A few thoughts... If you are staying in a beachfront villa, I wouldn't let the garden rooms turn you off from time at RBH. My in-laws stay in the beachfront villas regularly and love, love, love them. And if you knew my in-laws, you would understand what an accomplishment that is (they are very particular).

If you are looking for alternatives to SBV or RBH, I might suggest Serenity (also on Shoal Bay East, just the far end of it), Carimar (on Mead's Bay, our favorite beach), and depending on when you are going, Blue Waters Beach Apartments (this property, on Shoal Bay West, may be sold in the next few months, but it may not). Carimar, in particular, has an amazing off-season deal.

It seems the consensus is that Rendezvous Bay beach is notably better--I.e. softer sand, bigger and less crowded than Shoal Bay Beach??

My husband and I stayed at RB in the villas on the beach three years ago. It really is a no frills hotel, but we were in heaven. The room on the beach is the only way to go. After being many different places, including St. Barts last year, Anguilla is our favorite. This year, we are headed back, but staying at the SBV. We know the beach is gorgeous there. As far as I am concerned, as long as you have a vehicle, you can't go wrong no matter where you stay.

My husband and I stayed at RB in the villas on the beach three years ago. It really is a no frills hotel, but we were in heaven. The room on the beach is the only way to go. After being many different places, including St. Barts last year, Anguilla is our favorite. This year, we are headed back, but staying at the SBV. We know the beach is gorgeous there. As far as I am concerned, as long as you have a vehicle, you can't go wrong no matter where you stay.

I would not say that Rendezvous Bay is notably better.

There are parts of Shoal Bay East that are crowded. During Christmas and high season, the beaches in front Ku/Shoal Bay Villas/Madeiraman are packed. If you go a bit futher down the beach in either direction, the beach will be nearly deserted. I would also imagine SBE is much less crowded during the summer months (not sure when you are planning your trip). You also should consider that there is a reason that SBE is crowded: there are a lot of great people and beach bars there.

If what you want is to only sit the chairs of your hotel and to have as few people around as possible, then yes, RBH is notably better for you. If you are more flexible and/or you want to try a lot of different beach bars, then SBV is notably better for you.

Honestly, you'll have a fabulous vacation at either.

We are going the end of May til the first week in June. It will be summer season. When I think about it, I care more nice and comfortable accomodations than I do about a lot of people on the beach ---as long as ----there are chairs and umbrellas available for us. We are not the early risers, so we don't want to have to get up early to stake aout a comfortable ofr shady spot.

Cuisinart is not in our budget. We are staying 5 days in St Martin and a week in Anguilla. I expect the St. Martin will be a lot more active and the Anguilla to be more relaxed. It is just nice to have advice from experienced travelers. This is our first time to Anguilla. Thanks.

The comparison question is "are you looking at the staying for the day, or for the day and the night?" We were in Aguilla for 2 weeks (2-10 to 2-24-07) and stayed at La Sirena, a very comfortable small hotel on Meads Bay. We went to both Shoal Bay and Rendezvous Bay for the day several times. Our favorite was Rendezvous Bay and ended up there more often than at Shoal Bay. The food was great and the bay was the best for swimming as it is on the south side and away from the NE wind. Yes the resort itself is in need of remodeling, but the service and food and drinks were some of the best we experienced on the entire island. Bart, the manager, checks with every one, regardless if you are staying there or just having a meal, to make sure you are well taken care of. Anguilla is an unbeleivable place, we had a great time!

I Luv Aqua Water,

I thought I would leave another post for you, as I maybe didn't let you know that as long as you are renting a car, it doesn't really matter were you sleep, as you can spend your day on any beach you desire. Carimar is a great place to stay, as was La Sirena where we stayed. They are both on Mead's Bay. We just drove each day to what ever beach we thought would be the best for the day. Shoal Bay West is great when the wind is strong from the NE. There is a great restaurant there. Gwen's at Upper Shoal bay is wonderful and the snorkeling is good. Go to Palm Grove, ( Nat's at Junk Hole, Savannah Bay), if you want a great lunch and seclusion. Walking any beach in Anguilla is mostly a couple only experience. The other problem we had was trying to fit in all of the great places to dine into 12 nights. You have to go to Cedar Grove at Rend Bay, Flavours, Tasty's, and Sunset's at Sandy Ground to name a few.

The time of year in which your traveling "won't" present a crowded beach problem for you on Shoal Bay East. Shoal Bay East, Rendezvous Bay, there both beautiful beaches in which half the people prefer one, the other half the other. Both beaches are gorgeous and you probably be thrilled with either one.

Thank you so much for taking this apart for me. I am feeling more comfortable with either or "neither".---, particularly since we just found out the SBV will not be available for the entire week. We used wiol.com last week and and there was a mix-up on the price (SBV site posted incorrectly). By the time it was corrected, we learned the availability was not tthe same. So, we will have to wait and see if additional days become available and/or spend half the time at one and half at the other. It may be ok to do that or it may seem a bit disruptive to keep jumping around. I don't know....