Barbados vs. Anguilla
 

Hi All! I've been looking into different islands in the Caribbean to go for my honeymoon next June. I was wondering if anyone had ever been to Crane Beach, Barbados or Mundalay Bay, Anguilla. Any info would be great! Thanks!

I've been to Barbados, but not Crane Bay. I have been to Cap Juluca in Anguilla, the only property on Maundy Bay. It's absolute paradise and perfect for a honeymoon, anniversary or any vacation. Anguilla is smaller and quieter than Barbados. Barbados also has more shopping and site seeing, and is more lush and mountainous. Anguilla is more arid, but that makes for fantastic beaches. It has great restaurants, some good beach bars and clubs for some nightlife, and a daytrip to St Martin/St Maarten is very easy (20 min. ferry ride) for shopping and casinos.

I've been to both, and for a honeymoon, I second Anguilla. The beaches of Anguilla, in my opinion, are some of the nicest in the world.

We stayed at the Fairmont in Barbados and enjoyed the property, room and food but the pool was very basic. The beach was beautiful as were the amenities. What I wasn't as psyched about was the island which wasn't as lush as I'd hoped. It's also pretty flat--unlike St. Lucia, Grenada, etc. It offers really upscale dining at an upscale price. Food was incredible. Snorkeling was fine, not fantastic but fine. Also, we found we really had to cab everywhere which became expensive, for meals or sightseeing, etc. Still, it's a nice island and very modern if that's what you're looking for.

We have been to Barbados twice, although we didn't stay at the Crane. We stayed at the Hilton and
planned Sunday brunch at the Crane. People that we spoke to that had stayed there said it was fabulous and the property was pure luxury.
We even talked to a TA at the
Barbados airport this last year who said she considered the Crane to be the most wonderful of all the hotels. I wouldn't mind staying there at all!

I loved Cap Juluca! Fabulous beach, great food at the resort and in Anguilla.

If you want a lush tropical island then gp to Barbados. Anguilla is a huge sandbar with beautiful beaches and several nice hotels and a few with good food. The snorkeling in Barbados is acceptable while in Anguilla is is close to zero. St. Lucia and Granada are worth as mentoned are worth at least looking into. But if it's between the 2 Narbadis all the way.

I agree Barbados is luxurious but I like the wilder spirit of Grenada. Maybe we should just skip the Grenadines as we aren't on a boat. Thanks for all the feedback!

Haven't been to Anguilla, but have been to Barbados and loved it. The Crane is fabulous (didn't stay there) but be aware that the beach is 200 steps down a cliff. Beautiful to look at, but never made the trip down. That south end of the island is quieter, and many of the resorts are in St. Lawrence Gap, or Holetown or Speightstown. You may also want to check those out.

At The Crane in Barbados they now have a brand new elevator that operates going down to the beach, so it is no longer a problem.

Lois

Wow an elevator? That is progress. Although that kind of ruins it for me! I always thought of the stairs as an adventure! LOL

Peace, Greenie

not been to barbados (on the list) was in anguilla last nov. the beaches on the cap juluca area beautiful, also shoal bay

water calm and beautiful, limited snorkle opportunities, although shoal bay has some areas for off beach snorkling. on the very same day Mundalay Bay had waves hitting the beach at 3 to 4 feet VERY Rough so there is something about the orientation of that beach or maybe it was just that day. food very expensive at the "go to" restaurants,

It was very quiet on the island. no shopping. you would have to go to saint maarten for the day. these are some of the largest beaches i've seen in the caribbean