jane

I am an Anguilla lover.looking to try something new. We've never been to Hawaii. Is it worth the trek? (we live in the midwest) thinking about the following possibly <BR><BR>Four Seasons Hualalai-big island<BR>Ritz Carlton Kapalua-Maui<BR>Kahala Mandarin Oriental-Oahu<BR><BR>perhaps one of those...have any other anguilla lovers been to any of these places? How do they compare to Cap/Mali/Cuisinart level of greatness!!!<BR><BR>Or....should we just go to Turks or BVI.....any thoughts on this one? It is a long way to Hawaii but it seems EVERYONE goes there are we missing something by going to anguilla??

Louis

I don't know where you are in the midwest but the distance to the Hawaii is not much more than to Anquilla and most likely it takes less time to get to Hawaii. Maui, Oahu and the big island are each different and all are different from Anguilla in a very large number of ways. I am only familiar with Mali/Cap having walking through both. I would not think that would come up to the resort type standards of the hotels you mentioned however that are all much larger and perhaps more impersonal. I sense that your major interest is being captive to a resort type environment and spend little time outside the facilities. Well, in my estimatation it would be a major waste if you traveled to the islands of Hawaii and did not spend most of your time driving over and exporing each island extensively. If this is the case I might suggest that you confine all of your time to two of the islands such as Maui, Kaui, or Hawaii. Oahu is most likely to crowded for your tastes. Lanai is the island that has two major resorts and not much else. In that regard it is more like Anguilla since there is not much to do outside the resort other than going to another beach or restaurant. If your main interest is in Caribbean type of resorts<BR>of the type mentioned, then I think you my want to give places like Grace Point a consideration. You are the only person that can answer the question of are you missing something by going to Anguilla. That only depends on your prime interests and it would not appear that you are.

Wendy

don't bother to trek to the pacific. The water is nice but the islands are just like being in a nice part of Florida. No Island flavor like you have in Anguilla.It is pretty but so is Boca Raton. I've been to both and would return to Anguilla far sooner. The resorts you mention are nice but I 'd choose Cap or Mali over them all.

shelly

Princeville Hotel on Kauai

Kat

I'm a dedicated Anguilla lover and Cap Jaluca guest. Also have spent quite a lot of time at Hawaiian resorts. Although nothing comes close to Cap and Anguilla's beaches in Hawaii, these would be the best resorts in the islands:<BR><BR>Manele Bay on Lanai<BR>The Lodge at Koele on Lanai<BR>Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island<BR>Hana Maui on Maui (especially if the food has improved)<BR><BR>My next beach trip is in April when we'll be spending ten days at the Meridian Club on Pine Cay in the Turks & Caicos. When it comes to swimmable beaches with soft sand and clear water, nothing beats the Caribbean.

Tim

Well, as I've always said, YES, the heaches are much nicer in the Caribbean, but the above resorts you mentioned are far nicer than Cap could ever hope to be (including the Grand Wailea, Kea Lani and Ritz-Carlton on Maui)!! But re the Caribbean, there's nothing better than Grand Cayman or St. Barts--or even Bermuda! The rest are atrocious!!!

Nancy

Timmy,<BR>Just curious...<BR>If you hate the Caribbean so much, why have you been to every single island there and every single resort so you are able to make such authoritative blanket statements about how "atrocious" the islands are?<BR>(Or have you not actually been to the places you are commenting on?)<BR>Pray, please tell me why you find it necessary to periodically get on here and trash the islands?<BR>

Tim

Yes, I have been to many of the islands for the sole reason that, as I've stated before, I DO like the beaches/water of the Caribbean very much and have been searching for the right combination of environment/beaches to suit my tastes, and I found that combination in Grand Cayman, St. Barts, Bermuda (I know, not Caribbean), and even Cancun. I'm also entitled to my opinion whether you like it or not!!

Nancy

Tim,<BR>While I do agree you have the right to your opinion, it doesn't seem like a very nice thing to get on a board that people are trying to get help with questions and say the majority of one of the most incredible areas of the world is "atrocious."<BR>If you have examples why you don't care for a place (like you said you felt Anguilla was "scruffy and poverty-stricken") that can be helpful to some people - even if I don't agree with the statement. Some may not want to see visible signs of the less fortunate.<BR>My problem with posts that make blanket statements about a whole world region without reasons why is that I don't feel it is helpful or informational.<BR>How would it make you feel if you heard someone say they will never go to any of the Caymans or any of the Hawaiian islands because they are tacky, touristy, way over-priced and over-crowded? Maybe some parts are, some parts undoubtedly are not. <BR>But that statement doesn't help anyone make a decision.<BR>Just my thoughts, but hey, you definitely ARE entitled to put into words whatever you want to...

