Kristi

We're planning our honeymoon for May 2003 and think we have narrowed it down (based on web sites, Fodors/Frommers, etc.) - Barbados, Martinique, St. Lucia, or St. Martin....Which one would you recommend?<BR><BR>We don't know anyone who has been there and have no point of reference. We want a very nice hotel and beach, with access to gourmet restaurants, the possibility of a night life if we choose, but also want other non-water things to do/see...We want to feel safe venturing out to explore. Suggestions??<BR>

Trish

St. Lucia includes lots and lots of rain and no beach, which also means no watersports. Additionally, the food and sightseeing is not much and it is not an island you want to lose your luggage on. So you may want to exclude that one.

caribbean specialist

No beach? Did they take it away since the last time I was there?<BR>No, the beaches are not as pretty as some on other islands, but it certainly has them.<BR>All of the hotels have watersports, unless you choose Ladera or something in the mountains, and then you still have access to them.<BR>Volcano tours, Rainforest Tours, Hiking, Boating, Fishing, Diving, Watersports. There is acutally more to do on St. Lucia than most islands.<BR>Yes, it rains there. It rains in tropical climates. It would not be tropical or have rain forests without rain.

Carribbean Lover

Hi, Kristi:<BR><BR>First of all, congratulations and best wishes for your upcoming nuptials!<BR><BR>I cannot speak to any of the islands you've chosen, but here is what I have/know from my own research. I've had a few friends that have gone to Barbados and said it was the best island that they had been to in the Caribbean. Beautiful beaches, best climate, and very friendly, laid-back people. Also, if this is a concern, English is their first language, unlike Martinique (which is mostly French speaking - and expensive! Europe's old, rich families have that as their vacation destination...). <BR><BR>On a totally separate note, I would recommend considering St. John/St. Thomas. Now, I know that wasn't on your list, but let me offer this idea to you. There are two BEAUTIFUL resorts on St. John, one is Caneel Bay (www.caneelbay.com), where we've stayed - expensive but very inclusive and absolutely lovely/worth it. Each of the rooms is a condo suite, overlooking your own private beach. The other is the Westin St. John Resort and Villas (www.sheraton.com). Less expensive but also nice. <BR><BR>St. John has the most untouched land of all the islands, including Trunk <BR>Bay, which is an underwater "trail" with stones that tell you about the coral, fish, and sea creatures in that area. You can snorkel there with no problem - no need to dive. St. John also has some nice shops at Mongoose Junction, and it's a fairly short ferry ride back-and-forth to St. Thomas, if you want something more "lively." Cruz Bay, one of the only two real towns on St. John, has a few good bars in it, too, and nice restaurants. If you stay at Caneel Bay, you'll have three gourmet restaurants to choose from, too, all of which are EXCELLENT.<BR><BR>If you go this route, you'll fly in/out of St. Thomas, then take the ferry over to St. John. My husband and I went about three years ago, now, and we can't wait to go back.<BR><BR>Hope this helps. Most of all, I think that no matter where you go, you'll have a wonderful time, in part because it's your honeymoon, in part because you're in the Caribbean! <BR><BR>

Mary

Of the three you've chosen, I can only comment on St. Lucia. I have to agree with the others that the beaches in St. Lucia are nothing to write home about. To me, 90% of it looked like the shores of Lake Michigan, only the water was clearer. <BR><BR>Gourmet dining is also very limited, and nightlife is almost non-existant in the south part of the island. The only REALLY good meals I had there were on two separate trips to the Coal Pot on the north part of the island. Wasn't even terribly impressed with Dasheene which is the one restaurant lots of people rave about.<BR><BR>From what I've read on this site (and only from what I've read), St. Martin seems to have some awesome dining and great beaches.

kdr

I honeymooned on St. Lucia, and it was the most wonderful trip my husband and I have ever taken. We stayed at the Hilton, which has a very nice beach between the Piton mountains (although I agree there are prettier beaches on other islands). There are great spots for snorkeling, etc. We loved the rain forest safari, and other trips organized by the resort. Ladera has a wonderful restaurant, and the Bang Between the Pitons restaurant/bar next door to the resort has great local food and music as well.

