Background: My wife & I returned to SXM for our 2nd visit 12/8-12/15. We were celebrating our 20th Anniversary and were looking for quiet, warmth, good food and relaxation. We found all of the above in abundance!<br><br>Travel: We flew USAirways thru Charlotte. This was the only bad part of the whole trip. CLT was closed due to fog for 3 hours that morning. Fortunately our flight out of CLT was delayed also. As we got off our plane in CLT we were told the SXM flight was boarding. After a mad dash thru two terminals we arrived at the gate to hear our names being called. Then we proceeded to wait another 30 minutes so other late arrivals could arrive--also sweating and breathless. After this beginning the rest of the trip could only get better! The return trip was uneventful.<br><br>Transportation: This trip we rented from Marius at St. Louis Car Rental. No problems at all. Despite our arrival being 3 hours late he was waiting for us with a fairly new silver Dodge Neon. His assistant was exactly on time to pick up the car at the airport on our return.<br><br>Lodging: Last visit we stayed at GCBC in a garden studio unit. After much thought and research we decide to return to GCBC, this time in a ocean-front studio with loft. We were so glad we did! Though not elegant the room was clean, comfortable, and in good repair. The view of Anguilla & Creole Rock from the top terrace was gorgeous. The loft allowed me (the early bird) to get up, make coffee, go out, etc. without disturbing the sleepy-head. The location is perfect for us since we are not into the bustle of the Dutch side. It is also nice to be able to just walk out of your room to the beach if sand-gravity hits and you don’t feel like driving.<br><br>Beaches: We visited Dawn (twice), Friar’s Bay, & of course Petit Plage. It’s a toss-up whether we liked Friar’s or the south end of Dawn better. We did Orient last visit but felt it was too hectic for this trip.<br><br>Food: Our favorite part! Breakfast was whatever the early- bird brought back from the bakeries in GC. Lunch was whatever beach bar we were near. Dinner was the hardest decision to make each day. We stayed at GCBC the first night & ate at the Sunset Beach Cafe. The specials were excellent (especially the Filet with Bleu Cheese) & my wife enjoyed the Creme Brulee with chocolate sauce. Next was Little France. What a find!<br>The prices are moderate, the staff friendly, and the food outstanding (like the Baked Seafood appetizer). L’Hibiscus had good food though I felt it was overpriced and the service lacking. Spiga had just been open 6 weeks and looks to be another gem of Grand Case. The meals are not cheap but worth it ( Chilean Seabass stuffed with Proscutto) and I learned all about Grappa from the owner. Le Piccolo Cafe was a nice change of pace. The all appetizer menu is unique & surprisingly filling. We caught Le Ti Coin Creole on a bad night. Chef Carl was out sick and our meals were merely O.K. Our only encore from last visit was Le Cottage. We love this place! The food is wonderful (have Scallops in filo then die happy), the staff and owners cheerful & friendly, and letting Stephan pick your wine is the only way to go.<br><br>Overall: I researched many destinations in planning this trip for our 20th. We like to drive the area, enjoy good food, not be confined to a single resort, and interact with the local residents. I could find no where else that combined all of these. Hopefully we will be writing our third trip report next winter!