St. Lucia or Grenada?
 

For next trip, we are thinking about picking between Grenada (Coyaba or the Rex Grenadian) or St. Lucia (the Royal) -- we have been to many other Caribbean islands of different style but we always want a good beach, the ability to go to variety of restaurants at night with reasonable taxi fares, clean air-conditioned rooms, and a bit of optional sightseeing available -- any thoughts or recommendations as to these choices?

Grenada, for sure. Having visited both, I can tell you that both have dramatic natural beauty. However, Grenada offers a few advantages over St. Lucia -- for starters, the beaches on Grenada are better, and there are more of them, ranging from the creamy sands of 2-mile long Grand Anse to the palmy dark sands of La Sagesse. I personally enjoyed the food on Grenada better as well, with more land for growing local foods and a wider range of choices and prices. Most of all, we've found the Grenadians to be the friendliest and welcoming of almost all Caribbean islanders.

As for hotels, I am not personally familiar with any of the properties you've identified other than to say that both Coyaba and Rex Grenadian are on beautiful beaches. I would suggest that if you choose the Rex Grenadian, you don't elect an all-inclusive plan, as the food on Grenada is just too good and interesting for you to commit yourself to a single dining choice.

I think St. Lucia is the most beautiful place I've ever visited, but I also don't think it's worth going there if you don't stay within view of the Pitons, as they are what make the island so special & gorgeous. So I wouldn't recommend the Royal as a place to stay.

That being said, I think Grenada, which is possibly my favorite island, offers more of what you're looking for. The beaches there are stunning, there's a nice variety of restaurants in all price ranges, and the choice of accommodations, ranging from villa to guest house to resort offers more choice and range than many other islands.

Beach resorts aren't my first choice for accommodations, but I've visited the properties of both Coyaba and the Rex and will share my impressions. I like that Coyaba itself is more intimate, but it has neighbors on either side, whereas the larger Rex is isolated on its own beach, shared only with the terrific Aquarium restaurant on one end. I like getting away from it all on my vacations, so I prefer the Rex location and would just do my own driving to get to restaurants etc. But Coyaba is within walking distance of a few good restaurants, so if you don't want to take a taxi or drive your rental car every time you want to go for a meal, the Coyaba would be a better location for you.

Grenada is wonderful for what you're looking for and I'm certainly biased towards it, but that's not to say that St. Lucia wouldn't work for you, too.

I would appreciate any and all advice from ejcrowe, greenie, mymoosie or others who have experience with these two islands

The food at Coyaba was outstanding. The rooms were very comfortable. The service was outstanding. We enjoyed it and would go back in a heart beat. Like ejcrowe said, it is not as isolated, but within walking distance of a mall and several restaurants. But we never felt squeezed. There is more activity on the beach there, definitely, but there is a fence and you can sit under a tree on the lawn and be perfectly alone if you wish =)

Def. visit Aquarium. We spent many afternoons whiling away the hours there. The food was wonderful and the snorkeling is pretty good there, as well.

We've never been to St Lucia, it's on our list. This year we going to Virgin Gorda! Can't wait!!

Peace, Greenie

I have not been to St. Lucia, it is still on my list of islands to get to, so don't have first-hand experience. Grenada definitely has what you are looking for. Good beaches to lounge around in, restaurants in all price ranges, and plenty of things to do off the beach. Coyaba is smack dab on Grand Anse, a beautiful beach, with plenty of restaurants and a shopping centre within walking distance. It is a "busier" beach, as that is where the cruise ship passengers tend to go when they are in port, but it is long enough that it does not feel that crowded. Here's a photo that shows the hotels & places around Grand Anse:
http://photos.imageevent.com/kajugo/...-grandanse.jpg

The Rex is in a more isolated beach, with only the Aquarium close by. There is mixed reviews of the Rex, so consider your choices carefully. The Rex is a 3-star at best in my opinion. Although I have not seen the rooms, it reminded me a lot of the Rex in Antigua.

Grenada has a lot to offer off the beach. Definitely visit one of the spice plantation and nutmeg processing station. Go up and see one of the waterfalls, and along the way, you will see the different trees and plants where the spices come from. You can tour one of the rum distilleries (River Antoine is a must - you will see rum being made the old-fashioned way). You can also take a daytrip to Carriacou and experience a slower pace, or a daytrip to the Tobago Cays. Best of all, Grenadians are the friendliest people we have met.

Go to Grenada. Save St. Lucia for another trip. LOL. Not that I am biased or anything. LOL. ;-) (Btw, I am Pigsterz in TA.)

I've been to both and prefer St Lucia....it's all about what you're looking for I guess.