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Caneel Bay Set on a 170-acre peninsula in the Virgin Islands National Park, near seven picturesque beaches, the Resort is one of the vacation destinations in the Caribbean. It is located on the northwest side of St. John, one of the US Virgin Islands. The resort is within Virgin Islands National Park on property once owned by Laurance Rockefeller. The hotel was one of the early members of Rockefeller's hotel chain, Rockresorts. The resort takes its name from the location of the property at Caneel Bay (Caneel means cinnamon in old Dutch). Rockefeller was so impressed by the area's beauty that he arranged to buy up most of the island of St. John. He then donated most of it to the U.S. government for the creation of the Virgin Islands National Park, the 29th U.S. national park. Rockefeller had the resort buildings designed to blend in with the landscape, and most property lighting is indirect so that guests can be able to see the stars at night. Caneel Bay was a Rosewood Resort until the fall of 2013. The resort is a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
Caneel Bay, which is open 10 months a year (annual closure in September & October), provides a variety of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving. A diversity of marine life can be found in the waters surrounding the resort. Parrotfish, angelfish, and damselfish can be seen swimming around coral, bright sea fans or spiny sea urchins. Viewers may also spot a barracuda, sea turtle or reef squid.
Visitors to Caneel Bay can also scuba dive, windsurf, sea kayak, sail, play tennis or get a massage. Many national park trails can be accessed from the resort and are available for hiking.