I just got back from a vacation to Tulum Mexico and it was beautiful. Love the laid back, bohememian atmosphere. Staid in some beach cabanas with limited or no AC. Last year I went to Petit St. Vincent in the Grenadines for my honeymoon. Loved it as well. Especially loved the private cottage aspect of PSV. So, now I'm on the hunt for where to go next year. Here's my request list. Any help suggestions hugely appreciated.

Top 10 Tropical Vacation List

1. Privacy—prefer own cottage without others (staff or guests) near by.
2. Balcony/deck/patio overlooking ocean…not other cottages or busy pool/beach area.
3. Screens to keep out bugs at night while allowing in breezes.
4. Close to the ocean to get enough breeze to sleep without AC—AC not necessary.
5. Eating within walking distance or meal plan. 5 star not necessary.
6. Fresh water, heated showers---outdoor shower would be great.
7. Beach requests---empty (fewer than 10 people) or able to walk to secluded cove.
Gentles waves with clear water where you can walk into the water & not get flattened by waves. Sandy entry to the water—at least in places. But snorkeling nearby is good. No aggressive beach vendors.
8.Low-key relaxed environment. Friendly locals.
9. On an island that American Airlines flies to—I have frequent flyer miles.
10. Below $400 per couple per night with at least breakfast included.

At the risk of spreading the word too far, may I suggest Fernandez Bay Village on Cat Island? It meets most, if not all, of your criteria and is rustic chic, on one of the most beautiful beaches you'll ever lay eyes on. Here's how it stacks up:

1. Private. You're not likely to encounter many other guests. You can stay in a stand-alone cottage (ask for Shane Shack, a stone cottage with a thatched roof, or Seabreeze), or one connected to a few others.

2. Each cottage has a patio only steps from the pristine beach and sea. Nothing obstructs your view other than your beach chair.

3. and 4. We never used AC when we stayed here (though it is available). We just flung open the 3 sliding glass doors and windows, slid the screens home, and lived like that all week. The breeze kept things comfortable all day and night. There is no need to lock the doors, even when you are out exploring, since crime is virtually unknown on this island.

5. There is a good restaurant on-site, which provides island-style and continental food for three meals a day. The selection is limited (a function of the remoteness of this place), but always decent food. Dinner is served buffet style. You don't have to commit to a meal plan -- you just play it by ear as the day goes on. If you have 2 meals per day, they'll charge you that day as if you were on the 2-meal-per-day plan. If you don't eat there, you don't get charged. There are no other restaurants in walking distance (maybe biking distance) however.

6. The bathrooms are garden baths, with hot fresh water. There is a stone wall around you for privacy, but you're out among the elements to a degree. Not everyone is keen on the frogs and lizards that may come to visit, but I find it part of the charm.

7. Empty beach, gorgeous white sand, crystal blue water, small wavelets. No rocks or weeds to be found. No vendors whatsoever. You can snorkel at the ends of the beach (about a mile apart) or off the small cays in the bay (which you can reach by free kayak). See my photos at www.homestead.com/islandtime/MainPage1.html.

8. Very low key. Can't get much more laid back. You can do nothing and not feel one whit of guilt about it. Lovely staff. Islanders (there are very few of them) are quite poor, but would give you the shirt off their backs. They are very warm and welcoming, and are so happy you came to visit their island. When you drive or bike, everyone honks and/or waves. Picking up hitchhikers is normal. Very safe.

9. Can't get there via AA, however. I've flown on AA using FF miles to Nassau, then overnighted (alas, it's the only way) and caught an inter-island flight on Cat Island Air for $140 round trip. If not going via Nassau, the only commercial U.S. carriers which will get you there are those which code share with Gulfstream via FLL -- namely Continental, US Airways, and Delta. You can get there in one day using Gulfstream, but it can be a very long way depending on where you are flying from. Breaking the trip up by stopping in Nassau is an option if you can stomach Nassau (we were glad to have sampled it, but it's definitely not a place I'd return).

10. The price is not too bad. Shane Shack is the most expensive cottage at $220 low season, $290 high season. You can add 3 meals a day for $70/person, which brings you to $430/day (3 meals) at high season. Note that the bar is not included, and is an honor bar.

Cat Island is not perfect, but it's the closest I've come to perfect for me after 17 years of island travel. Check out my webpage (link above) for more of the gory details.

Sounds like Turks and Caicos could be perfect for you! It has almost everything you've requested (not sur about the outdoor shower though). Great food and awesome beach. I'm sure there are plenty of villas/cottages you could rent over there. Water is blue, clear calm and warm! You can visit this website...

http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com/

I'd recommend the Yellow Bird villa on Nevis. Its privately owned and self catering (you cook, go out or have delivery) but its exquisite, very private with its own pool and a 4 minute stroll to Oualie Beach (sandy, calm)and the Oualie Beach Hotel for good eats and pleasant company...Chef Jason could probably be talked into delivering whatever you wish.
http://www.yellowbirdnevis.co.uk/
AA and American Eagle will get you right into Nevis. Lots of "stuff" to do even though very laid back, friendly and beautiful country-side (rent a car, adviseable) Cheers, Richard.

Hi... We like the same Except for the AA part I can recommend looking at Ti Kaye Village in St Lucia. Very remote location and only about 25 other couples (when we went only about 15), beautiful, food good, great snorkeling off beach - young coral, no screens but really did not need them, outdoor shower, hammock & rocking chairs on your wooden deck. only drawback may be the 70 some stairs to get to beach - but didn't bother us. Also some cruises bring their guests here to snorkel - but was only for about 1 hr a day otherwise was very remote beach.

Next we went to Young Island off of St Vincent. Only about 5 other couples staying there when we went. Food was out of this world, cabana was a little oldedr than those at Ti Kaye but still nice. Snorkeling off beach - was ok older coral and a bit damaged by anchoring boats, tennis court on top of island and peacocks that wander around. Only drwaback was weekend night there is a nightclub on the mainland that I could hear. Didn't bother husband, but I wanted to only hear the crickets and tree frogs. other than that we loved it.

If you know of any places you can recommend please do - we're looking for a similar type of place as you for our December trip.

Thanks
lisa