jim
Lumiere
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Post by Lumiere »

Thanks all! Spooky and romantic huh? Sounds great :lol:
AnyTing
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Post by AnyTing »

I have checked into this for my cousin and her fiance who will be honeymooning on STJ at the end of this month.

To add to what Liamsaunt already said, you do not have to be a Caneel guest to do this. You do have to arrange it in advance. There is a set up fee of approximately $100 and then you just order from the normal menu and pay for your meal.

Here is a photo the day after someone had a private dinner back in May. I thought the bougainvillea petals and the setting were lovely.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/2733299673/" title="Untitled by Vicki_H, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/273 ... 2f862e.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt=""></a>

Oh, and I forgot to add, you simply contact Caneel and they will connect you to the restaurant to make arrangements.
Lumiere
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Post by Lumiere »

Thanks V.!
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SusanNJ
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Post by SusanNJ »

Hmmmm. This is interesting. My husband and I are headed back to Caneel this October and have been curious about this dinner in the ruins. So basically it is the $100 set up fee + ordering off the regular menu? We're on the meal plan so I wonder if that would cover the dinner part?
PA Girl
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Post by PA Girl »

SusanNJ wrote:Hmmmm. This is interesting. My husband and I are headed back to Caneel this October and have been curious about this dinner in the ruins. So basically it is the $100 set up fee + ordering off the regular menu? We're on the meal plan so I wonder if that would cover the dinner part?
I suspect it will because when we stayed there, I asked for picnic lunches and breakfast to be delivered and we were not charged extra.

Lucky you to be going in October, I was looking at the packages and wanted to go in the worst way but our work schedules and a FL trip aren't allowing it.
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SusanNJ
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Post by SusanNJ »

Wow this is great to know. It will be our 5th time at Caneel and I never thought about doing the dinner in the ruins thing. I may have to do this now! Now the only concern are the bugs?
Lumiere
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Post by Lumiere »

SusanNJ wrote:Wow this is great to know. It will be our 5th time at Caneel and I never thought about doing the dinner in the ruins thing. I may have to do this now! Now the only concern are the bugs?
Maybe you can ask them to use Citronella for the candle :lol: :shock: j/k...good question.
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