I am looking for some advice. We have been vacationing n St Martin for many years. Since the destruction of Irma this year we need to find a new spot. I am looking for some advice on other islands to go to.

Here is what are looking for in a vacation:

We don't need fancy restaurants, we can be just as happy eating at a road side stand as well as a nice restaurant.

We enjoy sitting on a sandy beach. We like to rent chairs and umbrellas and have a few drinks in the sun.

We like to use AirBnB. Rent a condo and do our own thing.

We like it to be fairly safe. I understand nowhere is 100% safe and as long as you use common sense then it is usually OK.

We enjoy more of a quiet atmosphere. Not into large crowds of college at kids partying down. We are not prudes and enjoy a good time I just don't need it around 24/7.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance for your help.

Of the Caribbean islands not impacted greatly by this season's storms: Grand Cayman, Providenciales, Grenada and Barbados come to mind.

We, also, have been vacationing in St Martins for years. In fact just before Irma we had left St Martins after being there a few weeks. Its so sad.
Anyway, we loved the beautiful nude beach, which we know doesnt exist like this one in other Caribbean Islands.
So we opted for Grand Cayman in January staying on Seven Mile Beach which we know is not nude...
Any nice restaurants we should try? Nightclubs? Etc?
Thanks

Oops..just saw the list of restaurants posted. OK..thanks..now any nightclubs?
thanks

Not a clubber myself, but O Bar and Whisky Mist are the most popular.
Not sure if the others I recall are open any longer: Jet, Nectar and Lillie's, but you can certainly ask around to confirm when you arrive.
Calico Jacks beach bar has a popular full moon party and the Happy Hour at Royal Palms is also popular.

We looked at the Cayman's but decided on Caye Caulker Belize. Actually I lost the vote with my wife. I was thinking the Cayman's she thought Belize, so Belize it is. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />


Time will tell if this was a good decision or not but I can guarantee you one thing. We will have a good time. We are simple people who do not need a lot to entertain us.

Ah, you were outranked! Happens to me all the time!

I hope you have a wonderful visit!

Going to be in the Caymans Jan 6th - 13th...anyone else?

Heading home on the 6th...

Not sure if you have made your plans for the Cayman Islands but we just got back from an absolutely wonderful week. We too have been frequent travelers to SXM and were lucky enough to have our yearly trip there this past May. We took our off trip to Grand Cayman a week ago because we have never been there before. Well I can honestly say GC is absolutely beautiful. We rented a condo through VRBO or Cayman Villas. We stayed at the Regal Beach Club on Seven Mile Beach. It was beautiful as was the beach, the people and the island. We were within walking distance to restaurants or within a quick cab ride. We rented a car and traveled around a bit. I was very impressed with how clean the island was and with how safe I felt. Absolutely loved it and can't wait to go back.

We are here now and have also been impressed with the road system, cleanliness, safety.
So far we haven't experienced the same type of food options as SXM but we will venture out more the next few days.
BIG difference is the cost: everything is about 25% higher and that adds up fast.

Sounds wonderful. Maybe we can squeeze an extra trip this year. I would really like to check out the Caymans.

We're also long time SXM'ers whose VRBO villa was destroyed by Irma. Not knowing how all the American Airlines drama was going to unfold regarding rebooking and refunds, we booked a "replacement trip" to Grand Cayman as soon as we could for this week - Dec 20-30. We didn't want to waste time looking at all the other options trying to replace SXM - I've been to the Caymans before and I'm glad to go back - they'll do "just fine" for our Christmas vacation. I wonder how many other SXM'ers we'll run into. Guess I'll have to wear my Club O hat and my "Pirates of SXM" tshirt or our "I heart SXM" shirts and see who notices! Hope to see some familiar faces! Almost exactly 12 hours from now - landing in Grand Cayman! (LOL, just noticed I never changed my banner below! Oops - we'll be there in spirit, though!)

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Just a reminder, We'll be in Grand Cayman staying on 7 mile beach from Jan 6-13. Any other cples? We also have been yrly visitors to SXM and love it there, especially the Orient Beach...hint, hint.

Both of you please enjoy your trips and write us a report upon your return!