I simply cannot decide
Oct 4th, 2006, 06:29 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I simply cannot decide
5th anniversary first of December. My dream is to either go to Turks and Caicos or Anguilla. I can't make a decision. Both islands seem similar, i.e., beautiful beaches, yet arid and scrubby, fine dining yet Anguilla maybe be a bit more refined. I don't want to be isolated, but I want us to have a good time. In Turks, I think we would stay at the royal west indies. If we decide on Anguilla, we would stay at Rendezvous or Carimar. I would even consider Cuisinart or Cap Jaluca and spend more, however we want a kitchenette at least. I have been to la republica dominicana, Jamaica, Cancun, and Puerto Rico just to give you an idea. We are 30 somethings and want this trip to be special.
Oct 4th, 2006, 07:29 PM
#2
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can only comment on Turks as I have not been to Anguilla, though I have heard it is beautiful.
Turks was by far the nicest place we had been when we went a few years back. I have been to Dominican: hated it, Jamaica: not bad but we were at a Sandals resort, and to Cancun: not my idea of classy vacationing. Based on the places you have been, Turks would in my opinion be a pleasant experience.
Having said all of that, I have also heard great things of Cap Jaluca.
Tough choice to make. Any questions, let me know. Good luck!
Turks was by far the nicest place we had been when we went a few years back. I have been to Dominican: hated it, Jamaica: not bad but we were at a Sandals resort, and to Cancun: not my idea of classy vacationing. Based on the places you have been, Turks would in my opinion be a pleasant experience.
Having said all of that, I have also heard great things of Cap Jaluca.
Tough choice to make. Any questions, let me know. Good luck!
Oct 4th, 2006, 08:18 PM
#3
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We've been to many places, and Cap Juluca is our favorite. Even when full, it seems like you are the only ones there, and the beach was beyond belief. We have not yet been to Turks, but are actually right now planning a trip there for next March. Cap doesn't have the kitchenette, but it certainly would be special. Rooms were great, food was very good (although there are so many great restaurants on Anguilla so you shouldn't limit yourself to the hotel). We loved everything about it, and just spending our days on that beach with virtually no one else in sight was simply the best.
Oct 4th, 2006, 09:16 PM
#4
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Funny... last year I had the same problem - I was considering both. We decided on Turks because the fact that we LOVE to snorkel and it's wonderful in T&C. I've heard that it's almost non-existent in Anguilla. Most of our vacations are geared around how good the snorkeling is - we went to Cayman the year before that. We enjoyed T&C so much that we are going back next year. We still might try Anguilla some day because it does sound wonderful. I hear they have great restaurants!!
Oct 5th, 2006, 05:28 AM
#5
Tough call.
Both have stunning beaches, although a slight edge to T&C.
Anguilla has better restaurants, although T&C's are great.
T&C has better snorkeling.
Anguilla has cool island hopping for different feels, to St. Martin and St. Barts and Saba.
T&C has cool little "gilligan island" experiences.
Anguilla has gorgeous very upscale resorts, no kitchens or kitchenettes. T&C is more condo style treated as resorts.
No shopping at all in Anguilla-have to go over to St. Martin for that. A little shopping in T&C, not much, but more than Anguilla.
Anguilla has a more "caribbean " vibe, T&C has a more American vibe.
Both are romantic, although Anguilla wins this one.
Both are upscale, some of the most in the Caribbean (okay, St. Barts too) although Anguilla wins this one.
T&C has more water sports and water excursions, Anguilla is more relaxing. (Motor sports are not allowed.)
RWI in T&C is a terrific "bang for the buck" place. In Anguilla, Cuisinart is your best bet. While lesser places there are fine, part of Anguilla is the upscale feeling.
Both have a construction boom. RWI is fairly safe from construction around it, Cuisinart is fairly safe too.
Neither have much to do, although T&C has the edge, with excursions, and Chaulk Sound, and Conch Farm.
Both require cars to see the sights, both you drive on the left, but both are easy to get around. Anguilla you have to have a car, nothing is walkable. T&C is a little more walk friendly.
I'm happy at both!
Both have stunning beaches, although a slight edge to T&C.
Anguilla has better restaurants, although T&C's are great.
T&C has better snorkeling.
Anguilla has cool island hopping for different feels, to St. Martin and St. Barts and Saba.
T&C has cool little "gilligan island" experiences.
Anguilla has gorgeous very upscale resorts, no kitchens or kitchenettes. T&C is more condo style treated as resorts.
No shopping at all in Anguilla-have to go over to St. Martin for that. A little shopping in T&C, not much, but more than Anguilla.
Anguilla has a more "caribbean " vibe, T&C has a more American vibe.
Both are romantic, although Anguilla wins this one.
Both are upscale, some of the most in the Caribbean (okay, St. Barts too) although Anguilla wins this one.
T&C has more water sports and water excursions, Anguilla is more relaxing. (Motor sports are not allowed.)
RWI in T&C is a terrific "bang for the buck" place. In Anguilla, Cuisinart is your best bet. While lesser places there are fine, part of Anguilla is the upscale feeling.
