madjoe
Reged: 06/20/05
Posts: 4
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Hello! My girlfriend and I are planning to be in St. Barts from Aug. 13th to 21st. I've learned a lot reading other posts but have a few questions about the island.
Do most of you rent cars? Ideally, we'd like to be some place private but close enough to grocery stores, restaurants, etc. that it's convenient.
What should we expect to pay for a good meal? I've read the US Dollar is accepted everywhere... true?
We're looking for a private villa that meets the following criteria:
1) It's on or very close to the beach
2) It's private enough that walking around/sun bathing naked is not an issue
3) Is clean, has decent kitchen amenities (stove, ice box).
We're not looking for something with marble floors and corinthian columns necessarily... as long as it's in good shape, clean, etc. we'll be happy. Any recommendations?
I'm really looking forward to this! I've been to other caribbean destinations before but none this exotic.
Thanks!
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Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
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Yes, you MUST rent cars.
Beach location means hot, no breeze and little privacy.
Villa in the hill means cooler, breeze and lots of privacy. Most prefer villas in the hill for walking around nekkid. Of course, you can also do that on Saline and Gouverneur if you are so inclined - not that anyone here is or anything...
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JEK
Moderator
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 10995
Loc: Northern Virginia
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Hi and welcome!
Cars are a must (see many posts on this subject by searching).
Meals vary as to price, but 8-15 E for les entrees (starter) and 10-20 E for les plats (main course) is typical. You can certainly find some cheaper and some more expensive. Wine is extra of course.
Privacy and beach front are not totally mutually exclusive, but pretty close. Someone may have an idea on one, but I can't think where it would be as the total number of beach front units is relatively low.
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Andynap
Reged: 10/24/02
Posts: 12370
Loc: Philadelphia
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Hi here and welcome.
First, you NEED a car regardless of where you are staying. You will be driving to beaches and restaurants and must see the whole island to get a feel for it.
Secondly, meal prices vary greatly. Look at this site's restaurant reviews for some prices. Do not, repeat, do not pay in American Dollars. You will be at the mercy of the owner for exchange rates. Pay in euros or charge it- not Amex.
Third- you will find that the more private villas are in the hills. If you are on or very close to the beach, chances are that it is not private enough for nudity altho there are exceptions. Look on the websites here for villa rentals and remember that 2 and 3 bedroom villas rent for 1 bedroom. The description will tell you if its on the beach. There are more villas NOT on the beach than on the beach.
Good luck.
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Andy -
St. Barts- where no day is ever the same and one day is not enough
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Matt_and_Julie
Reged: 06/20/05
Posts: 1
Loc: Huntsville, Alabama
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Hope you have a great time on the island. My wife and I have been 4 times in the last couple of years (love it obviously) so here you are...
Take the advice on the car thing, you have to have one. Unless you are very, very compfortable with a stick, request an automatic and then insist on one at the airport if there is not one 'available'. I usually hire a Suzuki Gran Vitara, simple transportation, most with a cloth top that is sort of removable.
I also agree that meal prices vary widely. We have hired a chef on two trips and it is really not all that expensive, at least no more than the higher end resturants. You can really spend whatever you want for meals from top $$$ ($150 per person with wine) down to beer and (really really good) pizza.
Most villa descriptions state "private" when describing the decks, that almost always means that no one will know if you are wearing anything at your villa. We have always stayed near Pt Milou or Mt Jean where the slope aids this privacy. Returning to the villa for a 'natural' dip in the pool after a trip to the beach, shopping or dining is one of the best treats of the trip.
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wew71
Reged: 04/12/04
Posts: 48
Loc: Alpharetta, GA
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The Sea Breeze is a nice villa, right on the beach in Anse des Cayes. The island will be quiet in August, and you will have a good bit of privacy even though it is on the beach. Plus, Anse des Cayes is not a good swimming beach so it is usually deserted. If your heart is set on the beach, we loved the Sea Breeze.
You must have a car. SBH is very small, so you are never too far from anything. However it is very hilly and the roads are narrow so you can't walk everywhere.
