After Cap Juluca, Where should we go that compares?
 

Have been going to Anguilla and am looking for something new. We would like a resort with excellent beaches, service & food just like cap juluca. What would you suggest? Some others Ive read about (biras, peter island etc...) aren't going to have the marble bathrooms we need for our vacation!!!! What would you suggest out there. Looking for something that EQUALS the whole cap juluca experience, in terms of beaches, service, food and great people....any ideas out there?

Bari,<BR>The rest of us don't need to know how badly you NEED marble bathrooms on your vacation. Not everyone thinks urinating in a marble toilet is vital. Do you spend your entire vacation in the bathroom?

didnt mean to offend anyone, was just trying to get accross that we prefer a luxury trip with all the nice comfots (ie a place with no tv's is not my type of place no mater if its a private island in fiji or what.) now that we've got that out of the way, anyone else out there have some good ideas? Maybe Four Seasons Nevis????Open to any ideas out there!!! thanks again!

<BR><BR>Hello Bari --<BR><BR>I've been struggling with the same issue. Here are some of the resorts I've investigated. For various reasons, none have hit the mark entirely so I'm still at sea, so to speak. <BR><BR>Peter Island Resort, BVI<BR>Sandy Lane, Barbados (too much golf emphasis)<BR>Cobblers Cove, Barbados<BR>Little Dix Bay<BR>Caneel Bay<BR>Jumby Bay, Antigua<BR>Pink Sands, Bermuda<BR><BR>

Bari,<BR>FS Nevis has most of what you're looking for, but the beach there does not come anywhere close to the beach at Cap. It's nice for Nevis (not known for its beaches), just not world class.<BR>I'd suggest Grace Bay Beach Resort on Provo or Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos if you liked CJ on Anguilla.

There are not too many of the type of resorts your talking about in the Caribbean. Definitely not Caneel or Little Dix, Biras or Peter Island.<BR>If you have to have all the amenities of a big city hotel, you'd best stick with a Four Seasons or possibly a Ritz property.<BR>The Ritz on St Thomas has your marble bathrooms and excellent service. It's not in my opinion up to the same standards as some of the Ritz properties stateside but it is the Caribbean and I don't mind a more relaxed atmosphere. Pampering is fine, stuffiness is not fine.<BR>IMO Cap Juluca is unique in the Caribbean but it doesn't stop me from appreciating someplace like Peter Island or Caneel. I don't go on vacation with my husband to watch tv anyway.

The ONLY thing on Parrot Cay that comes close to Cap is the beachfront rooms and beach. Provo does remind one of Anguilla with the great beach but Grace Bay Club is undergoing a major renovation and addition that will bring it back to the top of the list. Check to see status of planning/construction.

Kat, Cobbler's Cove is delightful but no way that beach even comes close to 4Seasons or Cap. A few beachfront rooms but the accomodations are wonderful. <BR>Might want to check the jacuzzis at Peter Island in the beachfront rooms to see how they compare with the marblized Cap since I haven't seem them yet. <BR>PS. The water closet and bidet are not marble but plain ol' porcelin no matter where you go!

Thanks, all.<BR><BR>Isn't the Four Seasons a "hotel" resort -- more than two stories high in mostly one building? With 200 or so rooms?<BR><BR>I like smaller places.

Kat,<BR>No. The FS is in several buildings - none of which are more than two stories.<BR>It is spread out along the beach with the rooms on one side and the pool, etc. on the other side.<BR>I don't know exactly how many rooms it has, but it can't be much more than 200.<BR>When we were there last, it was off season and very subdued. Very elegant, quiet and hardly any kids.

Equals to Cap, Ritz or Four seasons would be new lux resort called Paraiso del la bonita, operate by presidente-inter in Riviera Maya. The place is beautiful, excellent spa service, gourmet food and the beach. only has about I think 90 suites. We were there in July. The spa has over 20,000 square foot.

