Another big thanks to this board for all the info, as a first timer to A.C. it really really helped! We were with the Jim Morris group and stayed at Ramons, but we did manage to meet up with Scubachic by mid week or so (Hi Melissa! LOVED your report!) I'll keep this brief:

Adored Ramons; definetly the best beach in my opinion. Room 56, right on the water, was wonderful! We were up by 6:00 am every morning, looking out the window just to make sure it was all still there. Also loved the pool (and the Bellikin toting bar staff who served you right in the pool!) Food was fair to average; the BBQ lobster was the best meal they served.

Where did we eat? Breakfast was best at Estels (say hi to Charles if you go there for me) Lillys, and Rubys. We also tried Blue Water, a little pricy for breakfast but the dinners there... to die for!! Didn't hurt that they let Jim Morris play right on the bar deck, with all of us Parrothead types drinkin, dancing and watching the sun go down. Caliente's was absolutely amazing, their mole is the best our table of four had ever had. They get my vote for best conch cerviche also, I sure wish I had tried this dish earlier in the week because I LOVED it. We had one very romanitc dinner at the Victoria House; they actually came and picked us up in a complimentary golf cart from Ramons. Food was as beautifully prepared and presented as their dining room, which was all mahoghany, white cloths over tables and chairs, and candlelight. Lunch at Mangos, don't forget the smoothie! We also did Michaels at Cocanut Beach, yum!

My best food advice would be: try the cerviche EARLY in your trip (so you don't have to eat it twice a day like I did once you fall in love midweek!) have stew chicken at least once, use Marie Sharps sauce on everything, and buy lots to bring home. Have a case of Bellikin delivered to your room before you arrive (thanks to my new friends and A.C. neighbors, Al and Marcia, for THAT tip!) try the rum punch everywhere, it seemed different at each bar I had it, and DO get a Purple Parrot from Ramon's bar (of the same name) it's a pina coloda with kahlua, and it is GOOD!!

Don't forget to buy your Saga calender, 100% of the proceeds go to spay and neuter the beach dogs and cats, and the photos are gorgeous. Shop at Isla Bonita, they custom make an outfit for you (very reasonable prices) and they make you feel like a princess. Say hi to Aida for me if you go there, she's a trip!

Can't believe it's over... it seems like a dream. Thanks again to everyone here for all the tips and info!!

Hi, where is the Isla Bonita shop located at? We are returning in August for my birthday and I'd loved to have a dress made. Thanks, mobunny

PS We stayed at Ramon's (Room 60 on the beach) last March and fell in love with the beach, the grounds, the pool and the staff. That's where will stay in August too. Glad you had such a good time.

Great report, thanks for sharing and reminding us of SAGA.

Hey no Manalley's ice cream?

No, sadly my hubby is lactose intolerant and I couldn't bring myself to eat ice cream in front of him. It sure looked good though!

Mo, Isla Bonita is on Front Street, past Fidos. We left our hubby's at the bar there while we shopped, worked great! I forgot to mention we also ate at Fidos; another awesome cerviche place, rest of the food was very good too ... AND... DRAFT BELLIKIN! Woo hoo! Are you staying at Ramons again? You are SO lucky!!!!!

We were there when Jim Morris' group was last year. We didn't plan that in advance, just happened to be there the same week so got to catch a couple of the shows after e-mailing Sharon. My little group of 10 Parrotheads went back to AC again this year but not the same week this time. I did have his CDs with me though.

You guys were on the island the same time as Buffett was though as he went out with Seaduced on Monday the 19th and his yacht arrived on the 11th right before we left.

I'll catch Jim at MOTM in Key West at least!

Andrea in Atlanta