willem

Anyone have advice , information , about Bequia ... Great rates for lodging etc. Looking for someone who has been there . Faith

RobertoB

Never been to Bequia but always wanted to go. Russ Filman's site is an excellent statrting point:

http://www.hwcn.org/~aa462/bequia.html

Lodging rates are reasonable if not low. Probably reflects the remoteness of Bequia. Not the easiest island to get to.

willem

Thanx Roberto , I had looked at his site and it is great . My husband and I have won 2 tickets to anywhere U>S> airways flies in the caribbean . The tickets are standby so we will fly slightly off season . Since some islands regular airfare is more costly than others we thought we would take advantage of that and use these tickets for a place we might not able to afford . St.Lucia is high on our list but they only have 1 flight daily , trickier standby . St.Kitts has a few daily , and we would stay on Nevis , but the lodging is expensive . The other option was fly to Barbados which has a bunch of daily flights and take one of the 3 puddle jumpers to Bequia , the lodging is much less here and actually makes up for the difference in paying for the puddle jumper flight ! WHy go to all this trouble ... I think Bequia looks amazing , off the beaten track , and it would be a cool adventure . I was really intrigued by this months caribbean travel and life , but is it really that much more charming than Nevis to do all this .... Bequia lovers ..

caribqueen

I've been to Bequia twice and definitely recommend it over St. Lucia. I've also been to SK and Nevis and hold them about the same as Bequia.

The Gingerbread and the Frangipani are 2 places to stay that are on the waterfront in Port Elizabeth...go to where2stay.com and click on the Grenadines, there is lots of info on hotels in Bequia, plus links to their websites. I've never actually stayed in a hotel there, I've just been there by boat, but the Gingerbread and Frangipani would be my top choices.

Don't miss eating dinner at CoCo's place or having lobster pizza at Mac's. Lots of good restaurants in Bequia, including the restaurant and bar at the Frangipani. There's a cool "club" called the Rock...had a blast there. Since it is a yachter's haven, there is lots of provisioning...groceries and fresh produce are plentiful and not terribly expensive.

Be sure to take a daytrip to the Tobago Cays and/or Mustique. There's a catamaran, the Passion, that does them both.

You can email me if you have other questions or want more details....I'm jealous....this is one of my "go back to and stay a while" places on my list, just have to make the time!

willem

Thanx caribqueen ! What was it exactly you disliked about St.Lucia , just curious , from photos etc. and the lodging near the pitons , it is our favorite . But I would love and accept all input !! In Bequia we liked the Old Fort Inn as well as the 2 you mentioned . In Nevis we liked The Hermitage , and St. Lucia The Stonefield Estate villas . All in the same vein lodging style .Bequia looks sort of lush , as do Nevis and of course St.Lucia , I definetly love that aspect of all 3 . Thanx , Faith .

Maria

Faith,

We just got back from a week on a bareboat charter out of Canouan. We spent 2 nights in the Admiralty Bay harbor off of Port Elizabeth. We took a taxi tour of the island for 4 hours with a great taxi driver named Julian. Among other things, he took us to the Friendship Bay Resort (on the other side of the island) and we all totally fell in love with the setting, the resort, the restaurant and bar. We are all committed to returning next year to spend more time in the Grenadines and most definitely Bequia which was such a charming place. I think that you can find all the info you need on web page friendshipbayresort.com.

Julian also took us to visit the Hegg turtle sanctuary which was interesting as well. Make sure you ask for him as your driver as he was a lovely person and very helpful.


We had the lobster pizza at Mac's which was excellent but pricey, of course and the lobster season is only for a few months (I think). We also loved the garlic shrimp pizza and the olive and sun dried tomato pizza.

We had drinks at Frangipani's and it looked like a lovely and romantic dinner location with candle lit tables, etc.

Absolutely take the time to go on a snorkel afternoon to the Tobago Cays. Another location where we spent 2 days in unbelievable loveliness. Snorkeling there is the best ever. We also really enjoyed all the visiting with the infamous Boat Boys who were great. Especially Walton (Engine) and Sidney and Mr. Quality. I do not know if you will have the chance if you are on a snorkel cruise.

The people of the Grenadines were so gracious and friendly. Another memorable person was Father Mark on Mayreau island who spent a long time with us showing us his church and community center with a small museum and library for the people of Mayreau. Salt Whistle Bay on Mayreau is also a dreamy place with a gorgeous beach.

I am jealous, a week was not nearly enough in the Grenadines! Let me know if you have any more questions that I meight be able to help with.

Maria

sunkisti

I HAVE BEEN TO BEQUIA FOUR TIMES AND adore IT STAYED AT THE VILLAGE APT. GEORGE & VAL ARE WONDERFUL HOSTS. IT IS EZ WALK TO TOWN RSTAURANTS ETC YET FAR ENOUGH AWAY TO BE PEACEFUL. CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE. PRICES ARE CHEAP THE PEOPLE ARE WONDERFUL AND LOVE LIFE

caribqueen

Faith,

We were married in St. Lucia...my husband wanted to go somewhere I haven't been (I have been just about everywhere in the Caribbean in travels before I met him) and St. Lucia happenend to be the one place we agreed on. It was big, difficult to get around, dirty in the city and just not the type of place I like to vacation (I also don't care for St. Thomas or Cayman)....before everyone flames me for having an opinion...I do concede that St. Lucia is very pretty and I met some nice people, and if I were to go back, I would stay at Anse Chastenet. We just prefer small and sleepy islands that cruise ships haven't discovered for the most part.

