Kevin

My wife and I are looking for a caribbean resort to travel to next year. We are in our mid 40's , no children. Although we don't hate kids, we do not like to spend our vacation time listening to crying babies and screaming kids (OK, maybe we slightly dislike kids). We like upscale resorts with nice beaches, nice tropical scenery (don't like the flat, dry islands), snorkling, going out to dinner. We have been only to St. John. We have looked into places like Sandals that are couples only but aren't crazy about all-inclusive as we enjoy spending our evenings in the local restaurants in the small towns (we really liked Cruz Bay). Any suggestions out there?

KIM(IN)

How about St.Lucia we are visiting their <BR>in Feb but we are Sandals people we love their resorts. I hear it is beautiful and very lush, mountains also. Look it up and give it some thought! We are doing a day sail and a jeep safari, rain forest walk and a party cruise i cant wait.

penny

Hi Kevin-We love St. John and dining in Cruz Bay. I try to base my criteria on the island and local restaurants. Since you do not like flat,arid islands(Anguilla is our favorite,fabulous beaches and restaurants),why not St. Barts. I have never been there,have been told by many many people we would love it,it is suppose to be a gem of an island and fits your requests. <BR>We did St.Lucia a few years ago,it was very confining,this is the only island we did not rent a car. Yes it is lush,but I missed the turquoise water and white sand,the beaches cannot compare to St. JOhn. <BR>It is true there are more children on vacation than a few years ago,as baby boomers,it is definitely a boom again. Just try not to book during major school holidays.

Christie

I agree with you, Kevin! We also prefer to vacation at adults-only places. Unfortunately, most of them are all-inclusive: Sandals, Jack Tar Village, some of the Palace Resorts in Cancun, etc. <BR> <BR>An option is to rent a private villa or condo. There are literally tons of these available, many with their own private pools, chefs, and maid services. Some even come with their own cars for guests' use. This would definitely be the ultimate get-away, IMHO! <BR> <BR>Regardless of where you go, if you book during standard school times (Feb is a safe month), there usually will be very few children. <BR> <BR>

mitch

Ditto about kids. Once our two parasites were grown and gone, we were able to go away by ourselves. We liked Little Dix and Biras Creek on Virgin Gourda.

Parrot Mom

Another alternative is the Renassaince Cruise lines..no children under 16..Remember it's not the kids..it's the parents who are at fault.. Sandals does have I hear adults only resorts

MW

<BR>School age kids won't be as much problem while schools in session, but babies/toddlers will! No matter how well-meaning the parent, a baby or toddler can be very annoying. I know people will take offense, but that's a fact. <BR> <BR>You might like Barbados. Great restaurants. Not rain forest lush, but beautiful flowers & rolling terrain. Lots of beaches. We did see little kiddoes in April, but mostly European families (their babies don't cry as much for some reason?). The snorkeling wasn't much, but the Tobago Cays are an easy day sail & will be the highlight of your Caribbean memories for the rest of your life. Well worth the $ & then some. <BR> <BR>Hmmmm --- instead of a ground stay, why not sail around the Grenadines or a BVI on a catamaran that is willing to assure you there will be no kids aboard?

Rusty

On the island of St. Lucia, Look into Rendezvous or Lesport. They are both couples only. Upscale and no kids. I think most resorts that are couples only are generally all inclusive, Remember you can always go out to dinner on a few nights. Sandals are also very nice resorts, but we feel they are a little commercialized. We like it small and intimate. Breezes in Nassua is also couples only. Also a nice resort. Something to consider; Its nice for breakfast early in the morning just to walk to the resort resturant than to get all dressed up and try to find a nice place in the mornings. Its usually easy to find nice resturants for dinners, But what about breakfast and lunch. We usually go off the all inclusives for one or two nights to expeirence the local fare.

