Perched high on the ridge between Caneel Hill and Margaret Hill, Caneel Trailside Cottage offers a tranquil retreat. With its lush garden, private brick patio, swimming pool with teak chaises and barbecue area you can unwind in comfort. The wide shaded veranda is perfect for outdoor dining or relaxing while taking in expansive views of the Caribbean.
Reviews
9.29.2 out of 10
Wonderful
Entire home
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 40 sq m
Popular amenities
Ocean view
Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air-conditioning
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Caneel Trailside: Expansive Views of the Caribbean!
Caneel Trailside Cottage sits one mile outside Cruz Bay, high up on the ridge in the saddle between Caneel Hill and Margaret Hill, next to the Virgin Islands National Park. Forty yards from the backyard, through National Park land, is Caneel Hill Trail, which drops down to the secluded white sand beaches on the North Shore (Honeymoon Beach, Caneel Bay and Solomon Bay) in less than 45 minutes, and extends to the town of Cruz Bay with a half-hour hike in the other direction. A 1/4-mile hike brings you to the Caneel Hill Observation Platform, where you can see a 360-degree view of both the Caribbean and Atlantic as well as the entire Western half of St John. From Caneel Trailside Cottage’s doorstep you can literally hike through the forest to get everywhere you will need to be on the western half of St. John.
A lush garden surrounds the private brick patio that encloses a swimming pool with teak poolside chaises and a barbecue area. A wide shaded veranda for outdoor dining and relaxing adds great space to enjoy the breeze and idle away from it all. The veranda looks out over the southwest end of St John and offers expansive views of the Caribbean all the way to St. Croix.
Property amenities
Pool/Spa
Private pool
Internet
Available in the villa: Internet access
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Entertainment
Books
Games
Stereo
TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Housekeeping on request
Iron/ironing board
Things to do
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Swimming nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
About the area
St. John is home to this villa. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Virgin Islands National Park and Cruz Bay Beach. Scuba diving and sailing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and ecotours nearby. Visit our St. John travel guide
Does Caneel Trailside: Expansive Views of the Caribbean! have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
Is Caneel Trailside: Expansive Views of the Caribbean! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Caneel Trailside: Expansive Views of the Caribbean!?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Caneel Trailside: Expansive Views of the Caribbean!?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Caneel Trailside: Expansive Views of the Caribbean! located?
Situated in St. John, this villa is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Virgin Islands National Park and 2.6 mi (4.1 km) from Trunk Bay. Caneel Bay Beach and Honeymoon Beach are also within 1 mile (2 km).
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Caneel Trailside: Expansive Views of the Caribbean! Reviews
Reviews
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Layout of the house was perfect - with private sleeping areas and bathrooms. Back deck was great for breakfast and to enjoy the outdoors in a tropical shower. Pool gave us a shady break from the beautiful sunny beaches. Steep driveway but close to beaches and restaurants.
Nancy E.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2025
From a partner site
8/10 Good
Aimee D.
21 Feb 2024
Wonderful relaxing vacation!
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was more than happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We had a great week on St.John. Caneel Trailside Cottage is a gem - close to Cruz Bay, on one of the island's hiking trails and close to beaches. The cottage had everything we needed for a memorable vacation!
Aimee D.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Darcie B.
17 Feb 2025
Beyond our expectations!
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This was a trip of a lifetime and everything was perfect. Our Greeter really taught us about the island and places that were a must see. We will definitely be using Catered to in the future. The Caneel Trailside Cottage was truly a magical place to stay.
Very nice kitchen and every appliance you may need.No cable tv working but plenty of games and books. Road noise can be annoying and local barking dog.
Dawn W.
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2024
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Haven S.
7 May 2024
April 2024
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Our week at Caneel Trailside Cottage was wonderful. Our greeter was very accommodating and professional. The cottage was just the right distance from Cruz Bay. It was well-maintained, with a quiet pool area and a great view. I would definitely book another stay!
Haven S.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Emily W.
29 Dec 2024
Vistas, Privacy and Serenity
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
My daughters and I had a fabulous stay at Caneel Trail Cottage. We are frequent visitors to St. John, dating back to the mid-70’s so we have watched it grow. We loved the location of the house because it’s close to town yet high up enough to enjoy the views. We hiked the trail, it’s not incredibly well marked but the extra distance wasn’t terrible. Overall we would recommend this house. The roosters are everywhere on the island so you can’t really escape the early wake up call
Emily W.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Kyle U.
