ST BARTHS vs BARBADOS
Sep 12th, 2006, 07:34 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ST BARTHS vs BARBADOS
Where to go? Two single early 30's females that enjoy great food, shopping, and lazy days at the beach or pool. This spring we went to Cabo San Lucas and stayed at the Melia featuring Nikki Beach. This March we are looking for another option.
I am currently looking at St. Barths and Barbados ,but open to other suggestions.
I noticed St. Barths has a Nikki Beach. Is this part of a hotel or stands independently?
Is Coral Reef the way to go in Barbados. We don't mind spending the $$$, but want quality in return. It would be a bonus if there weren't a lot of kids around.
THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTIONS!
I am currently looking at St. Barths and Barbados ,but open to other suggestions.
I noticed St. Barths has a Nikki Beach. Is this part of a hotel or stands independently?
Is Coral Reef the way to go in Barbados. We don't mind spending the $$$, but want quality in return. It would be a bonus if there weren't a lot of kids around.
THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTIONS!
Sep 12th, 2006, 08:26 AM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Barths is white, French, tres chic, with topless and nude beaches, fine food and shopping, all of which can be had by going to France. Not a very tropical island in feeling (fairly arid). Not nearly as scenic or interesting from a cultural standpoint as Barbados which was formerly British. There you get a real Afro-British-Caribbean feel, and lovely people. More staid (no topless). Restaurants, both hotel and independent, are terrific. The island has beautiful gardens, a cave, nature preserve, plantation houses to explore, lots of nightlife (hotels and outside). Coral Reef club is the class act on the island, and few kids. see www.barbados.org and www.coralreefbarbados.com
Depending on your tastes, one or the other will strike you; they are vastly different. IMO Barbados is more authentic Caribbean, while St.Barths is a slice of France brought to the Caribbean.
Depending on your tastes, one or the other will strike you; they are vastly different. IMO Barbados is more authentic Caribbean, while St.Barths is a slice of France brought to the Caribbean.
Sep 12th, 2006, 04:10 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
xkenx-
It looks like Barbados is going to be the place. I like nice accommodations,but not stuffy. What are your thoughts on the Royal Pavilion and have you heard of a more intimate property called The House (I think)?
It looks like Barbados is going to be the place. I like nice accommodations,but not stuffy. What are your thoughts on the Royal Pavilion and have you heard of a more intimate property called The House (I think)?
Sep 13th, 2006, 08:32 AM
#5
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To me there is no contest: St. Barth's is fantastic. It has a wonderful flair, great shopping and food. The beaches are nice. I found it to be very scenic and pretty as well. Nikki Beach is an independent restaurant on St. Jean's Bay. There are many hotels in the area so you can walk to restaurants and shopping and of course, sunbathing. Barbados was dull, dull, dull. And the people were sullen.
Sep 13th, 2006, 03:28 PM
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Barth's ALL THE WAY!!! Once you go, you will go every year!! Nikki Beach is great, they also own a club in Gustavia called Casa Nikki, also very chic and cool. Barbados is very formal and proper, not really the "Nikki Beach" type at all. It probably is the complete opposite!!!
St. Barth's food is also amazing!! You'll never have better food on any island. ALthough, it is very expensive to go here, eat and drink, it is worth EVERY last cent! (or Euro I should say
Another chic place to go and have lunch is at the Tom Beach Hotel. It is called La Plague. Right on the beach, a D.J. pumping the music, models walking around modeling clothes, sooo much fun!!!
Go to www.stbartstalk.com
look into this forum, it will definately convince you to go!!!
Enjoy
St. Barth's food is also amazing!! You'll never have better food on any island. ALthough, it is very expensive to go here, eat and drink, it is worth EVERY last cent! (or Euro I should say
Another chic place to go and have lunch is at the Tom Beach Hotel. It is called La Plague. Right on the beach, a D.J. pumping the music, models walking around modeling clothes, sooo much fun!!!
Go to www.stbartstalk.com
look into this forum, it will definately convince you to go!!!
Enjoy
Sep 13th, 2006, 03:33 PM
#7
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry, I forgot to mention. SInce you siad you are both single 30 year olds, Barbados is NOT for you. More honeymooners, and families. I went with my husband last year. It is a beautiful island, beaches are great, food was good, but since it is British,when we would go out for dinner, my dresses were always the topic of discussion at the restaurants. i.e. the length should have been BELOW my knees. I felt like I was back in Catholic School with the nuns!!!
SBH is whatever goes. Trust me on this one. I also am 30, and although I am married, we would not go back to Barbados. It was so much more fun with the French, who are super laid back!!
