Joaniejd: Caneel Bay on St. John always comes to mind when one mentions most of your criteria and it is in the $700-800/night range. The vibe there, I have heard is similar to St. Bart's, don't know for a fact since I've only been to St. John. Caneel Bay has done some significant renovations of late and I think you may be able to get your CNN and a fabulous bathroom (if not marble) too. Check out their website. I hope you haven't been dismayed or too offended by some of the comments raised by your post. Everyone has different standards and experiences. Variety is beautiful. Progress is miraculous. When I was a kid, we were taught to watch what we ordered at McDonald's because it cost money, and that was when we were lucky enough to go. Now that a $250/pp dinner is not uncommon, I am not going to apologize for the ability or the good fortune. We worked hard and sacrificed, and were lucky enough to have it pay off. I am still pretty frugal, but open to that occasional splurge. I smile when I think of those salad days and thank heaven for what I have. And I'm still cheap!!! HAHAHA! It's more economical for me to build my dream house in paradise than to pay some other "jamoc" (sp?) $700-800/per night.

Tuxedocat,

Wise and thoughtful words from a wise and thoughtful woman !

I'm not sure about "jamoc", I might have put a *k* on the end ;-) My dictionary is probably older than yours, but I'll check !

Marion

It's "jamoke". It's considered "slang". The origin goes back to WWI !

I love language, and those words we might have heard as children, but still remember.

In this *techno* generation we need to remember our words and use them

My Grandmother was never angry and certainly never mad (that was for dogs ), but she was often "cross" with someone. It's a word I still try to use when searching for a resolution !

Marion

My idea of vacation is to get away fromm CNN and the TV. I don't want any sensory input other than to hear the treefrogs at night, feel the sun and salt spray on my face when sailing and to watch the dolphins play. A good nights sleep listening to the sea as the tide comes in and the touch of cool soft breezes from the Tradewinds thru the open window of my room. I want to experience the culture and the people, watch the children play in the school yards or be a part of jump up during Carnival, attend a candle light peace march before the lighting of St.Vincent's Christmas tree and the voices of children singing carols.
To each his own but the thought of spending vacation as joaniejd posted Yuck.

Didn't see One and Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas mentioned; seems absolutely gorgeous.

Sabine

Wow!! Is it me, or are people getting a little testy over nothing?

Maybe I just don't offend very easy. Working with the public for most your life will do that to you.

If Joan has the $$, why should we care how she spends it?

I think it's more offensive to judge someone for how (they) wish to spend their money!!

C'mon folks, ease up. I thought this site was to help, not criticize. Sheesh!!

Joan, hope you enjoy your vacation....

Personally I don't see the big deal. The only thing Joan did was say what she wanted. Good for you! Please post as I am curious what you decide.

I am in the same boat you are. I think the Ocean Club would be the place for me as it has everything you would imagine (and it looks like more but I can ascertain from the clientele that you would be happy). The problem is that I am looking at mid-Dec and it's too cold still so I have not been.

Sorry Fodorites. Don't write comments about Joan. She's just being truthful. Keep your comments to yourselves. That is not why we are gathered here.

Newyorkergal,

I agree with you about Joan's post. Please see my comments in this thread.

However, you lost me in your last paragraph. If we are to keep our comments to ourselves, then there is no "forum" and why, indeed, are we gathered here ?

Marion

Try LeToiny on St. Barth's. We had the opportunity to spend a night there in 1999 and it is as chic as it gets in the Caribbean. It'll set you back roughly $750-$1200 per night, but you only live once, right? And Marion, you thought all I was about was fava beans and Chianti....

The following is Fodor's review:
When perfection is more important than price, choose Le Toiny's romantic villas with mahogany furniture, yards of colored toile, and private pools. Rooms have every convenience of home: lush bathrooms, fully-equipped kitchenettes, and either a stair-stepper or stationary bike. High-tech amenities in each suite include two satellite TVs, a VCR, stereo, a DVD player, CD player, and fax, and Bang & Olufsen phones. Sunday brunch and haute cuisine can be had at the alfresco Le Gaiac, overlooking the Italian-tile pool to the ocean beyond. Two new luxury suites have flat screen TVs and other electronic marvels. Summer packages are popular for honeymooners. www.letoiny.com. 15 1-bedroom villas, 1 3-bedroom villa, 1 cottage. Restaurant, in-room fax, in-room safes, minibars, cable TV, in-room VCRs, pool, exercise equipment, bar, laundry service. AE, DC, MC, V. Sept.-late Oct. Continental breakfast.

Caribbean Soul,

How nice to have you posting again Your contributions have been missed here.

