I am in search of a non-huge resort, warm, quiet place to vacation with my three year old and teenage babysitter. My dream right now is a quiet hut on a beach in the Caribbean that doesn't cost an arm and leg and is also safe for a small all female group. I do realize this is a dream and may not be possible. I haven't had a non-family vacation since becoming a mother and need it desperately.
Please help and thank you.
Martha

There are huts such as you describe on St. John, in the US Virgin islands. Try this link. My sister-in-law and her family stayed there and said that while there's not a lot going on nightlife-wise, it's a beautiful place to chill.

My son and his bride stayed at the Maho Bay Camps recommended by TarrF, above and enjoyed it...they wanted a private week after an extended family vacation week at the other end of the island.(15 of us). Two things to consider:

1. The Maho Company have three or four variations on the eco-theme bungalow and all are somewhat remote (like 30 minutes by car) from Cruz Bay, St. John's, which is the only town of any consequence on the island for shopping and restaurants; you'll get scenery and walks down to the beach, yes, but little else to keep a three year old occupied; this might be what you're after, but you should know in advance;

2. The entire Mayo Bay Camps layout, where my son stayed, is up and down a heavily wooded hillside. The whole complex is interconnected by wooden walkways that are elevated from 3 to 10 feet off the ground. I cannot recall if they have requisite safety required railings, restraint netting or not - with a three year old be sure to ask - the web page has a picture with kids on a walkway, so it may be fine.

I loved St. John's and have been back since!

More on Maho Bay:

This goes back a ways (2001), but fairly portrays everything (except the price has gone up to $175 a night double occupancy).

Another option is to head to the family friendly portion of the Sandals Group called BEACHES. They are designed for families, including offering babysitting services in case mom or dad want to get away for some private time.

At Beaches, it is all inclusive so the price you pay is it... no extras unless you use the spa. NO tips either.

I highly recommend them!

I stayed at a branch of the Maho Bay Camps, the company's more upscale resort, the Concordia Eco-Tents, in 2006. I was actually not in an eco-tent, it was an actual room with real walls, my own bathroom, etc. Still eco-friendly.

HOWEVER I should warn you that these resorts are very no-frills. Which is normally fine with me because I'm a backpacker. But the screens on the windows let in all the no-see-ums, mosquitoes, and sand fleas. I had to lather up with bug spray to go to bed. UGH. This was not acceptable to me. Even when I'm backpacking my tent keeps out the biting insects when I sleep. I will never stay there again.

Beth

St. Johns, again: Trunk Bay & Beach and Cinnamon Bay & Beach (both closer to the town of Cruz Bay than Maho) offer platforms for camping or 15 x 15 cottages, almost on the beach. I do not know if you bring your own or they supply the tents; both have central bathhouses. Both are nice beaches with good snorkeling and distractions for kids ...and not too far from town by public bus.

I'm getting ready to submit a review of the Sibonne Beach Resort on Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales (Turks and Caicos) I don't know what your budget is, but the rooms were 175 or 200 US dollars. This small (30 room) quiet charming resort is half the price of all the deluxe resorts that surround it on this famous beach. We loved it there. Check it out. Were you thinking of a double room for the three of you, or two separate rooms?
That would certainly affect affordability issues.

We have friends who stayed on Maho Bay on St. Johns and they loved it.

Linda

I would recommend Fernandez Bay on Cat Island in the Bahamas. A huge beach with just about no development. nobody pestering you to buy stuff. Nothing in the way of night life except conservation with other guests. They have a web site. Can't remember the prices. It's been a few years since I've been there. But i would go back in a second if there wasn't the rest of the world to look at first.

Lynn