SBH is whatever goes. Trust me on this one. I also am 30, and although I am married, we would not go back to Barbados. It was so much more fun with the French, who are super laid back!!
Sep 15th, 2006, 08:31 AM
#9
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You will LOVE St. Barth's if you chose to go. I thought Barbados was a big let-down. Boring and ho-um. Mostly cheap Brits and Canadians on one side (South) and rich Brits on the West side. St. Barth's has a great vibe to it. And for two women, it is probably one of the only islands where you will feel comfortable and safe no matter where you are. I recommend staying near St. Jean Bay to be near the action, a great beach and shopping.
Sep 15th, 2006, 09:39 AM
#10
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love both Barbados and St. Barth's. Either one is great to visit .
but xkenx is right.. st. barth's is more or less a little France in the Caribbean.. Barbaods has much more the feel of a Caribbean island.
I love Barbados.. Lots to do there. the beaches are nice but not quite as nice as the st. maarten,anguilla, or st. barth's beaches.
There is a lot of unspoiled undeveloped land in Barbados that is breathtaking...it's much more lush than anything in St. Barth's.
and the people of Barbados are wonderful.... some are conservative , yes, but always polite and friendly.
the French in St. barth's can be a ltitle haughty sometimes..
absolutely no reason why single women shouldn't love Barbados.
and IMHO, both islands are safe for single women to travel.
but xkenx is right.. st. barth's is more or less a little France in the Caribbean.. Barbaods has much more the feel of a Caribbean island.
I love Barbados.. Lots to do there. the beaches are nice but not quite as nice as the st. maarten,anguilla, or st. barth's beaches.
There is a lot of unspoiled undeveloped land in Barbados that is breathtaking...it's much more lush than anything in St. Barth's.
and the people of Barbados are wonderful.... some are conservative , yes, but always polite and friendly.
the French in St. barth's can be a ltitle haughty sometimes..
absolutely no reason why single women shouldn't love Barbados.
and IMHO, both islands are safe for single women to travel.
Sep 20th, 2006, 06:02 PM
#11
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In May I went to Barbados for 4 nights as a stopover on the way to Mustique. I have to say I didn't love it. Stayed at the Royal Pavilion. The rooms are just "fine", what is great is they all have a balcony looking right out onto the beach. The beach was narrow but nice sand and the water was beatiful.
From all my research, I thought the food in Barbados would be amazing but it ended up being pretty mediocre. Most of the people at our hotel were couples.
Didn't see a lot of enticing shopping, though I am not a big shopper. It was a perfectly fine trip but I don't plan on going back anytime soon. It certainly wouldn't be my first choice for a girls trip either but they do make a mean rum punch!!
From all my research, I thought the food in Barbados would be amazing but it ended up being pretty mediocre. Most of the people at our hotel were couples.
Didn't see a lot of enticing shopping, though I am not a big shopper. It was a perfectly fine trip but I don't plan on going back anytime soon. It certainly wouldn't be my first choice for a girls trip either but they do make a mean rum punch!!
Sep 26th, 2006, 06:44 AM
#12
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's Fish and Chips and Warm Beer vs Foie Gras and Pink Champagne. Buckets and Spades vs Megayachts and Celebrities.
The Nikki Beach also recently opened a new Champagne bar called the Strand in Gustavia, just around the corner from the Casa Nikki.
"Barbados is more authentic Caribbean, while St.Barths is a slice of France brought to the Caribbean."
To put this one to bed, the local St Barths, who are indeed mainly white, came from France to the island BEFORE the slave trade brought Africans to the Caribbean. I wouldn't try telling a St Barth he or she wasn't a real Caribbean. It is the Caribbean, just not the same Caribbean as the rest of the Caribbean.
The Nikki Beach also recently opened a new Champagne bar called the Strand in Gustavia, just around the corner from the Casa Nikki.
"Barbados is more authentic Caribbean, while St.Barths is a slice of France brought to the Caribbean."
To put this one to bed, the local St Barths, who are indeed mainly white, came from France to the island BEFORE the slave trade brought Africans to the Caribbean. I wouldn't try telling a St Barth he or she wasn't a real Caribbean. It is the Caribbean, just not the same Caribbean as the rest of the Caribbean.
Sep 27th, 2006, 12:46 PM
#13
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Both are nice. I am approx the same age and preferred St Barths. St Barths is very European. If you enjoy wine and french food this is the place for you. The people of St Barths are also friendlier and more stylish. Both have nice beaches, St Barths is very topless, as well as some full nudity.
A rental car will likely be required on St Barths, the hilly roads can be scary. In Barbados they drive on the opposite side of the road, also scary.
