8Milo

We just booked our honeymoon a month ago and I'm a little worried now about our choice. We book the Le Manapany Cottages but I've read some recent reviews that are BAD. I'm really worried and now I don't know where to stay? Can anyone help me out.....we only have 2 months to go!

Anonymous

Go to this SB website for answers to your question-there has been Manapany discussions and not good reviews of the place in the past few months:<BR><BR>http://www.cieux.com/cgi-bin/php/phorum/list.php?f=1

8Milo

Thank you so much for getting back to me. Much appreciated!

Gayle

We've been going to SBH twice a year for the past 16 years. We have seen many things change on this beautiful and very special island and Manapany is certainly one of them. About 18 years ago Manapany and Guanahani were the two "newcomers" and were both considered, in their heyday to be spectacular. Manapany has gone through several changes of ownership and the current one is not one of the better ones. The property has certainly declined considerably. Some rooms are renovated, others are not and they always have vacanacies. The restaurant is terrible too. The location IMHO is not the greatest, though some would disagree and think being on St. Jean Beach is ideal, even though the property is on the far side of the beach. So I guess the long answer is that depending on your budget you may wish to be at a more consistent and nicer property. The nicest ones are Eden Rock, Isle de France, Le Toiny. They are also the most expensive. Also, consider the option of renting a villa, which we ususally do for luxury and privacy.

8Milo

Gayle,<BR>Thank you very much for your input on Manapany. Would you choose Isle de France or Eden Rock? Any advice is appreciated.

anon

Gayle- If you know so much about St Barths you would know that Manapany is certainly not on ST Jean beach.<BR><BR>And please stop telling everyone in every post you write that you go to St Barths twice a year every year for 16 yrs.. blah blah blah who cares !!.. Just say you have been to the island many times... you are such a st barths snob..do you think you're the only one who goes there on this board? Or who knows people on the island? Please get over yourself.Also some of the info you give is inaccurate like Manapany being on St Jean beach..other things too that I don't care enough to write here about. Please get off your high horse and realize that others know just as much as you about the island and don't have to boast about it every chance they get...

Jealous?

Well, anon, at least Gayle was gracious enough to write a first-hand opinion and offer solicited personal advice. I believe, that after reading both posts, most would conclude that you are the one with the problem.<BR>

anon

Oh actually I should have said that yes Gayle does give very helpful info but when she has the air of arrogance about the island and then gives inaccurate information it pisses me off..The orig poster could have booked Manapany thinking it was on St Jean beach which is one of the best beaches on the island and ended up very disappointed. And no I am not jealous..just someone who has myself been traveling there for years and am fed up with the kind of people that think they know it all and sound like such snobs.

Katie

Anon is right about one thing ..Manapany is not on St Jean beach- Sorry Gayle ..<BR>But to answer the question being asked here..I have a friend who just stayed at the Le Manapany a few months ago and loved it. They did have a renovated room and did not eat in the restaurant though so pls take that into consideration. I personally would not stay there as there are so many other wonderful hotels on the island that get nothing but rave reviews. Look into the Christopher also which is less expensive than those mentioned by Gayle. Those hotels she mentioned though are amazing!! Definetely worthy of a honeymoon. I stayed at Carl Gustaf and Isle de France and loved them both..Enjoy your trip wherever you stay..I am sure you will fall in love with the island as everyone does..

xyz

you sound like the one with the air of arrogance, anon. why would it bother you so much that someone else might go to st. barth's and have good advice? get a grip. why don't you post something helpful, rather than simply bash others who at least offer some help.

Cheri

Gayle must have miss spoke as I am quite sure that she knows Manapany isn't located on St. Jean Beach. And...since Gayle is always willing to share her many experiences regarding St. Barth and she's always willing to give helpful info it is apparent to most of us that YOU are the one with the problem. Further....at least she gives her name unlike trolls like you who are quick to criticize anonymously.

Cheri

To 8Milo: I second the recommendation of the Christopher Hotel. It's a beautiful property with a fab pool with very nice rooms and you'll pay much less than you would at the higher end places. The downside is that while it's located right on the ocean, there is no beach there. That really doesn't matter much though because no matter where you stay you'll drive to visit the various beaches and restaurants....it's half the fun!

GIVEitArest

oh yeah.....Gayle do you cut and paste your, "I've been going to St.Barts for 16yrs" over and over and over? <BR><BR>Geeez, I think ol Gayle must keep this page on her computer screen all day long and hit refresh about 100 times per day.<BR><BR>Don't ya know, she's the St. Barts Expert? Gayle are you one of the cruise boat snoogs with the glittered Tshirts and straw hat, that discovered St.Bart quite by accident and now love telling people that you go to SB every year (sometimes twice)?

Teacher

That's enough kids

Tim

8Milo--Either property would be fine. However, I would select the Isle de France if you desire more wave action from the water and a smaller beach area. Choose Eden Rock if you prefer much calmer and more clear water, a much larger beach area and more "activity" relative to St. Barts. Absolutely DO NOT stay at the Manapany!!

jc

I have been to SBH twice. The first time we stayed just up the hillside from St. Jean beach at Village St. Jean. Lovely, fairly private, reasonably priced (for St. Barth) cottages. There is an upstairs unit and a downstairs unit that are both rented. Go to their website to see my pictures. We rented the lesser priced downstairs unit that was perfectly fine for us. It had a little kitchen, outdoor table, two chaise lounges, a queen size bed and a decent sized bath. We never went to St. Jean beach. Saline and Gouvernor are much, much prettier and quieter. We drove there and to a few other beaches. Rent a car.

Gayle

Everyone has an opinion. Thank goodness. That's why we all come here to read different thoughts! If my posts aren't of interest, or tick you off, then just don't read them. Life is too short!<BR><BR>8Milo, both Isle de France and Eden Rock are beautiful, but different. Eden Rock is a bit more in the center of things actually being "right on" St. Jean beach, and therefore walkable to shops, bakery, rotisserie and other restaurants. Isle de France is a bit more isolated located on a long beautiful stretch of Flamands Beach. The rooms of both are comparable in terms of luxuriousness. Eden Rock has three restaurants versus Isle de France's one, though you'll likely eat all over the island. Isle de France has two really nice freshwater pools, one right on the beach (steps above for those sticklers for accuracy) and another in between the garden bungalows which is hardly ever used and very private. My recollection, but I am not sure is that Eden Rock doesn't have a pool. Anyone else know about this? Take a look at both of their websites as they both offer honeymoom packages and show pictures of their rooms.<BR>www.isle-de-france.com<BR>www.edenrock.com

Just a Joke

Did you know that cockroaches can survive a nuclear bomb? Did you know that if you sever their heads they can survive for 1 week?<BR><BR>I believe Gayle was a cockroach in a past life.......or either that irritating pink bunny that sells batteries. LMAO. It just keeps going and going and going!