Virgin Islands National Park on Thursday issued a request for proposals to redevelop the long-closed Caneel Bay Resort on St. John, reopening the process to restore overnight accommodations at the site for the first time since the 2017 hurricanes, a press release announced.
All interested parties may submit proposals to rebuild, rehabilitate, improve and operate lodging and amenities at Caneel Bay, according to a National Park Service release.
“We are eager to take this next step in the lease process,” said Superintendent Penelope Del Bene. “Restoring resort accommodations and visitor services at this exceptional location will boost the local economy by creating jobs and providing financial benefits for St. John and the wider Virgin Islands community.”
Caneel Bay Resort was established in the mid-1950s by Laurance Rockefeller and Jackson Hole Preserve Inc. as part of the Rockresort brand and became an early model of eco-tourism. Operations ceased after hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 caused significant damage to guest rooms and supporting facilities, the press release stated.
According to the National Park Service, the selected operator will be expected to design and manage a resort that conserves the environment, preserves natural and cultural resources, supports sustainable economic opportunities and educates visitors about the heritage of the property and Virgin Islands National Park.
The agency has been reopening portions of the site in phases since an April 2024 ruling by the Virgin Islands District Court determined ownership of the Caneel Bay lands and improvements rests with the United States. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld that decision in May 2025, the release stated.
Site tours for prospective applicants are scheduled for early June. Proposals are due by July 8, at 2 p.m. Eastern time, the National Park Service said.
