My husband and I just "booked" a week at Chenay Bay Beach Resort during school vacation week in April (high season and usually no deals) through BJ's! Total cost for 7 nights, airfare, and transportation to and from the airport was @ $1400 per person. We paid almost that much just for airfare per person Christmas 2004 (also high season) to St Martin.

Have been reading the reviews about the resort and it sounds very much in keeping with what we like...low key and not flashy. We'll know in 2 weeks.

Thanks Chriseast for letting me know about you going to Chenay Bay. I am so excited for you! I would love to hear all about the resort and your travels around the island. We will be staying in a studio with a mini kitchen, Unit #48. We will also rent a car after arriving at the airport. We are very interested in snorkeling and traveling around the island. Anything you could tell us would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks again,

Cindy

My hubby and I just returned from a week's stay at Chenay Bay (April 2-9. '05) and I enjoyed it very much. The grounds are well kept, the staff is very friendly and the location is good. The pool is fine and the beach is nice, too. We stayed in a one-bedroom cottage with an bit of an ocean view. It was well appointed and clean, actually nicer than I expected. We had dinner at the restaurant only once, but my 'cordon bleu' was just terrific. We used the kayaks one day and paddled over to a small island across the bay. It took about 30 mins (or less) to get there and more like an hour to get back (due to winds and currents - but it was really fun. The snorkling was okay toward the more eastern rocky end.) Overall, we had a really good time. Price-wise, we got a package deal on cheapcaribbean.com, which ended up being more than I wanted to spend, but still was a good deal - so I can't give an opinion on air fare prices. ( I think, though, that most beach resorts/hotels offer free snorkle gear and probably kayaks, too.) I'd go back, just for the ambiance, it was not a 'hoity toity' place. I'm more of a laid back traveler who appreciates friendly, real people over four-star service and food. I don't get freaked out if service is really slow (it wasn't fast, but it wasn't really slow, either) or if there are a couple of crawly's in my room (there always are in the caribbean). If that's your style, too, then I think you'll like Chenay Bay very much

Hi,

I actually booked another resort on the island for myself and my family but when I arrived it was not what I expected. No resturaunt, rough waters for the kids, numerous room issues, etc. When I said I wanted to leave they recommended Chenay Bay as a family friendly property, with calm waters, kids playground, and complimentary watersports.

We drove over, took a look around, saw a family cottage and found it to be exactly what we were looking for.

Our kids had a great time and the best part was kids 12 and under EAT FREE with a parent! the staff is super friendly, rooms were clean, kids toys at the beach shack was an added bonus. the property is only 3 miled from the town and walking distance to another resturaunt, Cheeseburgers which is a family friendly place to eat and they have an area for kids to play in. You have to go to their Saturday Night Buffet. Great entertainment and floor show.

We also got to see a sunset wedding on the beach.

You chose a great spot.

Erica

We just got back from a trip there from 4/2 - 4/9 as well. It was great. It is a laid back resort, but most of the island seemed to be that way as well. The snorkeling gear and kayaks were a big plus there. We stopped at a couple of other resorts and the charges for that same equipment seemed very steep. Snorkeling just off the beach and at the island, Green Cay, just across the bay was great. Saw a ton of fish and coral. The restuarant at the resort served great food. We ate there about 4 or 5 times during the trip.

I would recommend renting a car for sure. There is a lot to see on the island. Gas prices for cars were actually a lot cheaper than they are here in the states. I guess it helps when you have one of the biggest oil refineries in the world on the island. Around $1.90 per gallon when we were there. We rented from Centerline Car Rental and it was just fine.

We paid about $700 per ticket for airfare from Denver. So I think your $540 sounds very reasonable.

Enjoy your trip!

Who did you book the airfare with to get that price? I'm planning on going to St. Croix or St. Thomas in July too and so far, airfare tickers are about 780-900.

My mother and I vacationed there and we loved it. We had originally booked another hotel that we absolutely couldn't stand. When we got to Chenay Bay it was very relaxed. Not crowded at all. A couple of times we were the only ones in the pool and the beach only had a few other people on it. I would recommend and would go back. Also make sure you go to Buck Island and Cheeseburger in Paradise. It was the best hamburger I've ever had. Have a great time!!

I booked my flight through travelocity on Delta Airlines. I haven't found anything as cheap as I got mine in a while.

Thanks to everyone who posted their comments to me.

Cindy