Kristin

I am looking for an island that compares to aruba. I look for powder white sand beaches with beautiful luxurious resorts. I am not looking for adventure and anything outside the resort. I usually just like to stay at the resort and check out the others. I really like the safety, cleanliness, and shopping aspect of aruba. Thanks

Mike

You'll have to wait until the new Ritz-Carlton is built on Grand Cayman, as well as the new Four Seasons on Great Exuma in the Bahamas -- which will be a little bit of a wait for you!! Meanwhile, you might want to try The Carl Gustaf on St. Barts!

jbrooks

I think you would like Grand Cayman better than aruba...there is some nice hotels there already, the marriot, and I think a hyatt. Also, look in to bermuda if you want to travel in the summer months.

Ted

Regarding Grand Cayman, the Westin Casuarina is currently the nicest hotel on the island that is exculsively beachfront. The Hyatt, which is not beachfront except for a separate building housing VERY expensive suites, is also beautiful. The Marriott is very nice, but not at the same level.

I've been to both Aruba and GC recently -- if you like one, you'll like the other.

gail

Kristin, look into Pink Sands on Harbour Island in the Bahamas. It's easy to get there now, fly into Nassau and take the ferry over.

The resort is amazing, right on the beach, but the sand is pink and the beach is so beautiful.

Pink Sands has it all or you can choose to just lay around and relax.

The food there is excellent, and lots of choices. There are also several other hotels and restaurants on island so you can wander a bit in complete safety. There is no crime on island or vendors on the beach.

The website is www.pinksands.com.

Heaven.

If you are interested try the www.where2stay.com site and click on islands at the top of the board and just look around.

Kristin

Thanks for all your replies. Funny thing is I have been to the bahamas and Grand Cayman. I loved them but am still looking for a new island experience but dont want to be disappointed. I love Aruba the most and am looking for something that compares. I will look into Pink Sands, that sounds beautiful.

Parrot Mom

The island of Bermuda is gorgeous and expensive enough to keep out the riff-raff except by cruise ships.. the beaches are magnificent, the people polite and helpful...

stephanie

Kristin, how about Anguilla? It has some very nice resorts, Malliouhana, Cap Jaluca, CuisinArt, & Sonesta to name a few, and incredible white sand beaches. It does lack in the shopping area, but you can take a 20 min. ferry ride over to St. Martin/Maarten for that - I guess there's good shopping (didn't shop when I was there), but you may have to compete with the cruise ship crowd.

Anguilla doesn't allow large cruise ships to visit. We went first of Dec. one year and being low season it was so quiet. We had the beach almost to ourselves early in the morning. We stayed at a hotel (which is now closed)on Shoal Bay East. It has been ranked one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world by some magazine that I can't remember the name of. Check out http://www.news.ai/hotels/index.html for hotels.

whatsinthename

Nothing compares to Aruba in the Caribbean. Aruba is the best hands down!
The only destination that meet the high standards of Aruba is Bermuda or Cayman.

Kristin

I am interested in Bermuda. WHich hotel compares to a Hyatt or Marriott? The Sonesta looks nice.

Katie

Maybe I don't get it but I see no comparison between Aruba and Bermuda. Both are lovely islands but ... comparisons stop there for me! If someone likes the American-style of Aruba I can't see them enjoying the culture of Bermuda or the island!!! I loved Bermuda - not in the winter - but the atmosphere is soo different, safe, yes, lovely beaches, yes. Shopping, yes. Bot overall "ambience" - very very different!!!

zeuzqueen

Comparable to Aruba? The most comparable island I would say would be the Bikini Atoll, the quality is about the same.

Karibseeker

I think the closest comparision I have found to Aruba is Cancun. You will find the same familiar luxury hotels and chain food outlets that you do at home and in Aruba. The advantage with Cancun is that you can explore the nearby Mayan Riviera and ancient history, enjoy the warm friendly people and authentic smaller towns, enjoy some wonderful restaurants in nearby Playa del Carmen and even ferry to Cozumel from there.