mamamo

Just got back from a awesome stay at FS Nevis last November. Friendliest people ever- we will go back for sure. Thanks Roamsaround and all the others for your help. PS good call on the sugar mill at Montpelier.

Trying to plan our next trip for next November or the week after Thanksgiving- about 6 nights.
For budget--- planning on using points/miles so looking for a 4/5star.

Definately like the full service luxury resort with amentities. Loved the layout of FS in Nevis and Ritz Virgins---lots of areas for go for runs in the mornings. Golf course in Nevis was amazing to run. Like the various buildings vs one free standing high rise hotel.
We have been to USVI and BVI, Nevis, Turks, Caymans, Bermuda, Abacos, Mexico both sides and Hawaii.

Really want a new island/resort so if anyone has any suggestions would love them. Flat or mountain ok.

This will be a relaxing vacations away from kids so want the following:
-a nice beach and full pool/beach service
-spa
-running trails would be nice
-good food (will probably eat at hotel mostly) but want the ability to be able to go out a few nights or maybe a lunch or two. For example in Nevis it was nice b/c we could walk down and have lunch at Lime, Sunshine, etc.
-will not be renting a car so will taxi
-sailboat excursion
-snorkling/scuba (I know Nevis was not known for snorkle compared to some of the other places we have been but we found that sail caona trip over to Shitten Bay in St. Kitts still fun and we saw some things we had not seen before).
-some nightlife or fun beach bars
-fly in on jet (hate lil prop planes)

Some new islands that peaked an interest Anguilla/St Martin (beach for me in Anguilla and a little more nightlife for hubbie in St. Martin), Barbados ?, Antigua (but not interested in all inclusive as we like to eat out on the island), Puerto Rico. Anything else?

I know there are some direct flights from Chicago to St. Thomas and Puerto Rico that time of year so that is somewhat apealing but not a deal breaker. Since we stayed at the Ritz before St. Thomas we could look at St. John (although not interested in Caneel- need to be WIFI connected and want a tv in the room). Westin maybe but anyone been there recently? Rooms look run down?



Thanks for your help.
Mamamo

RoamsAround

Check out Cuisinart on Anguilla - it's a little difficult to get to the island (fly into St. Martin then go by ferry to Anguilla) but worth it for the island's 35 beaches and 80+ restaurants (some among the best in the Caribbean).

Look at Sandy Lane in Barbados - very upscale resort with access to some good golf.

On Antigua look at Carlisle Bay, Curtain Bluff or Galley Bay. If you want a more private environment look at Jumby Bay.

Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda is one of my favorite high-end resorts. It's only a 10 minute or so walk from the resort entrance to Spanish town so it may fit your needs.

mamamo

RoamsAround, thanks for your reply. I am assuming Anguilla will be like it was to get to Nevis. What is that St. Martin/Anguilla crossing like? Waters like St. Kitts to Nevis. One way was sort of rough when we went and the other was less choppy so I know it depends on the day.

I looked at Cuisinart looks nice. Any thoughts on Cap Juluca or Viceroy? Seems there is controversy about Cap with management?? Any other properties to consider?? Is one location better than the other?

Sandy Lane and Jumby Bay out of budget range with points.
Need to look at the other Antigua resorts.

Any nice resorts on St. Martin?? Prices at La Samanna are super high. Is there a website to book a deal at La Samanna?
Would you split up the trip- a few days St. Martin and a few days on Anguilla.

Based on the places we have been do you think St. Martin/Anguilla would be a nice option? Just don't want to be dissapointed after having three fabulous trips to Nevis, Virgins, and Turks. If you have any other islands suggestions please let me know. PR??? Have you been to Westin St. John???

Little Dix looks amazing but I think that is just going to be too far and not crazy about a little plane or a long ferry to get there.

Thanks

RoamsAround

Crossing between St. Martin and Anguilla is usually calm but can be "wavy" as you are dealing with Mother Nature, certainy no worse than between St. Kitts & Nevis- take only 20 minutes.

