What is the best Caribbean island for white sandy beaches
Apr 20th, 2015, 01:47 PM
#1
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What is the best Caribbean island for white sandy beaches
My husband and I would like to go to the Caribbean for 10 nights in early December.
We are looking for an all inclusive four/five star hotel with easy access to the beach.
We were considering St Lucia but some reviews hv put us off - too hilly, poor beaches, sand flies, theft etc
Is this the case with other islands?
Responses gratefully received.
We are looking for an all inclusive four/five star hotel with easy access to the beach.
We were considering St Lucia but some reviews hv put us off - too hilly, poor beaches, sand flies, theft etc
Is this the case with other islands?
Responses gratefully received.
Apr 20th, 2015, 03:31 PM
#2
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Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos has one of the best and longest white sand beaches in the Caribbean. There are a handful of AIS, but most hotels are condo-style. Restaurants on the island are pricey, but very good. We go every year and absolutely love that beach!
Apr 20th, 2015, 04:41 PM
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The only AI's in Turks and Caicos is Beaches and Club Med. I wouldn't recommend either.
St. Lucia does not have white sandy beaches.
For white sandy beaches and AI resorts, look at Antigua, Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Bahamas, and Aruba.
St. Lucia does not have white sandy beaches.
For white sandy beaches and AI resorts, look at Antigua, Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Bahamas, and Aruba.
Apr 21st, 2015, 08:29 AM
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My daughter's friend and family stayed very happily at BEACHES last year. All nine of them. But... it is very expensive and the beach directly in front of the hotel is extremely narrow and crowded.
Apr 21st, 2015, 01:06 PM
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Tom,
I think places like Beaches & Sandals get a bad rap due to high color ads making their resorts look a lot better than they are. When in fact they aren't any better than your average AI, but in a lot of cases they are double the price of other resorts offering the same thing.
I think places like Beaches & Sandals get a bad rap due to high color ads making their resorts look a lot better than they are. When in fact they aren't any better than your average AI, but in a lot of cases they are double the price of other resorts offering the same thing.
Apr 21st, 2015, 05:18 PM
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I think Grace Bay Club resort has an all-inclusive option if you really must have that. Grace Bay is one of the top luxury hotels on the island and opens to a gorgeous stretch of beach.
IF you would consider other non AI options, look at THE VENETIAN, WEST BAY CLUB, SEVEN STARS, all of which are 4-5 star properties.
We have stayed at THE VENETIAN and WEST BAY CLUB, both of which have beautiful designer magazine type accommodations, and mostly uncrowded stretches of beach.
IF you would consider other non AI options, look at THE VENETIAN, WEST BAY CLUB, SEVEN STARS, all of which are 4-5 star properties.
We have stayed at THE VENETIAN and WEST BAY CLUB, both of which have beautiful designer magazine type accommodations, and mostly uncrowded stretches of beach.
Apr 22nd, 2015, 04:50 AM
#9
<<I think places like Beaches & Sandals get a bad rap due to high color ads making their resorts look a lot better than they are. >>
Not planning on staying at either but from conversations over the years with people who have gone, it seems that the quality of these resorts vary - some being very good and some being mediocre. That's why I was wondering if KVR had any experience specific to the ones on Turks and Caicos, rather than just a general aversion to any Beaches or Sandals resort.
Not planning on staying at either but from conversations over the years with people who have gone, it seems that the quality of these resorts vary - some being very good and some being mediocre. That's why I was wondering if KVR had any experience specific to the ones on Turks and Caicos, rather than just a general aversion to any Beaches or Sandals resort.
Apr 22nd, 2015, 05:02 AM
#10
Wwk- GBC had the option when it had Veranda Resort, which was sold to Beaches.
Beaches Resort on TCI is nice, but ultra expensive and caters to family mainly.
I think what people mean is for as expensive as it is, you can stay at a top of the line resort on TCI eat fine dining for less.
Beaches is very convenient, but there are other more gorgeous places to stay.
It has it's niche, very popular with families, but again, at an expense. I think when compared to other islands that are great with AIs- vacationers in general think AIs save you money, Beaches does not.
As far as AIs go- beaches is fantastic, but you pay for it.
Other resorts on island are more gorgeous for the money, but you have to keep up with paying for everything separately.
My biggest beef, is why hang out with the masses, fight for beach chairs, when you can have all that scrumptious beach at a different resort for less?
Or maybe I don't drink enough to get my monies worth at AIs?
Beaches Resort on TCI is nice, but ultra expensive and caters to family mainly.
I think what people mean is for as expensive as it is, you can stay at a top of the line resort on TCI eat fine dining for less.
Beaches is very convenient, but there are other more gorgeous places to stay.
It has it's niche, very popular with families, but again, at an expense. I think when compared to other islands that are great with AIs- vacationers in general think AIs save you money, Beaches does not.
As far as AIs go- beaches is fantastic, but you pay for it.
Other resorts on island are more gorgeous for the money, but you have to keep up with paying for everything separately.
My biggest beef, is why hang out with the masses, fight for beach chairs, when you can have all that scrumptious beach at a different resort for less?