I saw that Grace Bay Club was mentioned above. I was wondering how Point Grace (also on Grace Bay, Provo) compares to Cap Juluca. Thanks.

Cayo Espanto, off the coast of Belize:<BR><BR>http://www.aprivateisland.com/index.html<BR><BR>From all accounts I'd say it gives Cap a run for its money (forgive the pun)...<BR>though much smaller (only 6 villas).<BR>

I've heard that Sandy Lane in Barbados is quite posh--I tried to book for late October, but they're full. Nonetheless, it looks as though it has all of the amenities you require...<BR><BR>good luck!

Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island would fit your requirements..different kind of beach, but spectacular resort. Have you considered Hawaii?

The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas is still the most beautiful property in the Caribbean, bar none! It reeks of class, elegance and style, and the Mediterranean architecture makes those cheap looking paper mache buildings of Cap Juluca look even more cheap! Yes, the beach at the Ritz is smallish, but it's still a very nice beach nonetheless!

Ritz on St. Thomas is an elegant Italian marble palace with lovely grounds but no beachfront accomodations. The new Ritz Club is a step up if you are convinced the Ritz is the best in the Caribbean but, imho, it doesn't compete with Cap Juluca and the other luxury resorts.

Bari: Do you care AT ALL about what island you go to? Or is the island incidental. <BR><BR>I strongly recommend Pink Sands in Harbour Island,Bahamas.

Anon:<BR><BR>Have not stayed at Cap, but Point Grace has been the most luxurious resort in the Caribbean I have stayed at. There are pix on their web site. Small resort; beautiful beach.

not gold-faucet marble luxurious but would recommend that Meridian Club in the TCI would be the choice for a great hideaway.

I also would like to know if you care about the island. Caneel Bay in St. John is understated luxury. You should check out renting a villa. There are loads of gorgeous places.<BR><BR>The beaches are uncomparable. I have been to Harbour Island and have seen the Pink Sands. All that is there is a pretty beach. St. John is much much lovelier.

Some of you people aren't listening to what Bari is looking for. She doesn't want a villa, she doesn't want a resort like Caneel or Little Dix. <BR>She wants television and marble bathrooms etc. <BR>Please stop telling her to go to St John. I love St John and Caneel but it's not for everyone.<BR>IMO Sandy Lane in Barbados comes closest to Cap Juluca. The type of resort you're looking for is rare in the Caribbean. That's fine with me but must be frustrating for those who NEED things like marble bathrooms.... whatever.

Janey,<BR><BR>We understand what your saying. Maybe some of us are trying to enlighten her that you can have it all without marble bathrooms. <BR><BR>Just trying to get her too read others experiences. Doesn't matter whether she listens or not. Just sharing information.<BR><BR>St. Barts is also a consideration.

Le Toiney in St. Barth's is the finest place in the Caribbean and on the finest island. It surpasses Cap Jaluca though that is also wonderful, because it is even more exclusive and more European. The island is perfection, the beaches are unbelievably gorgeous and the food is to die for with everything imported several times a week direct from Paris and Lyon. The people are lovely and the other tourists are limited to upper class couples and a few lowkey families, mostly Europeans and some Americans. Lovely shops with tax free goods from France. I agree that Biras, Peter, etc. sound lovely but are definitely one notch down.

People, people.<BR>Can't you just say "Well, I really liked this place because..." instead of denigrating other people's choices?<BR>It's really annoying to keep hearing, "this place is better, hands down," and "no comparison" and "that place is one notch down" and on and on.<BR>Just say why you liked it or didn't instead of sounding like a pretentious snob playing nyah nyah nyah.<BR>Anyone coming to this board looking for info is going to think we're a bunch of spoiled brats.