Julie

I would NOT reccommend St. Lucia... there is poverty everywhere,okay that's fine BUT... swimming up to you in canoes trying to sell youstuff while I am snorkeling was just too much, a nd a polite no did not work! The resturants were not so good either

Mary

I found the beggars in St. Lucia to be a tad overwhelming as well, but only in the south part of the island which is where Ladera, Bang, and Jalousie are located. In fact, besides those three, that's about it. It's very, very quiet in that part of the island.

linda

Kristi- first, tell me why you've chosen these three and which resorts you've chosen. St Lucia AIs fit many young honeymooners, because they arrange many outings. However, it is almost impossible island to navigate, the roads are horrible and drivers are worse. Water taxis and tours are fun, though. I loved the island, but wouldn't drive around on it!<BR> St Martin has some nice resorts, the driving is on the right and fairly easy to navigate as far as Carib isles are concerned. It is a bit overbuilt...it doesn't have much "charm" anymore, but has good shopping and some splendid restaurants.<BR> Martinique is very French, very unusual and I'm not sure you'd have the best experience here...that is, as a honeymoon destination. I've not been to Barbados.<BR> I tend to agree with other post about St John. Personally, I like a quieter, more romantic place like the BVI, but St John is wonderful as well. St Thomas- if you can avoid the crowded areas- has some nice resorts and lots to do.You wouldn't have the language/citizenship problems in the USVI.Also, you have the option to ferry from St Thomas to St John and the BVI. There are wonderful daysail trips that will take you there as well. There is easy and cheap access to St Thomas from many airports, so you won't spend endless hours traveling as you would if you were going to aforementioned islands. While you're at it, look at the top resorts in Puerto Rico....the Hyatt Dorado the El Conq......there's lots to see and do there and it is a friendly place, IMO.

Kristi

mkomp: Thanks so much!! We're really excited and like you said, I think we'll enjoy anywhere we go..just want to make an informed decision. We did hear that St Thomas can get crowded due to cruise stops - just how crowded is crowded? Have you run into that?<BR><BR>Mary - thanks for the info too! Glad to get your perspective.<BR><BR>kdr - so you had a great experience - very cool. It's so weird to see how some people love a place and others hate it!<BR><BR>Julie - ew, I can't stand beggars. Drives me crazy enough in my hometown! Much less while on vacation. Hmmm....maybe St. Lucia's not the best option.<BR><BR>Linda - thanks for your info too. The French aspect actually appeals to me - I speak French and love France/Belgium. In fact, that's one of the reasons we were considering places like St. Martin and Martinique. But, it's probably not THE number one thing we're looking for...Have heard the BVI's are nice...so might look into that.<BR><BR>Thanks again everyone!! That helps.

jenni

Barbados - way too commercial<BR>Martinique - hopeless if you are not French speaking, nice if you are<BR>St Lucia - bad beaches, not great food, islanders can be hostile<BR>St Martin - Great destination, but perhaps not for a honeymoon. More about shopping (Dutch side) and eating (French side)<BR>Consider adding Antigua (eg Blue Waters or Galley Bay) and Grenada (all round fabulous island, plus access to the Grenadines) or the BVIs.

Mary

Kristi: Just another note, I found no, zero, zilch beggars in the north part of the island which is where the majority of the restaurants, resorts, and bars and night clubs are (yes, there are several). However, like I mentioned before, the beaches certainly aren't the best in the Caribbean. <BR><BR>Some people will tell you the landscape is flat in the north. Compared to the south, yes, but definitely not flat. <BR><BR>For what it's worth, our first trip to the island we stayed in the north and loved it (still a bit disappointed with the beaches and water though). Our second trip we stayed in the south and didn't enjoy it quite as much.

Julie

HI Mary and Kristi,<BR><BR>I stayed in the North part of the island in St. Lucia (the Hyatt which is now the new Sandals)<BR><BR>Just to let you know we did encounter begging in the North part... young child jumping off the pier in front of teh hotel were constantly begging we throw them money to dive for and durring a walk on the beach we were confronted by a man who seemed harmless enough but became very unfriendly when we did not want to pay him for this bird he had caraved "for us" out of coconut while walking on the beach we eventually gave him $25 EC (after he refused $5 and saw I had more money in my wallet.. as soon as we paid him 3/4 other people immedialty approached us with offers of other trinkets, ganja, being a tour guide ect... I was very upset by this experience and did not walk out on the beach again <BR><BR>This may have been an isolated incident, but I did not feel safe