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I've made reservations at Chenay Bay for this June. It sounded like the perfect spot for our family being a quiet type "resort" with fairly reasonable prices for a gardenview cottage. I liked the idea of there being a restaurant if we wanted and the pool, beach and watersports available. We are going to rent a car so we wouldnt even be there much anyway. BUT, THE TRIP ADVISOR REPORTS are really making me nervous. I dont mind a place being dated, or the restarant being slow (you do get what you pay for), but things not working in the room and things not being clean are not acceptable. I really dont know if we should rethink our accomodations, or if calling the owner would help. I would really appreciate any info from someone who knows of Chenay Bay or a local who could give me some insight on how to proceed. We are pretty tolerant and laid back but I would hate to spend all this money and make a mistake. thanks for any help you can provide!!
phyl: I don't know about Chenay Bay, but I will say that Trip Advisor seems to attract a lot of unhappy folks. I notice that frequently they even say, "I didn't mention it to the management." Well, duh?! If you are not satisfied, your first line of defense is talking to the person who can do something. Complaining on the internet has the same effect on me as little Johnny who tattled in first grade! I have also read a great deal of misinformation in reviews. Having an unmoderated board where no one can reply really encourages these trolls. I saw one review on Chenay Bay that said, "Ignore the bad reviews." Sounds like good advice!
I recently ate at Chenay Bay. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. The service was very good and the waitress was upbeat and polite.
The beach is always very nice and well kept. The ocean is grassy there, but that is not unusual for that side of the island.
I have heard some complaints over the years of deferred maintenance on the rooms. It was (is?) being sold as a time share. I would think twice about any time share and especially this one.
I am sure if you can over look some problems with the condition of the rooms you can be satisfied at Chenay Bay.
When in doubt call and ask.
The phone book lists two numbers for Chenay Bay
340 773 8843
340 773 2918
Ask for the manager and share your concerns.
How (He or She) responds will help you make a decision.
I agree with EastEnder. I can't seem to read anything on Trip Advisor that doesn't involve someone complaining. Personally, I have given up on it.
I really appreciate everyone's feedback. I think I will stop reading the Trip Advisor and give Chenay Bay a call. I emailed the owner when I was first looking at prices of accomodations and he seemed like a nice guy and was very helpful. I'll let you all know how I make out. thanks again. The internet can be a wonderful thing but you must take things with a grain of salt!! It is funny to think of someone having problems while on vacation and not saying ANYTHING about it and just complaining on the internet.
I have not stayed at Chenay Bay so I can't speak for the condition of the cottages but we always attend the Saturday pig roast when we vacation on island. I can say that the present owners have really fixed up the restaurant area and we've seen dramatic improvements there from visit to visit. We enjoy eating there just about as well as any other place. Lot's of good food with a great band and the usual BBQ night out entertainment seen at other places. Please post what you find out about the cottages if you do stay there.
Kerry
Cheney Bay is quiet and quaint,in my opinion. There are little cottages scattered about the hillsides-very cute. The restaurant is open aired and nice. It is defiantely not a Hyatt - but I hope thats what you're getting away from. The beach is nice, but the water does have sea grass in it. Its a very pretty property. My guess is that you will spend alot of time "exploring the island' and come back to a very nice, relaxed evening at Cheney Bay.
Phyl,
For some more positive feedback check out the reviews at http://usvi.wheretostay.com/property/566-reviews.html and http://fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=usvi@161&cur_section=lod&property_id=37685
I believe that that Chenay Bay has improved a great deal in the last few years.
WE WERE JUST IN ST CROIX IN JANUARY 2006 - WE STAYED AT THE BUCCANNEER - WHICH IS VERY NICE- I WANTED TO TRY CHENEY BAY OR THE DIVI BUT MY HUSBAND LIKES THE BUCCANNEER- WE HAVE VACATIONED IN ST CROIX FOR AT LEAST 6 TIMES - NEVER DID WE STAY AT CHENEY BAY - WE DID EAT DINNER WHEN IT WAS A SMALL HAMBERGER SCHACK IT WAS GOOD THEN - NOW THEY HAVE A NEW DINNING RESTAURANT WHICH IS VERY NICE THE SERVICE IS VERY SLOW BUT THEY HAD A CHEF FROM CALIFORNIA WHO LEFT THEM BUT HIS MENU IS STILL GOING - ALL I CAN SAY WE WENT ON TUESDAY NIGHT BUY ONE DINNER ONE FREE AND WE HAD A GREAT NEW YORK STRIP STEAK AND THE PRICE WAS GREAT!! CHENEY BAY HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE 80'S - THE GROUNDS HAVE MANY MORE PLANTS AND IT VERY PRETTY- I THINK ITS A GREAT LITTLE SEASIDE GETAWAY AND THE PRICE IS RIGHT- I MUST MENTION MY HUSBAND HAD HIS JACKET STOLEN FROM OUR ROOM AT THE BUCCANEER THEY MORNING WE WERE LEAVING MY HUSBAND MADE THE MISTAKE OF GIVING THE MAID A TIP EARLY MORNING WE SHOULD HAVE WAITED UNTIL WE WERE JUST LEAVING I GUESS THEY THINK EVERYONE WHO GOES TO THE BUCCANEER SHOULD LEAVE VERY GENEROUS TIPS! WE DID LEAVE A NICE TIP - I FEEL THEY JUST DON'T SCREEN THE WORKERS WHEN MR ARMSTRONG WAS ALIVE!! MY ADVICE TRY CHENEY BAY HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU REALLY SPEND IN A ROOM ANYWAY COMPARED TO THE PRICES OF THE BUCCANEER WHICH ARE $300.00 AND UPWARD FOR A NIGHT- YOU WOULD NOT THINK ANYTHING WOULD BE STOLEN FROM YOUR LOCKED ROOM. I THINK MY NEXT VISIT WILL BE AT CHENEY BAY!!!
I am so glad to hear your response to my post (and everyones input for that matter). AFter posting, the owners of chenay bay replied to the tripadvisor reports and they had logical answers for most of the posters complaints. I also had my husband read the reports and we talked about what to do if anything. What we decided is to go with our original gut feeling and just go for it. We picked Chenay bay because of the modest price and the laid back atmosphere. We like laid back places and Im betting Chenay Bay will be perfect for us.
I'll let everyone know how we make out once we get back in late June. Just for the record, I cannot wait!!!!!
Thanks again to everyone!!
CHENAY BAY IS VERY NICE. I JUST WAS THERE IN FEBRUARY WHICH WAS MY SECOND TIME AT CHENAY BAY.
You'll like it. It's quaint and cute. The restaurant has improved greatly. When you go to the restaurant, ask for Patrick or Lindsay. Great servers! Also Tuesday night is buy one get one free. Can't beat it. My husband like his lobster better there than Kendricks, which is supposed to be so great.
Thanks!! It does sound like something that will be perfect for us. I like the Tues. night special idea. And I LOVE LOBSTER!!! You will hear a full report when we return. That won't be until 6/29.....that seems like so far away!!!!
Chenay Bay has just been renovating their cottages, restaurant area etc., so I would definitely recommend you staying there 🙂
