yearlysolo

Hi, I travel one week a year by myself leaving the husband and kids at home. This year or rather Jan/Feb 2010 I want to take my vacation in the Caribbean. I've never been and don't know a lot about it. I am thinking about Grand Cayman. My primary desires are: beautiful quiet beach to just sit and relax - no kids , plenty of chairs- turquoise water is required. Warm weather. I want to snorkel easily - not have to go anywhere to do it. I don't want to rent a car so maybe all inclusive would be good? I want an ocean front room with balcony, coffee pot, fridge and microwave. I want spa treatments(extra cost of course)!
I am hoping to spend no more than 500-700 per night and will gladly spend less. Is this going to be possible? Any recommendations would be much appreciated!!!

Howie234

I admit that my response is totally NON-RESPONSIVE to your particular quesitons, but I would suggest that you at least look into Saba (5 square mile island near St. Maarten). see sabatourism.com

I went on a solo vacation there and the people are the friendliest of anywhere I've been. Meets your requirements in that it is relaxing/has great views/no problem finding a chair. I am renting a 700 square foot house there this November for $815 per week, so it would be much less than what you are contemplating.

However, there are no beaches (the great views are from about 1,500 foot elevation). There is some snokeling, but you have to travel to it, but much better scuba diving.

Howie234

Thinking about it a bit more, hre is something more responsive to your request - Bequia,one of the Grenadine Islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Has beautiful beaches/quiet/good snorkeling/friendly people (not quite as friendly as Saba).

bajangirl

Bequia would be a good choice, as would Palm Island also in the Grenadines - a privately owned island comprised a cottage type resort. On second thoughts, I'm not sure if you would get the coffee pot/microwave option there.
Perhaps Little Arches or Silver Point on Barbados would fit the bill. No, not the best snorkeling.
Best snorkeling in Cayman Islands, BVI, USVI and the Grenadines.

blamona

Personally, if it's your first Caribbean experience, and your traveling alone, I find the above recommendations to be a little off the beaten path.

For first timers, your better off trying a more "popular" island, then once you've experienced a few can get to lessor known ones.

I always recommend St. John as an intro, or Virgin Gorda. Ability to island hop around the Virgin islands, pretty beaches, gorgeous vistas, great snorkeling easy to get to. Or Caymans,Turks and Caicos are sit on the beach, snorkel, eat well and gorgeous beaches kind of place. If you're a little more adventurous, you could try St. Martin, where you can hop to St. Barth and Anguilla, and get 3 completely different islands in one vacation. Again, easy to get to, easy to get around, but snorkeling is not great.

I love the Grenadines, but I personally don't think they should be your first experience. (Bequia, Palm, etc.) not Saba for first experience, as it has no beaches. I personally think Barbados is better served with family, as it's a big island.

Please, above users don't get mad at me. I've been to the above suggestions, they are lovely but as a solo first time traveler, may require much from a first timer.

Knowing

What about someplace like Aruba? Since it's your first trip to the Caribbean, it's a safe place and will seem more familiar to you. The waters are a soft blue and the beaches are beautiful - white sand and soft like powder. English is spoken everywhere and the U.S. dollar is accepted any place you go.
The downside is that it's not a tropical paradise like many other islands.

eileen

If you truly want "no kids" (and I am with you on that because when I leave my kids home I don't want others around) you are going to have to stick to an adults-only resort because our experience has been that no matter the time of year there are always kids at other resorts, even the smaller boutique ones we often select. And the challenge with an adults-only resort is that they are mostly all couples, don't know how you would feel about that. Based on the snorkeling requirement, I was going to suggest Caneel Bay on St. John because there are seven beachs right there and the snorkeling is good. Also fits the great beach requirement. Not sure about the microwave requirement as most resorts don't seem to have those unless they are condos. I am going to suggest a couple of places that are my favorites because I know them to be very friendly and considerate to solo travellers, with the caveat that the snorkeling on site will not be spectacular. Galley Bay on Antigua, an upscale, adults only AI, great beach, wonderful service, gorgeous properties, our favorite resort and we've been to quite a few. Mostly couples, but the staff will take good care of you and you will get to really relax! Don't be put off by the high rack rates -- those rates are for two people AI and they are having sales now of at least 25% off so should be in your price range. Also take a look at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis, a little bit harder to get to but worth it. Breakfast and dinner are included, the staff is great, it's quiet, peaceful and charming, not adults-only but you can probably call and check to see if there will be kids there that week. It's definitely not a kids-oriented place so if is not a school vacation week you might get lucky. Another great adults-only is Royal Hideaway on the Mayan Riviera. You fly into Cancun.

virginia

you might consider a studio or 1 br at: http://www.secretharbourvi.com/ on st. thomas. i have been as a single and had a great time. really good snorkeling off the beach. good restaurant with fun beach bar. not ai but they'll give you a resort card so you don't need to carry cash around.

on provo,t&c (which might be a bit cool in jan/feb) how about coriander, callaloo, ballyhoo or nutmeg from this site: http://www.tcvillas.com/ you'd need a car. these are right on smiths reef which has wonderful snorkeling. you could walk (15+mins to 5 restaurants)
any number of resorts right on grace bay beach might work for you. coral gardens is right by snorkeling. use expedia or other to get an overview of whats available in your time frame.

grand cayman would be an excellent choice. i know there are resorts on seven mile beach that boast snorkeling in front, but i don't know which ones. on the east end of the island - very much away from all the hubbub is the reef resort: http://www.thereef.com/en/index.html they have an ai program, large beach, decent snorkeling.