I didn't suggest Cap Juluca since they are having some "issues" but it is on one of the islands best beaches. I've not stayed at Viceroy so I can't really comment other than to say it seems to get good reviews.

We had a bad experience (poor service, mediocre food) at La Sammana so I'd never go back. Personally, I would not split my stay between the two islands but rather just stay on Anguilla and go to SXM for a day trip.

You'd probably really like Anguilla (IMO it's much better than Provo in the T&C's) and find SXM a bit too crowded - like I said go there just for a day trip.

On St. John I stay at Caneel Bay - I've not heard anything real good about the Westin and it is simply not my style of resort.

Hope this helps.

Hope this helps.

mamamo

RoamsAround, thanks.
Great to hear on crossing.
Leaving out Cap, what are the top resorts on Anguilla?
I have Cuisanart which you suggested and Viceroy. Anything else I should look at. Fragipani? Is one in a better area than the other? Are there two Cuisanart resorts? Two locations came up on google. Just want to make sure hotel isn't in one part and beach another location.

I agree on SXM but I know hubbie will want to also stay on SXM. Other than La Samanna are there any luxury resorts on SXM? Unless I am missing one, nothing is poping out. Radisson seems off the beaten path and Grand Case Beach Club seems like a nice area but just ok. If you have any ideas for places to look SXM please share.

Is there any snorkling on SXM or Anguilla? I am ok with something like a Shitten Bay in St. Kitts. Doesn't have to be a Cayman, Virgin Is, or Turks but just wanted to hear if it exists and where. Is it a boat ride? How long, rough, etc?
Prickley Pear is that a place?

What is it about the Westin St. John that is not your style?
Just curious???

Thanks for your help!!!!!!!!

RoamsAround

Now that Malliouhana is closed the top resorts on Anguilla are Viceroy, Cuisinart andthe questionable Cap Juluca. Frangipani is a distant 4th. Nothing else comes anywhere close.

There's only one Cusinart Resort. Not sure what you mean about "two locations on google". My Google Map shows one location, on Rendezvous Bay, just east of the golf course.

One "area" is not necessarily better than the others, they are just different - sorry but that's like asking which is the better steak Rib-eye, NY Strip or Filet Mignon - they all have their advantages.

Other than La Samanna there are no true "luxury resorts" on St. Martin. If you don't want to stay there look at places around Grand Case - it's a terrific little village with plenty of "walk to" restaurants. If it were me and I was going only for a few days I give up the quest for luxury and pick something in Grand Case. For what it is worth, we (and many of our friends) go to St. Martin a couple of times a year just for shopping - we usually stay either for the day or only one night before returning back to our island. The last time we went for an extended visit (10 days) we stayed at La Samanna and won't go back there - it was way overpriced for what we got.

Best "walk-in" snorkeling on Anguilla can be found on Shoal Bay and Little Bay. There's some OK snorkeling on Savanna Bay and around Silly Cay (but you won't be writing home about the snorkeling here). Also consider Prickley Pear, a short boat ride from Anguilla and a bit longer from SXM. You can do day trips to Prickley Pear from either island. It's about an hour sail from SXM and perhaps 20 to 30 minutes from AXA. FYI - it's a full day trip (lunch included) from SXM. From AXA they offer half-day and full-day excursions. The crossing is usually not rough.

I've never been in a Westin Hotel that I've liked. The one on St. John gets very mixed reviews, the beach is not the greatest - check the website you won't see any close-up photos of the beach - makes you wonder why???. Water is sometimes murky and there's lots of boats moored off-shore which is a bit of a put-off.

mamamo

Thank you, Thank you!!!!!
I found the resort now- thanks.
Which Shoal Bay for snorkle close to Cuisinart or other end of island?
To stay in Grand Case what is best place? Grand Case Beach Club??
Great to hear crossings are not that rough. I hear St. Barts is really rough, am I correct? I think we will skip it.

My concern about Westin was being dissapointed after staying at Ritz and sounds like I may be right. Makes sense.

