We (Husband, Brother, 7y/o nephew) visited SKB for the first time 2/23-3/1, previous trips include SXM,Aruba,Cancun,Bahamas,Auguilla.

Flights:

AA JFK-SJU-SKB,SKB-SJU-JFK, all flights on time and no baggage problems, immigration and customs in SJU were very efficient.

Accommadations:

Myself husband and nephew stayed at the Marriott and my brother stayed at Timothy Beach Resort. While both hotels were nice the Marriott was exceptional, despite what I had read on Tripadvisor there were NO problems at check in we were greeted with a cool towel and Rum Punch, check-in took a total of 10mins, with everything about the hotel explained and guide book given to us. TBR, check-in was also hassle free and all rooms were ready upon arrival. The Marriott is a MEGA resort, if that is not your style this is not the place for you, we however, enjoy the many amenities offered to you at bigger resorts, althought we do not always partake in all them we like to know they are there, such as spas, resturant choices,casinos,golf etc. The facility is nicely appointed three stories and many complexes, very southwest, the room was wonderful, with the best beds I have slept in the caribbean. TBR, however is small and the beds are like rocks, the hotel is well maintained and the staff are lovely.

Dining:

We always chose the AI when available, when traveling with a very active 7y/o and a Husband who seems to eat every 1/2 hr while we are away this always works out best for us, we do usually dine off site for dinner.
Calapso Cafe (onsite) very good, sit down meuu along with a
buffet is available. great Jerk Chic

La Cucina (onsite) this was the worst meal we ate all week
Italian with a varity of pasta,chic and
meat dishes, my husband had a special
pasta with chic and sausage, which 2 hrs
later he was SICK, and I mean SICK, he
has an iron stomach and this meal
knocked him out for almost 24hrs. We at
first thought it might be the flu, but
the next day at the pool we heard
someone else was also very sick and was
taken the hospital. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" />

Mr. X's Shikkaty Shack (TBR) right on the beach great food
and atmosphere, they even have
a bonfire and thrusday nights,
great fun.

Rock Lobster (offsite) good food, its alot like a tapas
place and sometimes the lobster
runs out, it is run by a lovely
English couple, who we had the
pleasure of meeting there friends
visiting from the UK and spending
time with.

Ciao (offsite) Chinese-Italian, the food was OK, service
SLOW.

Activities:

Catamaran to Nevis, GREAT!!! the best day we spend, the ride the snorkeling the crew were GREAT!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> they take you to a wonderful snorkeling site then off to Nevis is a day at the beach and a BBQ lunch, open bar <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> and food are included. The Four Seasons is beautiful, however on the other side of the hotel is a beach bar, Sunshine Co. with the BEST Killer Bee you only need one and you are off.

Eco Safari, another great excursion 3hr open Jeep ride thru town, the rainforrest, Brimstone Hill, and near the Volcano.

Golf, wonderfully maintianed course with great greens, not alot of bouncing the ball just rolls, there is a free shuttle to and from the course all day.

Observations:

We loved SKB, the people (pop. approx 36,000) are really the nicest we have ever met, they show alot of pride in there island and it shows, everything is well maintained the streets are clean, the beaches while not the best in the Carib, are clean and well taken care of. We did not rent a car as taxi's are readily available and the price is set by the gov't. Turtle Beach was alot of fun, monkeys, pigs etc running around, that was however, the only place were vendors were everywhere, a simple "no thank you" worked just fine, and another wonderful thing was NO Time Share people. We felt safe at all times, and were not aware of any major problems is petty crimes occuring during our visit, we would diffently return.

Maureen