Question:
Last year I went to Anguilla for 1 week, all inclusive. While it was pricey it was fantastic. No one begging, very few tourists. No souvenir shops and billboards all over. Just great beaches, few people, few hotels but great service, climate and a good place to get away from it all. I particularly liked the water, beaches and the fact that I could not walk to another hotel much less see one. St. Martin is across the water by ferry which is nutso. But some people like that. I need a very queit place so I can relax. Anything like Anguilla out there? I heard St Barts but do not know. Mauritius is too far away. Thanks for an email reply. Peter
Response:
Anything like Anguilla out there?
How’s this grab you? No beggars, boat boys nor sullen Rastas. Zero indigenous crime. All locals are employed and, by all accounts, don’t covet your wealth. Few tourists. No souvenir shops. No billboards. Not a single tee shirt shop on the island, although a few upscale shirt boutiques. No cruise ships allowed. Ditto big capacity headboats. No litter. No shacks. Locals live in an area comparable to a U.S. suburban housing development. Superb beaches. One hotel, one guest house, remaining lodging is private villas (about 90 of them in scattered sites thruout the island, probably starting at a mil or so for the cheapest). Service to a "t", in fact all islanders are employed in government-ok’d service related industries, no private entrepeneurs. All islanders brandish permanent smiles for the visitors. Typical Windwards climate. No airport hassles, service is personalized and atmosphere intimate at the smilin’ jack type airport. You can’t walk to another hotel on the island, nor for that matter see another, because there is only one hotel. On the subject of walking, walking much of the island is like walking a country club golf course. Large portions of the island are landscaped, just for the hell of it since the extensive open spaces serve only scenic purposes, no other. Very quiet, relaxing. Meet your criteria? Try Mustique. Stay at the Cotton House. It will fulfill every item on your wish list, plus some. One more thing. Be prepared to sell your first born into bondage to bankroll the trip. T.
Response:
Last year I went to Anguilla for 1 week, all inclusive. While it was pricey it was fantastic. No one begging, very few tourists. No souvenir shops and billboards all over. Just great beaches, few people, few hotels but great service, climate and a good place to get away from it all. I particularly liked the water, beaches and the fact that I could not walk to another hotel much less see one. St. Martin is across the water by ferry which is nutso. But some people like that. I need a very queit place so I can relax. Anything like Anguilla out there?
Try Barbuda (as in Antigua & Barbuda). I haven’t been there, but it sounds like it would meet your desires – very few people and expensive hotels.
Response:
Sounds like you would like Biras Creek on Virgin Gorda, Caneel Bay on St. John, Peter Island Club on Pter Island, The Four Seasons on Nevis, various places on St. Barts. These are a few that come to mind, but there are many similar places. We have been to many of the islands, and begging, billboards and souvenir shops are the exception rather than the rule. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Last year I went to Anguilla for 1 week, all inclusive. While it was pricey it was fantastic. No one begging, very few tourists. No souvenir shops and billboards all over. Just great beaches, few people, few hotels but great service, climate and a good place to get away from it all. I particularly liked the water, beaches and the fact that I could not walk to another hotel much less see one. St. Martin is across the water by ferry which is nutso. But some people like that. I need a very queit place so I can relax. Anything like Anguilla out there? I heard St Barts but do not know. Mauritius is too far away. Thanks for an email reply. Peter
Response:
Based on my personal experience (and not hearsay), the only thing I’ve experienced that comes close is Virgin Gorda. We stayed at Little Dix Bay and were quite pleased with the facilities and the service. One notable difference is that Anguilla seems to have more quality restaurants outside of hotels. The other suggestions, Mustique, St. Barts, Nevis etc. seem to be on the right track also, based only on what I’ve read, but alas, I’ve not personally had the pleasure.
Response:
check out Nevis we stayed at golden rock on the side of the volcano look for their web site, the beaches were not as nice as anguilla, but the rainforest and monkeys made up for it. the islands are similar the locals are friendly but it is less expensive Len & Sue
Response:
If you like beaches but don’t want to pay the high prices that Anguilla demands you might try Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos), Culebra (U.S. – Puerto Rico), Barbuda (Antigua and..) or Curiaccao (Grenada – sorry if my spelling is off). None of these has luxury hotels (which is why they are cheap). If you want those, go with one of the other suggested islands. Or just go back to Anguilla. /Tom
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I particularly liked the water, beaches and the fact that I could not walk to another hotel much less see one. St. Martin is across the water by ferry which is nutso. But some people like that. I need a very queit place so I can relax. Anything like Anguilla out there? I heard St Barts but do not know. Mauritius is too far away.
Response:
If you like beaches but don’t want to pay the high prices that Anguilla demands
You don’t have to pay high prices to stay on Anguilla. While staying in a guest house won’t give you a beach outside your door, you can travel to a beach. I’d rent a bike and bike to the beach, but cars can be rented very reasonably on the island. Looking in my Lonely Planet guide book I find Willie’s Inn (264-497-6225) with rates beginning at US$50 a day. Then for a little more you have the Inter Island Hotel (264-497-6259) for US$70 a day. For $95 there you can get a one-bedroom apartment. Then there’s the Pond Dipper Guest House (264-497-2315) for US$60. Moving to the web I find: http://web.ai/lloyds/ http://www.turq.com/anguilla/angstay2.html http://www.turq.com/anguilla/angstay3.html All of the ones in the guide book can be found on the two turq.com pages. Don (donwiss at panix com).