Based on many postings to this board, I think I have our January vacation accomodations narrowed down to: <BR> <BR>Covecastles OR <BR>Cap Juluca <BR> <BR>BUT I am still open to suggestions...price range of $1000 per night is OK...want seclusion (hopefully for topless sunbathing), great beach, food & service (not necessarily looking to do a meal plan so we can experiment & enjoy the island but need advice on that, too) <BR> <BR>We love St Maarten, but wanted to try something new...any thoughts would be appreciated! <BR> <BR> <BR>

Poor baby...you only have a budget of $1000 a night.

Talk about reverse snobbery. Try St Barths. If you really want a hotel Le Toiny would be perfect private cottages and private pools at a private end of the island. I'd recommend a villa though for total privacy. You can spend your days lazing around your pool trying to decide which of the 80 some equisite french restaurants to try that evening then you can spend dinner trying to figure out which of the 21 beaches you'll visit the next morning. The island is freindly but not nosy "anyone" can go "anywhere". It is without a doubt the safest island in the Caribbean and one of the most picturesque. For villa info try www.wimco.com

Just returned from my first trip to Anguilla and a lunch at Cap reinforced that when (and I will return!) that there is NO question that Cap will be my choice! It was breathtaking. Lunch was excellent and convinced me that we should have planned to return for dinner but there are sooo many places to choose from for dining! Be sure to head to Staw Hat - it was wonderful!! Did see CoveCastles and no doubt it is wonderful but Cap just took my breath away! Not sure about the "topless" thing at Cap since Anguilla does not permit public nudity ... but ... enuf said!

Hi Debra-We have been to Anguilla many times and we adore the island,its beaches and its people. It is much quieter than ST. Martin and Karen is correct you do not see nudity on its beaches. It is an English island and topless is not legal. Now I have seen thongs at Cap Juluca and some topless, but it is the exception not the rule. We love CJ and the rooms and service are outstanding. The beach is fantastic. Covecastles is pretty too, more like private villas and more secluded. We toured the beach houses a few years ago and were very tempted. Cap gives you more options, yet Covecastles looks more secluded. You will have endless choices for dining. Our favorite changes from year to year-I recommend Tratoria Tratomondo(love sitting on the beach listening to Sarah Brightman and Andrea Boticelli) Mangos, Blanchards, Pimms, Georges, Straw Hat, Malliouhana, CuisinArt. Sandy Ground is fun to explore-that is where the sail boats come in and my husband swears it is the hottest part of the island. The Barrel Stay has the best fish soup. Johnnos has a band on Sunday afternoon and so does Scilly Cay (lobsters,crayfish,chicken and the strongest rum punches I have ever had). You will love Anguilla.

Stayed a week at Cove Castles and it was wonderful. Food, service and accomondations couldn't have been better. Would definitely stay there again. Cap was nice but it's a larger resort. Had lunch and dinner at Cap and found the food at Cove much better.

KarenW: So, where did you stay on Anguilla and were you pleased with your choice?

I went to Anguilla on my honeymoon and <BR>stayed at Cap Julca. It was perfect, <BR>we loved the resort, beach, food, service and the entire island. We took <BR>a snokeling trip to Scily Cay and had a blast there. I would really reccommend <BR>Blanchards for dinner..it was great! <BR>

We were at cap Juluca a few weeks ago. We loved it and I would highly recommend this top hotel. We loved Anguilla too! You will have a great time.

We stayed at CuisinArt. My favorite dinner was definately Straw Hat! We ate at Blanchard's and if I had realized that it was Pacific Rim fusion food I might have skipped it! The mahi mahi was done perfectly and was good but I don't like the fusion fad that is touring the islands (George's is supposed to be that when it opens as well!). The setting was nice as we had a table on the porch in the garden - but I found the burning of incense or whatever was (I guess to keep the bugs away) distracted from the dining - I love to use all my sense when I eat and I couldn't stop sneezing because of the smell!!! I found Mango's only ordinary and the famous David seems to have left some of his manners in the bagel store he had in NJ! Not one of the better nites - but waitstaff was wonderful!!

Karen I would love to here your opinion about CuisinArt. Did you enjoy the hotel?

Thanks, Karen! But apparently you were still more impressed with Cap Juluca even though you didn't actually stay there, correct?

Thank you to all! I will definitely use those restaurant suggestions, though I guess I am still a bit torn between resorts...maybe I'll just toss a coin since it seems we will enjoy ourselves no matter what. <BR> <BR>I assume we need a car to get to all of those fab meals?

It is a tough choice between the two hotels. No bad choice. The island is very easy to get around-you could rent a car or get a cab. Not a problem. Enjoy. Just book soon so you get what you want. Enjoy!

My "2 cents" worth : everybody raves about Barrel Stay's fish soup. We had it, it was good.then we happened to have fish soup at The OLd House , near airport, and it was MUCH better !!! <BR>Musts for dinner are Blanchard's, of course, and Hibernia , lunch is better, it is a long drive and harder to find in the dark. The view there was simply breathtaking, and the food delicious. <BR>You'll love Anguilla ! Enjoy.

Hi Jenny-Thanks for the tip on the fish soup, will certainly give it a try. We got to Hibernia for the first time, and it was worth the ride, but next time we will do lunch. Covecastles is getting rave reviews on its dining. So, Debra have you made up your mind?

I have been to Cap Juluca 3 times and loved it. It is the complete opposite pace from San MArtin. All of the restaurants that others have mentioned are great. My favorite is Blachards. You need to make reservations there the day that you arrive, or even from San Martin. I would also definitely rent a car. Driving is easy there. It is a relaxing vacation - do all of your shopping in SM, no stores of any value there. The breakfast at Cap are great- they are in your room. Get a room with a double tub. Also definitely get at upstairs room. <BR>Any questions emailo. I will be away until 12/30. Off to Santo Domingo. Wendy

unless there is an availability problem, we are going to risk the lack of a/c at covecastles... <BR> <BR>will post any new findings re: restaurants, etc when we return.. <BR>

Hi Debra-I am sure you will have a great trip. You can dine for lunch or dinner at Trattoria Tratomonto as it is a short walk from your Covecastles beach villa. There should be a nice breeze day and night, in January I would not worry about a/c. Enjoy!

If your looking for a romantic place to stay. LOOK NO FURTHER. <BR>The ladera in st. lucia. They have a web site. ladera.com. Just back and you will not find any place better, there are about 20 rooms. Al overlook caribbbean. All have their own pools. <BR>Not cheap but not out of this world either. <BR>This place is beyond discription. <BR>You want to go topless,bottomless whatever---- <BR>Access to the best snorkling and diving onthe island. <BR>Do'nt even think about it just book it!!!!!!!