My husband and I are planning a trip to the Caribbean. We love Barbados and have been there many times, but have also heard wonderful things about St. John. Can anyone who has been to both places tell me their thoughts on how they compare? We love the beaches in Barbados, the people there, the restaurants and the nightlife. Thank you.

I have been to both Islands and although I loved Barbados I preferred St. John. It is very laid back and not as busy or large as Barbados. There are many excellent restaurants and the Island is small enough so that you can visit many beautiful white sand beaches. The hotels are a little pricier in St. John and we will probably rent a villa when we return. You might try carribeanvillas.com. The places are reasonable and look great.

St. John and Barbados are very different but both are great destinations! Since most of St. John is Nat'l Park, the resort of choice is Caneel Bay with 7 wonderful beaches on property. There is also the Westin. With just one "high end" resort and one hotel, the choices are not as plentiful as Barbados which has several wonderful resorts and lots of moderate ones. Barbados has lots of activity, people and things to do while St. John is more laid back, pristine and not developed. The beaches are lovely; the snorkling/diving is great and their "major" town is Cruz Bay which has two small shopping areas with a few shoppees in them. There are some good restaurants on St. John but nothing to compare with the variety of choices on Barbados. An advantage to St. John and the USVI is the gateway to the wonderful sailing and lovely BVI's for day trips. You can also ferry to St. Thomas for the shopping or more exciting nitelife and some excellent restaurants!! Barbados is more steeped in Caribb culture and the British influence is very apparent - that's the charm while many people who go to St. John are more likely to rent one of the multitude of villas/condos that have sprung up. St. John also has two eco-campgrounds. Some people compare St. John now to the "hamptons of the Caribb" but it is a lovely destination! I love St. John but thoroughly enjoyed my short stays on Barbados and would definately return but the experience is very different from the island of St. John! I have to admit that I had never experienced the hustlers on the beaches like I did on Barbados and that just doesn't happen on St. John or St. Thomas!

Thanks so much for your responses! Which restaurants do you recommend for St. John?

For upscale dining Asolare and Chateaux Bordeux are unbelievable with great views. Duffy's Loveshack is a lot of fun to have cocktails and burgers. Enjoy. I also agree with Karen about the day trips to other Islands. I have never been but I here that Virgin Gorda in the BVI's is beautiful. We tried to go but I stupidly forgot my passport at the hotel and didn't have enough time to go back and get it. The ferries to the BVI's only run a couple of times a week so I would book in advance and remember your passport.

Asolare comes highly recommended with a glorious view if you happen to like the fusion/Pacific Rim rage. Chateau Bordeaux, owned by the same, has glorious views too but not of the sunset. Stone Terrace and my favorite, Cafe Wahoo, are also excellent. Ellingtons was good (haven't been there in a while but others do report it being good!) - upstairs overlooking the water is great! I don't like Paradisio but others do! Caneel has a wonderful Sunday brunch if you are into giving up beach time for food and the Equator has the fusion touch as well. I enjoy Morgan's Mango and if you are out and about the island, lunch at Vie's - all home cooking (garlic chicken to die for, johnny cakes, homemade tarts and lemonaide) - but call 'cause she doesn't cook every day! Then take a dip on her "private" beach!! Other people love Lime Inn especially the all-you-can-eat-shrimp but I don't care for it cause I hate peeling 'em! If you don't have a passport a certified copy of the original birth certificate and a photo id (drivers' license) will do for immigration going/coming from the BVI's. Nitelife is very low key tho with a few choices with bars such as the new Duffy's, Woody's, Fred's ...

Karen has hit all the great spots, I would like to addd ZoZos and Paradiso. We were in Barbados in 1992, and really enjoyed the dining. I did not enjoy the jet skis or panhandlers on the beach. I must say I did get upset when we saw guards at Sandy Lane with M16 rifes, no kidding. I would return to Barbados but we fell in love with Anguilla and St. John. <BR> St. John is more laid back, its smaller and has more hills, and great snorkeling. It is a lovely tranquil island. Cruz Bay reminds me of a happy dappy California crowd. Give the island a try, I think you will be pleased.