Ed

I’m not well off but I found some fair deals to Anguilla (CuisinArt Spa) and St. Barths (Sofitel Hotel Christopher) but worry that although they are both splendid islands, that there are no reasonably priced restaurants, etc. and that I would feel somewhat out of place. How are the people who frequent this island? Down to earth or a bunch of rich, pretentious, high-falutin people? I don’t want to feel like I need to leave the hotel in search for a reasonably priced meal because I don’t want to spend $90 on room service for a basic dinner for two. I want to enjoy my vacation so I don’t want to “think twice” at what the price of everything is (like a drink at poolside). <BR><BR>Also, how are the driving conditions in both islands? I’d rather not pay so much for a taxi (I heard at least $15 each way in Anguilla). I heard the roads are “hilly” at St. Barths.<BR><BR>Anyone been to those two hotels and have feedback?

Barbara

since I live on St. maarten, I really can't tell you anything about the hotels. I can tell you that on either island I would rent a car.. it is the best and msot reasonable way to get around<BR>and I can tell you, that both are lovely..<BR>St. Barth's is probably the prettier one but the beaches on Anguilla are the best. if you want a comfortable down to earth place with ordinary people,defintely go to Anguilla. St Barth's is more of that high falutin stuff you mention. The Anguillan people are down to earth, very friendly, and so are most of the tourists who go there

BillK

I've been going to St Barth for 8 years and each year we fly over to Anguilla to have a swim at Shoal bay and lunch at Scilley Cay. I find St Barths to be the prettier, safer island with far more excellent restaurants. The people are friendly on both islands. My advice to you would be to stick with Anguilla where you may be more comfortable with the range of prices. I detect from your statements that perhaps you are a little "snobbish" about people who may have a little more to spend than you do and therefore may be a little uncomfortable with people who don't care what a drink by the pool costs as long as its a pool in St Barth.

anonymous

well, if you stay at CuisinArt, you better check the prices at the pool side before you go! Also the restaurant is one of the really "high end" priced places! Sounds like you have champagne tastes and are on a beer budget!

Ashley

Some chilly responses up there! But I have to agree. We were on St. Barts in May 2000, and at our hotel, Isle de France, a can coke was $4 and a club sandwich $16. It's all worth it for the atmosphere, food, and environment, but an average casual dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine was $100. We didn't get out of any restaurant for under that. I didn't find the natives or visitors snobby or pretentious at all though. I don't know Anguilla personally but I was headed to Cap J. until Hurricaine Lenny wiped them out last year. I know that CuisinArt is comparable. You should maybe look at St. Lucia. We're going there in July. It's not so affluent.

Lizzie

Just a note regarding the previous post - I was in St. Lucia for ten days in February, and stayed at the Jalousie Hilton, which is probably the resort on that island most comparable to the two you mention. It was breathtakingly gorgeous and we were splurging on the vacation, but I would not recommend the resort to anyone on a budget. I'm sure you'd find a great deal for the airfare and hotel, but the food is quite expensive.<BR><BR><BR>

Ed

St. Lucia was in consideration until I found out that it was hard to travel around and there was some shady parts of the island (best to stay on the resort). I heard that St. Lucia is very lush and has the Pitons (one of the most scenic sites in the Carribean). <BR><BR>How about reasonable restaurants in Anguilla? What were your dining experiences?