Hi <BR> <BR>Up until this morning, I was planning on getting married next year on a private island in Fiji. Unfortuately I have just heard that the island will not be able to accomodate us and I am looking elsewhere. <BR> <BR>I had not really considered the caribbean before now, as I imagined it to be full of Sandals resorts and surly staff (i have had 2 rather disapointing trips to Barbados and Bahamas, but thats for another thread)... <BR> <BR>But in my desperation, I have just looked through some of your posts and it seems I was wrong! I have researched the south pacific heavily and know it well and would be interested in comparisons between it and the caribbean too... <BR> <BR>Anyway - I would be very grateful if anyone can steer me towards a great resort/island based on the following: <BR> <BR>1. Hotel or resort must be small, with less than 30 guests at any time. <BR> <BR>2. Must be very private, I dont want to be in view of other resorts, or be able to hear other resorts! <BR> <BR>3. Beach must be very clean and private too, preferably only used by that resort or far away enough that I dont get tour buses unloading day-trippers there. <BR> <BR>4. Great service and by that I mean staff that dont bow and scrpe but are friendly and helpfull and dont make me feel like they are doing me a favour all the time! <BR> <BR>5. Great food - doesnt have to be haute cuisine, but good quality, good variations, flexible menu (i am vegan) <BR> <BR>6. Rooms should overlooking the beach (on it or overlooking it from above) and ideally resort would be made up of separate cabins/villas/bungalows <BR> <BR>7. room should either have a/c or nice breezes. <BR> <BR>8. Great cloudless skies and clear blue water. <BR> <BR>Is this too much to ask? <BR> <BR>As for budget...anywhere up to $400 per night per room (but can be alot less if it exists). <BR> <BR>I am not interested in the gold faucets and marble baths type luxury that another poster mentioned...just want to feel like I am welcome and well looked after in a beautiful environment! <BR> <BR>Please help asap <BR> <BR>sonia <BR>

Sonia, yours must be the most interesting post I've read here in years. I'm familiar enough with the Pacific having spent a year there with my work. Living on the East Coast, however, I vacation mostly in Europe or the Caribbean. I believe I know exactly what you're looking for and I share most of your tastes. I detest the Sandals type of resort. And have avoided resorts that don't meet the same descriptors you've used, with the exception of your dietary preferences. I believe, though, that I know one, maybe two, resorts that will meet your needs, but you may have to enquire directly with them regarding meals. <BR>Tortola has always reminded me of the South Pacific inasmuch as it is very mountainous and has many small bays. It is mostly undeveloped and, in particular, the restrictions on development are severe, limiting height of buildings to "no taller than a palm tree", and generally prohibiting anything remotely resembling sprawl. So you tend to have small, even tiny, resorts that quite often are not within sight of any other resort. The marble floors and gold faucets that drive me crazy...aren't. <BR>First, I'd suggest Frenchman's Cay. You'll find a link to their website at the BVI tourist bureau site: bviwelcome.com. I don't believe I've ever seen as many as 30 people there and I've been there a lot. They are on a beautiful spit of land extending into the Sir Francis Drake Channel. PHENOMENAL views. You get a small, 2 floor villa on a hill that puts you just above tree height. Your porch opens up the whole channel which includes about 8 or 10 islands such as Dead Chest Is. which is the famed island of Robt. Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" (Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum... etc.). You have a kitchen, of course, which we have always used to cater to ourselves our own peculiar preferences, meaning that we want to eat when we want to eat. <BR>There is no a/c, because the breeze is 24/7 and the windows are such that you get the breeze right through the villa. There are 9 villas, but the managers live in one and another is a permanent resident, an elderly lady, so you will be sharing with, at most, 6 other groups. Five are one bedroom and 2 are two bedroom units. So 30 people would be unlikely. <BR>Other than that, there are no buses on the island; I've never seen a tour group, although in summer there are some cruise ships in Road Town about 15 miles away; the beach is quite clean as is the water, although the resort faces into the wind and waves which tend to be about 10-15 kts and 2 feet, respectively; all the service personnel are native ladies who have a combination of Caribbean "island time" mentality and British properness. Regarding that, this is the only place I've ever been where my taxi driver kissed me good-bye at the airport when we departed (she was a she). Our server in the little restaurant just off the beach and pool always kisses me hello, too. <BR>I think that covers all your points except the food. For that, I suspect that Pam and Terry, the managers would accomodate you, but you ought to give them a call. BVI is on our US area code system so it is no more difficult than a call out of state. <BR>I have another recommendation for a slightly larger resort over on Virgin Gorda. It is a bit more upscale, but not at all outside your parameters. As I have to go now, I suggest you look up Biras Creek Resort at scubamom.com and if that interests you, write me either here or direct.

