Alternative to ST JOHN
 

Trying to plan our semi-annual trip with no kids and need your help! With three little ones and stressful jobs - we are prioritizing relaxation, romantic dinners and fun "together time". We had been leaning towards the Florida keys but are rethinking due to cruise ship inundation. Thinking it might be a bit too hectic for our tastes. We will be traveling the first week of APRIL out of NYC.

A bit about us -- couple in mid 30s. We like sightseeing but also a good amount of relaxation time. Our usual pattern is doing activities or sightseeing in morning/afternoon but stopping for early cocktail hour. Husband loves boats and we hope to rent one for a day or two. I love art, gardens, beaches, snorkeling and dancing. We appreciate beautiful hotels, foodie type restaurants and an upbeat, classy nightlife scene. We love St John -- but have been there 4 times and need an alternative. We did not enjoy St Thomas.

Would love a beachfront villa rental with character. Something romantic (but not cheesy Sandals - romantic). Budget up to $600/700 a night.

Thanks in advance!!

Check out Virgin Gorda - similar in topography to St. John. Look at beachfront or beach access villas on Mahoe Bay - 1/2 mile long golden sand crescent shaped beach with a very good walk-in snorkeling reef that's starts just 100' or so off-shore and runs the entire length of the Bay. A bit difficult to get to the island but well worth the time & effort.

You might also look at Anguilla - 35 white sand beaches some with decent walk-in snorkeling and 35 restaurants Island has numerous rental villas and several upscale resorts to choose from.

Lastly, look at St. Barths - very good beaches, plenty of rental villas and a selection of excellent hotels plus some of the best restaurants in the entire Caribbean - think Paris of the Caribbean.

Anguilla and St. Barts won't have $600 a night beachfront villas, more like $3000-$15,000 a night!

Forgive me Roamsaround for going against you (we usually agree!) but when compared to other islands, Anguilla snorkeling is poor

April is still peak season, most already sold out (it's the end of Spring Break for many)

So you might have to:

Increase your budget
Get rid of beachfront
Pick an island with something left!

Or if you find something in St. John that fits--go back!!!!!

On a serious note, if you don't mind a condo resort, maybe check out Turks and Caicos or Caymans

Although they're completely different than St. John, the beach makes up for it--Caymans has more of what you're looking for, TCI not much nightlife or dancing but offer better restaurants than St. John, more upscale foodie type

blaming - you are right about probable villa costs on St. Bart's. I had brain fade and wasn't focusing on the cost factor when I suggested that island. OP could find rooms at a resort in their price range.

blamona - you are right about probable villa costs on St. Bart's. I had brain fade and wasn't focusing on the cost factor when I suggested that island. OP could find rooms at a resort in their price range.