Eileen

I am a mother of two (ages 8 and 3) and every year my husband and I get to go away without them. I totally understand your perspective because we are always looking for resorts without kids cause we go to get away from them! Here's my warning -- there are always lots of kids traveling no matter what time of year it is, so if you really don't want to be around kids, go to adults only resorts. I know you don't like dry islands, but we are considering going to Grace Bay Club in the Turks and Caicos cause they have a "no children under 12" rule. We don't like all-inclusive either and haven't found many other places that exclude kids. Of all the places we have travelled, the Pierre Marques outside of Acapulco had the fewest children, its sister hotel is the Acapulco Princess so most of the families stay there.

terri

Kevin, we are in the same situation. We have no kids, and are planning a relaxing vacation in St. John. We both love snorkeling, and dinner & drinks out out - so "all inclusives" are definetly out. In trying to narrow down our list of possible accomodations we've gotten mixed reviews on the "Westin" , can you (or anyone ) give us any recommendations? Preferable an upscale hotel, or beachfront condo with the ammenities of a full service hotel.

Susan Park

Eileen, do not go to the Grace Bay Club unless you find out if they put decent mattresses on the beds. We stayed there and had aching backs. Our friends had a BOARD between their springs and mattress. When we all complained we were told to write a letter because management wouldn't fix the problem. For a mere $350 a night I expect a decent bed. Other than that it was nice. Grace Point is new there and their brochure looks fabulous. I will go there next but never again to Grace Bay Club.

kevin

Terri <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Westin about 5 years ago - it was a Hyatt Regency then. We got a great rate on an oceanfront room so were glad we stayed there, but don't know if we would stay there again. The rooms were decent but nothing fantastic. The grounds and pool were very nice but the beach was very poor. It is man-made and the water was full of seaweed and not good for snorkling. The bay is very pretty to look at and to just hang out on the beach is fine, but not good for swimming. The restaurants were the standard overpriced boring hotel restaurants, so we ate all all of our dinners out in Cruz Bay. Plenty of good places there and fun atmosphere. There were a fair amount of kids at the Hyatt (Westin). I would consider Caneel Bay which has a nicer beach. I have also heard very good things about Gallows Point condos. They are walking distance to town which would be nice though I am not sure if there is a nice beach close by. Overall St John and Cruz bay is great - I just wish there were more hotel options. I think we would stay at Gallows Point next time and maybe take a cab to one of the more isolated beaches each day.

Jackie

My husband and stayed at Bougainvilla in Barbados last Feb. and had a wonderful time. All suite resort and lots of restaurants to choose from on the island. Beautiful beach and within walking distance to St. Lawrence Gap. The people in Barbados are wonderful. Great information at Barbados.org. Have a great trip whatever you choose.

Keith's Nan

Terri, definately go to StJohn. We have been there a number of times and "kids" were a non-issue. It is very laid back and relaxing with some nice restaurants and wonderful beaches for swimming/snorkeling, etc. You can hike and do the sight-seeing thing but mostly STJ is to enjoy as R&R. You could try Gallows Point - visited there and would stay there if the opportunity arose. They are booked heavily ahead of time. Also, think about renting a villa. About the same price as Westin (some love - most hate) or Caneel (expensive, great for couples - but I don't think worth the money, unless you have alot to burn). You can also rent a 4WD and enjoy more beaches and there will still be some you won't have time for. St. Thomas is just a ferry ride away and plenty of adventure type things to do. Vist another board called www.caribbeanonline.com Wonderful trip reports and advise there on STT,ATJ & STX. Good luck and enjoy. <BR> <BR>

Deborah

My recommendation would be St. Croix. We have stayed at the Hibiscus which is very quiet in a nice location. It has hotel type rooms with a refrigerator. It also has an adjoining restaurant and bar. St. Croix has some WONDERFUL restaurants. We prefer St. Croix over St. John anyday. <BR>

joan

We travel for business reasons several times a year and we have found a quiet oasis at most Ritz Carltons. If they are located in an area with a lot of children involved in their traffic - they often have two pool areas - one for children and one for adults who do not need to hear "Marco" "Polo" one more time. Best of luck.