Young Island on St. Vincent has what you are looking for. Breakfast in the thatched tiki huts include five varieties of fresh-baked bread. St. Vincent is very farming-oriented, so fresh veggies abound. This private island has a handful of bungalows with gorgeous breezes and outdoor showers. And St. Vincent has volcanoes and very little tourism. Lovely. <BR> <BR>P.S. to Joel: Is there a resort in Hawaii (Kauai or Maui or BI or possibly Oahu) that compares to Frenchman's Cay? Am planning a trip there and have the same taste as you... thanks!

Hi Sonia - <BR>The BVI is indeed a great destination that will accommodate your criteria. <BR> <BR>In addition to Frenchman's (very nice place), I would suggest that you look into the Cooper Island Beach Club. www.cooper-island.com <BR> <BR>It is intimate, sharing Cooper Is with only two nearby villas. It also sits across the Channel from Frenchman's providing similar views from the other side. <BR> <BR>Charter boaters stop by their restaurant for the good food but the bay is not a good anchorage so its not a popular spot for overnighting. <BR> <BR>Check it out, I think you'll like it. <BR> <BR>Another consideration in your budget range would be to rent a villa. There is a tremendous variety on Tortola and Virgin Gorda and many will arrange a chef. Or, there are lots of wonderful eateries and the islands are smallish (45 min drive from one end to the other) so you could get around and enjoy it all. <BR> <BR>Happy planning! <BR>Dave

Try are a collection of great resorts at www.islandoutpost.com that are small, private, initmate and really wondeful, inparticular, Pink Sands on one of the out islands of the Bahamas, Compass Point and The Caves in Jamaica. <BR> <BR>There are also several smaller resorts on St. Kitts and Nevis - which, we feel, are twoof the most beautiful, lush and tropical spots in the cAribbean.

Hi <BR> <BR>Joel - why is my post so interesting?? Ha ha, just intersted to know! <BR> <BR>Joan - you ask about similar properties in Hawaii...I have never been but was originally looking to get married there. I couldnt find a single propety that matched my criteria in the whole of Hawaii, despite spending literally hours and hours trawling the internet, asking several Hawaii specialists, luxury travel specialists and message boards. All I got was hotels with 200+ rooms or villas that wouldnt let me have a wedding (which wont bother you ofcourse) <BR> <BR>Also, about Frenchmans Cay...I looked it up on wheretostay.com and there are 2 bad reviews of it, quite in contrast to posts here. Can people confirm it is not rundown and tired like these visitors say? <BR> <BR>What about Pussers Marina Cay? Peter Island? <BR> <BR>thanks <BR> <BR>sonia <BR>

Marina Cay is a quiet little spot but don't know that it meets your criteria since it is a popular stop for boaters in the BVI and the beach wasn't that impressive! Aside from that the food would be far from haute cuisine and I have found it barely adequate in any of the outlets that they have thruout the islands that I've tried - in fact, I've tried only a couple and they were pretty bad so we avoid 'em at all costs! Peter Island is wonderful if it can be had within your budget but a wee bit larger than 30 guests. Do try for the beachfront rooms there! That's the hard one - coming up with such a small resort with your budget (unless it is summer rates which I am not familiar with). I haven't seen any reviews of Frenchman's being shabby and I can't imagine that but it has been awhile since I've been on the property! On Nevis, you can check the rates at Nisbet Plantation (think they have less than 40 cottage-style rooms), Cap Juluca on Anguilla (approx. 70 rooms), Joel mentioned Brias Creek already and I found it one of the best of the BVI's for dining and Guana Island is another spot in the BVI's, Petit St. Vincent in the Grenadines (altho I thought their dinners were terrible and some staff a bit cool. Another spot we really enjoy is Meridian Club on Pine Cay in the Turks and Caicos. There is a "cottage" (Sand Dollar Cottage) that stands apart from the 12 rooms which is very private and guess they could do weddings there (I don't go after early Dec or before April since it is so far north, might not be warm enuf and they are not open in the summer!). Might try Little Thatch or Little St. James both in the VI's but don't think that they'll work with the budget but you never know! You might try www.scubamom.com for some reviews of her favorites in the BVI and the Grenadines.