Out of the three islands you have chosen, Nevis and Bequia are the most alike (small and easy to get around) and St. Lucia is absolutely nothing like the other two (large and takes a while to get places). You just need to decide what you want out of your vacation. There is more to do on St. Lucia (volcano, mineral falls, cat sails, the Pitons) but there is plenty to do on both Bequia and Nevis, you just have to look a little harder for them.

willem

Thanx everyone ! I guess I am looking for that undiscovered little place , although obviously they have been ! I like off the beaten track a bit , small and quirky lodging , a lush and natural setting . I do not need shopping , casinos , nightlife , haute quisine , etc. etc. A little dirty I can handle , hotel just needs to be clean . We would also be near the pitons in St.Lucia , to me it seems to be an island full of culture and great natural beauty . Thats not to say I am not still interested in Nevis and Bequia , very much so . A fun decision I think , and all your info. is appreciated because after all you have been there ! I would have to say that from photos the beaches of Bequia look the prettiest if one is looking for the white beach turquoise water etc. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder right !! Love the input , keep it coming !!! Faith

willem

I Forgot , is there a particular area we should stay in on Bequia .... If we stay at the frangipani how far is princess margaret beach etc. My husband and I love to hike and walk etc. so a 10 or 15 minute walk to a beach is fine , or is the island so small that area choice is not a huge issue .... faith

sunkisti

from Bequia u can take the 1 hour ferry to St Vincent and find all sorts of adventures or on Bequia u can walk everywhere. A different beach every day. Princess Margaret beach is a nice walk from Admiralty Bay. U can take a scenic "billy goat" trail or the main road. I love it there. The Frangi is a nice place with alot of history. It is a big gathering place for many travelers with a beautiful view of the sunset,the Bay and all its activities. It is a warm friendly livley island. Most natives live off the land & sea, a very basic existence. I went as a single woman and fell right into the lifestyle. Take a day sail on the PASSION, a 60' catamaran, snorkeling or diving with Dive Bequia, coffe at Gingerbread Hotel, watertaxi or walk to Lower Bay,lie on the beach, fresh lunch at DaReef or Dawns, evening "jump up, listen to steel bands, or just simply sit and watch the stars sipping a Mt. Gay!

pegoode

I, too, have only visited Bequia by boat. Last year we took a cab to the Friendship Bay Resort and loved it. The best part is the beach bar with swings for barstools! We love the Gingerbread for curry and have had great meals at Le Petit Jardin. Bequia is our favorite island and Grenada is a close runner up. Grenada is a bit easier to get to than Bequia. Given the time and money, I'd vote for Bequia every time!

jbluestein

howdy all, I love this discussion group. My wife and I are travellign to Bequia in May/June. We are flying form San Francisco Bay area with Amercian Airlines, landing in Canouan. Then, finding our way to Bequia a day or so later. Has anyone stayed at the Ocean View Inn(?). It's a small inn, I spoke to the owner who is very friendly. I don't want to spend 11-13 hours travelling to be disappointed by the room..... also, can someone recommend a guide book that has detail on grendines/st. vincent....

thanks in advance....

willem

Hello people ! I believe we have it narrowed down to Bequia . We like the Frangipani because it seems to have a neat ambience , but also the old Fort inn looks really nice , does anyone know much about this place , proximity to beaches , restaurant ambience etc. Thanx Faith

thor

Faith: The Old Fort is where you might expect a fort to be; at one of the highest points of the island. Last summer, my wife and I split our 2 weeks on Bequia, with a week at the Village Apts, and a week at the Old Fort. They are very different, and both have their positives. The Apts, which are naturally self contained, are very convenient to all the man made amenities of Bequia, and yet are still slightly off the beaten track due to their hillside location. They are very well managed,by George and Val, and are clean. You can walk to most places you want to go from the Village Apts. The Old Fort, on the other hand, is somewhat isolated by Bequia's standards. You will need a car, or take advantage of the good taxi system on the island. I did walk to town from the Old Fort a few times, which is all downhill, but I took a taxi back. The Old Fort, too, is well manged, by an English couple. We were actually their last guests last summer before they closed for the summer. They have a good restaurant, and you can get a meal plan, which is kind of important, because the closest store is just a tiny convenience store with very basic supplies. The Old Fort has commanding views, and at that height, nice cooling breezes. There are some walks you can do around the area , including a couple of steep walks down to a couple of very quiet beaches. The main attraction of the Fort is its isolation, and the opportunity to really unwind. So you definitely have choice, or, you can do like we did, if you have time, and stay in two places with different sets of attractions. Thor

willem

Thanx Thor , Great info. , We are only there for 8 days , since it is off season maybe they will let us do only 4 at each . Would be nice to experience both ! Faith