For 57 years, Caneel Bay Resort has been a popular, eco-friendly destination on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, and will reopen this fall as an independent resort. Previously managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the property will continue to be owned and operated by CBI Acquisitions under the new name, Caneel Bay Resort and will open for the new season on November 1.
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has overseen the management of Caneel Bay since 1993. Under the new management, Nikolay Hotze will continue to lead the property as managing director. As one of the largest employers on St. John, Caneel Bay Resort will be retaining the current on-site staff as well as maintaining the sales and marketing team in New York City.
“Caneel Bay continues to be the leader of rustic, luxury-chic in the Caribbean. We have an incredible heritage started by the Rockefeller’s and it’s a legacy that we look forward to developing, while preserving the area’s tranquility,” said Nikolay Hotze, managing director, in a written release. “We look forward to this new chapter as an independent resort and welcoming back our returning and first-time guests to the property. We’re excited for this new phase, which is backed by years of success, increased revenue and unparalleled customer loyalty.”
CBI Acquisitions, which has owned the property since 2003, is committed to the long-term preservation and development of the resort. New dining outlets will open this season such as ZoZo's Ristorante, led by local restaurateur, John Ferrigno, and Cannella Gelateria and Coffee Shop offering gelato inspired by local flavors, paninis and coffee. These culinary changes join the recent addition of the Sushi Bar, adjacent to the Caneel Beach Bar & Grill. Moving forward, a capital investment plan will begin in 2014, with completion in phases over the next two to three years.
The only resort to offer 170 acres and seven beaches within the Virgin Islands National Park, Caneel Bay Resort will continue to follow the same eco-friendly focus that has guided the property since its founding by philanthropist Laurance Rockefeller. The appealing mix of low-key luxury, attentive service and purposeful absence of digital distractions will remain the same, right down to the donkey and deer that are such a lovable part of the Caneel Bay Resort experience.
All pre-existing resort reservations, events and bookings will be unaffected by the transition, and guest histories of past stays will be held and maintained by the property’s management systems. Though Caneel Bay Resort is creating a new website design, its URL will remain the same. A new GDS code will be shared with travel agents and clients in September.
Visit www.caneelbay.com