Travel + Leisure Magazine’s latest "Best Of" lists don’t include St. John. In fact the best island and hotel lists, based on the magazine’s readers’ votes, don’t include any Virgin Island or resort. They didn’t last year, either.
The best hotel honor goes to India’s Oberoi Udaivilas. Readers said the best island is Bali.
Two properties on St. Barth’s, about 150 miles east of the VI’s, did make the list: (73) Hôtel Saint-Barth Isle de France and (74) Eden Rock.
Nancy Novogrod, editor-in-chief of the magazine said, “This year’s results underline T+L readers’ ever-increasing embrace of global travel in their search for distinctive and authentic experiences. The extraordinary rise of India among the top hotels and resorts in the world is one sure reflection of this tendency."
Travel + Leisure’s "Best Of" lists are included in the August issue, now on newsstands and online at http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest.
When something is the best in the world, you don’t want the masses showing up and ruining it. That’s how I feel about St. John. Travel up to Myrtle Beach, S.C. and witness how greed can ruin natural resources.
Dang it Brad, you made me feel guilty with that masses statement cuz I think I’m one of them.
Maybe some of those masses will spend money at a couple of folks I know that own businesses on STJ.
I love the masses. I don’t like the selfish.
I would venture to say that the readers of that “travel” magazine, are not the ones who visit the VI’s (St. John in particular). The only reason I know about the magazine is because they forced it on me when I got an American Express credit card.
Let those readers go to India, or where ever they want, I’ll go to St. John with my friends who read Carribean Travel & Life, and look up the latest issues on how to make a great Bush Whacker!
Just think of the travel time to India, Thailand or even Bali from the U.S. Not for me I guess – just a regular person seeking the beauty the earth has to offer. St. John offers so much nature. Hopefully St. John will realize that the economy is nosing out us regular folks who DO spend money. Bigger is not always better. Sometimes more is less (quality and the human factor.) I miss the old St. John of even eight years ago.
I have been to St. John seven times now. The villas are getting out of my league but hey I guess the expenses are high…….or is it something else????
Akumal is also a wonderful place. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Approximately 65 miles south of Cancun and very sedate but yet upbeat. Same croud (older – like me) also go to St. John – must be the turtles. Small place but nice vibe. Lots to do. Still affordable, food is wonderful.
P.S. I will be back to St. John if $$$$ allow.
Mary Elaine
Allan, my reply focused on the natural resources of St. John, not business. I never meant to imply anything against St. John businesses, which I patron too. I wouldn’t characterize any of the businesses I patron there greedy, so just chill.