I recommend the Peter Island Resort on (where else?) Peter Island. The resort is on a private island off of Tortola and there are no other resorts or anything on the island period, you get to it by ferry. I have a brochure as I was looking into it for my honeymoon but it was out of my price range so we stayed at Anse Chastenet in St. Lucia instead which you may also want to look into. Peter Island resort however was my dream and I think it meets all of your qualifications. I'm sure they have a website and I have seen many recs for them here on Fodor's as well!

Replying to Sonia: Well, I think your question is so interesting because it essentially contrasts two significantly different cultures. To my way of thinking, the South Pacific is distinctly different from the Caribbean. I think that culture-for-culture you can never have the same experience; yet you can be in paradise in either. <BR>As to Frenchman's being "run down" or whatever the words were, it is simple. In the Caribbean we deal with a lot of what one might call "glitz-mongers". If it doesn't have marble tile in the bathroom it can't be good. What I look for is ambiance and friendly people, and tranquility amidst scenic splendor. I can only say that Frenchman's and Biras Creek, my 2 recommendations, offer that. <BR>D. Stahl recommended Cooper Island Beach Club. I considered recommending that as well, but thought that it might be too rustic and isolated. Maybe not. You might want to consider Cooper. <BR>Karen, a VERY well travelled lady, has suggested Peter Island which, like Cooper, has an island to itself. Maybe that's a possible also, albeit a little more fancy. <BR>I will stand by Biras Creek and Frenchman's Cay, but let me say a bit more about Biras. (Am I trying to win you over or what???) Biras has probably a dozen duplexes on Bercher's Bay. It's swim beach is on Deep Bay. It's small marina is on Gorda Sound. Gorda Sound is about as beautiful a body of water as one can find. Deep Bay is VERY like something out of Gauguin (and we know where he did his best work, don't we?). Their dining, as Karen mentions, is atrociously good. But there will be more than 30 people. Yet, things are so spaced out that you will only run into 20+ people in the restaurant on top of a high promontory. <BR>So, Sonia, I'll stand with Frenchman's Cay, even though it has no brass and uses plain ol' terra cotta where marble would look so much more spiffy. Neck and neck with FC, I'll go with Biras ove on Virgin Gorda. <BR>As to your trips to Barbados and the Bahamas, they would indeed be disappointing!!!

Biras is indeed lovely! Great rooms. One side of the "duplex" is ocean view and the other garden. Both have similiar views but the ocean view has closer proximity over the water at Berchers Bay. The disadvantage for some of us silver foxes is the distance to the swimming beach, some three quaters of a mile but bikes are provided. Not a problem for a youngster with good knees nor for the 80-year-old Brit who raced me to the beach each morning at 7 and he usually won! Another special at Biras is the open-air grotto type showers. The accomodations are spacious with a small sitting area, larger sleeping area, very nice baths, a porch and some mandatory hammocks nearby each unit. The units are on a lovely walking/sunning beach! The swimming beach at Deep Bay is lovely and I spent wonderfully long hours on a float there watching the rays and fish swim all around without having to as much as put on a mask! It was wonderful. Time it right and you can maybe catch sight of the whales migrating! You can hike or putt in the complimentary Boston Whalers to Bitter End or to some hidden little beaches. Since it is more isolated by water it is a wee bit more difficult to explore Virgin Gorda but not a problem! Frenchman's Cay would give you the option to jeep about hunting down beaches, dining or party places easier on Tortala tho. <BR>Maybe Joel will know the lastest on Drakes on Mosquito Island. It used to be one of my favorites but I hear reports that it is closed, or open on for special events or times, that it was for sale and all kinds of rumors (including that RB wanted to buy it to make it part of his Necker empire - nothing came of that rumor and it was circling about the same time Bill Gates was supposed to be looking at it when he was in the Virgins last March/April (owners deny both rumors!). It used to have a fabulous restaurant and it certainly was intimate and quaint.

