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-   -   Help me narrow it down please.. (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/help-me-narrow-it-down-please-422182/)

Kristen1206 Apr 14th, 2004 08:17 AM

Help me narrow it down please..
 
I posted the other day about taking a 4 or 5 night trip in June. Well we are using FF miles and unfortunately my first choice,
T & C, is out because no seats are available.

So we were thinking about Aruba (been there and loved it just wanted to try soemthing new), Belize (but am worried about rainy season), Negril briefly (Jamaica just isn't too high on our list). What about Anguilla?

We want a relaxing getaway with a great beach (I realize Belize may not have that but that's okay), good snorkeling, great restaurants and little beach bars.

What do you guys think??

JuneAnn Apr 14th, 2004 02:49 PM

We loved Anguilla and are going back in December. There are amazing beaches and equally amazing restaurants. If that sounds good to you I think Anguilla will win you over.

mnag Apr 15th, 2004 05:39 AM

My vote would definately be for Anguilla also. We've been to a few caribbean destinations including BVI, Curacao, Anguilla, Cancun....For a relaxing vacation with Amazing beaches and great restaurants Anguilla would be ideal. I'm not sure there's much snorkelling there though...

Kristen1206 Apr 15th, 2004 05:46 AM

where wouls you recommend staying on Anguilla? Aside from Cap Juluca (too pricey)...we were thinking maybe Frangipani?

What else is there to do on the island? Is it worth it to take the ferry to St. Martin?

Are the beaches beautiful and water calm?

And are the restaurants good?

Sorry for all the quetsions! :-)

meta Apr 15th, 2004 06:19 AM

Kristen, Anguilla has absolutely beautiful beaches. My personal feeling is spend the time there, it's so relaxing you'll hate to come home.

The rerstaurants are good, also.

Kristen1206 Apr 15th, 2004 06:38 AM

So you've been to Anguilla Meta? Where did you stay?

My only concern about Anguilla is I hera the snorekling isn't good and that is one of our favorite things to do...

cartera45 Apr 15th, 2004 07:15 AM

We regretted leaving Anguilla for St Marten when we were there - missed a day on Anguilla to shop and I didn't feel it was worth it. The beach we were on - Rendezvous - was not good for snorkeling but I was told there were some places to snorkle on the island. My main disappointment was that it was so windy we couldn't even sit on the beach for several days. I was assured that this was unusual but it was still disappointing. If I returned, I would stay on Shoal Bay - blindingly white sand and beautiful water. You may want to post on the AOL travel board for Anguilla - true Anguilla addicts there and a travel agent who posts who is very knowledgeable about the accomodations.

JuneAnn Apr 15th, 2004 08:11 AM

We are staying at CuisinArt..they have much better special rates at this time of year.

We took the ferry to St. Martin for some shopping and lunch. It was a great afternoon. We also rented a jeep and explored this small island and many of its beaches.

mnag Apr 15th, 2004 10:15 AM

Cant help you with the accomodations. we were there in '98 and stayed at Sonnesta, a lovely resort on a beautiful beach at reasonalble rates, however since then it has closed. We did visit Frangipani while we were there and it seemed smaller but very nice on a great beach. You may want to do a search on the restaurants on this forum. From what I've heard I would not bother visiting St Martin. Several people we met at the hotel said it was not worth giving up a day on Anguilla.

JuneAnn Apr 15th, 2004 12:12 PM

I meant that we rented a jeep on Anguilla.
St. Martin was just an afternoon visit. I wanted to buy a Longchamps bag which I did get at a very good price. Other than that I would not leave Anguilla unless we get restless.

meta Apr 15th, 2004 12:32 PM

Kristen, we went many years ago and stayed at a place called Coccoloba. I don't know if it even still exists, for it was about 13 years ago. I remember walking to Mallihana(don't even pay attention to my spelling). The beach was incredible, such beautiful water.

We took a day trip and went snorkeling, but it was nothing compared to Grand Cayman. Kristen, you will love Anguilla. I would go back in a minute, but my son would be bored stiff.

meta Apr 15th, 2004 12:36 PM

The resort was on Mead's Bay. My husband and I felt like we had the whole beach to ourselves.


Mathieu Apr 15th, 2004 12:59 PM


Its funny, but many Sint Maarten / St. Martin afficionados (the island is half Dutch and Half French and both halves are uniquely different divided by only a yellow line) feel the same way about Anguilla. They love it but wouldn't stay for more than a day or two since Anguilla is quieter, flatter and much drier. I thought St. Martin was a quiet island (definitely not Cancun or Jamaica) but love it and visit there every year for a blisful week or two. To each his own. Both islands are worth a visit. The restaurants in St. Martin are very good and the 'feel' on the French side pretty cool. You might also want to try St. Barts for a 'tres chi-chi' experience.

HowardC Apr 15th, 2004 01:09 PM

Cocoloba was owned by Valtur an Italian tourist agency and was sold about two years ago, opened for about a year and closed--Heard it was sold again but as Feb hadn't reopened.


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