Caribbean Recommendation

[northeastern]

DH, DD and I want to go to the Caribbean the week before Thanksgiving and can't decide where to go. My parents will also be going. We went to T&C on our honeymoon in 2011 and have been to Grand Cayman twice since then. I am leaning on going back to T&C because my parents have never been to the Caribbean and it is so beautiful there.

Can anyone recommend another island? DD will almost be 2 and is content with a beach and pool. Preferably I would like to be in a resort/condo right on the beach. I have always wanted to go to St. Maarten, but all the pictures I see make it seem like the resorts do not sit right on the beach. Am I wrong? 

Thanks in advance!

[Deleted]

Anguilla is my favorite of the Caribbean islands I've been to.

[neonpink]

I'm heading off to St. Martin next week. I was inspired by my BIL's recent trip there and decided to go.

[seabitch]

We love St John, USVI and the British Virgin Islands. So laid back, great food, and so much hiking, boating, and snorkeling.

[ashap]

Barbados, Antigua, St. Lucia.

I've done St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and St. Croix and I think all of those would fit your needs pretty well!

[more adventurous]

Antigua is gorgeous. Our resort was right on the beach, but I can't recommend it since it was adults only. I also second St. Lucia (although I've never been, personally. I've just seen lots of pictures).

[G22]

We did St Maarten for our honeymoon and our resort was right on the beach. They also had a couple pools, if I remember correctly. The rooms were nice but older, but we spent very little time in the room during the day so it didn't bother us. We loved it and I'd go back again. I don't remember the name of the resort (its been 5 years), but I'll see if I can find it for you in case you want to check it out.

[G22]

So I *think* it was the Flamingo Resort on Simpson Bay where we stayed. It had its own private beach.

[patches31709]

We've been to St Martin 3 times in the last three years - we love it there! We stay on the French side, at the Grand Case Beach Club. It is directly on two beaches, and is a short walk from the village of Grand Case, which has tons of restaurants. We love it there.

[mcfelix]

May 9, 2014 10:27:17 GMT -5 v said:

Anguilla is my favorite of the Caribbean islands I've been to.

I also loved Anguilla.

[babsbunny]

Aruba is my favorite. It's also far enough south that it usually doesn't get impacted by hurricane season. I found St. Thomas and Barbados too spread out.

[Deleted]

Aruba or St. Kitts!

[protozoa]

St Maarten has lots of places right on the beach, and lots of others not on the beach. I've been 5 times so I would highly recommend it. Even if you stay somewhere right on the beach I'd highly recommend checking out other beaches there as well.

Also just a minor note based on a comment above - no hotels or properties have private beaches - they are all public.

[northeastern]

May 12, 2014 17:37:07 GMT -5 protozoa said:

St Maarten has lots of places right on the beach, and lots of others not on the beach. I've been 5 times so I would highly recommend it. Even if you stay somewhere right on the beach I'd highly recommend checking out other beaches there as well.

Also just a minor note based on a comment above - no hotels or properties have private beaches - they are all public.

Could you make a recommendation on a beach? I didn't realize the island was so big. Is one side better than the other?

Thanks!

[Deleted]

May 13, 2014 11:13:12 GMT -5 northeastern said:

May 12, 2014 17:37:07 GMT -5 protozoa said:

St Maarten has lots of places right on the beach, and lots of others not on the beach. I've been 5 times so I would highly recommend it. Even if you stay somewhere right on the beach I'd highly recommend checking out other beaches there as well.

Also just a minor note based on a comment above - no hotels or properties have private beaches - they are all public.

Could you make a recommendation on a beach? I didn't realize the island was so big. Is one side better than the other?

Thanks!

The Dutch side is much more friendlier than the French.  It is not big it is just the island is split down the middle and owned by 2 countries.

[protozoa]

May 13, 2014 11:13:12 GMT -5 northeastern said:

May 12, 2014 17:37:07 GMT -5 protozoa said:

St Maarten has lots of places right on the beach, and lots of others not on the beach. I've been 5 times so I would highly recommend it. Even if you stay somewhere right on the beach I'd highly recommend checking out other beaches there as well.

Also just a minor note based on a comment above - no hotels or properties have private beaches - they are all public.

Could you make a recommendation on a beach? I didn't realize the island was so big. Is one side better than the other?

Thanks!

It's actually a very small island with lots of beaches! I've enjoyed staying on Simpson Bay beach since it is gorgeous and very quiet EXCEPT it is very close to the airport so that can be noisy. But if you get up early/sleep heavily it might not be an issue.

The Flamingo and Simpson Bay resorts are on a beach, which isn't the greatest beach but the hotels get good reviews generally.

I personally would not recommend staying on Maho beach, but it is fun to visit and watch the planes for a few hours.

On the French side Grand Case Beach Club is on the beach and close to a ton of fantastic restaurants if that is your thing.

Also the Westin is on Dawn Beach which is nice.

I wouldn't say that one side if the island is better than the other. The Dutch side is more affordable overall, and has more places to stay. I've always stayed on that side but have spent a lot of time on the French side.

[mrsstreet]

We took a family vacation with my two year old and in laws to Barbados in March. I loved it. We stayed in a three bedroom condo right on Dover Beach in the St. Lawrence Gap area. The beach was gorgeous and we were within walking distance to some excellent restaurants. It was perfect for a family vacation, especially if you are looking to just relax on the beach. The island isn't terribly large but it does take awhile to get from one side to the other due to winding roads but its not difficult. We did an island tour one day and it took about 4-5 hours to see other parts of the island. I would highly recommend it.