I recently won two round-trip airline tickets anywhere in the Caribbean. After doing some preliminary research, here are a few of the resorts I am considering:

Cuisinart - Anguilla
Galley Bay - Antigua
Spice Island Beach Resort - Grenada
The Body Holiday at LeSport - St. Lucia
Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort - St. Lucia

I'd be interested in hearing any experiences with these resorts. I will be traveling with my sister - I'm in my early 30s, she's in her mid 20s. We are looking for an atmosphere that is casual and relaxing, not an area loaded with mega-resorts and tourists (for example, where cruise ships unload their passengers). Willing to listen to any recommendations that are not on my list!

Thanks for your help.

Just bumping this up.. anyone?

Well, I don't have any psersonal experience with any of these resorts, but I'll give you my input since you've not heard from anybody else. I believe that your two selections on St. Lucia have the possibility of being overwhelmed when cruise ships are in port, as both of your choices are in the Castries/Rodney Bay area. If you want to stick with St. Lucia, try one of the others near the Pitons on the sw coast--Jalousie Hilton or Anse Chastenet, for example. Both are in the Soufriere area and less likely to be overrun, if at all, by cruisers. And the view of the Pitons from either place is amazing! Choose the Jalousie Hilton if you prefer straightforward ameneties and comforts, choose Anse Chastenet if you are in a more exotic mood.

I've never stayed on Anguila, but most people prefer Cap Juluca to Cuisinart, based on both the hotel and the beach.

I've been to Antigua several times, but never stayed at Galley Bay, though I did see the property an island drive that I took. It looks beautiful, but the surf can be rough there and may prevent you from swimming in the sea. They do have a pool, though, and you can still enjoy walks along the lovely beach when the surf is up.

I'm in the midst of planning my first trip to Grenada, and Spice Island is not on my list of places I want to stay, but that's mainly because I prefer not to stay at all-inclusive resorts. It may be something that you and your sister do enjoy.

Tell us more about the activities you and your sister are looking for during a vacation--beach bums? shopping? water sports? fine dining? historical and/or cultural sites? What time of year are you traveling?

ejcrowe,

Thank you for replying. These are tentative dates right now, but I'm thinking 5 days spanning late November - early December.

I agree that Cap Juluca looks wonderful, but it's out of our price range. I did consider Anse Chastenet (even spoke with a travel agent about it), but open rooms with mosquito netting are really not my thing. I can't help but have horrible visions of it turning out like that Expedia (I think) commercial where the couple wakes up and the bed is covered in bugs. I would earn myself a trip to the nearest rubber room if that were to happen!

We don't necessarily have to go the all-inclusive route. During an initial inquiry of Galley Bay, I was quoted a figure of $1500 per person for 5 nights. However, on the American Airlines vacation website, there is currently a special for Galley Bay that would bring the figure down to less than $950 PP.

Since this will be my first trip to the Caribbean (sis did a quick cheap cruise in the last year), I am not really sure what to expect. Historical/cultural sites are not currently high up on my list of priorities. I'm thinking this will be more of a snorkeling/beach bum-type vacation.

Thanks again for your help.

Given your criteria and budget, you might want to check the following:

LuxuryLink.com is offering a package at Grace Bay Club in the Turks & Caicos which can be taken through mid December, including breakfast and evening meals. Current price is $1935 for two (it's an auction site). You can view the resort's website at gracebay.com

If you could go in the first 2 weeks of November you could stay at Cap Juluca (often rated the #1 luxury resort in the Caribbean) for $2100 (no auction--flat rate for 5 nights). Also at LuxuryLink.

FYI: Windjammer Landing has no A/C and lots of bugs in the room. We left after one night.

for beach bumming, etc, my first choice would be Anguilla. rent a car and get out and explore. i don't think there's much snorkeling at Cuisinart, but Little Bay, Shoal Bay and Savannah Bay are fine. these sites have good info:

http://www.anguilla-vacation.com/
http://www.news.ai/

i've never been to Grenada, but i'd certainly give it a look. it might be a little quieter in high season than Anguilla.

Claudette,

How long ago were you at Windjammer Landing? According to the guidebooks and the WJ website, the rooms have A/C?

Thanks.

Dear Boothbay. Claudette is not giving you accurate information. There is a/c in the bedrooms. Of course, the layout of the villas are open somewhat to the outside elements, but we did not have a problem with insects. We did not miss having the a/c in any other part of the villa (there was always a nice breeze), and besides you do not spend much time in your villa anyway except for sleeping and as I stated above, there is a/c in the bedrooms. Some people find a problem no matter where they go.

Bumping this up...

It was several years ago when we visited, so it sounds like they did add A/C to some bedrooms only, which is a good thing. Still, I would call first if you're planning to go there.

I have been to Galley Bay 2x and Spice Beach Resort. Galley Bay is wonderful but the surf can be quite rough. Other than that it is great. Spice is a bit more upscale and the food is better. You can get a pretty good deal on Galley Bay and Palm Island in the Grenadines by booking through www.eliteislandresorts directly.

We've been to most of the resorts you mentioned. We think Anguilla is the best of the islands you are considering, but overall like Cap Juluca better than Cuisinart. The beach, accomodations, service, and food are all first rate, and make Cap Juluca one of our favorite places in the entire Caribbean. We'd place Le Sport at the bottom of your list, with Spice Island on Grenada somewhere in between.

There is a/c in ALL the villas bedrooms. We were there this past February, I should know.