Recommend a caribbean trip

CCampbell · 07-08-2008, 09:06 PM

DH and I are actually planning a trip somewhere this coming September. We just want a place where we can take in the scenary and do nothing but relax for 5 days. We've been to Aruba and loved it but would like to try something else. We've considered Montego Bay, Jamaica (new RIU), Turks and Caicos, Riviera Maya, Mexico, and St. Lucia. Ideally we'd like to spend around, if not less than $1000 and find something all inclusive. Has anyone used a discount rate at the RIU hotels? Have you been to any of the above mentioned places...pros, cons? TIA!

Imachickadee75 · 07-08-2008, 09:23 PM

I'm so glad you started this post! DH and I were just talking about taking a trip next year for our ten year wedding anniversary. I'll be interested in the replies.

Jackie

Londoner · 07-09-2008, 01:22 AM

I'd recommend the Hawksbill, which is a Rex Resort, in Antigua. It's all inclusive and good value. We loved it, and want to go again!

pilot j's wife · 07-09-2008, 04:13 PM

DH and I just got back from our 10 year anniversary trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Our trip had a lot of challenges, including full flights for standby (ended up spending the night in LAX) and the stress of having a 1 year old with us while trying to chill out (and while spending the night in LAX) - but otherwise, it was a beautiful place and a wonderful trip.

I'd recommend the place that we stayed, the Grand Oasis Rivera Maya in Akumal - it was pretty laid back, not in the hustle and bustle of Cancun or Playa del Rey - but it was quite a ways south (about an hour and a half from Cancun) and there may be other options that are not so far. We specificially went down that far because it's close to the Mayan Ruin, Tulum and there is apparently fantastic snorkeling in Akumal - although with our little one in tow, we didn't go much snorkeling. Next time, we might not go that far South. The Grand Oasis is a 3.5 star place - I'm sure there are nicer places, but it was sufficient and had really pretty grounds. The all inclusive aspect is just so luxurious, I loved it. If you go there, definitely upgrade to an Ocean front room, you'll be steps away from the ocean. Our room was about $180 a night - and we had zero expenses while we were there, so it felt really reasonable and affordable to us - A good value.

Next time, we'll leave our little one with grandma!

mrs767er · 07-09-2008, 06:39 PM

highly recommend cking perx.com or interlinetravel.com for Riviera Maya deals with bump protection. keep in mind it's hurricane season, so I guess it all depends on your airline and what are your options in case it gets bad. Riu Resorts have good reps in their better clubs.
really well-priced AI south of Playa del Carmen is H10.
Verandah in Antigua is very upscale for $100 pax--I would say prob 4+ stars--the going rate is much higher for reg people--maybe close to $400/night
One of the best Costa Rican places is Occidental Grand Papagayo--very high end and can sometimes be as little as $110 but all top shelf bevs and better food than their sister resort nearby.

Amanda · 07-09-2008, 07:08 PM

There might be some older posts on this topic so be sure to check too!

All-Inclusive Resorts/Vacations

roz · 07-09-2008, 08:23 PM

We love St. Maarten, Anguilla, and of course we love Puerto Rico! Hola!

juliefouts · 07-09-2008, 09:26 PM

For our honey moon we went to Placencia Belize. It was in September and it was there "down time" Plus side- Not a lot of people. was great for being alone. Negative -stores were closed.

07-08-2008, 09:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
CCampbell Jetgirls Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 25 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Recommend a caribbean trip DH and I are actually planning a trip somewhere this coming September. We just want a place where we can take in the scenary and do nothing but relax for 5 days. We've been to Aruba and loved it but would like to try something else. We've considered Montego Bay, Jamaica (new RIU), Turks and Caicos, Riviera Maya, Mexico, and St. Lucia. Ideally we'd like to spend around, if not less than $1000 and find something all inclusive. Has anyone used a discount rate at the RIU hotels? Have you been to any of the above mentioned places...pros, cons? TIA!

07-08-2008, 09:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Imachickadee75 Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 648 Recipes: Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Recommend a caribbean trip I'm so glad you started this post! DH and I were just talking about taking a trip next year for our ten year wedding anniversary. I'll be interested in the replies. Jackie __________________ Welcoming baby #3 this spring!

07-09-2008, 01:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Londoner Jetgirls Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: London ,UK Posts: 215 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Recommend a caribbean trip I'd recommend the Hawksbill, which is a Rex Resort, in Antigua. It's all inclusive and good value. We loved it, and want to go again! __________________ If you're on Facebook, take a look at the group "I'm a pilot's wife". It would be great to see you there! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2248801483

07-09-2008, 04:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
pilot j's wife Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 19 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Recommend a caribbean trip DH and I just got back from our 10 year anniversary trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico. Our trip had a lot of challenges, including full flights for standby (ended up spending the night in LAX) and the stress of having a 1 year old with us while trying to chill out (and while spending the night in LAX) - but otherwise, it was a beautiful place and a wonderful trip. I'd recommend the place that we stayed, the Grand Oasis Rivera Maya in Akumal - it was pretty laid back, not in the hustle and bustle of Cancun or Playa del Rey - but it was quite a ways south (about an hour and a half from Cancun) and there may be other options that are not so far. We specificially went down that far because it's close to the Mayan Ruin, Tulum and there is apparently fantastic snorkeling in Akumal - although with our little one in tow, we didn't go much snorkeling. Next time, we might not go that far South. The Grand Oasis is a 3.5 star place - I'm sure there are nicer places, but it was sufficient and had really pretty grounds. The all inclusive aspect is just so luxurious, I loved it. If you go there, definitely upgrade to an Ocean front room, you'll be steps away from the ocean. Our room was about $180 a night - and we had zero expenses while we were there, so it felt really reasonable and affordable to us - A good value. Next time, we'll leave our little one with grandma!

07-09-2008, 06:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
mrs767er Jetgirls Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincy Area Posts: 225 Recipes: Thanks: 1 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Recommend a caribbean trip highly recommend cking perx.com or interlinetravel.com for Riviera Maya deals with bump protection. keep in mind it's hurricane season, so I guess it all depends on your airline and what are your options in case it gets bad. Riu Resorts have good reps in their better clubs. really well-priced AI south of Playa del Carmen is H10. Verandah in Antigua is very upscale for $100 pax--I would say prob 4+ stars--the going rate is much higher for reg people--maybe close to $400/night One of the best Costa Rican places is Occidental Grand Papagayo--very high end and can sometimes be as little as $110 but all top shelf bevs and better food than their sister resort nearby.

07-09-2008, 07:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Amanda Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PHL suburbs Posts: 2,153 Recipes: Thanks: 12 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Recommend a caribbean trip There might be some older posts on this topic so be sure to check too! All-Inclusive Resorts/Vacations __________________ Amanda Loving wife of Nick, an Int'l FO for Continental flying the 757/767 based in EWR!

07-09-2008, 08:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
roz Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philly Posts: 2,267 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Recommend a caribbean trip We love St. Maarten, Anguilla, and of course we love Puerto Rico! Hola!

07-09-2008, 09:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
juliefouts Jetgirls Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tucson,AZ Posts: 71 Recipes: Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Recommend a caribbean trip For our honey moon we went to Placencia Belize. It was in September and it was there "down time" Plus side- Not a lot of people. was great for being alone. Negative -stores were closed.

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