Or maybe I don't drink enough to get my monies worth at AIs?
Apr 22nd, 2015, 07:04 AM
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Look into Sandals Emerald Bay in the Exumas. if I were to try an Al, that would be the one.
Provo and Anguilla have the best beaches if you would consider non AI.
Anguilla is the perfect island for a couples trip. And even if they did have all inclusive, you not want to do it because the island has the best restaurants in the Caribbean and beyond. Look into Frangipani, Cap Juluca,Cuisinart and Malliouhana.
Provo and Anguilla have the best beaches if you would consider non AI.
Anguilla is the perfect island for a couples trip. And even if they did have all inclusive, you not want to do it because the island has the best restaurants in the Caribbean and beyond. Look into Frangipani, Cap Juluca,Cuisinart and Malliouhana.
Apr 22nd, 2015, 07:22 AM
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<<The only AI's in Turks and Caicos is Beaches and Club Med. I wouldn't recommend either. >>
Can I ask why you wouldn't recommend Beaches? It seems to get very good reviews.
I have been to 2 Sandals resorts. They are highly over rated and expensive for what they offer. The AI resorts in Mexico are less expensive and offer better options than what we got at Sandals.
Beaches caters to families, so unless you are comfortable with vacationing with lots of children and willing to pay their over exuberant price than I wouldn't recommend any Beaches resort.
When we went to Turks and Caicos we stayed at the Sibonne on Grace Bay. At small boutique hotel with 26 rooms. We would have preferred an AI, but T & C is not the destination for that type of vacation.
Grand Cayman is also a good option for white sandy beaches, but again not a destination for AI.
Can I ask why you wouldn't recommend Beaches? It seems to get very good reviews.
I have been to 2 Sandals resorts. They are highly over rated and expensive for what they offer. The AI resorts in Mexico are less expensive and offer better options than what we got at Sandals.
Beaches caters to families, so unless you are comfortable with vacationing with lots of children and willing to pay their over exuberant price than I wouldn't recommend any Beaches resort.
When we went to Turks and Caicos we stayed at the Sibonne on Grace Bay. At small boutique hotel with 26 rooms. We would have preferred an AI, but T & C is not the destination for that type of vacation.
Grand Cayman is also a good option for white sandy beaches, but again not a destination for AI.
Apr 22nd, 2015, 10:16 PM
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Antigua has stunning beaches and some notable AIs, depending on your budget.
St Lucia has volcanic beaches. Maybe for you that does mean poor. The ones in the south are dark sand but the ones in the north are lighter. However there are some beautiful hotels in the south and the scenery is stunning. Sand flies, theft etc exist all over.
St Lucia has volcanic beaches. Maybe for you that does mean poor. The ones in the south are dark sand but the ones in the north are lighter. However there are some beautiful hotels in the south and the scenery is stunning. Sand flies, theft etc exist all over.
Apr 26th, 2015, 05:47 AM
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IMHO, St Lucia is not a beach destination. It is like Dominica, a mountainous, eco-destination for hiking, rivers, sulphur springs, etc. If you limit yourself to an all-inclusive beach there, you will miss the best part of the island...
Full disclosure- I am not an AI fan, but think that if you are going to the DR, Mexico or Jamaica, they are a good idea.
Full disclosure- I am not an AI fan, but think that if you are going to the DR, Mexico or Jamaica, they are a good idea.
Apr 26th, 2015, 09:01 AM
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The coastal landscapes of the Turks and Caicos are simply shocking, the colour is so vivid.
It is difficult to leave.
Few places match the colours but the Exumas, The Bahamas come close. I think there is a Sandals in The Exumas.
It is difficult to leave.
Few places match the colours but the Exumas, The Bahamas come close. I think there is a Sandals in The Exumas.
May 3rd, 2015, 01:57 PM
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Most of the islands in the caribbean will be quite hill except for barbados and antigua but when it comes to the beaches i think grenada actually has some of the best beaches... barbados is a close second in my opinion. so if you rather a flatter island then barbados is the place to go. dont mind some hills head to grenada.
May 5th, 2015, 08:51 AM
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In Barbados they're a few All-Inclusives worth looking into but I'd recommend Sandy Lane, Mango Bay and Island Inn.
There are also a Sandals (it's brand new and they've hired some good staff), Barbados Beach Club and Discovery Bay.
There are also a Sandals (it's brand new and they've hired some good staff), Barbados Beach Club and Discovery Bay.
May 9th, 2015, 02:25 AM
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For Barbados definitely consider the all- inclusive properties on the West Coast for the 5 star experience. I would also highlight Mango Bay with is within walking distance to some of the islands fine dinning restaurants and quaint beach bars ( if you do decide to venture out for something to eat it a step away), banking , shopping etc.
Barbados also has wonderful beaches , however the stellar waters of Providenciales , Turks and Caicos will steal your breathe away. For beaches Turks & Caicos may be worth taking a closer look at there AI options.
Happy Travels
Barbados also has wonderful beaches , however the stellar waters of Providenciales , Turks and Caicos will steal your breathe away. For beaches Turks & Caicos may be worth taking a closer look at there AI options.
Happy Travels
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