Caneel Bay Resort, which was heavily damaged by last fall's hurricanes and is hoping Congress grants it a 60-year lease to continue operating at Virgin Islands National Park, is renting out some rooms for as much as $285 a night, according to local reports.
While most of the resort's rooms were heavily damaged by the hurricanes, a small number of rooms were in OK shape to be rented out to first responders and relief workers. With the number of those workers decreasing, some of the rooms have become vacant.
“As demand for accommodation from first responders has started to diminish, Caneel Bay is able to extend a larger number of rooms to private individuals, who would like to stay at the Resort. Rooms are offered with the understanding of guests, that they will not have those services and amenities offered prior to the storms," Anita Wu, director of revenue strategy for Caneel Bay, told the News of St. John in an email.
CBI Acquisitions, the firm that manages Caneel Bay, is renting rooms in the “garden area” for $235 a night and up, the blog reported. It is renting “ocean” rooms on Little Caneel beach for $285 a night and up. Guests will have to pay an additional 12.5% occupancy tax, as Caneel does not pay taxes.
"Accommodations are in full working order and maintain the Caneel Bay philosophy, where all rooms are absent of televisions and telephones. Internet access is provided free of charge and cell-phones are serviced by U.S. carriers without roaming charges," Ms. Wu told the blog. "Meals and refreshments are currently not offered on the Resort property and additionally there is no guest laundry services or recreational activities of any kind. Some areas of the resort are restricted to access and as a condition of any stay, you must agree to waive and release Caneel Bay Resort of any responsibility or liability for any claim regarding your visit. Upon check-in you will be required to sign a waiver and release form."
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Is this still the case and can a room be secured through Caneel Bay directly? We've been to St. John many times and have been broken hearted to hear what has happened. We have stayed there and Maho Bay and at private rentals and would love to come back to help out the economy. Any further insights you can provide would be very helpful.
Thanks! Lois Howe