ginnyfrye and anguilla girl
I have to take exception with what you said about SXM. While the island may not be for you, please be accurate in your descriptions.
The food on SXM is some of the best in the Caribbean and I have been to all the islands. so to say the food is mediocre is just plain not true. SXM has gourmet restaurants on a par with the best restaurants in NYC.
you say that GC had a roasted chicken place on the beach road that had great chicken and sides for very little money.
Have you ever eaten at the lo lo's in grand case on SXM? the best local fish, chicken and rib places for maybe $6.00!
Also to say the developed areas were seedy and dirty is also not accurate. Sure there is seediness and dirt as on many Caribbean islands but many developed areas are quite lovely and modern and clean.
I could go on and on.You clearly prefer GC which is fine but what is not fine is inaccurate statements about SXM or any other island and painting a picture that is all one sided.
I believe these message boards are for posting information and facts, not for bashing paces.

OK my two cents worth here. I've not been to GC but have been to SXM almost every year for the last 24 or so. I've seen it grow and expand and that is not all for the best, that's for sure, as it has made for a much more frenzied atmosphere. But I can tell you this: you will get alot of bang for your buck in SXM. I can also tell you that you will find better food on no other island in the caribbean. If you are into good restaurants and fine dining, you will have hit pay dirt in SXM. Also, if you want laid back, then please take my suggestion and rent yourself a villa. The Terres Basse section on the French side TEEMS with wonderful, affordable and private villas (can actually be less than the per night cost of a nice hotel) that will give you a full kitchen, your own pool and complete peace and quiet. In TB you will be right next to the town of Marigot and can enjoy top notch dinners right along the marina and some nice shopping there too. If you want action there is gambling all over Front St. and the best shopping for jewelry, perfumes and linens, probably the best deals in the caribbean. The beaches are either quiet and lazy or jammin' like the ones over on Orient Beach. You can have it your way--full of action or quiet and laid back. Also, just for fun, you can sail or fly over to St. Bart's for a day trip--and experience all that wonderful gem of an island has to offer-or take a water taxi over to some of the little islands for snorkling, all of about a 5 minute boat ride. There are so many wonderful water sports everywhere too. If you want any more info about SXM I'll be glad to help you out with any suggestions or question. Write [email protected]. We will be on SXM for 3 nights, Nov. 6 to 9th this year - then over to St. Bart's for another 5 nights. Just talking about it has my heart thumping--can't wait.

Barbara1 I couldn't agree more. This person named Ginny must have been eating in the KFC if she thinks the food on SXM is mediocre. That is just plain WRONG. And 'seedy' shopping? Where was she, on Back Street?? In Marigot, there are fine shops and the jewelry shops are hardly seedy. I agree wholeheartedly with your take and also resent anyone bashing SXM. If you only go there for a few days and not experience the entire island, then you cannot speak from experience. There are the haves and the have-nots on SXM just like most of the other islands that are not super wealthy. But then, be prepared to pay BIG and HUGE.

Thanks Lorrie
I just can't stand totally bashing any place. if you don't like it, fine, but don't just totally put it down and post inaccurate statements.

I'd take GC over SXM--we just returned from GC and we travel thru SXM enroute to Anguilla every yr. I understand that many people like SXM and a lot depends on what you prefer. Both of these islands are very busy but SXM, in my opinion, is one of the busiest in the Carib. I have also read postings about muggings in SXM--look thru archives. GC is safer and 7-mile beach is truly fantastic. If you're going to GC, one way to keep costs down is to stay in a condo directly on 7-mile--that's what we did. We ate 1 meal in and 2 out. Places like Eats, right on 7-mile offers good food and the price is right. Also Calypso, need car, is relatively inexpensive and very good. Hope you enjoy your vacation!!

You're welcome, Barbara. I can't wait to go back again, it's a different place, every time we go. Things change over time (over building, higher prices) but it has everything we go away on a caribbean vacation for: great beaches, great food, wonderful weather and excellent shopping. We tried St. Thomas last year and though it is popular with so many, for us it was like a trip to Florida. Not at all rustic or exotic, in our opinion. In fact, we've done a whole lot of caribbean vacationing, and hands down, the combination of St. Martin and St. Bart's is the winner.

