[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/always-among-friends-st-john-u-s-virgin-islands\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/always-among-friends-st-john-u-s-virgin-islands\/","headline":"Always Among Friends: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands","name":"Always Among Friends: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands","description":"Many consider the island of St. John to be the jewel in the Caribbean crown. Affluent and tranquil, this tiny tropical paradise is only 13...","datePublished":"2014-03-03","dateModified":"2021-06-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/johnroark\/#Person","name":"John Roark","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/johnroark\/","identifier":792,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecf109384655c44695772fb688edfc46d4edc345a414202f002635bf433a1125?s=96&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecf109384655c44695772fb688edfc46d4edc345a414202f002635bf433a1125?s=96&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Equally Wed","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","url":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","width":218,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gay-travel-romance-honeymoon-st-john-cruz-bay.jpg","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gay-travel-romance-honeymoon-st-john-cruz-bay.jpg","height":210,"width":328},"url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/always-among-friends-st-john-u-s-virgin-islands\/","about":["Honeymoons"],"wordCount":866,"keywords":["beaches","St. John","travel","U.S. Virgin Islands"],"articleBody":" Many consider the island of St. John to be the jewel in the Caribbean crown. Affluent and tranquil, this tiny tropical paradise is only 13 miles long and four miles wide. The U.S. Virgin Islands (St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix) present a colorful palette of romantic travel options ideally suited for U.S. travelers (no passport required, easy flights and U.S. currency is used). The beauty of the islands is incomparable, the history is rich, and the charming people warmly welcome everyone.Many consider the island of St. John to be the jewel in the Caribbean crown. Affluent and tranquil, this tiny tropical paradise is only 13 miles long and four miles wide. Sixty percent of the island is protected Virgin Islands National Park, and holds some of the Caribbean\u2019s most spectacular and pristine beaches. Who can resist seduction by sugar-white sand and turquoise waters? (And why would you try?) You\u2019ve found your own personal paradise.Accessible only by boat or ferry, St. John is defined by its tranquility and unspoiled beauty.CANEEL BAYOn St. John\u2019s north coast lies one of the Caribbean\u2019s most cherished treasures: Caneel Bay. Founded in 1962 by Laurence Rockefeller and built on the site of an 18th-century sugar plantation, Caneel Bay is a resort unlike any other. Rockefeller recognized the unique beauty of the island and worked hard to preserve it. His vision thrives in this enchanted enclave.One of the charming aspects of Caneel Bay is the digital detox you\u2019ll experience during your stay. You won\u2019t find a television or phone in your room; your wake-up call is a friendly knock on your door. As you disconnect from the outside world, you\u2019ll appreciate the low-key luxury that envelopes you. Seven picture-perfect beaches border 170 lush acres. Every accommodation offers a private retreat, furnished and decorated with natural woods, native Caribbean stone, and hand-crafted furniture. Accommodations intuitively suit your needs: beachfront cottages, ocean, garden and court-side views\u2014even Rockefeller\u2019s original private estate house, Cottage 7, can be yours.Caneel Bay is currently rated the No. 1 Caribbean tennis resort and the no. 6 tennis resort worldwide by tennisresortsonline.com. You can also enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, sailing and hiking. Don\u2019t miss the sunset cocktail cruise around Caneel Bay\u2019s shores (Thursday and Sunday evenings).Be good to yourselves with Caneel Bay\u2019s complete line of spa treatments and book a massage in a cabana overlooking the ocean, or a couple\u2019s massage in your suite.Showcasing the natural resources of the islands, a number of onsite restaurants will satiate every craving. Overlooking the resort and ingeniously incorporating 18th-century ruins, The Sugar Mill is set against the backdrop of the glittering evening lights of St. Thomas. For a storybook evening you\u2019ll never forget, book dinner for two by candle and torchlight among the ruins.There is something magical about Caneel Bay. It\u2019s not easy to define, but once you have been, you\u2019ll feel it. The resort puts its watermark on your memory, and you\u2019re not alone. Scores of loyal guests return year after year to celebrate anniversaries of all kinds, requesting their original rooms, celebrating their return with loyal staff members who are as much a part of the Caneel Bay experience as the beauty of St. John. You are always among friends.  NIGHTLIFE: CRUZ BAYOne of the great things about St. John is that wherever you go, you will feel welcome. If you decide to venture out for exploring, shopping or nightlife, nearby Cruz Bay is a short drive from the resort.Recommended DiningAll of the following are gay-friendly, easily within reach and highly recommended.ZoZo’s RistoranteExquisite Italian fare; recently selected as FIRST CHOICE by Travel & Leisure Magazine,”Where to dine in the Virgin Islands”www.zozos.netLa TapaContemporary Mediterranean with chef\/owner Alexandra Ewald\u2019s own personal interpretation. Personalized menus for groups or special occasions upon request.www.latapastjohn.comAsolareAsian Fusion cuisine presented with impeccable service, complemented by unparalleled sunset views of the Caribbean Sea.www.asolarestjohn.comLa Plancha Del MarDrawing on inspiration from Spain and France, traditional dishes with a local twist. Don\u2019t miss Movie night – movie themed courses, plus popcorn and a show!www.laplanchadelmar.comWHEN TO GOYear-round, weather is summer-like: highs in the 80s, lows in the 70s. Nights are pleasant with cool Caribbean breezes. Peak tourism: December – April; off-season is April – December. Officially, hurricane season begins in June and ends in November. (NOTE: Caneel Bay operates a seasonal closure from the end of August through the beginning of November.)GETTING THEREFlights are available directly to St. Thomas on most major carriers. St. John is only accessible by boat or ferry, which will be pre-arranged with your accommodations.IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMSNo passport is required for U.S. citizens traveling to the USVI. A valid passport is required for non-U.S. travelers.ACTIVITIESAll activities referenced can be arranged through the resort.RATESRoom rates vary be selection by season.FOR MORE INFORMATIONCaneel Bay, A Rosewood ResortP.O. Box 720St. John, U.S.V.I. 00831-0720Tel. 340.776.6111Email: caneel@rosewoodhotels.comwww.stjohnusvi.com\/stjohnwww.visitusvi.com "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Always Among Friends: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands","item":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/always-among-friends-st-john-u-s-virgin-islands\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]