Bob
Reged: 10/04/02
Posts: 370
Loc: Southeast Virginia
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There was a long feature article on Anguilla in Friday's USA Today which included a comparison of Anguilla and SBH. As always, USA Today did this from a "celebrity/high end" perspective. Having never been to Anguilla I am interested. Any information anyone has on Anguilla - and also comparisons to SBH from a more real viewpoint - would be much appreciated.
Bob in frigid Virginia
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15633
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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better beaches....not better food.....
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karma is a beautiful thing at times
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rkenneken
Reged: 02/23/03
Posts: 11
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Definitely better beaches on Anguilla. The food is just as good but actually more expensive. The problem with Anguilla as I see it is the fact that it is very poor. The super rich don't care about this as they stay in very expensive compounds and venture out only to very expensive restaruants. It reminded my of being in Jamaica without the crime. There was an underlying sense of real discontent among the natives . Tourists were put in another class. In St. Barts the people who live there year round are hard working but properly compensated for their work and therefore have pride in what they do and do it well. This is not what happens in Anguilla. I was constantly cheated whenever I went to a local store or small restaurant (usually in incorrect change) and sometimes a look of surprise that I had ventured off the beaten path. In St Barts I feel I can go anywhere at anytime and feel safe and welcome (as welcome as the French allow one to be) As beautiful as the famous resorts and the beaches are in Anguilla I would never go back. (p.s. there is absolutely no shopping in Anguilla which did not make my wife very happy either)
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DAL
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 101
Loc: Easton, Ct
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We love Anguilla. The people are warm and friendly, there is no "attitude." The beaches are spectacular, the restaurants (IMO) are better than St. Barths. We love St. Barths, but love Anguilla as well. Usually we do a week in St. Barths and a week in Anguilla. St. Barths is a little hyper, and Anguilla is verrrry relaxing. If you want pampering, go to Anguilla and relax on the beautiful beaches
(they even have chairs). Go to Sandy Ground and visit one of the beach bars, on Sunday Johnno's has a local jazz band, it is great fun, locals and tourists, kids & dogs. Have some ribs and a couple of beers and watch the sailboats.Shoal Bay is another beautiful beach with fun beach bars and chairs & umbrellas to rent. Go to Scily Cay and have the most wonderful lobster of you life we always seem to meet other people there,who we sometimes have drinks and dinner with. If you really want pampering, go to
Cap Juluca and be treated like royalty. The employees there cannot be nicer. The beach is just beautiful. Favorite restaurants: Mangos, Altimer, Georges & Olivers.
As far as shopping I love Gustavia, but reality is I can buy most of what is there here in Westport, Ct. I actually see the same shoes I buy down there here at home. Another plus, Anguilla uses USD so you are not paying an addititional 20-25% for the eruo. Actually they use Eastern Caribbean Dollar but restaurants and hotels charge in USD. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is about $1.85 to our
$1.00. I posted a trip report at the end of November from our Thanksgiving trip.
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caribce
Reged: 01/10/04
Posts: 6
Loc: Md
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I second the love of Anquilla-Beautiful soft white sand beaches with the most turquoise waters!! Excellent restaurants by most standards-haven't been to STB! Everyone very nice and accomodating. Stayed at Cap Juluca twice in 90's-lovely view from first floor room, loved having brkfst on terrace! at Cuisinart this past June, service and staff were outstanding, extremely friendly, cost much lower than Cap and included more brkfst items on buffet. REally enjoyed "The Happy Hits" string band at Cuisinart at Tue Carib. nite buffet and at Scilly Cay on sunday. Beaches were practically deserted, walked down Shoal Bay hardly seeing a soul, also no-one on beach by Malliouhana one day but on sunday was packed w/ locals as there was a sail boat race that started there! Trying to decide if we'll like STB as much as Anquilla which is our favorite island along with Bermuda! I don't like flying or roller coasters so would probably ferry to STB!? we're looking for special place for our 25th anniv.late may-early june?? we've been to 9 carib islands,(Little Dix, STT Ritz, Nevis 4 Seasons...) I'm afraid in STB I won't have that carib feeling or any
"HOT HOT HOT" island tunes!?Had hoped to go to Mediterranea but don't want to fly that far now especially since youngest is only 7!
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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I'm still a few weeks away from my first visit to SBH, so I won't/can't compare, but I'd have to say that my experience with the locals is the exact opposite of rkenneken's. I'd agree with DAL. Of the several islands we've been to, Anguilla was the firendliest and I felt like we were a part of the community and not just tourists who help the economy. Especially with regard to safety, I feel that Anguilla is at the top of the list and not at all like Jamaica or a number of other places.
It is very relaxing indeed and the restaurants are great. The beaches are wonderful and the Cap Juluca is dream-like.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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LindaP
Reged: 03/15/03
Posts: 208
Loc: Albany, NY
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I agree that Anguilla has some of the nicest, friendliest people I've ever met.We were there last Xmas with our family(3 teens) and they loved the relaxation, great restaurants(Trattoria Tremonto, great Italian)....and Bankie Banx...reggae guy, with a funky sand-dune place. I agree the beaches are the best, although we chose SBs over Anguilla last May for our 25th anniversary. Next year we want to spend 4 days on Anguilla and 4-5on SBs in Jan. or Feb......this 30 below with wind chill is RIDICULOUS !!!! Fortunately, we are off to explore Mustique next sat for a week, .....anyone ever been?
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Lauren
Reged: 10/10/02
Posts: 1332
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Please post a trip report upon your return...I understand that other than the villas, the Cotton House and Basil's Beach Bar are the main places for social gatherings....of course there is always Mick Jagger's or David Bowie's place....
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Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
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There is also the Firefly on Mustique which is a nice place to stay. Have not been there (yet) but have done some research on it and chatted with folks who have. Apparently the Firefly is a pretty decent bargain and a nice place to boot. Cotton House looks fun as well.
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LindaP
Reged: 03/15/03
Posts: 208
Loc: Albany, NY
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Thats where we are staying, at the Firefly. I will post a report on our return.....they give you a "mule", kinda like SBs topless buggys(forgot the name).....to explore the island. Maybe I will see Mick......:)
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Peter_NJ
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 958
Loc: The Beach
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rkenneken,your thoughts on anguilla are way off base,thanks to the 5 previous posts,i dont need to say much..i had a cottage in sandy ground,200 yards from johnnos,for 3 years..the people are the nicest,and proudest people in the caribbean...maybe you day tripped from sxm,or something...while crime is on the rise,even some murders,99% of those people would give you the shirt off there backs,if you needed it...the beaches? they put sbh to shame...not even in the same league...trust me,but there is little else in the way of activity..shopping? hmm,the tire store,the peoples market,the poultry farm,ect....get my drift? but funky beach bars,and great places to eat,all price range...axa rules!!!
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noel
Reged: 07/22/03
Posts: 610
Loc: St. Louis, MO, USA
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I've never been to Anguilla and don't have strong opinions one way or the other, but Peter, in your criticism of rkenneken did you really say that crime in Anguilla is on the rise, with some murders???
Yikes!!
"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?"
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