5 Apr 2024
Perfect Family Cottage
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
The Caneel Trailside Cottage was absolutely perfect for our family vacation to St John! The house was exactly what we needed - from the location close to Cruz Bay and the north shore beaches (but also an easy hop over to Coral Bay!) to the gorgeous views, to the games and amenities provided by the host. The trails right outside of the cottage led to stunning views and were great to hike. The pool was a perfect way to cool off after long days at the beach. We would highly recommend Caneel Trailside Cottage!! The whole staff at Catered To Vacation Homes were wonderful to work with and we can’t wait to stay with them again!
Kyle U.
From a partner site
8/10 Good
Deborah C.
23 May 2024
Close to everything
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This home sits right off the Caneel Hill Hiking Trail in-between two different overlooks with beautiful views that are each 0.3 miles away (a steep, but shady hike). It's a short drive into Cruz Bay but note that the road & driveway leading to the house is very steep and requires 4WD. The house was clean, beds were comfortable & A/C in the bedrooms worked great! The LR does not have A/C & it got a little warm. It has a beautiful pool & view, but note that the view is pretty much what you see in the picture due to heavy vegetation. I enjoyed my mornings on the porch listening to the roosters & watching the iguanas climb in the trees. There is some noise from the industrial area down the hill, but it wasn't terrible.
The view and outdoor covered patio was beautiful and truly enjoyed!
Maura D.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025
From a partner site
6/10 Okay
A guest from ,
20 Jul 2025
Improvement Needed
Rating Details:
The property manager was adequately helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was happy with the location.
I was very dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
The property is in need of updating. The rooms had visible bugs in the ceilings and on the floor. New TVs needed
A guest from ,
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Katie B.
4 May 2023
Amazing getaway in a beautiful site
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
My husband and I came here for our anniversary and loved it. The house was perfect, plenty of space and gorgeous views. It was close to everything but felt so far away. The host was super accessible and amazing to work with. We would absolutely stay here again.
Comfortable house with good views. We had to wait at the ferry for a considerable amount of time before we were met. But were given an excellent intro to the property.
This criticism is somewhat a matter of taste, but did not enjoy the taste of our meals prepared with nothing available but non-stick cookware.
Robert J.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Ioana C.
9 May 2018
we loved it!
We recently returned from our spring break to the beautiful St. John. We traveled with our daughters, ages 8 and 10. This beautiful house is perfectly divided to accommodate a family of 4 or two couples with no kids. Great location - one mile to town and not long drive to the best beaches. Really appreciated having the beach chairs which we used nearly every day. The house is very clean, secluded, and the view is breathtaking. The staff was very nice and helpful. We had a couple of minor issues, and the staff was very responsive and whiling to help us. We would definitely return to Caneel Trailside Cottage !
Ioana C.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2018
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Martha D.
25 Mar 2020
Great Stay!
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We had a wonderful experience at Caneel Trailside Cottage. We were a family of 4 and we were enjoying our stay on island and at the villa; it became a stressful time as the covid-19 pandemic seemed to take over every day life for one and all. The villa became a haven for us and we had mixed emotions leaving such a peaceful, family-friendly place. The pool area and patio were fantastic; lighting was well appointed for evenings relaxing outside. The trees and plants surrounding the property were just lovely. The trails of St.John National Forest adjacent to the cottage were great to explore. Everyone at CateredTo were professional and most pleasant. Our only "hiccup" (and this one has more to do with us vs. property) would be the incredibly steep driveway but we got used to going up and down fairly quickly and our children thought it was like going up and down a roller-coaster!!!
Martha D.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Amy A.
28 Aug 2022
Glorious 10 Days at Caneel Trailside
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Our family of 4 enjoyed our recent 10 day vacation at Caneel Trailside. The cottage is located convenient to Cruz Bay with its shopping and restaurants and all of the North Shore beaches. The size of the property was perfect for our family of 4. The kitchen was well stocked for cooking. The rental agents were great to work with; answering all of our questions before, during, and after our visit. My son left a stuffed animal tangled in the sheets. The kind rental agents helped get it shipped back to us very very quickly. My favorite part of staying at Caneel is the variety of wildlife right outside. Every morning while enjoying coffee on the veranda, we saw chickens, deer, iguanas, birds, and butterflies in the gorgeous courtyard. Biggest tip is to get a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The driveway is steep!
