STLDan

This is the first time I have ever posted a message but I need help. My wife and I are planning our honeymoon and we need advice on which island to visit. Here is what I know for sure, we have decided on either St. Kitts or St. Thomas. We will be travelling the first or second week of December and we will be staying either at Marriott's Frenchmans Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort or St. Kitts Marriott. Our main purpose to to kick back and relax, but have options to do something if we want. We like to hang around the resort, swim and drink. We are not huge on night life we prefer to have a nice dinner. We will usually do some sort of excursion. In past we have travelled to the Bahamas and loved the resort so much that we never left. We went to Puerto Vallarta and never stayed at the resort because we hated it. Also, is there much of a $$$ differnce when it comes to eating, drinking etc. on each island? Should I rent a car? Any info would be greatful because we have to book this week.

A_Traveller

There's a big difference between St. Thomas and St. Kitts. St. Thomas is much more crowded, has lots more restaurants & beach bars, better beaches, much better snorkeling, more night life, lots of duty free shopping and more watersports. St. Kitts is quiter, less crowded, has fewer restaurants, darker sand beaches, rain forests, a dormant volcano, below average snorkeling but the Marriott there does have a casino which you won't find on St. Thomas.

Regardless of which island you choose I'd recommend you rent a car as that is the best way to fully explore the either island.

miaspapa

We went to St. Thomas years ago ,and IMO Magens Bay was the most beautiful beach in the world,granted I haven't been on all ,but it was a dream. It has been over 10 years Good luck.

iw

Boy, I feel pressure, but I like your screen name, so here goes. I have not been to St. Thomas, but a dear friend returned and loved it. I think the 2 islands that you are considering must be very different and you will really need to figure out what is the best fit for you. This was my friends first trip to an island, so she love St. Thomas, but did remark on it being crowded and somewhat built up. They took a ferry/boat to St. John and will stay there next time. Us, on the other hand, just returned from our 2nd trip to St. Kitts Marriott and we sooooo looooove it! Can you tell? We chose to take taxis, since we split our time between St. Kitts and Nevis since they are related, but very different islands. The Marriott in St. Kitts had everyone from couples to families to honeymooners....yet, we never felt crowded. (Keep in mind it was late June) Plenty to do...day trip to Turtle Beach, island tour, snorkel or sunset sail, rainforest hike, beach......nice restaurants...Mr. X's Shiggidy Shack (well, not nice but cheap w/ good food and fun), Serendipity and Marshalls (yum and $$$$...if you choose one, choose Serendipity). I have heard excellent things about Sprat Net and Rock Lobster. Please do not limit yourself to an AI....I feel that you miss so much of the island when you do that, unless you really don't want to budge! Also, from St. Kitts, you can easily take a boat or a snorkle tour to Nevis and explore. I recommend a Killer Bee at Sunshines and lunch or dinner at Oualie Beach Hotel or dinner at Coconuts!

sandyjoy

Hi STLDAN. I have been to both islands and stayed at the St. Kitts Marriott (only ate at the Morningstar). For a honeymoon, I would recommend St.Thomas because it is a little more sophisticated and you can day trip to St. John or the BVIs. I think you would like it more. St. Kitts Marriott is very family and group oriented. Also, the beach at the Morningstar is much nicer than the beach at the St. Kitts Mariott. Definitely rent a car in St. Thomas. If you have anymore questions, let me know.

eileen

The nice thing about either choice is that you have easy access to other islands for day trips, Nevis and St John are definitely worth a visit and you may even find you like them better. In fact, I actually think St. John or Nevis might be better choices for a honeymoon (unless you are limited to Marriotts because you are going on points?). Both are quiet, peaceful and just beautiful. If you are looking for a big bustling resort with lots of amenities, then you will probably be happy with either of the Marriotts (I was at the St. Kitts Marriott in April, it's huge). If you want peace, quiet, uncrowded beaches and romance, then personally I prefer St. John or Nevis. Nevis also has a better choice than St. Kitts of beachfront resorts -- two good ones are the Four Seasons and Nisbet Plantation Beach Club. The beaches are better on St. Thomas and St. John and the snorkeling is better. That being said, I enjoyed the beach at St. Kitts Marriott, it's very large and you can walk for miles along the basically undeveloped coast. I kept thinking, I can't believe no one has built on this beachfront property yet. I am sure that is coming. Visited all four islands in April while on a cruise and our next vacation will be splitting our time between St. Kitts and Nevis -- after all the islands we've been to, they seemed to most fit the profile of what I think of when I think "Caribbean." Lots of island charm, not too americanized, nice beaches yet also mountainous with lots of lush foliage, not over developed. They are both very pretty islands -- many islands we have been to have beautiful beaches but the rest of the island is not so attractive.

skbfan

A website on St. Kitts you might find helpful is www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com

STLDan

I would like to thank everyone for their help. I just booked my trip to Marriott St. Kitts for the second week of December, I am limited to Marriott because of points. From what I have read I feel that St. Kitts has everything I might want at a slower pace. Seeing as how it is my honeymoon being with my new wife is first on my list. I read many reviews Fodor, tripavisor, etc. and found only a couple of people were not satisfied with St. Kitts. Besides the hotel looks magnificent. Now that I have made my decision I am still interested in learning what I should not miss while I'm there. I know I want to go to Nevis and several of the restaurants that have been mentioned, but what about tours and tour companies?

cw

STLDan,

You may want to post your question on the St. Kitts/Nevis board: www.myeyez.net. You'll get a lot of feedback there, plus there are a lot of reviews.

For starters, you might want to take the catamaran snorkeling trip, a rain forest walk, and an island tour. In December it is easy to book these when you are on the island.

CW

skbfan

Another website you might find helpful is www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com

Highly recommend you take a tour of the island with Thenford Grey. He is a knowledgeable, punctual and friendly driver. You can e-mail him at [email protected]

sandyjoy

STLDan, you really should rent a car for a couple of days (the Marriott has a car rental desk) and drive down the South Peninsula. You will love this drive. Virtually no cars and lovely dips and turns. THis is the road you take to get to the out of the way beaches.

brittany21

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