Hello!
I was wondering if anyone can help me out. My husband and I are seeking an island destination (caribbean preferrably) for our 4 year anniversary in late August. I am concerned obviously about weather and since we will only be able to travel for 5 days, looking for a lot of sunshine! We have been to Anguilla and it is perhaps one of our most favorite destinations. We stayed at the Maliouhana and loved it. We also checked out Cuisinart/Cap Juluca and were looking to stay at one of these establishments this time-but again, I have weather concerns.
We also went one year to Grand Cayman and I didn't really like it because I felt it was too "Americanized." If anyone has any suggestions as to where to go in late August comparable to Anguilla (great beaches, upscale hotels, not touristy or cheesy) please help! Also what do you think of Curacao?

Thanks so much-the questions and answers on this website are most helpful!!!!!!!!!!!

I would try:
Harbour Island Bahamas
Four Seasons in Exumas Bahamas
Bermuda
Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda
Maroma Resort in Mexico
Raffles in Canouan SVG
Sandy Lane in Barbados

Blamona,
You are the best! I am checking out your recommendations now. I have been at this all day-uugggh. Will be worth it though! Thanks again

I can recommend a few resorts and websites you can check out for Harbour Island and Eleuthera.

On Harbour Island
Pink Sands www.islandoutpost.com
Coral Sands www.coralsands.com
Runaway Hill www.runawayhill.com
Rock House www.rockhousebahamas.com
Romora Bay www.romorabay.com

There's also Dunsmore Beach Club, and The Landing and a couple of new B&Bs onisland as well.

On Eleuthera you might look into CocoDiMama which is close to Govenours Harbour. The website was www.cocodimama.com but I think it no longer works.

There are several good restaurants on island and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Hope this helps.

Check out Peter Island in BVI. I agree with the Harbour Island suggestion also. Also check out Turks and Caicos. I would not recommend Curacao. We loved Anguilla also but were turned off by Curacao. It did not seem quaint/quiet to us. The beaches also do not compare to those on Anguilla.

I answered your other post about Kura Hulanda, but I'll continue what mnag said. The island of Curacao itself is not awesome, but I think that main waterfront street in Willemstadt is good for a photo or two, and some of the beaches like Klein Knip were just stunningly gorgeous. I DID love the Hotel Kura Hulanda, though, which made the trip to Curacao worth it. We didn't think that we could spend a week on the island, however, so we combined it with 3 days on Bonaire (at Harbour Village) and 3 days on Aruba (wouldn't recommend--too commercial and touristy). Bonaire was great if you scuba or snorkel, and the salt domes, slave huts, and roaming donkeys made it a worthwhile visit.

I don't think any of those islands/hotels will compare to where you've stayed, though. I've only looked longingly at the websites for Cuisinart/Cap/Maliouhana, but they look amazing. Perhaps Kura Hulanda can compare if you stay in one of the upgraded rooms (which I peeked into, and were gorgeous!). The pools were cute, and the restaurants were excellent, but from what I've read, it would be hard to compare to Anguilla.

If one of your main concerns is weather, though, I think the ABCs are outside of the more active hurricane zone. Personally, the Bahamas, USVIs, BVIs would be too risky for me in August. St. Barth is really upscale, but too "in the thick of things" in late August (Le Toiny, Guanahani, Carl Gustaf, Eden Roc). Casa de Campo (La Romana) in the Dominican Republic is lovely, but again, the location in August is questionable.

Other ideas that may be more hurricane-free:

*Sandy Lane on Barbados (www.sandylane.com)
*Royal Pavillion or Glitter Bay on Barbados (www.fairmont.com)
*Ladera on St. Lucia (www.ladera.com)
*Jalousie Plantation (www.thejalousieplantation.com)
*Cotton Bay on St. Lucia (www.theplantationoncottonbay.com)

Barbados probably can't compare beach-wise to Anguilla, although I think the food there is quite good. St. Lucia doesn't have fabulous beaches, either, but the rainforest and greenery more than make up for it, and it has several unique lodgings (with one wall open to the elements).

You may want to look at Aruba, Bonaire or Curacao since they are technically out of the hurricane belt.

Think about the Turks & Caicos - beautiful resorts and people are still just becoming aware of it as a destination. I'd recommend Grace Bay Club, Parrot Cay or Point Grace - my clients have stayed at all these resorts and have been pleased.

Best Regards,
Julia

Can anyone provide more info on the Plantation on Cotton Bay in St. Lucia? Always looking for a new place to stay and have never heard of this resort. . . thanks. Lisa.

the best kept caribbean secret...Tobago.
friendly people great beaches on carib. side.no hurricanes good eating and drinking...reasonable. we travel from Germany for a min. three week stay..every other nov.