A rental car will likely be required on St Barths, the hilly roads can be scary. In Barbados they drive on the opposite side of the road, also scary.
Sep 28th, 2006, 05:04 AM
#14
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nikki Beach in st barths is not part of a hotel. However, there are a few hotels right near it (on the same beach)
Both are fantastic islands, but as some mentioned already they are very different. St barths is so much smaller so it is a bit easier to get around (if you can deal with the steep and winding roads) the traffic on st barths can be really bad though and its hard to find a parking space. I would stay on St jean beach (or within walking distance) so that you can walk right to the beach. We had a HUGE parking issue last year when we were there. We stayed on Lorient beach in a villa and everytime we went into st jean it was a battle.
There is more to see on Barbados, and it is larger so if you really just want to hang out on the beach, etc. st barths might be a better fit.
Both are fantastic islands, but as some mentioned already they are very different. St barths is so much smaller so it is a bit easier to get around (if you can deal with the steep and winding roads) the traffic on st barths can be really bad though and its hard to find a parking space. I would stay on St jean beach (or within walking distance) so that you can walk right to the beach. We had a HUGE parking issue last year when we were there. We stayed on Lorient beach in a villa and everytime we went into st jean it was a battle.
There is more to see on Barbados, and it is larger so if you really just want to hang out on the beach, etc. st barths might be a better fit.
Sep 29th, 2006, 12:35 PM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been to both and in fact my husband and I stayed at the Coral Reef Club in Barbados. I absolutely would not stay at Coral Reef if I were single and looking for a little fun. It is filled with lots and lots of older, repeat (in some instances 20+ year) customers. Not that there is anything wrong with that and we enjoyed our stay there, but it's probably not what you are looking for. Also, the beach at the Coral Reef Club is very, very small.
For what you say you are looking for I wouldn't even think of going to Barbados. St. Barths is the clear winner for great food, fabulous shopping and great beaches. Barbados has some good restaurants but St. Barths has some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean. And lots more of them as well.
Clearly St. Barths is a small island with only a fraction the population of Barbados so your nightlife choices might be better in Barbados. But St. Barths still has fun places to go and if nothing else the people-watching is superb. Be aware that Barbardos has a population of about 280,000 and it can often feel crowded, especially trying to navigate around Bridgetown.
Nikki Beach is a fun place to go, especially for that aforementioned superb people-watching. And as someone else suggested don't neglect to venture down St. Jean Beach to Le Tom Beach Hotel for at least lunch. Owner Thierry is a gracious host and one of his waitresses, Alex, is not only drop dead gorgeous but nice to boot.
As for feeling "Caribbean" I don't think either of these islands has that vibe. Barbados is probably the most British of the islands we've been to, and we've been to quite a few, and St. Barths definitely feels like the South of France with a few more Americans thrown in.
You can probably get away with not renting a car on both islands but if you stay on St. Jean Beach there are a few options within walking distance for restaurants, bars, etc. Barbados you'll probably have to take a cab anywhere you want to go and with the greater distances you'll pay more.
Both islands are expensive and of course St. Barths is a bit harder to reach. As for safety I probably wouldn't have ventured out at night on my own in Barbados but I would have had no qualms whatsoever in St. Barths.
For what you say you are looking for I wouldn't even think of going to Barbados. St. Barths is the clear winner for great food, fabulous shopping and great beaches. Barbados has some good restaurants but St. Barths has some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean. And lots more of them as well.
Clearly St. Barths is a small island with only a fraction the population of Barbados so your nightlife choices might be better in Barbados. But St. Barths still has fun places to go and if nothing else the people-watching is superb. Be aware that Barbardos has a population of about 280,000 and it can often feel crowded, especially trying to navigate around Bridgetown.
Nikki Beach is a fun place to go, especially for that aforementioned superb people-watching. And as someone else suggested don't neglect to venture down St. Jean Beach to Le Tom Beach Hotel for at least lunch. Owner Thierry is a gracious host and one of his waitresses, Alex, is not only drop dead gorgeous but nice to boot.
As for feeling "Caribbean" I don't think either of these islands has that vibe. Barbados is probably the most British of the islands we've been to, and we've been to quite a few, and St. Barths definitely feels like the South of France with a few more Americans thrown in.
You can probably get away with not renting a car on both islands but if you stay on St. Jean Beach there are a few options within walking distance for restaurants, bars, etc. Barbados you'll probably have to take a cab anywhere you want to go and with the greater distances you'll pay more.
Both islands are expensive and of course St. Barths is a bit harder to reach. As for safety I probably wouldn't have ventured out at night on my own in Barbados but I would have had no qualms whatsoever in St. Barths.
