20 year anniversary trip, some choices to make

[jingogli]

Looking for a place with a little to do, but mostly relax and enjoy each other.



Places I am seriously considering:



Eden Rock

Cap Juluca

Hotel St. Barts Isle de France

Emeraude Plage

Young Island



Have read extensively on trip advisor to narrow to these choices, but am open to others. Would prefer something smaller instead of a Ritz type property.



Also looked at Jade Mountain, Anse Chastanet, and Sandy Lane, but these are a little more than I want to spend.



Help appreciated.

[bonniejoy03]

Great ideas. I did Young Island for my 10 year anniversary. Great property and great snoreklling trips to other iislands (also an LL auction.) The beach isn't that great. Great food. Nice tennis courts. We visit but don't stay at Cap J each year. It is lovely with more honeymoon type travellers. More to do on the island and a lovely beach, great service and the best food at the propertyy and on Anguilla. Also, look at Cotton House on Mustique. I can offer assistance with any questions on Anguilla and Mustique and a little on the Grenadines. Just for fun, check out the Firefly properties on Bequia and Mustique. So many choices....so little time. (ps-also the BVIs...Peter Island? Loved it!)

[jingogli]

Thanks Bonniejoy,



I just looked at Cotton House, Raffles and Peter Island. They all look very nice.



How much is there to do on Mustique versus Anguilla?



I also sent email inquiries to several of the hotels on Saturday and have not heard back from any of them yet. I am assuming that is just the pace of the islands, or should I assume this is a indication of thier responsiveness?



I am usually pretty decisive on picking my spots, but I am struggling with this one because of the diversity of options. We just went to Paris in December and I found a great boutique hotel in about a day and we were on our way. Hotel Keppler in Paris was wonderful.



I appreciate your thoughts. It seems like you have traveled quite extensively.

[jingogli]

Bonniejoy,



One more question.



Any experience with Martinique and specifically:
Le Cap Est Lagoon Resort & SpaMartinique, French West Indies

It looks beautiful, but I am a novice.
Thanks again.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi J. Can't believe you haven't heard back yet! I heard business is a little slow and they can't be dealing with this blizzard on the east coast like we are!! (though this is one of their busiest times of the year with Valentine's Day and holidays and possible a lot of flight cancellations.)



There isn't too much to do on Mustique. You can rent a "mule" (motorized gator.) and drive to different beaches. You also can go on snorkel trips through the Grenadines. They have a great tennis academy. You will probably just relax. On Anguilla, you will also rent a car and visit the lovely beaches. There are day trips to St. Maarten or even St. Barths. It is not a tropical island but very flat. Great restaurants and great beaches. So....both will be pretty mellow however Anguilla will have "more to do" (but still no casinos, etc.)



Peter Island has a toll free number (even on the LL site here.) Call them direct. What properties are you considring in Anguilla? Cottonb House also has a toll free number. I would call. I have found in the past that sometimes, computers do go down so this could be the case...

[jingogli]

Thanks Bonniejoy,



The only one that actually got back to me was Cap Juluca. That was the one I was considering on Anguilla. We decided to go to Martinique instead and stay Le Cap Est. The trip is in May. I will post after that. I was disappointed that the other places did not get back to me. A little surprising. I guess business must not be that slow.



Thanks Again.

[djd3254]

look at tortuga bay hotel DR

check their reviews on trip advisor

oscar de la renta, julio iglesia houses are there

[bonniejoy03]

Oh...how nice! Please tell us about it (when are you going?) Did you get the LL auction? I have never been to Martinique and don't think it is too big a touristy area. Sounds great!!!

[jingogli]

May 17th.

I don't think alot of American's go to Martinique. It should be fun and I will report for sure. American Airlines Vacations had 25% off their normal vacation package prices to Martinique so I wound up getting it there. The LL packages will be something I continue to watch, it looks like they have some great deals.

Thanks again.

[reeddmd]

We honeymooned in Cap Juluca in June. It was fabulous. We took the semi private cap juluca shuttle.(two couples on the boat) Ran into guests on the way back who got burnt with the private shuttle.(its expensive) There isn't much shopping on the island. Try Zaza's. My husband practiced driving the hotle carts around before we renting a car to drive around the island. This was a good idea since they drive on the other side of the road. Hope your trip goes well.