David

It's funny how a few lines from Tim can guarantee that some people will be compelled to add fuel to his fire ...<BR><BR>Anguilla does have a very scrubby atmosphere as soon as you step outside one of the resorts, with their landscaping of plants imported from Puerto Rico. I was also very dissapointed in the snorkeling in Anguilla compared to other islands. I've never been to Hawaii, but I definitely recommend trying new islands. That's the only way you'll ever really know. Beware of people trying to convince you that any island is "the best", they probably own a business there, or really haven't traveled widely. Keep in mind that some of the misinformation on sites like this are from people who took a cruise or visited briefly once upon a time and are now "experts".

Nancy

fyi David, The parts of Tim's diatribe I took offense to were "poverty-stricken" as applied to Anguilla, and "atrocious" as applied to most of the rest of the Caribbean. <BR>I've spent a total of 6 weeks on Anguilla in the last few years, and spent the entire time exploring and meeting people. I believe that qualifies me to MY opinion as well.<BR>btw, Anguilla is not known for its snorkeling, and gets some of the fewest inches of rainfall in the Caribbean - ergo the lack of vegetation - as anyone who made an effort to research it prior to going would have found to be the case...

David

Nancy, you sound like you need a vacation BAD! There's no need to get all huffy over these things, just take a deep breath and try to have fun! Don't try to be the den mother of the board...

Nancy

David,<BR>Didn't realize it was that obvious <BR>I leave for TCI next week, and you're right - it is time...

David

Nancy, have a great trip and I look forward to your trip report if you write one. TCI is on my short list of places to try.

Nancy

David, thanks!<BR>The snorkeling is supposed to be great, but it's pretty scrubby and dry there too.<BR>I'm going for the beaches/water, the diving, the people, the restaurants and as many foo foo drinks with umbrellas as I can bear.<BR>I'll post when I return

local

It is so refreshing to see folks such as Nancy and I applaud her for taking time out to really get to know the islands so that she can speak from a position of experience. Although not Caribbean born, I was raised in the islands and have lived everywhere from Bermuda to Trinidad, Barbados, Antigua, the Virgin Islands...so it really hurts my heart when people like Tim come on this board and make sweeping statements about the islands without any apparent basis. I am sorry, but travelling to two or three (and I am willing to bet that is all he has been to) out of all of the islands in the Caribbean does not entitle him to claim that the majority are "atrocious". It also suggests that his simple mind understands and appreciates very little about the islands and island life and how each island is unique and different in its own way. Folks come down to the islands from the US hoping to find life like it is in the US. Well why bother then? We lead a very simple life here and if you ask the average islander, you will discover that he/she would not want it any other way.

Nancy

Wow!<BR>Thanks, Local, for a very intelligent contribution on a sensitive subject for those of us who love the Islands and their people. Sometimes (usually I have trouble being as considerate as you were <BR>I hope I run across you somewhere in my travels. Where do you live now?

Native

Nancy, I currently live in the British Virgin Islands (Tortola) - have been here for the past 5 years. It is lovely here. If you have never been, you should try it - quite peaceful and serene with lots of great snorkeling, sailing, beaches and also lots of islands to explore - from Virgin Gorda to Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, Cooper and the rest of them.

Nancy

Hi again Native,<BR>I have been to Tortola and really enjoyed it a lot. I am packing an outfit for my trip to TCI that I got at a little boutique in Road Town.<BR>We walked to Bomba's and Smuggler's Cove, and went sailing with Captain Paul to Virgin Gorda. We went over to Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke to party and almost missed the last boat back.<BR>We loved the winding roads, the lovely views and friendly people.<BR>I frequently suggest Tortola to people looking for a place to go, and I'm not surprised you are happy there. <BR>I really enjoyed your post, and share your views. The beauty of the islands is what got us started going to the region, but the people are what keep us coming back 2 or 3 times a year with plans to build a home and retire there.

native

Thanks Nancy and enjoy your trip to TCI. I have never been there but have met a few local TCI's in my travels and they were very gracious and friendly. And I know quite a few non-TCI people who have lived and worked there for some time. Yes, life on Tortola is good and I see that you have been to and enjoyed some of what it and some of the other islands have to offer. Continue to come back - lots of retirees (and of course others who have lots of money to burn) are indeed building/buying and retiring here or at least spending the winter months down here - I guess enjoying the best of both worlds! Have a safe and wonderful trip to TCI and post when you get back to let us know how it went.