Relaxing resort suggestions
 

My husband and I are planning a three or four night trip in Mid February '04 and are looking for suggestions as to which islands may be a good suit for us. The following criteria, to us, would make a perfect vacation:

1) Low-key island (we're not much into the party scene) with beautiful, non-crowded beach in which to sit with a drink in hand and enjoy some reading and get some sun. The closer our room can get to the beach the better. We really aren't into snokeling or anything, we just like to sit and look at beautiful waters.

2) love to visit different restaurants and would like a location in which we have several dining options available to us within walking distance. We have gone all-inclusive before but do not want to go this route again.

3) We are not into the large resort scence. We would like a smaller, more intimate atmosphere and always appreciate and seek out places known for exceptional customer service.

Our overall budget is $3,000.

p.s. Been to Puerto Rico and Bahamas on business and, though lovely, we'd like to try something else.

Turks and Caicos has gorgeous waters, low key, and others can help with restaurant suggestions. (I stayed at an all inclusive while visiting.) You don't say where you flyng from but with only 3 or 4 days to spend a direct flight would be best.

As I was reading your criteria I was thinking T&C also. The beach on Grace Bay there is amazing. Beautiful powdery soft white sand and turquoise water. Island very low-key. Not much site-seeing to be done -- really it's all about enjoying the beach. Not much night-life but there are many good restaurants. If not exactly within walking distance, hotels run shuttles and taxis at dinner time so that's not a problem. We stayed at the Sands this spring and thought it was great. Not huge, not super fancy (maybe 4 stars out of 5??), but very clean, felt new - not run-down. The restaurant/bar there ended up being one of our favorite places to eat. Not quite as pricey as other comparables -- so that was very convenient.
Good luck deciding!

When I read your post I immediately thought of Anguilla, and the Rendezvous Bay Beach Hotel. It is very low-key, with nice villas right on a fantastic beach = you literally step from your porch right on the beach. The rooms are basic but clean and spacious. We have not actually stayed there yet but have viewed the accommodations and have booked to stay there next year. The restaurant is great. There are plenty of excellent restaurants on Anguilla, and several within walking distance of the hotel, along the beach. This is a typical local place, one of the first hotels on Anguilla - no 'large resort' atmosphere!

I can also recommend Rendezvous Bay in Anguilla - I stayed at the Great House - within walking distance of the Rendezvous Bay Hotel. The only problem with the beach was that it got very windy while we were there and enough sand kicked up that it was uncomfortable to sit on the beach for a couple of days. We didn't really mind because we spent those days seeing the island but it sounds like that would bother you more because of the length of the trip. The best "sitting all day and reading" beach that I have been to is in Negril Jamaica.

Apparently the beach is much windier around Anguilla Great House and CuisinArt than at the Rendevouz Bay Hotel end.

Never stayed there, but have read very good reports. If we were not already fixed up, I would consider it myself.

I would also recommend Anguilla. T&C is beautiful but in Feb it may not be as warm as you would like - the water temp cools down as it is north of the caribbean.

another great recommendation for Anguilla is the Frangipani....I have never been, but it has great (rave) reviews and have not heard anything negative.

Check out Sereno Beach Hotel on St Barths

Turks & Caicos Club sounds like a good place for what you want.

www.turksandcaicosclub.com

1. Low Key island resort (21 suites)right next to the best snorkeling on the island (steps off the hotel)

2. Gourmet restaurant "Simba" which has French and Asian cuisine with Caribbean style flavors

3. Great service and staff

We celebrated our 25th anniversary at this new hotel and highly recommend it.