Both have a construction boom. RWI is fairly safe from construction around it, Cuisinart is fairly safe too.
Neither have much to do, although T&C has the edge, with excursions, and Chaulk Sound, and Conch Farm.
Both require cars to see the sights, both you drive on the left, but both are easy to get around. Anguilla you have to have a car, nothing is walkable. T&C is a little more walk friendly.
I'm happy at both!
Oct 5th, 2006, 06:57 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been to both. Since Anguilla was my first caribbean destination I might be a bit biased. Both have great beaches. Grace Bay on T&C is 12 miles long and beautiful. There are some other beaches to explore including Sapodilla, Malcom etc. Anguilla's beaches are all spead out. We explored a new beach on Anguilla every day. The restaurants on Anguilla are fabulous. T&C has nice ones also but I think Anguilla's are a bit better (and more choices). Since Grace Bay is so long thats where all the hotels are kinda one after the other (though not close together at all). Many of Anguilla's hotels are spread out on different beaches. Though I enjoyed T&C and would go back, I don't think it can beat Anguilla. However if you are looking for condo style units T&C is your best bet. You can't go wrong with either. Hope this helps.
Oct 5th, 2006, 11:06 AM
#7
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have also been to both...back to back years. I would have to give the edge to Anguilla. We just loved it there.
In T&C - We stayed at the RWI - location is good; rooms are very utilitarian (kitchenettes, laundry facilities, beds and linens not so comfortable). We would go back to this island, but we aren't rushing back. The beaches are the some of the best, but we had some very windy days there with blasting sand (November).
Anguilla - We stayed at CuisanArt and would definitely go back. While there is no kitchenette, there is a small fridge with items "for pay" but there is enough room to put some bottled water and left overs from dinner or lunch, or other small grocery items. We did not miss the laundry or kitchenette in favor of the fabulous bed, bath and balcony at CuisanArt.
The things other posters have said about the two islands are true. I will add that RWI and T&C in general are probably less expensive than Anguilla. Both resorts are child-friendly, but the condo-style resorts on T&C really cater to families. That might be something to keep in mind for an anniversary trip.
In T&C - We stayed at the RWI - location is good; rooms are very utilitarian (kitchenettes, laundry facilities, beds and linens not so comfortable). We would go back to this island, but we aren't rushing back. The beaches are the some of the best, but we had some very windy days there with blasting sand (November).
Anguilla - We stayed at CuisanArt and would definitely go back. While there is no kitchenette, there is a small fridge with items "for pay" but there is enough room to put some bottled water and left overs from dinner or lunch, or other small grocery items. We did not miss the laundry or kitchenette in favor of the fabulous bed, bath and balcony at CuisanArt.
The things other posters have said about the two islands are true. I will add that RWI and T&C in general are probably less expensive than Anguilla. Both resorts are child-friendly, but the condo-style resorts on T&C really cater to families. That might be something to keep in mind for an anniversary trip.
Oct 6th, 2006, 02:28 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have been to both 20+ times and I totally agree with Blamonas post.On Anguilla Rendezvous Bay is completing a renovation of I believe the original rooms and will be open mid Nov. Dpon't think those rooms have kitchenettes so you would want to stay in a villa. Carimar is very nice and if I stayed there would ask for a suite in units one or six which are beachfront. Downside--no restaurant or pool. I would look at Ku' at Shoal Bay East. Recently renovated and very nice. The beach has a little more activity with beach bars etc. Not a lot of daytime activities but you can take sailing/snorkel trips. Anguilla is more active at night than Provo. you can always find a band playing somewhere especially on weekends.
Provo is a little easier to fly to than Anguilla. Cheapest way for Anguilla is to St Martin and take a ferry. On the whole Anguilla restaurants are a litle better but Provo has some excellent ones. Anguilla has about 32 beaches to explore but Grace Bay on Provo is my favorite. You might check into Somerset on Provo which is new and getting good reviews. They might have some grand opening promos. Also go to www.luxurylink.com where there are some auction packages for Anguilla and Provo resorts. We won one for Ku' and are going early Dec. www.wherewhenhow.com is a good source of Provo info. Also check out www.anguillaforum.com
Provo is a little easier to fly to than Anguilla. Cheapest way for Anguilla is to St Martin and take a ferry. On the whole Anguilla restaurants are a litle better but Provo has some excellent ones. Anguilla has about 32 beaches to explore but Grace Bay on Provo is my favorite. You might check into Somerset on Provo which is new and getting good reviews. They might have some grand opening promos. Also go to www.luxurylink.com where there are some auction packages for Anguilla and Provo resorts. We won one for Ku' and are going early Dec. www.wherewhenhow.com is a good source of Provo info. Also check out www.anguillaforum.com
Oct 9th, 2006, 07:40 AM
#10
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with Snubes. Anguilla is a fabulous place and if you have the opportunity to go, you should. Anguilla has a lot more to offer restaurant wise and accommodation wise than Turks and Caicos. I also like the fact that you can take a day trip to St.Martin for a change of pace.