NOW I remember why I have never wanted to go to St. Barts! 1,000's of Lizzes. What a snob. Bashing other people's choices for nice places and saying her idea of utopia is an over-priced non-beachfront prig-infested over-crowded wannabe movie-star nouveau riche enclave that is NEVER mentioned in the same breath with some of the other posters' suggestions. Liz is living in her own fantasy Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous world.<BR>

Obviously there is a market for 5 star travel accomodations and destinations. Comparisons are what this board is all about. As travellers become more experienced and go to more places, these distinctions count for alot. The ability to go to a resort where you can wear nice clothing and go to chic places is a different criteria from resorts where you hang out in bermuda shorts and T-shirts all the time. Bari made it clear that she wants champagne, not a mai-tai.

Bari -<BR><BR>Boy, do you sound like me! Have never been to Cap Juluca - is it nice? As far as luxury - I would say St. John (Westin), Cayman Islands (Hyatt, Westin), Aruba (Hyatt, Radison, Marriott), or any of the many luxury hotels on Turks/Caicos. On my to-do list is the 4-Seasons in Nevis, but haven't been there yet.<BR><BR>Conde Nast rates the top hotels in the world - and the 4-Seasons Nevis got the highest rating of all the hotels in the Caribbean.

Liz,<BR><BR>Good for you! Sounds like a lot of jealous people on his board. They just love to bash. <BR><BR>St. Bart is lovely and also St. John. Different type of crowd. I still prefer St. John. Both are very picturesque islands. <BR><BR>St. John is 2/3 National park with mostly villa rentals. You have the one upscale (understated luxury) Caneel Bay resort where everyone keeps to themselves. The grounds gorgeous and 7 spectacular beaches around and about the resort. Other resort is Westin. <BR><BR>Town of Cruz Bay has lovely upscale shops but the beaches make the island. IN MY OPINION.......<BR><BR>After experiencing renting a villa, for us, it's the only way to go. It was like staying at luxurious resort having it all to yourself.<BR><BR>Ah memories!!!!! <BR><BR>

Sue,<BR>While I really enjoyed the Four Seasons Nevis very much and absolutely fell in love with the island and its people, I have been to other places that I felt had higher standards of overall luxury. (Just my opinion.) <BR>For service and beautiful rooms, you can't beat FS Nevis. The staff works very hard to make sure everything is just perfect, and there are a lot of little touches that make you feel very pampered.<BR>Really, the only thing I had any major complaints about was the food quality for the price. <BR>The beach is not nearly as nice as the one at Cap Juluca. It all depends on what you are looking for. People have very different ideas about what they want in a resort.

Sue, if you are using the Westin on St. John or the Aruba hotels as a bench mark for luxury you are in for a wondrous treat when you finally do get to some of the luxury resorts in the Carib. Most of them tend to be smaller and not the chain hotels but there are a few exceptions and unfortunately you haven't listed them. The TCI luxury hotel choices is very limited also. As to the other xxx, LeToiny is lovely and many places aren't mentioned including the Cotton House and other wonderful retreats but that doesn't make them awful!

Well, Travelpro -- or is it KarenW? -- when you call the Ritz an "Italian marble palace," well, that's EXACTLY what Bari is looking for, so thank you for confirming that! And, despite the smallish beach area, the totality of the property is still far more beautiful than Cap Juluca can ever hope to be (or the 4 Seasons Nevis, whose beach is VERY disappointing, no matter what size!), including the Ritz' infinity pool overlooking the ocean! As for the Ritz not having direct ocean front rooms, it really doesn't matter as the walk to the beach is quite beautiful and the property still has many gorgeous views from various rooms just the same! Besides, it's not really THAT far from the beach area (are most of you really THAT lazy?!?).<BR><BR>As for Le Toiny on St. Barts, yes, it, too, is quite remarkable, but the beach is not that great and the surf is quite rough. Bari, you might also consider the Isle de France hotel on Flamand Beach on that marvelous island as well!<BR><BR>Bravo to Liz!!!<BR>

P.S. -- Also, Bari, if you'll just be a bit more patient, in about another year there will also be a brand new Ritz-Carlton on Grand Cayman as well as a new Four Seasons on Great Exuman in the Bahamas, both of which should be outstanding resorts!