My wife and I are looking for small, romantic and relaxing. Have narrowed it down to Malliouhana and Little Dix Bay. Have been to FS Nevis and Sandy Lane on previous trips, and are looking to try something else.

Does anyone out there have a strong feeling one way or the other? Thanks.

Little Dix Bay is Virtuoso, and the amenity package is pretty good...

Virtuoso guests receive:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary daily Continental breakfast for two served in the Pavilion Restaurant from 8a-1030a
• Baked coconut macaroons and fresh flowers
• A choice of one complimentary tennis lesson for two OR one complimentary lunch for two with daily beach drop via Boston Whalers to any one of our 11 secluded beaches on Virgin Gorda
• 12 Noon early check-in, subject to availability

IIRC the Little Dix reports here are much less mixed than the Anguilla properties.

I stayed at the Cap Juluca and dropped by the Maliohana. I'd rate the cliffs and view at dinner great, the pool I'd rate as a minus. I personally liked the beach at Cap Juluca much better and felt more secluded (barely saw anyone our entire stay).

A good friend just got back from little dix for his honeymoon. He absolutely loved it.

I was at Little Dix Bay last November and came back with bed bug bites. I'd skip it.

After stays at numerous reorts and tons of research on this trip, it really seems like there's no perfect place in the Caribbean. Regardless of the resort I'm thinking about, someone always gets bed bug bites or encounters service hangups. Unlike Hawaii (ie. Hualalai, etc.) the most expensive properties in the Atlantic (Amanyara, Sandy Lane, etc.) are not met with uniformly rave reviews. Am I expecting the impossible here? All we want is 5 days in a small, private resort, with good food (as good as can be expected in the Caribbean) and outstanding service. I'm reticent to spend over $1,000 per night, as I'm not terribly confident that we'll have a perfect stay. We don't have time to go back to Hawaii or to one of the other Aman Resorts.

I trust the people in this forum: where do you think we'd be best off? Thanks again.

even amanyara doesnt sound perfect. same with parrot cay. (from reports here)

sandy lane definitely is NOT well regarded here lately.

FS nevis is probably most consistent?

theres also cayo espanto and petit st vincent. they seem pretty well regarded, but the former is very small, and the latter is quite rustic. service reports seem consistently good though, like FS nevis. both are all inclusive private islands.

unlike amanyara and parrot cay.

i always seem to forget about <st barts> too, there are a couple properties there that seem pretty consistent. maybe i just cant seem to remember names except eden rock.

While I can't speak for the Malliouhana, and Cap Juluca is now receiving mixed reviews (I loved it when we were there a few years ago), I can say that the restaurant options on Anguilla are outstanding. I've never seen as many quality places on any island in the Caribbean.

it seems like all 3 main anguilla resorts do. as well as some of the villa resorts, even cerulean.

Between Little Dix Bay and FS Costa Rica, which would you choose. The price for a five night stay is very similar and we are using miles for the flights. Has anyone been to both?

A few considerations:

We would greatly enjoy the snorkeling at LDB. Does FS Costa Rica offer snorkeling? I didn't see it on their website...

Climbermom said in a previous post there were bedbugs at LDB! Any other Flyertalkers experience problems with cleanliness?

How was the food at LDB? Costa Rica?

For those that have been to Costa Rica (Liberia) did you feel safe?

The beaches at Little Dix and Virgin Gorda are terrific. I was in Costa Rica years ago but do not think they can compare. However, I was at Little Dix in February and found the service overall sub standard for what you are paying and the food more often than not disappointing. I sent a guest comment card and they responded to it 3 months later. It's as if no one cared.

speaking of FS costa rica - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...omo-recap.html

It's been many years ... is the "K Club" still an option?

No contest. Malliouhana has the best food in the Caribbean, with a superb French fine dining restaurant. It is not a new resort, so some of the rooms and even the suites can feel a little dated, but they are comfortable and the service is warm hearted and very good - many of the staff having worked here for over 20 years.

You have a big choice of superb beaches, beautiful views and few pretensions - this is an excellent hotel that does not shout about it.

I have stayed at all the other Anguilla resorts and found them all lacking.

Little Dix is, IMHO, not worth the money. Housekeeping was very poor and service was up and down. Food was inedible.

The only two places I would ever go to in the Caribbean are Amanyara in Turks & Caicos and Malliouhana on Anguilla.

We have really struggled with resort options in the carribean and have not found any, at least on the luxury level, that are sure things. Accordingly, we have focused our resort travels to Hawaii that has a number of solid reliable options at prices equal or below what we would pay in the carribean. Still, I would love to find a place in the gentle waters of the carribean with a quick flight to Chicago.