Finally,assuming we fly into SXM 3ish and go straight to Anguilla is the public ferry out of Marigot the easiest and less rough? How far from airport/taxi cost to get there? Or... do we arrange via Viceroy/Cuisanart? It was a seamless operation that FS boat from St. Kitts so just wondering how all that works. We will then take it back to SXM, go to hotel for a night or two before flying out. Are taxi's at both locations readily available or do we prearrange? Any guidance on that process would be awesome!!!
PS Where are you favorite destinations besides the amazing Nevis?????

Thanks again.

RoamsAround

Shaol Bay est for snorkeling - it's the one on the opposite side of the island.

Yes, crossing to St. Bart's can be rough as you cross "open water" - the ferry is dubbed "the Vomit Comet" and the name is well deserved. don't discount a day trip to St. bart's though. You can easily fly (10 minute flight) out of Grand case airport.

In Grand Case we stay at hotel L'Esplanade. grand case beach club id OK too.

All passenger ferry crossings from SXM to AXA cross the same water and on any given day will have same type of ride experience. IT is NOT a particularly rough ride it's generally much smoother than between St. kitts and Nevis. Simply take a taxi from airport to Marigot to catch ferry to AXA.

Yes, you can arrange for "private transfer" through your hotel or using a "water taxi service" - trip is a little longer as you leave from a dock near the airport that's much further from AXA - boat is smaller so ride will be slightly bumpier.

Go to these websites to review your options or do a google search "Getting to Anguilla from St. Martin" - you'll find lots of info and links:

http://net.ai

http://ivisitanguilla.com/by-sea/

There will be plenty of taxis waiting at the airport in SXM and the ferry docks in both SXM and AXA.

To answer your last question - in the Caribbean other than Nevis (where we live) we very much like Virgin Gorda, Anguilla, and St. Bart's (visit all three often). Outside of the Caribbean we absolutely loved New Zealand, adored Paris, found Australia fascinating, were amazed in Rome & Tuscany, impressed by Singapore, liked Norway for the scenery, enjoyed Iceland, Ireland and Scotland, and had a ball exploring the Galapagos. Truth is we've been all over the world and there are very few places we've disliked.

RoamsAround

Oops! That first sentence should read "Shoal Bay East"..."

mamamo

RoamsAround, Thanks. Wow! You have been to some awesome places.
Great info and Websites too.
Looks like rates are comparable at Viceroy and Cuisanart. Cuisanart is a little higher but has a full american breakfast.
Are you able to share any pros/cons to each?
In my reading it seems that there are places within walking distance to Viceroy (supermarket, beach restaurants for lunch, etc).

You mention snorkle is nothing to write home about? Is it like St. Kitts (shitten bay) in terms of what you see and clarity or is it better than that but not as great as Caymans, Turks, Virgins, etc. Just trying to understand. Scuba same thing I assume? Is Prickly Pear a fun excursion?

Thank again for info on ferry. yea, I think a bigger boat and shorter ride sounds better. Thanks. I read somewhere that there is going to be a new access at SXM. Did you factor that in or is that something that is going to be new in 2013 and I should get more details as it gets closer.
Wasn't sure if that new option still meant a longer boat ride and a smaller boat.

Appreciate the help. Thx for hotel info on SXM too. I'll look at Grand Case.

RoamsAround

Again, I've not stayed at Viceroy so I can't compare it with Cuisinart.

In my experience, nothing on Anguilla is within walking distance of anything else. While this may be a bit of an exaggeration you'll really need transportation (I recommend you budget for a rental car as taxis are expensive) to get around the island.

You misunderstood - snorkeling around Silly Cay is "nothing to write home about". The snorkeling reef at Shoal bay is actually pretty good - much better than Shitten Bay.

Sorry, I can only give you general information on getting between SXM and AXA by ferry - I usually fly into Anguilla. Hint, once you decide on your hotel and it gets a little closer to your travel date contact the hotel and ask them about your options for travelling between islands - they will know the "best" way.

mamamo

Ok thanks so much.
Great to hear about Shoal Bay too.
Appreciate all the info.
I will probably reach out to see if anyone has stayed at both.
Happy Travels!!!!