Anguilla or St. John
 

My husband and I are having trouble deciding between Anguilla or St. John for a vacation next April. Has anyone been to both who could recommend one over the other? Any suggestions on hotels on either island? <BR>Thanks for your help! Yvonne

Hi Yvonne,<BR>I have been to both, but it would be helpful for you to mention a few things you are looking for in your vacation.<BR>e.g. - St. John is prettier visually, but Anguilla has better beaches.<BR>St. John wins for snorkeling/diving, but Anguilla has more good retaurants.<BR>St. John is quiet, while Anguilla has more night life.<BR>Anguilla has better shopping via St. Martin.

Hi Nancy, <BR>Thanks for your response! Bear with me, I am new at this! We are really looking for great beaches and restaurants. We aren't into diving. Do you have any suggestions for hotels on Anguilla? We would be interested in something in the middle price range on the beach. How about the trip to St. Martin- is it easy to do this in one day?Thanks!<BR>Yvonne

Hi Yvonne-I agree with Nancy about the two islands. Anguilla has lots of wonderful beaches. The island is flat and arid, but the beaches, interesting hotels, and villas, excellent restaurants plus the people who live on the island, make it ideal for me. I love white sand and empty beaches, no crowds or casinos for me. www.news.ai will give you lots of info -at Hotels.ai and restaurants ai. The island is very small and very easy to get around. Mid price range might be Frangipani, Shoal Bay Hotel,Carimar, and others. Go over to caribbean on line and ask about hotels-that Anguilla forum is very active. Its a fast 20 minute ferry ride to busy Marigot in St. Martin, these ferries go appox. every 30-40 minutes, early a.m. to 7pm! <BR>Hope this helps.

Very different islands and experiences. St. John is lush and tropical with lots of small coves, bays and beaches with tropical foliage down to the beach. Hilly and beautiful views around each curve and bend. Great snorkling from most beaches and easy access to the BVI's for day trips and excursions that include snorkling stops. Some shopping but limited in two small areas in the village of Cruz Bay and another settlement on east end, Coral Bay. Most of the island is still preserved in its natural state since it is a Nat'l Park and they offer a variety of hikes and activity. St. John does have several campsites that are great. Only Caneel Bay in the Park for high end prices (and 7 wonderful beaches on property), the Westin hotel on a manmade beach and loads of villas and condos to choose from but most would mean driving to the beaches since few are directly on a beach. Good dining in several excellent restaurants and party and nite life is low key and focus is in Cruz Bay with all the small bars and eateries. For serious shopping, head to St. Thomas on the ferry. Anguilla is dry, flat and scrubby. Much easier to drive and many unimproved roads (not that St. John has more!). Lots of accomodations in many price ranges on the beaches. Not much snorkling and literally no shopping. Fewer choices of bars and nightlife but there are a few. More high end dining options (and high priced resort options) and, generally, pricier than St. John. Both are wonderful islands. Quiet and pristine with great beaches but Anguila's tends to be long while St. John's are little coves and very private with only a few bathers. You can go over to St. Martin if the shopping bug hits same as St. Thomas from St. John by ferry. Look for Bob Green's site on Anguilla - news.ai or something like that for all the hotels and price ranges.

Hi again Yvonne,<BR>We stayed at Sonesta Beach on Anguilla and really enjoyed it. Very nice property but not "Yikes" expensive. The view over to St. Martin is breathtaking.<BR>The ferry over to St. Martin is very easy, but remember to take your passport.<BR>If you like fine dining and gorgeous beaches, Anguilla is the place...

Been to both and Anguilla wins hands down. Stayed at Cap Juluca last year and it was wonderful but pricy. A few years ago stayed at Carimar Beach Club. Nice condos right on the beach but no pool or A/C. Also check out Frangipani, Cuisinart aand Shoal Bay Villas. Don't miss lunch at Scilly Cay.