NBR - Can you recommend a nice hotel in the Caribbean?

charmcitygirl · January 2010

DH and I would like to go away for our 6th anniversary at the end of May. I've already booked my parents to take care of Jacob, so we just need to book the vacation!

We live just outside DC, so we could fly easily to the Caribbean in a few hours. I don't think I want an all-inclusive place because we did that once and I think we'd like to be more adventurous with our meals.

Here are our thoughts:

- upscale to moderate hotel with nice pool and beach

- good food both at hotel and in "town"

We went to the USVI for our honeymoon and I've been to Jamaica, so I think we'll try something else.

I know I've thrown out a lot of info, but does anyone have a good suggestion? TIA!

krissyh21 · January 2010

Aruba - the Marriott. Awesome island with great - great food everywhere, the hotel is fabulous, the pool and ocean are steps apart so you can take turns and don't have to choose. I have been to a lot of different islands, but Aruba is the one I return to all the time.

DavezWife · January 2010

Bookit.com and expedia both have nice sort features that can help. be sure to check direct flights, many fly out of Miami, a pita for you.

bon voyage!

leslies75 · January 2010

krissyh21:
Aruba - the Marriott. Awesome island with great - great food everywhere, the hotel is fabulous, the pool and ocean are steps apart so you can take turns and don't have to choose. I have been to a lot of different islands, but Aruba is the one I return to all the time.

I haven't taken this trip, but DH did with a former girlfriend! I heard it's amazing.

LALASEPT05 · January 2010

We've been to Grand Cayman two years in a row and its been really fantastic. They have very good restaurants on the island as well as the resort. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton which is really beautiful, but there are other hotels there too like the Marriott. I love it there.

LuluK1102 · January 2010

I HIGHLY recommend La Samanna in St. Martin. It is so beautiful, romantic, and relaxing. They have beautiful grounds with two pools, tennis courts and a beach. The food is fantastic both at the resort and also around the island. I really like St. Martin because the french side tends to be a little quieter(where La Samanna is) whereas the Dutch side is a bit more 'happening' with casinos, etc. Shopping is great plus you can take a 15 minute ferry to either Anguilla or St. Bart's for the day. It's a short flight (about 4 hrs from NY, so I imagine less from DC) and we have been for both long weekends and week long stays. For our honeymoon, we actually split the week between St. Martin/Anguilla which was really nice as well. I believe La Samanna still partners with a resort in Anguilla. I honestly cannot say enough good things about it. Whatever you decide, have a great time!

soccerwife · January 2010

The Hyatt in Aruba is awesome, too. We've been there 3 times (the most recent was May 09). Fabulous pools, beautiful beach, excellent restaurants. The Marriott is nice, but the Hyatt is better.

Mrs.BKP · January 2010

LuluK1102:
I HIGHLY recommend La Samanna in St. Martin. It is so beautiful, romantic, and relaxing. They have beautiful grounds with two pools, tennis courts and a beach. The food is fantastic both at the resort and also around the island. I really like St. Martin because the french side tends to be a little quieter(where La Samanna is) whereas the Dutch side is a bit more 'happening' with casinos, etc. Shopping is great plus you can take a 15 minute ferry to either Anguilla or St. Bart's for the day. It's a short flight (about 4 hrs from NY, so I imagine less from DC) and we have been for both long weekends and week long stays. For our honeymoon, we actually split the week between St. Martin/Anguilla which was really nice as well. I believe La Samanna still partners with a resort in Anguilla. I honestly cannot say enough good things about it. Whatever you decide, have a great time!

We loved St. Martin!!! We rented a house right on the border of the French and Dutch sides and it was the best vacation we've ever taken! Our house had it's own pool (nude sunbathing anyone?) and was a very short walk to the beach. It was also within walking distance to several restaurants. It was great to be able to stay in and cook when we wanted to just relax. We rented a Jeep and went all around the island. We loved that we could do wild things (Orient Beach) or quiet things as we pleased. In the past we've been all inclusive junkies (Jamaica, Bahamas, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta), but I don't think we'll ever go back now that we've rented a house.

Mrs.BKP · January 2010

PS. I forgot to say I'm totally jealous! I love the Caribbean!

LCB34 · January 2010

krissyh21:
Aruba - the Marriott. Awesome island with great - great food everywhere, the hotel is fabulous, the pool and ocean are steps apart so you can take turns and don't have to choose. I have been to a lot of different islands, but Aruba is the one I return to all the time.

I second this. I have taken about 4 or 5 business trips to Aruba over the past 2.5 years and stayed at the Marriott. It is so beautiful.

My region for work covers the Caribbean so I have been to most of the islands down there.

I would stay clear of Grand Cayman b/c there just isn't really much to do. The island is so tiny and I got bored. But, if you really just want to sit on the beach and do nothing else it might be worth considering. There is an awesome restaurant at the Ritz but if you are looking for something a bit more affordable hotel wise the Marriott is nice to stay at as well.

LCB34 · January 2010

Also, if you want to go as far as Mexico, the JW Marriott in Cancun is amazing. So, so pretty!

FaithRocks · January 2010

LALASEPT05:
We've been to Grand Cayman two years in a row and its been really fantastic. They have very good restaurants on the island as well as the resort. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton which is really beautiful, but there are other hotels there too like the Marriott. I love it there.

