The best island in the Carribean???
Jan 7th, 2003, 06:09 AM
#1
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The best island in the Carribean???
My wife and I are planning a two week vacation in July. We went to Cancun last year and enjoyed it. Are main interests are beaches, pools, quiet, some shopping, luxury at a great price, snorkling, food, good people, culture. We also like to rent a car an tour a little bit to visit beaches and see sights. What can you recommend us? Thanks!!!
Jan 7th, 2003, 09:07 AM
#2
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Ralph - check out Sandals Antigua. We honeymooned there this year and really enjoyed it. The beach is great, there are 5 pools/whirlpools, laid back/romantic charm, shopping in St. John's, snorkeling (and many other watersports), good food and the locals are friendly. There are tours you can take straight from the resort. There is a catamaran tour that will take you around the entire island. There is also Shirley Heights on Sunday nights. Or you can just sit back and enjoy the resort. <BR><BR>Good luck and enjoy!
Jan 7th, 2003, 11:06 AM
#3
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St. Barths sounds like it would fit the bill. You can rent a villa or stay in the fabulous LeToiny (www.letoiny.com) you can get great deals in July. St. Barths has everything you described. Its very easy to drive around St.Barths, visit the different beaches, snorkel, visit town. it is also very safe. Classic Caribbean has great deals which include airfare (www.classiccaribbean.com) Book thru a TA. I have used Classic and had great experiences with them. Also you may be interested in Anguilla - Cap Juluca which I love as well. Also has everything you described, but not much in the shopping area. You can go to St. Martin for that(20 min by ferry). Also St. Barths is not far away from Anguilla! There are many accommodations with various price ranges on both islands and you may want to split your time (I wish I had 2 weeks off at once, that's what I would do). Actually you could stay in a private villa(many have pools and housekeeping, all have beautiful views) on St. Barths and then go to Cap. If you are interested in villas www.wheretostay.com is a good place to start. I would not recommend an AI for 2 weeks the price may tempt you but.........
Jan 7th, 2003, 04:43 PM
#4
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St. Bart -- luxury, yes. A great price? Not hardly. There are reasonably priced places to stay if you look hard enough, but just about everything else there is expensive. If you are looking for an atmosphere similar to Cancun, St. Bart is about the last place that you should look.
Jan 7th, 2003, 07:52 PM
#5
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I wouldn't say there's a 'best' island in the Carib.<BR><BR>Each one has its own features, but with what you've noted of your wants, St. John would be a place to start, and a day trip while there to the BVI's would be a good idea. I wouldn't say St. John has 'culture' and the shopping is definitely in St. Thomas, but I'm sure you will like it even moreso than Cancun.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.
Jan 8th, 2003, 06:29 AM
#7
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Our favorite island in the Caribbean is Aruba where sunshine is guaranteed. Similar to Cancun in that there are many activities, shopping, watersports etc. The restaurants are fantastic. We have traveled to Aruba many times and have not been disappointed. <BR>Palm Beach is a beautiful white sand beach and our favorite beach on the island. I can recommend the Wyndham Hotel on Palm Beach if you're staying 2 weeks, call the hotel directly to see if there are any specials. We just returned from staying there but will try the Radisson in a few months because of the gorgeous tropical grounds. <BR>I cannot say that Aruba is the quietest destination. There are apartment type units across from the beach away from the hotel areas like Sunshine Villas near the windsurfing area.<BR>Also, consider Hawaii-- there are some tremendous specials out there. We stayed at the Keauhou Beach Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii several years ago and they offered a great deal that included a rental car. The Big Island is less commercial and absolutely beautiful, great when combined with one or two other islands. <BR>
Jan 8th, 2003, 06:52 AM
#8
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If you have any interest in the Big Island of Hawaii, go into Google and type out Keauhou Beach Hotel (now owned by Aston properties-Ohana) with information as well as reviews by Trip Advisor (tripadvisor.com). The rate for an ocean view is only $168/night with an economy rental car! There's plenty to see on the B.I. including Volcanos National Park.
Jan 9th, 2003, 03:59 AM
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Thanks for all the great replies! Our budget is more or less 5000 dollars for hotel, food and activities for 2 weeks. I have frequent flier miles to travel just about anywhere. I have thought alot about Hawaii but very far from South America. I really appreciate the response.
Jan 9th, 2003, 05:58 AM
#11
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St Kitts / Nevis<BR>Two Islands one paradise<BR>New luxury Marriott to open in Feb.<BR>Island is easy to negotiate with a rental car, many beaches to discover, friendly people, interesting culture,<BR>beautiful plantations for romantic lunches (you do not need to overnight to have a lunch), not "Americanized".<BR>Simple shopping, Safe.
Jan 9th, 2003, 11:09 AM
#13
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Well maybe not to your standards, but it looks pretty plush and cost approx. eight hundred thousand to build.<BR>Of course proper staffing accounts for alot under a definition of luxury.<BR>I suppose you could have a luxury vaca in a trailer with the right staff.<BR>Anyway, this Marriott is new,located on a beautiful island , on the beach with a constant breeze and great view.<BR>If I could stay there it would be a luxury in what I perceive to be luxurious accommodations.<BR>When you were there jeff, what were your impressions?<BR>
Jan 9th, 2003, 12:37 PM
#15
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Try St. Thomas. The beaches are wonderful, the people are nice, the restaurants are good and shopping is great. You can go luxury or budget. Even the budget hotels are nice. I stay at the Best Western Emerald Beach Resort. The beach is gorgeous, surf is calm, not rocky. The food is superb and the bartender is great! There is a pool and tennis court as well. Every room has a beachfront balcony! You can travel between islands by ferry or seaplane to St John, Jost Van Dyke, Peter Island, Tortola, St. Croix and Puerto Rico.
Jan 9th, 2003, 12:39 PM
#16
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Try St. Thomas. The beaches are wonderful, the people are nice, the restaurants are good and shopping is great. You can go luxury or budget. Even the budget hotels are nice. I stay at the Best Western Emerald Beach Resort. The beach is gorgeous, surf is calm, not rocky. The food is superb and the bartender is great! There is a pool and tennis court as well. Every room has a beachfront balcony! You can travel between islands by ferry or seaplane to St John, Jost Van Dyke, Peter Island, Tortola, St. Croix and Puerto Rico. On St John you can see the the Rockefeller and Oppenheimer land, as well as the infamous Trunk Bay, and Annaberg Plantation. St. Thomas has the second oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. There is a tremendous amount of culture in the USVI!
Jan 9th, 2003, 04:22 PM
#17
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To: qqq I am surprized about the cost figure for the St. Kitts Marriot?? eight hundred thousand buys you a pretty nice home in my town, not even a mansion and no land......<BR>I hope that figure is inaccurate!! I have seen pics and it does look nice.
Jan 9th, 2003, 06:22 PM
#18
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Some of the world's best hotels have spent an average of $800,000 PER ROOM....let alone for the whole hotel or resort!!!<BR><BR>I trust that qqq meant $800,000,000.<BR>World class resorts now usually spend over $1 billion dollars from start to finish.
