Linda
Reged: 10/03/02
Posts: 8
Loc: Ohio
|
|
My family and I are traveling to St. Barts for Thanksgiving this year and we are looking for some advice. We visited the island ten years ago before starting a family but have not returned since we have had children.
Driving -- We are renting a villa in Gouverneur from Wimco and we rented two vehicles since there are six of us. One of the vehicles we rented is the new Smart car and we were wondering how they are going up and down the steep hills since they are not four wheel drive.
Villa Accommodations -- We will probably be eating most meals at the villa rather than enjoying the fine dining this trip (not by mom's choice, I might add!) and were looking for tips regarding grocery shopping, carryout, etc. Are there stores on the island where you can buy pool/beach toys, activities for kids, etc. since we are trying to pack light?
Scuba Diving -- My husband is an avid scuba diver. We have read that St. Barts is not the best location for diving and haven't seen many posts regarding best dive sites. He has experience diving in Grand Cayman and Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. Anyone have any recommendations for him?
Thanks for any advice you can offer.
|
John Cuttino
Reged: 10/02/02
Posts: 288
Loc: Lexington, MA
|
|
Linda
Driving mostly does not require 4 wheel drive. (I might use it in the rain but otherwise we have never needed it.)
There are lots of takeouts places and a good grocery store (Match) to get supplies.
There is a good store to get water/beach gear not too $ in St Jean right across from Eden Rock.
Marine Service in Gustavia will take you to dive sites/snorkling etc. (for a fee). As a general rule, snorkling is not good on St Barts.
|
Libby
Unregistered
|
|
We were there in July and a Smart Car was fine on the hills ...... a few times it hiccuped, but made it. If you have/need card seats, the Trios (I think) was recommended and worked fine (we took grandchild ... and his parents!). The AMC in Gustavia on the harbor is also a good source for food supplies. I understand from a previous post that the grocery store in the shopping center adjacent to the Massai restaurant is owned by either American(s) or someone who lived in the US and includes more US-type items that may appeal to kids.
Don't despair over dining out ... there are a number of places that are kid friendly and accommodating. Andy's Hideaway is a perfect example. He has great pizza and the menu is extensive enough (and very good) that you could eat there a number of times and have a nice variety.
|
carmen
Unregistered
|
|
we were in St. Bart's over labor day when most restaurants were closed and we second the recommendation to go to Andy's. Many local were there with kids and they were in gouurmet heaven eating the fantastic pizza and pasta dishes. The seaside restaurant at Guanahani also had qquite a few kids dining there. They quicly got down there ppasta and then played in the pool while mom and dad enjoyed their last dregs of wine. The vvietnamese restaurant in Gustavia is also kid friendly and very good and the Creperie in Gustavia is also a children's favorite. Good luck!
|
gregb
Unregistered
|
|
We travelled to St. Barths in july, 02 with our two kids aged 10 and 4 and found no problems in dining at the Wall House, Andys, Isl de France, Mayas, Guanhani, La Plage and several other restaurants over 12 days. In fact all of the restaurants offered smaller portions or special meals for kids, with the waiters asking what they would like and finding a way to meet their food needs. There are several take out places that offer far more variety than we can get at home--pastas, chicken, paella, incredible salads and desserts that I am still craving for. My ten year old son spent hours snorkelling for his first time in grand cul de sac when we had lunch and used the pool at guanhani. Both he and my daughter describe saline as their favorite beach--we brought an inflatable raft that he used to surf the small but challenging waves for hours, while my daughter loved the sand building opportunites. We had lunch at Isl de France and used their beach and pool, had lunch at guanahani and used their pool and beach several times, ate at La Plage and used their pool and beach several times and truly treasure the experiences that St Barths allowed our family to have everywhere with no penalty for bringing kids.
|
Kara Brooks
Unregistered
|
|
Linda --
We have never been scuba diving in St. Barths but have found some great snorkeling. The trip out to Fortue Island was a lot of fun and the snorkeling there was great. We have also seen giant sea turtles while snorkeling in Lorient.
As for scuba - I have heard good things about the diving in St. Barths -- it is not the Caymens but people still seem to enjoy it. West Indies Dive Shop in Gustavia (05.90.27.70.34) is highly regarded and people have also recommended Mermaid Scuba (05.90.58.79.29). I have heard of people seeing schools of squid, sharks, etc. Please let us know how you and your husband like the diving.
|
Bob
Reged: 10/04/02
Posts: 370
Loc: Southeast Virginia
|
|
I agree with John about Andy's as a great family dining spot, and the surf store just across the street and up the block a bit for your beach supplies. You will also find Rotisserie in the same shopping area and this is one of the best places for dinner takeout food. The best breakfast and lunch takeout is from the bakery near Columbier, in my opinion anyway. The Match is best early in the morning before the day's provisions have been picked over. We bought some nice rotisserie chickens, for example.
Bob
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
I think I remember you and your kids intruding on what should be an adult experience at Maya's...
|
gregb
Unregistered
|
|
Hi Anon, maybe you should talk to the co-owner of Mayas, as when we made the reservation he welcomed our family including kids--I do not think you could have been there as the restaurant was virtually empty at 6:00 pm, unless you were the over-inebriated one that was assisted to a
smart car and dispatched home. If Mayas is for adults only at 6:00 pm during the slow season in St. Barts, let me know what other restaurants you own or attend in St Barths so that I can make sure that I mark them off my list of favorite places.
|
Julie
Reged: 10/03/02
Posts: 69
|
|
Linda, You'll find that kids are welcome at many places in SB. In addition to suggestions you've already received (and I agree, Andy's is a must), try Le Pelican in St. Jean (it's on the beach; has some cute chair swings & always has families). JoJo Burger in Lorient is a good place to stop for a quick bite if you are driving around the island, has excellent hamburgers & sandwiches. Also, in Gustavia, the Route des Boucaniers is fun; it's right on the harbor. So you see, you'll never run out of options!
For odds & ends, beach toys, etc. a place where the locals shop is the store on Rue du General de Gaulle in Gustavia (don't know the name but it is on the far end as you approach the Rue de Centenaire); it is on the right side. Has a big selection of "stuff", all crammed in & the prices are reasonable.
Have a wonderful vacation.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Traveling with Children - Misc. Questions On Driving, Shopping, Scuba Diving
Edit
Reply
Quote