I have been to St Maarten 3 times most recently april 2007. I spent 10 nights in Grand Cayman this past June (needed to utilize my newly obtained SCUBA certificaton (fantastic diving to be had). I find St Maarten to have more nightlife, and to be less expensive, and you drive as you do in the US (no side of road changes). Grand Cayman is more expensive but being a "water baby" there is more to do (i.e. beaches are nicer and there are off shore reefs to snorkel or DIVE). In Grand Cayman we stayed at the Turtle Nest Inn in a one bedroom apartment with a kitchen and a pool side grill. The Inn is wonderful and 4 doors down you can have a wonderful, authentic inexpensive meal at Sea Side Paradise, it is new and a locals favorite. That said I do love the Horney Toad Inn in Simpson Bay St Marrten and Lee's Roadside for the best Grilled MAHI ever!. Good Luck choosing.

Emnal50: We went to GC in April '06 and St. Martin (not St. Maarten)in March '08 (both Easter week, therefore high season).

To be upfront, we much prefer islands that have little development and no crowds. Our trips to CG and SM were enjoyable but those 2 islands were not our favorites due to our preferences. We did however like GC more. Compared to SM, some areas felt less crowded/busy, and the beaches were much nicer.

To answer your specific wants, here's my personal opinion:
-Great beaches: GC wins hands down.
-Shopping: We don't shop on vacation so I can't help you there.. but from
everything I've read SM would win hands down.
-Food without breaking the bank: Both islands have LOTS of restaurants in all price range. We do look for places that are known for good food so we don't necessarily look for the cheapest places to eat. We stayed in St. Martin (not St. Maarten) so the crappy U.S. dollar was not helpful. We did try one of the famous Lolos and our ribs and chicken meal were really good and it was just $13! You can always go grocery shopping and make your own breakfast and/or sandwiches for lunch.

St. Martin report:
http://www.nbptravel.com/StMartin.html

Grand Cayman report:
http://www.nbptravel.com/GrandCayman.html

I 100% agree with Callaloo's last paragraph. Good luck deciding.

Alot of great info for you, emnal50. You undoubtedly are going to have to hit both these places in your lifetime and then get back to us as to which YOU liked best.

By the way, there has been talk about crime on SXM for years and years. Some true, some fable, and safety practices should prevail anywhere you go. In all the years we've gone to SXM we've never encountered any kind of problem and enjoy the island fully. I do not think that SXM is the most upscale of islands, but as I said, you can rent villas that are modest and some outrageous and pricey in very expensive neighborhoods there. We like the first leg of our trips to be to SXM for the frenetic and hardcore shopping, then onto St. Bart's for the quiet, relaxing, upscale villa experience. Divi has a very good reputation in SXM by the way and you probably won't be disappointed for the moderate price it is. I agree with the poster who says that you need to decide what amenities are important to you on vacation. That is why, if feasible, you might want to island hop to get the flavor of more than one. Somewhere in your traveling plans, do investigate the private villa route because once you do, you won't go back to a hotel room ever again. Good luck!

We've been to St Martin three times and we loved it each time. They have amazing restaurants and fun unique beaches. You might want to check out the site traveltalkonline.com for detailed information on St Martin since they specialize in St Martin. From what I've read some people have reported having serious safety issues in St Martin. That is something you should consider before making your decision.

For what it's worth, when we went there in March 2008 we didn't have any safety issues. We rented car and drove a little at night for dinner. We were purposefully cautious and probably a little lucky at times.

I've been to St. Martin several times as I visit Anguilla quite a bit and have to say that it is not my favorite destination and will agree with AnguillaGirl's comments:

"We find St. Martin to be too fast paced. There is traffic everywhere and just crazy drivers. It's not that clean and the last time we were there the people weren't very nice".

I've never been to the Cayman Islands so can't do the comparison, but in general other than a day trip I won't spend more than a day on St. Martin. Also, most Caribbean Islands are expensive.

Good luck making your choice!

jdc

Grand Cayman-try to get a condo and cook breakfast and lunch in the room.
I've been to St Martin once-that was enough. Cayman-15 times and counting!!! I vote GCM