JanGail

Kevin, <BR>Consider Aruba as a possible vacation <BR>spot. Two resorts come to mind that <BR>have few or no children. One is called <BR>the Bucuti Beach Resort (www.bucuti.com) <BR>and the Manchebo Beach Resort <BR>(www.manchebo.com). Both resorts are <BR>next door to each other and are located <BR>on a beautiful, huge, wide, uncrowded, <BR>quiet, laid-back beach which to a small <BR>degree is also topless optional. This <BR>beach is called Manchebo Beach, part of <BR>a larger beach area called Eagle Beach. <BR>When we stayed at the Manchebo Beach <BR>Resort, we saw only two children--one <BR>9 year girl and her 11 year old brother. <BR>The children were part of a family from <BR>Holland and were well behaved. These <BR>two resorts do not forbid children, <BR>but do encourage more adults and <BR>couples at their resorts. The resorts <BR>are popular with Europeans as families <BR>from the USA and North America prefer <BR>the Palm Beach area at the high rise <BR>hotels where there are more activities <BR>and children's programs. The Bucuti <BR>and the Manchebo do not have any <BR>children's programs. <BR>The Bucuti is considered the more <BR>upscale of the two resorts-- it is <BR>Mediterrenean in style and they really <BR>pamper you-- a very popular honeymoon <BR>site. For example, the staff will give <BR>you a red flag to take with you to the <BR>beach and whenever you're thirsty and <BR>or hungry, just stick your flag in the <BR>sand and a waiter will come to you to <BR>take your order! <BR>Unfortunately, Aruba is an arid island <BR>with little rainfall annually. However, <BR>because of that, the weather is usually <BR>great year-round with lots of sunshine. <BR>Aruba is also outside the hurricane <BR>belt so it is also safe to go during <BR>the hurricane season. Although Aruba's <BR>scenery is not tropical like Hawaii or <BR>St. Lucia, it is a wonderful place to <BR>snorkel and scuba dive! Aruba also <BR>enjoys a fine reputation for their <BR>restaurants. You will also find that <BR>Aruba is one of the safer islands in <BR>the Caribbean and the people of Aruba <BR>one of the most friendly to meet!! <BR>For more information about Aruba, go to <BR>these sites: www.aruba-bb.com--- and--- <BR>www.visitaruba.com <BR>The Bucuti and the Manchebo resorts do <BR>not offer all inclusive meal plans; <BR>they do offer breakfast plans, breakfast <BR>and dinner plans, or no meal plans. <BR>It seems that Aruba fits your criteria <BR>except for its dry, arid landscape. But <BR>if beaches, good weather, good snorkeling, and good restaurants are <BR>important to you, then you should <BR>consider Aruba. There is so much to <BR>do on that island-- check out the <BR>websites I mentioned! <BR>JanGail

Debra

Kevin <BR> <BR>I've been to many islands (with and w/o our kids)...I highly recommend St Martin...stay on the french side in/near grand case (there is a le meridien in anse marcel)...grand case has wonderful restaurants with local character (within walking distance of one another)& great food and service...the highly rated resort la samanna is on the dutch side (i had dinner there, and it is upscale, but id rather be in grand case for dinner!) island has great topography (NOT flat!)...easy to get around (rent a car)...casinos on the Dutch side if you care for it...nude beach on the French side if you care for it...good shopping, too! <BR>maybe the only downside is it is not the best diving in the caribbean. <BR> <BR>hope this helps, <BR> <BR>debra <BR>

BillK

We've been going to St Barth for 6 years. Beautiful scenery, great beaches, superb restaurants and a minimum of kids. Very, very few tourist kids and only some locals. For hotel information go to where2stay.com and click on St Barth for villa info try wimco.com and select St Barth.

Tracey

Kevin - Why don't you book a private charter for the week in the BVI's. You go where you want, when you want, no children, just you and your wife alone (with a captain, a cook if you want). You can eat in or go to a different island restaurant every night. Go to every spot on every island. Just a suggestion & it costs about the same as staying at a 4 star resort for a week.