Barbuda
 

If anyone has stayed on Barbuda, I would appreciate any info about your resort and how you enjoyed the island

Thank you,
Diane

Diane, Sorry no info on Barbuda, but would you be kind enough to comment on my question LDB vs Caneel vs Regent. Thanks- wish there were a way to email directly...

I prefer not to give my e-mail address on a forum; however, I will be glad to answer any questions that you have here.

Caneel has 7 beautiful private beaches with great off the beach snorkeling/ LD has one 1/2 mile beautiful beach with snorkeling, but it is not as good as Caneeel's; however they offer complimentary small boat drop offs to your choice of about ten beaches. I have done four and enjoyed them greatly especially having a picnic lunch.

LD's rooms are more updated and luxurious by far. Even their most economical rooms have ocean views and are close to the beach. LD spa is fabulous and their pool is movie set gorgeous. Caneel's pool is non-discript. Few guests use it because the beache are much more appealing.

Both resorts seem uncrowded and offer much

(I'm not sure what happend, but my above reply became posted before I was finished..I think I'm beginning to hate Windows)

Continuation...Both resorts seem uncrowded and offer much serinity and a quiet relaxing atmosphere. I have enjoyed good meals at both resorts fine dining restaurants. On my most recent visit in Nov., Caneel's Beach Bar food was spotty and the understafed service was poor. While LD breakfast is good and varied, Caneel's offers more variety and larger display.

Caneel is close to Cruz Bay, St. John and has many private boat trips for great shopping in St. Thomas. The gift shop there is much larger and has much larger variety of merchandise than LD. Shopping in Spanish Town is sparce by comparison.

Another plus for LD is that Virgin Gorda is so close to many other islands, that it makes accessability to much better off resort diving and snorkeking than Caneel Three of my favorite life time day trips have been to The Baths, snorkeling at Indian Rocks, (outstanding, and Norman Island Caves and a trip to Anagada Island,

My last trip to Caneel was wretched, tons of bugs in the room and on the beaches. Guests were covered with welts from bugbites. I could not get more than 2-3 hours sleep because of it.There was mold on most of the beach chairs. It was not the same terrific resort that it once was. LD, at the same time, was beautiful as always, and NO bugs.

Ld is more difficult to get there than Caneel However, guests can arrive from St. Thomas by Fly BVI private shuttle @$250/purson each way, Air Sunshine $100+/person each way or by ferry about $20/person each way. (Ld is offering a special $500 air credit with a ocean cottage or above room stay)

Another hint: Unless you are locked into a must have date, wait to make your reservations. We were penalized by booking 8 month in advance before they offered their specials and paid in excess of $2200 more than the ongoing special because we were locked into that price and they would not let us out of it. I'm still not over that.

I have not stayed at the Regent. Please let me know what you decide.
Diane

Barbuda is very "different" from most other Caribbean islands. There are less than 300 people living on the island. It has miles and miles of spectacular white and pink sand beaches that are virtuaklly devoid of people.

Currently there is only one major resort on the island Coco Point Lodge. The resort is small (as far as number of rooms) but it gets many repeat guests. When fully booked there's probably no more than 50 guests. The rooms at the resort are typical hotel rooms - nothing spectacular. The draw of this resort is it is a true All-Inclusive resort (all meals, drinks, excursions, activities, etc. - visit their website for more info). The staff is friendly and accomodating.

The two other major resorts (K-Club and Beach House) have been closed for almost two years). There are a few guest houses and when we were there last year a new "resort" was being built on the far side of the island.

There's not much to do or see on the island - there are caves to explore, a Frigate Bird Sanctuary and a very small village with a couple of shops - that's about it. You go to BNarbuda to get away from it all - relax on the beach, walk on a beach, read a book, swim, snorkel, sail a sunfish or a Hobie Cat and perhaps do a little fishing.

There ios no night life to speak of, a couple of beach bars and a few local restaurants that may or may not be open during your visit. If all the "hotel rooms" on the island were fully booked there would be less than 150 tourists on the entire island.

Go to Barbuda if you want QUIET!

Here is a post on Barbuda that will give you some info:

http://blog.newsok.com/thewanderer/2...the-caribbean/

There is also a new resort called The Lighthouse Bay, you can find reviews on Trip Advisor as well as cabins you can rent (more like camping)...rustic and charming.

Hi Diane,
I used to run the Beach House on Barbuda and I have returned after spending a couple years on Anguilla. I am at Lighthouse Bay Resort. If you have any questions about this wonderful island please don't hesitate to ask.