Sonia, <BR>What happened to Wadigi Island in Fiji?! We had e-mailed earlier about your plans there. What a shame if they fell through. Did you consider another place in Fiji? I know you have been several times as we have & though we have also traveled the Caribbean I can't help but being partial to the South Pacific. Of course the resort you described, as you know, is exactly what you get there! I have yet to find it in the Caribb. Not that I don't keep trying! And not to cast doubts on your plans, you are getting some good advice here and I'm sure you'll find something wonderful. You don't get the same ambience in the Caribb as the SP which I find more serene & private but totally unpretentious for the level of service. Though I have not had a bad trip to the Caribb, except for PSV I haven't been to a place that has all the elements you descibe. And that would not be a convenient or sufficient destination for a large group. And though we loved the resort, the food, except for breakfast, was not great. We are tentatively planning on Cap Juluca in Anguilla in the spring, depending on the world situation at the time. Cayo Espanto, a very small private island off shore in Belize, was also a consideration but I think the hurricane that just went through changed that for the time being! And the price there is over the limit and only 5 cottages total. <BR>Are you still having family & friends travel with you for the wedding? Good luck with your search. Let us know what you decide & perhaps you can tell me what happened with Wadigi.Peggy

Sonia, <BR> <BR>Definitely contact the resort in advance, whichever one you choose, to make sure that they can accomodate your vegan requirement. This may not seem as easy as it seams. <BR> <BR>Cooper Island won't work for you - it has too many "bareboaters" and day-trippers from snorkel tours crowding its beach. Frenchman's Cay in Tortola is too underwhelming for a honeymoon. <BR> <BR>Peter Island might work. Contact them ahead to make sure that they can accomodate your vegan requirements. This may be hard for them. Also, if deadman's gets filled with bareboaters, make sure to move to White bay. Beautiful. Biras would be PERFECT. I am sure that they would be able to accomodate your meal requirements and they only have 32 rooms. Great service too. PSV would be great too - very secluded. <BR> <BR>A villa with a private chef would work too. Check out Luxury Link for some ideas. They have some properties in Costa Rica and Jamaica that sound great. <BR> <BR>Also, the Horned Dorset Primavera, a Relais and Chateaux property on the Western coast in PR fits your bill in terms of smallness of resort, fantastic service, and made-to-order food. Let us know what you decide.

Goodness Sonia -- you have pulled out most of the heavyweights that know something of the Caribbean and the South Pacific. As per Joel, I find this interesting on two counts. Since Fiji has more small places suited for marraiges than the Caribbean, you are saying that there is no other alternative. Amazing. What you describe is best found in Fiji at this time. When you mention $400 per day we have no idea what that includes which could be from everything on a per day basis or the cost of a room before service and taxes. Joel gave you a lot of modest priced suggestions. If you really want to save money and have a ball, have Cooper Island set up a wedding for you if they are willing as this would most likely be a major event for them and everybody that comes by that day. I will guarantee that you will have something not akin to anywhere else and to remember for the rest of your lives and it would not cost an arm and leg. However, don't expect pure luxury there. If $400/day is what you would like to spend for everything that is not easy and you will not find it at Biras Creek. Then there is air fare and nobody knows where you are located. If you have your heart set on Fiji, I think you have many options. Don't try to equate Fiji and the Caribbean. They are two different places and experience. A word of advice get a civil marriage in the USA either before or immediately after. They tend to count when the chips are down. Pehaps you are just having fun but you brought out a lot of interesting people.

Sonia, your posting has now landed the biggest catch among us "heavyweights". We don't hear from Louis very much anymore and it's good to have him back. Surprised he didn't mention Guana Island, thoug, a past fav of his which might fit the bill in some respects. <BR>As to my own suggestions, Frenchmans, I will continue to maintain, fills the bill the best of any resort I know except Biras which is over your budget. Use the search feature here at Fodors and you'll find a ton of info on all of these places. I hasten to add that there aren't many other places such as the BVI in terms of friendliness and unspoiled nature. As Peggy notes the Caribbean is not the South Pacific. Me, I like them both.

