I notice a lot of posing on this board by people who want to stay at ultra exclusive, ultra expensive resorts. Can I just remind people that high end cost doesn't necessarily mean high end enjoyment. You can have a wonderful vacation at a place that's a three star or four star. The most crucial criteria for a great holiday is your attitude. A case in point is my recent trip to Pink Sands in Harbour Island. At $500 a night in low season you would think that this place would be paradise. While it is certainly a beautiful resort, I had a better time in Nassau at Compass Point which was half the rate. Sometimes a "feel" of a resort is worth more than marble and brass fixtures.

Wonderful point.

How right you are! We went to Beaches turks and Caicos in June. Paid really top dollar but thought it would be worth the extra money for better food and service. Were we ever wrong! Better food? Think Atlantic City style buffets. Better service? The surliest staff I have EVER encountered in the Caribbean. Before other posters jump in and insinuate that we were rude to the staff allow me to note that we went OUT OF OUR WAY to be both polite and friendly. All we receive in return was a cold shoulder. Going to the Radisson Aruba next month. I sure hope things are better there!

Antoinette why u ignoring my emails?

Antoinette: Went to the Radisson in Aruba in August and had a wonderful time!! Be sure to eat at the Sunset Grille. It was incredible. The grounds are beautiful and the staff extremely hospitable. Hope you have a great time.

You hit it right on the head, Beth! I think the best thing a person can do to plan their vacation is to imagine the perfect vacation. Is it having a great view? Is it a great beach, and what constitutes a great beach, anyway? Is it lots of dining choices? Social life? A place to crash and chill in peace? Any of these things can be had and the luxury is in having what you fulfills your dreams. And, very probably, all of what you want can be found at a low to middle level price. My wife and I do the BVI as frequently as we can. We've tried a number of resorts there, and have found the one most suited to our taste and. lo' and behold, it is far from the most expensive, but it has what we consider the perfect offerings: its quiet, the views are stupendous, you have your own small villa, a 4WD is in the package for roaming the mountains and bays, the management dotes on you, the food is great, the atmosphere is low-key, the place is small, and the breezes are 24/7.

Ditto on Joel's comment. Also the part about the BVI. We stayed at both Biras Creek and Frenchman's. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Also nice is Guana Island. All have webpages or go to bviwecome.com. You wont regret it.

I agree but at the same time can say I have loved some of the upscale properties we have gone to & not because of marble or brass! A thatched bure on a private island in Fiji is not 4 Seasons luxury, it is top dollar but bottom line is "if it was worth it to you". So far we have been lucky & have had wonderful experiences. Sometimes the expense is for the secluded, private location of a particular resort & it's special offerings. But on the other hand we have also enjoyed much less expensive destinations that have different things to offer. My husband & I enjoy each other's company & exploring new things, no matter what or where they may be or what they cost, so I think that is also the key to a great vacation. We like to take the best of what each place has to offer & enjoy that element the most. Happy travels!

Joel, Have to agree with you on Frenchman's Cay. For me is is the best of Tortola! <BR>think an awful lot boils down to EXPECTATIONS! don't need marble baths or gold faucets but do need that secluded private small get-a-way and for that you often have to sacrific the pocketbook! I find myself much more comfortable in a Mercedes than a Geo! <BR <BR>

So Beth, give us some more details about why you didn't like Pink Sands as much as Compass Point!

Gee, Karen, I never said I was talking about Frenchman's in my posting... but you caught me! When I wrote it I was thinking that you might be the best person to respond to Beth as you have been upscale, downscale, and in between. In fact, I'm curious as to what islands you HAVEN'T been to. What I probably should have added in my posting was that the amenities, activities, and such that a person wants might necessitate a very upscale, very expensive resort. I may have come across as snubbing my nose at the high-end places. Not my intention, but to Beth's point, I suspect a lot of folks opt for more than they want to spend to assure they are satisfied. All in all, I'd say more money doesn't assure a better experience. Your opinion?

I sure didn't get the impression you were "snubbing" the high-end places at all. Sorry if I implied that! I think that any vacation, whether it be high or not-so-high end (and I've had plenty of them and will continue to have 'em!) depends so much on your expectations and attitude. Been disappointed at both at times. Not being able to flush or shower when the sprinkler system was running on Aruba, not being able to get into the water 'cause it was so rough on Tortola, being in an itty bitty room on Provo that shook with SmokeyJoe's "music" down the beach - those Buffalo Soldiers were marching through the room all nite long, I swear (and I did too!), falling off the bike at Biras Creek! Needing a kidney transplant after the ride to Smuggler's Cove or trying to dry out and getting yelled at by some woman at Cinnamon Bay after I slipped down a rainy muddy trail in a downpour and was mud from head to foot! Sitting next to Monadale and the Democratic political machine at Caneel and discussing where the steel pan music was coming from over the hill (and staff horrified since I didn't recognize him and thought him just another guest! They said, "Do you have any idea who that is?" Nope!) Running into another ex-Prez on island, "sailing" with Robin Leach and Ms. Laura (who my better half didn't believe was old enuf to drink without being carded). Those are just a few of the memories of playing "rich and famous" and the other end too! It's all about attitude and making lemonaide when you get a lemon no matter the price! Or making a choice - one high end trip v three trips! Or when the budget is tite, doing what you gotta do to get there! One of the best trips (after years at Caneel and Little Dix) was the 10 days in Season spent at Maho on St. John. Where else could you spend $25 a nite after splitting the $75 daily rate three ways in season on St. John! So what there's no hot water and the jug on the deck ... LOL. The local Holiday Inn was more expensive and it came complete with snow! It's about making wonderful memories, enjoying the "Days in the Sun," as my better half so wonderfully described our time together! It's not about marble or gold faucets but something far more than money can buy! But, I am certainly more comfortable in that Mercedes but then there is the gas, insurance along with the hefty case of sticker shock! I figure that if one can do it, go for it! Why not? If not, don't look back ... don't compare ... just go, enjoy and make those memories and laughter!

Brad: <BR> <BR>It's not a matter of disliking Pink Sands. The resort layout was more sprawling so things like the main restaurant and lounge were not by the gorgeous beach. The meals (the meal plan was mandatory) were also very long and drawn out. I think what I enjoyed about Compass Point was there was more local colour and informality without sacrificing service. But that's me and I appreciate that others may not feel that way. I just find it interesting that I didn't get double the enjoyment for double the price. <BR> <BR>

Top dollar TRULY has zero to do with enjoyment. How many people have posted here who put out big bucks for the so-called deluxe resort. There is real class and real enjoyment in the small, even quaint resorts.