ACfly

Hi,

We are thinking of getting away from all the snow and heading to the Caribbean. Never been there, and was wondering if anyone had recommendation on a luxury resort to get away and just chill, no kids, quiet, and guaranteed great weather in March.

Was thinking FS Nevis, but it is still closed.

precision80

Check out the Viceroy Anguilla.

kmklint

Viceroy - Anguilla

Amanyara - Turks & Caicos

Rosewood & Banyan Tree Mayakoba

paul2

Malliouhana Hotel,Anguilla has been very good for many years.Great food and service with beautiful views.
http://www.malliouhana.com/

VirtuallyDevious

I'd highly, highly recommend the Amanyara in Turks & Caicos.

Still haven't stayed anywhere that even remotely compares. Trying a Banyan Tree tomorrow in Mexico, which is supposed to be nice... will let you know how that goes.

Groombridge

I much prefer the Rosewood Mayakoba, a short drive or taxi ride from the Cancun airport, to any of the properties I've visited on the Caribbean islands, where I've found service to be sub-par, even at the otherwise terrific Amanyara.

Some quick comments/grades:

Rosewood Mayakoba: A. Terrific blend of pools, beach, restaurants, spa, and accommodations. You're taken by boat to your own individual dock, even if you're in the most economical of their room options. You'll have your own plunge pool, as well as a gargantuan bathtub, indoor/outdoor shower, deck, terrace, etc. So the accommodations are superb, but so are the property's features: an incredible, sculptural main pool with the best pool service I've ever experienced (complimentary edibles and services at least once per hour), a separate infinity pool at the beach, a great beach restaurant, the best breakfast buffet I've ever had, etc.

Amanyara: A-. Tremendous design, as you can see from the Web site. And an amazing beach. Some of the ocean-front pavilions have their own private coves. But despite the occasional star employee imported from the Amans in Asia, the resort suffers from the same begrudging service ethos I've experienced elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Parrot Cay: B+. Incredible spa, pool, and beach. And the stand-alone villas along the beach are superb accommodation. The standard rooms in the main buildings are less impressive. Good-not-great food.

Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya: B. Inferior on every count to the Rosewood Mayakoba next door--why stay here?

The Peninsula House: B. Exquisite interiors and views, but it's basically a glorified bed-and-breakfast, not a full service hotel or resort. Won the Conde Nast Traveler's Reader's Poll for "best hotel in the world." [Insert eye rolling here, since it's typical of such polls that what is in no way "the best hotel in the world" would win this.]

Cap Juluca: C. One of the most perfect beaches ever, but was otherwise a dated property when I was there in 2006. Perhaps it's been renovated since?

Ladera: C-. 4-star at best. Low quality but high cost food. Very tired and dated accommodations.

I'm curious to try the Viceroy Anguilla. Has anyone else stayed there yet?

xray

we're going to check out Sandy Lane in Barbados for Easter...non-stop flight from YYZ with AC on a 333 in Biz pod played a part in the decision...

ABG

Jumby Bay is back on the radar after adding some impressive new suites.... direct air from YYZ too. Weather should be very good.

Londonjetsetter

I liked Carlisle Bay, Antigua. Not Asian service, but not bad at all.

QF Lad

Has anyone had any experience with the K Club in Barbuda, or with Necker Island in the BVI?

vuittonsofstyle

If we were in 1989, then maybe, but things have moved on since then. K Club has been over for years (It was Princess Diana who made it famous) and Necker is only worth doing if you take the whole island. The 'specials' they offer during certain times of the year are decidedly inferior.

Caribbean is a challenged destination, IMHO. Best include Amanyara (for the style and service) and Malliouhana (for the food and service), but it could be interesting to see what the new owners have done with Cap Juluca. I am also intrigued by the Viceroy Anguilla as they hired one of the world's best butlers to set up their villas - Alex Demes (Dutch). This makes me take it more seriously, although I am conscious that Viceroy often start off well then lose the plot.

Kagehitokiri

how is necker different when bookable by room? less staff/inclusions? or too small for 14BR?

also thought your mention of kor/viceroy selling 50% equity was good context for sudden slips at tides riviera maya, miami, etc.

redsock

My favorite place is the Peter Island Resort in the BVIs. Great beach, spa, food (for the Caribbean), and I've always thought the service was above-average. It probably doesn't belong in the same conversation with some of the properties being mentioned here and admittedly, the rooms could stand to be a bit more luxurious, but I still love the place.

vuittonsofstyle

As you know, Kage, at certain times of year, Necker is sold per room, which means you end up with a bunch of people you would not particularly want to be friends with. Necker is not designed to work as a resort - it is a private island hideaway, designed for a group of friends or family or corporate gatherings. In a resort, you can choose not to mix, whereas at Necker, during these times, it is more difficult. I also heard from a friend of mine who said he thought staff tended to treat 'by-the-room' guests a little patronisingly.

As for Kor/Viceroy, yes, from what I hear the sale has definitely had an effect, which explains a lot about sudden drops in standards at Riveria Maya and Miami. A lot of key staff appears to have left.

elitetraveler

I've enjoyed Raffles Canouan. Nice spa (with overwater treatment bungalows), villa style accommodations, a challenging golf course, a very good charter catamaran operator for day trips in the Grenadines (lots of fun) and as I recall three restaurants - an Italian which was quite good, an Asian influenced restaurant and a formal continental restaurant at the Casino (no action though). There are two beaches so it is fairly easy to find a secluded spot, lots of nice place for a hike, and when I was there staff were quite good.