Have pretty much decided on a week at the Cotton House on Mustique. Have never been to the Caribbean before. Spend too much time in Mexico and usually go to smaller properties such as La Casa Que Canta, Maroma, Las Ventanas (not so small). Does that sound like a good fit? Don't need a lot of action, just beautiful beach (swimable), good food, and a nice place to stay. So many islands and resorts too choose from. It's overwhelming! Are there any downsides to Cotton House and/or Mustique?

Also, where would be a good place to tack on 2-3 days that would be easy to get to from Mustique?

Just to throw a random wrench into the topic, the choices are narrowed down to Cotton House/ Mustique and Namale/ Fiji. Any advice? Traveling from the West Coast.

You could look into Ladera on St.Lucia .... What larger island do u fly into before u catch the puddle-jumper to Mustique ?

Grenada is also fairly close , and Laluna is a lovely boutique hotel . ( I believe it's up and running since Ivan last yr ...? )

Thanks for the ideas. There are flights to Mustique from both Barbados and St Vincent.

Both Ladera and LaLuna looked interesting to us. I assume you would just do a flight from there to either Barbados or St Vincent? This may be a dumb question but are there ferries/boats that make these trips?

There is ferry service between some of the islands ( St.Vincent and Bequia for example and maybe Martinique and St.Lucia ) There are small domestic flights that are usually quite reasonable , did you look at Young Island Resort on St.Vincent ? Johnny Depp stayed here during filming of the first Pirates of Caribbean movie . This is an incredibly beautiful and different island . It could be an interesting addition to Mustique ...? Plus very convenient . Dramatic mountains , lush valleys , rainforests , still relatively undiscovered . ( thus it's use for the movie , this time they r filming on Dominica ) You should seriously look at Young Island Resort on St.Vincent .

www.scubatreks.com/st.vincent great shots of island and description and photosof Young Island Resort . ( awesome diving sites if you are a diver ... )

Hmmmm. Link did not work for me ..? you'll have to google search !! lol .

Imagine ...!! Me again ! Try taking the period out after the St. , also look at Scuba mom's website for lots of great photos and descriptions of Young Island and St.vincent .

I know the Cotton House well. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you.

MSQ-
I just got worried when I read something about jackets and gowns at dinner. How fancy is Cotton House? We are totally laid back people not really into "dressing" for dinner, etc. Will we be out of place there or the island entirely?

I do not know where you read that but it is not true. I have been going to Mustique for 20 years and the only time I took a jacket was the first time.

That is not to say that if you are more comfortable in a blazer, that you would be out of place but no. The following is from the Mustique Company Web site (www.mustique-island.com) "Gentlemen, no jackets or ties necessary. Ladies, casual chic. Barefoot elegance". No shoes is fine.

When I get dressed up I ware linen shirt and pants (no shoes). Women where linen or silk wrap like things. There will always be those who over dress and those who underdress but just think Tommy Bahama and you will be fine.

You will not be out of place. Mustique defines relaxed. There will also be a chance for dinner at the beach bar one night and you can go off to Basil's for a night of less formal dinner and dancing under the stars.

I have always stayed in the Messel Rooms and like those I prefer the upper my partner likes either upper or lower.

Any other questions just ask.