Hello all of you again and thanks sooo much for all the advice. Heavyweights, eh? Well I am a "heavyweight" over on the australia and south pacific boards, so glad to see there are people who know their stuff in this section too (thought the aus/s.f board is far smaller)... <BR> <BR>Peggy- yes, unfortunately Wadigi seems to have fallen through - all very strange and totally unexpected! Seems that the owner got in a tizz about the plans and very rudely backed out. When I called him up (he sent me an email saying the wedding was off) he said that he felt it was too much hassle and that he didnt think I could afford it!!! Cheeky and totaly bizarre as i had alreday sent him an email confirming the booking and asking how to pay the deposit!!Anyway, long story...I will email you later and fill you in... <BR> <BR>As for everyone's comparisons with Fiji/South Pacific...believe me I have researched the SF exhaustively and it was very difficult to find suitable islands...many of the Fijian isands have very restrictive conditions for groups (eg 7 night miniumums, surcharges etc), some are too much of a hassle to get to, many are too expensive for my wedding guests (i am happy to spend thousands but have to bear in mind my guests' budgets!!!), some just werent up to scratch (i know through visitng them). <BR> <BR>Guests are all coming from England, I am coming from Australia. <BR> <BR>French Polynesia got too expensive, Cook Islands is a possibility. <BR> <BR>But...keep those opinions coming! <BR> <BR>thanks again <BR>sonia <BR>

Interesting thread about an interesting challenge/problem. Let me toss in my ten cents as we've stayed at a good many of the BVI resorts mentioned, most of them twice, at least. <BR>I think that Frenchman's, Peter, and Biras are definitely in bounds as far as what you seek, Sonia. Cooper, being more "a la Robinson Crusoe" may be on the edge, but who knows what they might work up special for you as David Stahl mentions, but it's not obvious to me. <BR>But regarding weddings, themselves, I like to sort of invite myself to weddings when I'm at a resort and it has one going on. I've seen Biras and Frenchman do several, which tells me that they must be doing quite a few if I go there 3 times in 7 years and hit a wedding every time. Both have excellent settings for them. While Biras has a newer decor in their bungalows and their outdoor (shielded) showers are fun, especially for couples, we enjoyed the spaciousness and privacy of Frenchman's villas considerably more, even though the furniture is very simple and no frills. When you walk out onto the covered porch and see the view you know why you chose Frenchman's. Back to Biras, though, the central building which houses the restaurant, meeting rooms, library, bar, etc.; it's built like a wedding cake in multiple levels with a winding walkway that leads up to the top and descends into very well landscaped gardens at the foot of the hill it sits on. It has a wide variety of excellent "au naturel" sites on the property for a wedding that is as private or public as you could want. I believe I would opt for Biras by a slim margin over Frenchman's, but just because I was being married there. As someone mentioned, also, it is VERY Gauguinesque. We enjoyed the solitude as well (accessible only by boat), and the fact that every day you can take your own motorboat out into the sound to the numerous snorkeling sites, or other resorts, or to rent a car to go into town. <BR>

Okay ... you got me checking ... I just went to Brias' website and found that it was $575 plus that 17% tax (10 service - 7 tax) off season and altho it is wonderful, it doesn't fit the budget. Heard some wonderful things about Jakes on Ja. with very very reasonable prices. Any feedback there?

Sonia, I know the question was really about Caribbean, but have you considered other places? One that immediately comes to mind is Costa Rica - the only thing you probably would not get there would be clear blue water. <BR>Check out Lapa Rios (www.laparios.com) and Xandari (www.xandari.com).

Hi, me again... <BR> <BR>I was just wondering why no one has mentioned Sugar Mill?? I was looking at the wheretostay.com ratings and it seems this gets lots of good reviews (maybe it is out of my budget)...also Little Dix? Fort Recovery? <BR> <BR>I am flexible with the budget because the caribbean is much cheaper for my guests to fly to than the pacific... <BR> <BR>Hope to hear from you soon... <BR> <BR>sonia

I have no knowledge about Sugar Mill, but wheretostay.com is one of those sites where the reviews are ALL rave reviews, they filter out negative reviews.