Hello from Texas everyone!
I have been reading this forum religiously since we booked our upcoming trip (June 21-28) back in January. Thank you all for the great advice, tips, and updates - they have been very useful! My wife and I are in our 30s and we will be returning for our 2nd trip to SBH after 6 long years away. We have been to many great places in between, but when my wife said she wanted to spend our anniversary 1) on an island, 2) in a villa, 3) eating great food, and 4) shopping, I knew we would wind up here even after considering many other options. We are so excited!
Since I have been eagerly counting down the days until we leave, I've come up with 10 questions for all you experts to help pass the time. I would love your input if you can spare a moment!
1) We are staying at Villa Nita in Lorient, and I've been reading about construction issues in that area over the past couple weeks. Does anyone know if that is still a problem, and if so, for how long? Any advice on how to best avoid it or at least set our expectations?
2) I have been anxiously following the drought situation on the island this spring. When we were there in 2013 everything was so lush and green, so I'm trying not to get bummed out about the brittle browns. It seems from weather reports that there have been regular, albeit light, showers over the past couple weeks. Is that helping to green up the vegetation at all? Praying for more rain between now and the 21st (hopefully at night for all those currently on-island!). I'm trying to temper my expectations, so how has the brownness affected your time on/enjoyment of the island, if at all? Are there at least less mosquitoes (my wife seems to be a magnet for them)? Looking for some positive spin here lol
3) Where is my best bet to find one of those coveted VC arrow tins?? That would be a great souvenir to take home. Thanks to your advice I'm planning on grabbing a case at Segeco the first day... is that the best option or might Marche U have some?
4) How are current sargassum conditions? Looks like most frequently effected are Saline and Gouverneur... can anyone give a recent report on frequency, severity, locations, etc?
5) Which has better burgers - JoJo or Le Select?
6) What is the best pizza that can be delivered to our villa? I was disappointed to see Les Bananiers summer closing announcement after reading all the endorsements from the regulars since it seemed to be the consensus favorite.
7) Does anyone have an absolute favorite dish or cocktail? As of right now we are planning on Tamarin, Bonito (for our anniversary), Orega, Eddy's, and Black Ginger. That leaves two nights for pizza or whatever else sounds good.
8) Has anyone tried Le Papillon Ivre? We were thinking of going there the first night to settle in with some wine and small plates.
9) Sereno or Le Barthelemy for lunch on Grand Cul de Sac? Thinking of trying some paddleboarding there one day... the one major beach we didn't visit on our last trip. Is it worth the splurge to have lunch at either of those places?
10) Has anyone been to the Rhum Room at Quarter Kitchen? Sounds interesting, but when I asked about reservations they said they give preference to dinner guests at the restaurant and I'm wondering if that is worth a meal there.
Ok, I cheated... 11) Thoughts on Nikki Beach vs Shellona vs Pearl Beach vs Lil Rock? We're not much for the loud party scene. This trip is to celebrate our anniversary and spend some quality time together away from our (wonderful, but exhausting) 2 year old, so I'm more concerned with food, drinks, environment, service, etc.
Thank you all in advance for indulging me. Two more weeks!
I have been reading this forum religiously since we booked our upcoming trip (June 21-28) back in January. Thank you all for the great advice, tips, and updates - they have been very useful! My wife and I are in our 30s and we will be returning for our 2nd trip to SBH after 6 long years away. We have been to many great places in between, but when my wife said she wanted to spend our anniversary 1) on an island, 2) in a villa, 3) eating great food, and 4) shopping, I knew we would wind up here even after considering many other options. We are so excited!
Since I have been eagerly counting down the days until we leave, I've come up with 10 questions for all you experts to help pass the time. I would love your input if you can spare a moment!
1) We are staying at Villa Nita in Lorient, and I've been reading about construction issues in that area over the past couple weeks. Does anyone know if that is still a problem, and if so, for how long? Any advice on how to best avoid it or at least set our expectations?
2) I have been anxiously following the drought situation on the island this spring. When we were there in 2013 everything was so lush and green, so I'm trying not to get bummed out about the brittle browns. It seems from weather reports that there have been regular, albeit light, showers over the past couple weeks. Is that helping to green up the vegetation at all? Praying for more rain between now and the 21st (hopefully at night for all those currently on-island!). I'm trying to temper my expectations, so how has the brownness affected your time on/enjoyment of the island, if at all? Are there at least less mosquitoes (my wife seems to be a magnet for them)? Looking for some positive spin here lol
3) Where is my best bet to find one of those coveted VC arrow tins?? That would be a great souvenir to take home. Thanks to your advice I'm planning on grabbing a case at Segeco the first day... is that the best option or might Marche U have some?
4) How are current sargassum conditions? Looks like most frequently effected are Saline and Gouverneur... can anyone give a recent report on frequency, severity, locations, etc?
5) Which has better burgers - JoJo or Le Select?
6) What is the best pizza that can be delivered to our villa? I was disappointed to see Les Bananiers summer closing announcement after reading all the endorsements from the regulars since it seemed to be the consensus favorite.
7) Does anyone have an absolute favorite dish or cocktail? As of right now we are planning on Tamarin, Bonito (for our anniversary), Orega, Eddy's, and Black Ginger. That leaves two nights for pizza or whatever else sounds good.
8) Has anyone tried Le Papillon Ivre? We were thinking of going there the first night to settle in with some wine and small plates.
9) Sereno or Le Barthelemy for lunch on Grand Cul de Sac? Thinking of trying some paddleboarding there one day... the one major beach we didn't visit on our last trip. Is it worth the splurge to have lunch at either of those places?
10) Has anyone been to the Rhum Room at Quarter Kitchen? Sounds interesting, but when I asked about reservations they said they give preference to dinner guests at the restaurant and I'm wondering if that is worth a meal there.
Ok, I cheated... 11) Thoughts on Nikki Beach vs Shellona vs Pearl Beach vs Lil Rock? We're not much for the loud party scene. This trip is to celebrate our anniversary and spend some quality time together away from our (wonderful, but exhausting) 2 year old, so I'm more concerned with food, drinks, environment, service, etc.
Thank you all in advance for indulging me. Two more weeks!