The Trailside cottage was lovely! Very clean and exceptionally well equipped with kitchen utensils, pans, dishes, cutlery….lots of books & games as well! Cooler and beach chairs and towels also appreciated! Beds clean & comfortable, laundry facilities and a nice pool for cooling down after a day at the beach!
The house was secluded enough for privacy, but in easy reach of restaurants, shopping and the beaches. The family enjoyed our stay!
Patricia L.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021
From a partner site
6/10 Okay
Barb and Joe N.
10 Aug 2021
Nice villa
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Caneel Trailside Cottage is a nice villa with a beautiful view off Centerline Rd. The kitchen isn’t large but it’s serviceable and it opens to the living room area so it seems open. The 2 bedrooms are pretty identical except one has twin beds that can make a king. The one downside I’d say is the road noise. The trucks can be very loud during the day so sitting on the deck or at the pool isn’t very restful. The driveway up to the house is a bit steep too but that’s true with many villas on St. John
Barb and Joe N.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Joe D.
20 Jun 2021
A Place and Time Away
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
With two friends I shared a week at Caneel Trailside Cottage. It was a wonderful respite in a place of simple beauty. The house was beautifully laid out, open and bright and impeccably clean and fresh. The great view from the front balcony was spectacular and was a perfect place to read, have a drink or just sit and take in the beauty of this place.
Please be sure to review the memory book for vacationers in the home. :). Excellent place
Bethany G.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2021
From a partner site
8/10 Good
Karen R.
15 May 2021
We love Caneel Trailside & Catered To
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Our experience was great- second time staying at this villa in 6 mos. It’s in a great location, it was clean, the staff are very helpful. Our only complaint was that the dishwasher didn’t work from the first day on. We were told that a repair man was coming but that never happened. We were also hoping that the door from one of the bedrooms to the outside terrace was fixed as it was broken on our first stay six months prior- unfortunately that was still broken so you couldn’t go from the bedroom to the terrace directly. A minor inconvenience but it would have been nice to be able to use. The villa is very well stocked- the kitchen has everything ( except for the dishwasher!). The bedrooms are a nice size, bathrooms are great, terrace is spacious. Two master bedrooms with a spacious great room between them. Ample parking space which is uncommon in STJ. The pool is a nice size too.
We loved this house. Could definitely use some decor updating but had everything we could have needed.
Jesse G.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2021
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Shaune-Marie B.
4 Jan 2021
Relaxing Holiday Stay at Caneel Trailside
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was more than happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's vacation at Caneel Trailside. The property was very clean and the amenities were very nice--beach chairs, beach cooler, sheets, towels, cleaning supplies, washer/dryer, appliances, and patio furniture, water pressure were great quality. The view from the deck and family room is just as it appears in the photo-spectacular! Each bedroom had the same view, and the setup with a bedroom on each side of the family room was perfect for our family of 4--two parents and two teenagers. The bedrooms also have the same view as the deck. The pool was very clean and cozy. The landscaping was very pretty, especially off the back deck, but we had to look down to see it, which didn't happen often because we were entranced with the view. The neighborhood felt a little sketchy with all of the abandoned cars on the side of the road, so we were comforted to know that the owners lived next door. The driveway is not for the faint of the heart due to the incline, but we quickly learned it is typical of St. John. The house truly is trailside: it was only about 10 steps from the driveway to the NPS Caneel Trail, which connects to many other trails in the park system. Everyone at Catered To was very professional and responsive, and when we asked to stay an additional night, they replied promptly and made it happen. This was a very comfortable and nice rental, and I would definitely recommend it to family and friends.
Shaune-Marie B.
From a partner site
2/10 Terrible
Tom N.
28 Jan 2020
Caneel NO Trail Cottage
Rating Details:
The vacation rental was very dirty.
I was very unhappy with the location.
I was very dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Disappointing would be accurate since the entire description of this property is a LIE. There is no trail access from this property and has not been for a very long time.
Tom N.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2020
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Dave P.
23 Jun 2017
I loved it! The privacy I wanted, yet close to town!