Upscale Hotel (but not too upscale)
 

My wife and I are planning a last-minute trip to the Carribean in late March. We have expensive taste and have stayed in nice resorts like The Princeville in Kuwai, Hyatt Regency Maui and The Cloister on Sea Island and loved them! We went to Grand Cayman a few years ago, stayed at the Westin and were so-so on the island and the experience. We're looking for a place to stay that will be upscale, but, perhaps not carry the $700-800 per night price tag as Cap Jaluca in Anguilla or others. Our islands of choice would be Anguilla, Antigua, Turks and Caicos, Aruba and St. Barts. Let us know if you have any good ideas!!

Hi; <BR> <BR>This is not on your list, but check out <BR>www.islandoutpost.com for Pink Sands resort on Harbour Island. This is an <BR>"out island" in the Bahamas. Unlike the touristy Islands, this one is pure bliss. Spent 5 nights there with my wife on our 10th. Not much to do, but WOW! What a beach! If you go, beach front accomodations are a must! Have fun wherever you go.

Frangipani on Anguilla gets high marks, on Meads Bay. Lovely resort. Last minute could be a problem.

Try the Hyatt or Radisson in Aruba.

I would ditto Pink Sands as a wonderful get a way from it all resort. Nice pool, good food, beautiful grounds and accomodations and RIGHT on the beach. Harbour Island was named one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world a few years ago by Islands Magazine. <BR> <BR>Several good restaurants, on island, and even a few fastish food. There are 2 dive shops on island and good snorkling/dive trips offered. <BR> <BR>The island is very laid back and attracts people from all over the world, alot of celebs too, but since the island is so laid back, you will enjoy the friendliness. <BR> <BR>You can fly directly into Nassau and take the Fast Ferry over which goes twice a day. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip.

St. Barth Isle de France hotel- we stayed there for our honeymoon. Upscale yet not stuffy. It's on a great beach, great service. If you get a week "package" a beachfront room averages out to around $450-500 a night in low season. Cottage/villas are less though.

On Turks and Caicos try the Grace Bay Club. On St. Barts, there are lots of choices. Hotel St. Barts Isle de France, Le Toiny, Hotel Cristopher, to name a few. Hyatt Aruba is excellent, with gorgeous pool and beach. <BR> <BR>Going on such short notice might be a problem for all of them, though. If you want to consider Guadeloupe, another fabulous place is La Cocoteraie.

Have stayed at Pink Sands at Harbor Island, it indeed has a spectacular beach and you definitely should go for beachfront. Food is very good, and the island has some cool little eateries (although not a ton). <BR> <BR>Another more secluded and spectacular setting is Anse Chastenet in St. Lucia...after an hour of winding roads, the setting is just spectacular. Cliffside with a great view of the twin Pitons, it's the closest to Bora Bora I have seen on this side of the world. <BR>If you check that out, stay up top, the view is fabulous from the round rooms, one has a tree that grows right up through it. Nice walkway down to the beach.

Reed-LOL nice walk down to the beach-how about up! Its a hike! Windy road from the airport! One hell of a trip! Take your Dramamine! Seriously it is lovely but stick with Turks, or Anguilla or St. Barts. Much better-been there done that.

Curt, <BR> We have been too some of the same resorts as you and loved them all. We were in Arubu a year ago and had a wonderful time. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency and feel this is the best resort on the island. Some of the most memorable times at the resort and Arubu are 1. sitting in the oversized chairs in the open air lobby at the Hyatt 2. Eating lunch at the swim-up bar grill 3.crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches 4. Dinner at El Gaucho Steak house in town. The shopping is good but not great and once you get outside of the resort this reminds a lot of Arizona in that there is not much vegetation. The night life isn't bad if you enjoy casinos. <BR> <BR>jrb <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>