I'm going to say ABSOLUTELY to this. I lived in Grand Cayman for 2 years and I highly recommend it. Not boring, only boring if you live there for 2 years and do the same thing every weekend LOTS to do and if you want recommendations ask me anytime!

Carrie25 · January 2010

I also recommend Aruba! Amazing island! We also stayed at the Marriott and loved it. They even have their own private island that has flamingos. They have great food in Aruba too, I wouldn't do an all inclusive either.

BoxTer · January 2010

I second the recommendation for Aruba and St. Maarten. Both great islands with lots of fun stuff to do and easy and cheap to get around on buses.

laura1 · January 2010

My DH and I loved the Marriott in St. Kitts. We went to a few really good restaurants while we were there on the island. You can also take a ferry or boat trip to Nevis, which was an awesome island. The Four Seasons there was amazing - but very expensive. We have also been to Aruba and stayed at their Marriott, but it is more of a developed island, and we felt like we were in the US with other New Englanders and New Yorkers. Have fun planning - I am very jealous!

kianew · January 2010

No recs, just wanted to say I'm totally jealous!! I love the Caribbean!!

sescms2004 · January 2010

I also vote for Aruba! We went there for our honeymoon and stayed at Bucuti. It is on Eagle Beach, separate from all of the high rises. If you like lots of activity & people lined up on the beach in their beach chairs, then I'd go for some of the places pp's recommended (marriott, Radisson, etc). But, if you want total peace & quiet, no kids, and privacy - I HIGHLY recommend Bucuti. The beach was HUGE & gorgeous. We absolutely loved it. I'd go back in a heartbeat. We still did activities like a sunset cruise & scuba diving. We just prefer a more quiet hotel. It had a beautiful pool, as well, but we spent all our time under the huge palapas on the beach

Have fun planning!!

CarlyL · January 2010

https://www.tikaye.com/ (St. Lucia)

https://www.rockhousehotel.com/escape.php (Jamaica- though I know you said you already have been there, this is my all time favorite place I have ever stayed)

njdcgirl · January 2010

What about Playa del Carmen, Mexico? They have some AI's there, but lots of hotels are not. Many of the hotels are on the smaller side, but there is a ton of good places to eat if you are on the main strip. There is lots to do as well - besides beach, there are Mayan ruins nearby (Tulum), good shopping in town, and bars/rest galore!

I stayed at the Blue Parrot (www.blueparrot.com) once. Not a big pool, but right on the beach - and the most beautiful blue water. I loved it, and there are lots of other cool boutique hotels in the area.

Have fun!

pamela-matt · January 2010

CarlyL:
https://www.tikaye.com/ (St. Lucia)

https://www.rockhousehotel.com/escape.php (Jamaica- though I know you said you already have been there, this is my all time favorite place I have ever stayed)

pamela-matt · January 2010

CarlyL:
https://www.tikaye.com/ (St. Lucia)

https://www.rockhousehotel.com/escape.php (Jamaica- though I know you said you already have been there, this is my all time favorite place I have ever stayed)

pamela-matt · January 2010

CarlyL:

https://www.tikaye.com/ (St. Lucia)

https://www.rockhousehotel.com/escape.php (Jamaica- though I know you said you already have been there, this is my all time favorite place I have ever stayed)

I was going to suggest Rock House. I have not been there but it is on my list of places I want to go.

We own a timeshare in Aruba and love it there. AMAZING local restaurants, friendly people. We are going in July, but we have to take the kids. I would love an adult only vacation

dejavu · January 2010

FaithRocks:

LALASEPT05:
We've been to Grand Cayman two years in a row and its been really fantastic. They have very good restaurants on the island as well as the resort. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton which is really beautiful, but there are other hotels there too like the Marriott. I love it there.

I'm going to say ABSOLUTELY to this. I lived in Grand Cayman for 2 years and I highly recommend it. Not boring, only boring if you live there for 2 years and do the same thing every weekend LOTS to do and if you want recommendations ask me anytime!

another vote for Grand Cayman! absolutely my favorite caribbean island. always wanted to go to St. Lucia (considered our honeymoon there), i've heard great things.

Steph9-17-04 · January 2010

krissyh21:
Aruba - the Marriott. Awesome island with great - great food everywhere, the hotel is fabulous, the pool and ocean are steps apart so you can take turns and don't have to choose. I have been to a lot of different islands, but Aruba is the one I return to all the time.

This. We love the Marriott in Aruba. The place is awesome.

groovygrl · January 2010

Love love love Anguilla but most hotels are pretty expensive & it is sort of a PITA to get to, the direct flights are not always available.

I will agree w/ the Grand Cayman votes, we went on our 'babymoon' and stayed at the Westin (although if you can, do the Ritz of course .) and really enjoyed it there. We had a super quick direct flight from NC & we left our house at 7am and were on the beach by 1pm! Gotta love that. The one thing is if you are looking for a more rustic/quiet/Caribbean-y feeling place like the USVI, this is not really it, it is very developed, lots of big companies there, lots of buildings, and is a big cruise ship stop so the town area is a zoo (but the good hotels are not near that, just if you decide to go down there to walk around/shop/eat). We kind of liked the mix of modern & beach though.

I have also always wanted to go to St Lucia.

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