Great salads and pizzas can be had for about $50 - $60 at Andy's. Many of the other restaurants will be closed in August, but there will still be plenty of good options. Expect to pay Manhattan prices + the added exchange hit. We paid mostly by credit card (make sure you let them know where you are going) but did keep a stash of euros for croissants, Caribs and such.
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Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
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The reasons you get a villa in the hills are many. But one reason is that YOU WILL WANT TO DRIVE AROUND A LOT. As such, being on the beach holds no great advantage.
There is NO one beach on the island that so trumps all the others that you wont want to drive around. To paraphrase Kevin, we are all Beach Promiscuous. We may have our favorites (Saline for many of us) but we are not monogamous.
Same with restaurants. You can dine for big bucks at several very high end places. Or you can go for little bucks at a couple dozen very nice places. It is all over the board. What you want is what you can get.
St Barth is like Disney World For Lovers. You may like Magic Kingdom but you still MUST do Animal Kingdom and Epcot. Since there is no monorail on St Barth, a beatup fourwheeler is a must - and a great part of the charm.
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madjoe
Reged: 06/20/05
Posts: 4
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Thanks so much everyone for your responses! I think I have a much better idea of what to expect and what accommodations will best suit our needs.
Joe
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earlyretiree
Reged: 11/29/04
Posts: 27
Loc: Chicago area
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We've stayed in five different villas over the years. Each has been totally private and totally, amazingly, tremendously clean.
While we have not enjoyed a meal at every restaurant on the island (yet), the few that were the most reasonably priced for dinner (our opinion) were Le Select (of course), Le Piment, and Andy's Hideaway. Then again, the food available at these restaurants is of the burgers and pizza variety. The food prices on the island vary widely, depending upon where you go. More important, however, is that you can expect great food pretty much wherever you go.
Enjoy.
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eddie
Reged: 04/14/04
Posts: 2566
Loc: virginia
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I would also recommend a villa in the hills. There is nothing like watching the sunset while enjoying a cocktail from your villa. The breezes are also better up high, which helps when it's hot and humid.
I also recommend finding a villa with a pool, for the same reason. I don't see an advantage to a place on the beach. You'll want to taste a few beaches. Between Gouverneur, Saline, St. Jean, Shell Beach, etc., you may not want to hit the same beach twice.
As for food, there are many choices. To those mentioned earlier, I would add Eddy's, K'Fe Massai (the prix fixe menu is great and a bargain), Le Repaire, Route des Boucaniers, Bar B.Q., Le Rivage, Do Brasil.
For a culinary experience hard to beat, the 70E prix fixe at The Carl Gustaf should be tried. Get there for sunset drinks and enjoy the view of Gustavia as the light changes.
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www.stbartsphotos.com
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carleson
Reged: 11/30/03
Posts: 23
Loc: Seattle Wa
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Hi...Just my 2 cents...we like to stay on or near the beach too.Sure we rent a car and hit all the beaches..But there's nothing like waking up in the AM,walking off your deck and taking a dip in the carribean..if we wanted to swim in a pool..why go to an island?We have stayed in a small 1 BR villa on Flamands called ALB(polaris)..it's nothing fancy,however it's clean, has a full kitchen a nice sized BR with a comfy king bed and a deck that you can get naked on if you like...it's right next to the Isle De france but the deck sits back an out of their view.It's reasonably priced as well.It's pretty quiet on Flamands as well.Whatever you decide you'll love the island.
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15957
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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we stay so on the water we re practically in the water, and we find that it is always nice and cool when you are that close to it...also bugs dont like to be near saltwater so thats an added plus.... to me there is nothing like having a great cup of coffee while sitting by the water in the very early morning hours and just listening to the soothing sounds of waves breaking just below you....but its all good either way...Ive done the hills too and that has its perks as well
carleson...you re not alone...I dont get this pool thing on a Caribbean island either....LOL
Edited by Mike R (06/26/05 06:28 AM)
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