Ah...I have always known that you are a well travelled man with an enviable wine cellar, whether it includes Chianti or not. Beans will always be beans...some preparations better than others.

Marion

Vinceygirl, you're the only person other than myself I've seen post about the tree frogs. Aren't they wonderful? For those not familiar, the little creatures are plentiful in the southeastern Caribbean. Their mating calls take over when the birds quit at sunset. They serenade you all night with a crystal clear bell-like sound which is prettier than most birds.

ken,
It may sound silly, but one of our very favorite things about the Caribbean is those frogs.

The very first time we ever heard them, we didn't know what they were, and now we know we are "at home" in the Caribbean as soon as we hear our first one.

There have been so many moonlight after-dinner strolls accompanied by our singing frog friends. Strangely enough, when Grenada's PM was broadcasting last year about the state of the country after Ivan, you could hear the frogs chirruping in the background.

One of life's simple pleasures...

xkenx, Sounds like you too have experienced the Caribbean. There is so much more to enjoy. joaniejd isn't wrong for her requests. We all travel for different reasons. I like to escape and leave the worries of the world behind. You won't find me toting a PC, portable DVD player or expecting an Internet connection in my room. No TV means more time to spend meeting people, walking the beach or swimming or reading. To each his own.
xkenx have you spent much time in the Southeastern Caribbean? Obviously one of my favorite places.
joaniejd you might want to look into Raffles on Canouan, one of Donald Trump's properties. He's into marble bathrooms and such. If you've ever stayed at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City you'll know what I mean.

Ha ha vinceygirl, a woman after my own heart. gt;

We look for places with no TV, no cell phone reception, no phones in the room, and no one sitting around the pool with a portable office going full speed - typing on their laptops and Blackberrys and talking on the cell phone all at the same time! (WHO is that important anyway that their company will collapse without them for a week or so?)

I completely understand that different people travel for different reasons, and that is their business and my choices are not better than anyone else's.

My opinion is that the Caribbean has SOO much more to offer than beautiful beaches and crystal waters, and vinceygirl did a great job of summing up what I love so much about the region and what makes a vacation great for me.

One of my absolute favorite memories is having two little children on Nevis wave our rental car down to get a ride to school.

The little boy was about 7, and neatly dressed in a brown uniform with a shirt and tie. His sister was no more than five, and was wearing a pink gingham pinafore dress, white blouse, lacey anklets and mary janes, and had matching pink gingham ribbons in her hair.

The trust with which those two little children got into our car and rode to school made me realize why we travel to the region year after year - the innocence, and the true kindness of the people of the Caribbean. They realize what is important in life, and I have learned a lot of lessons from them in going there.

People who travel to the region sometimes come back and say how "poor" the people are. Not true - they have riches many of us will never know. They understand the importance of family and being thankful for what they DO have.

They are friendly and smiling for a reason, mon.

Diana,

Beautifully descriptive thoughts, as always

I have a vivd picture of the two children in my mind. I remember well, pinafores, and lacey anklets.

When our morning news often begins with the abduction of another innocent child, it's nice to think about a place where trust and respect are more important than monetary riches.

Thanks

Marion

Newyorkergal-
I was planning to go to Ocean Club in December as well, but my travel agent told me they're completely booked! Did you contact them directly, or go through a travel agent? If an agent got you in, could you give me their name? ; )

Sabine

Where has joaniejd gone? D***it, folks! We've scared off another one. Now we won't get to live vicariously off of her trip report to a posh resort. All of you who made negative comments must now atone by going to a posh resort in the Caribbean and return with a trip report!

tux, have your girl get in touch with my girl and we'll do lunch to discuss where we want to go.

I'm leaning toward renting Necker Island just for the two of us to get away. Would you rather take my turbo helicopter or your Lear? What do you think?

(btw, I am guessing you have a tuxedo cat? or do you just like formal wear?) Either one is good imho...

Thanks Marion!

"When our morning news often begins with the abduction of another innocent child, it's nice to think about a place where trust and respect are more important than monetary riches."

That is so true. I am glad I have gotten to a point in my life where I understand that to be the case.

As life gets more complex, those places will be harder and harder to find, unfortunately.

Diana, so well put and it's nice toknow others out there appreciate what it's all about. I dread the time when that innocence is gone and believe me it is coming much too quickly. My budget would allow something more expensive than where I choose to stay when visiting St. Vincent but after 14 yrs the owners have become family. There's alot to be said when you walk up the walk and you're greeted with a big hug.Remember last yr when Hurricane Ivan traveled from Grenada north to southwestern PA, well the proprietors called me after hearing about the flooding in Pittsburgh, ( I live just north of the city) they wanted to make sure I was ok. Pretty neat. Just one of the many reasons I return yr after yr.