Help we are trying to decide on March vacation 8 days 2 kids 10 and 8. Enjoyed sailing around in a chartered cat in BVI's last year. Looking for beautiful beaches and relaxation. Four Seasons Nevis, vs. Ritz Grand Cayman. Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

If these were the only two choices, I'd go for the Four Season on Nevis. It's very family-friendly, and Nevis is an interesting little island with a variety of things to do, though the Four Seasons is likely much more expensive than the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.

Though I'm not a sailor, I have been to Nevis and the Four Seasons. I'm sure you've heard that compared to many other Caribbean beaches, the ones of Nevis and St. Kitts are just above average. If you're looking for something long and striking, I think you'll be disappointed. That said Nevis itself was nice and we enjoyed our time there albeit FS is VERY expensive. Cruising through the Sir Francis Drake Channel is a tough act to follow I'm afraid. Good luck!

In addition to what Doug says a lot depends on your definition of "beautiful beaches". The Four Seasons beach is lined with lots of palm trees and has darkish sand (it has a brownish tint). Because of the dark sand and the depth the waters off the beach are steel blue in color. The beach at Ritz Grand Cayman is almost powder white. The waters are shallower thus having a bright torquoise appearance.

We went to the FS Nevis a few months ago and loved it. We have no children, but there were many families there and it did seem quite family friendly. We love those bright white beaches and turquoise waters you often see, so we were somewhat worried when we read that the beach was just average. The beach was fabulous. True, the sand is a bit darker, which makes the water look a bit darker, but that is only appearance. The sand was soft, the water was great. We had no complaints at all.

We also liked that while the hotel was large, it did not seem like you were at a large hotel, as the rooms are in smaller buildings that are spread out. We have looked into going to the Ritz in Grand Cayman, but it is one of those larger hotels and we just don't want that. Also, it is on 7MB, which I hear is quite crowded and is one hotel after another. At FS Nevis, the beach was much more quiet and not crowded at all. Plus, you get that great FS service. We'd go back in a heartbeat.

thanks for the info. Sailing BVI's will be hard act to follow, we were considering Bitter End as we passed by last year and it looked like a great location. Any positive feedback to a week on Virgin Gorda at BEYC would be greatly appreciated!

I agree with all above except that the snorkeling and diving in GC is far better, though not great since the major hurricanes the past 5 years,than in Nevis. But, that aside FS-Nevis is the winner. As for BEYC we visited there while at Little Dix. we though it had a bit of a crowded feeling and not as relaxing as Little Dix. BRYC was seemed more for the mariner-set and they had excellent accomodatings for boats of all types. The activities for children from what we say at Little Dix were quite good but it does take away from the honeymooner or romantic get-away the resort was 10+ years ago. We stayed there in 1994 and in 2005.

Very different feel to those two resorts -- Ritz is a large building on a strip of beach lined with other properties (have not stayed there but saw it under construction). FS Nevis is a low-rise, spread out resort (more actual property) and even though the beaches in Nevis are public it still seems more private than the Ritz location. I personally found Grand Cayman too much like Florida -- loved the charm and beauty of Nevis it seemed to fit our idea of what a Caribbean island should be. I don't really like the Ritz properties, they all seem the same -- large, formal, buildings on strips of beach, while each Four Seasons Resort seems to have its own personality and was more designed for the strengths of the location. If you ever get a chance, try FS Punta Mita --- spectacular! I guess you can tell my vote is Nevis.

Definitely Nevis. I don't normally stay at a hotel while there, (although I have stayed at the FS) I just got back from Nevis last Tuesday (9/19) spent all day on the beach at the FS on Sunday and the week before spent a day at the spa. It was wonderful. The beach is very nice and the water is so calm and warm. I just sat in the water for hours, it was so calm that day I saw lots of fish.
Yes, for snorkeling, etc. GC would be better... however, Nevis is far more interesting than GC.
And I agree it is hard to beat chartering in the BVI. I am headed to Virgin Gorda in a few weeks cannot wait.
Hope you have a wonderful trip!

My vote is for Nevis as well. It is a beautiful, unspoilt island.

The Four Seasons has a kids club and is located on a beautiful beach. Nevis has many friendly locals, and a great place for R&R. Fun beach bars too. http://www.myspace.com/chevys_calypso_bar

The Botanical Gardens in Nevis is a must see. www.botanicalgardennevis.com

Your children would also enjoy Under the Sea. www.underthesea.com

Space fills up quickly in March, so you should book soon.

You can also take a day trip to sister island of St. Kitts.

Visit www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com for more information on both islands.

Should be www.undertheseanevis.com

Eileen mentioned FS-Punta Mita. It is beautiful, physically maybe nicer than the Nevis property but outside the resort it is barren, somewhat desert-like. We enjoyed Punta Mita. The rooms and service were First rate and the food was good, not as good as Nevis but "far and away" better than Great Exuma.The problem there it is somewhat isolated and a $70+ taxi ride RT to PV if you want to browse around and have dinner off-site plus it is a 40 minite ride on some rough roads in 2004.Lastly, there is no snorkeling in or around Punta Mita but the hotel is a lovely oasis.

Hi zahada,

We have vacationed at Biras Creeek on VG and while we were there we visited Bitter End. This is a lovely and romantic part of the Caribbean but my guess is that your kids wouldn't find a lot to do there unless your plan is to spend most of your vacation at sea.

Don't give up on Virgin Gorda. It really is wonderful.