kai00051

Looking for ideas for a 10-year anniversary trip for my wife and I. We've been to Puerto Vallarta 3 times and we honeymooned in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Looking to explore new beaches. We like the beach, pools, relaxing days and swimming in calm waters. Would prefer something more low-key than up-beat, however, will look at all resorts in all locations!

I have Delta miles and about 2K to spend on this.

Any suggestions?

kai00051

Forgot to include, 10-year anniversary is in Sept, but we may travel June, July or August - depending on child care assistance from teh grand parents!

RoamsAround

Is your $2,000 budget just for accommodations or does it also include food and activities?

If $2,000 is your "total" budget than it is a bit on the low side, even if you are traveling in "Low Season" so look at some of the traditionally less expensive destinations like the Dominican Republic, Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen as they will offer more choices within your budget.

FYI - islands like Grand Cayman, Anguilla, Providenciales (Turks & Caicos), St. John, St. Barth's are are the opposite end of the expense scale so strike them off your list for this trip.

Also, since you are using airline miles to reach your destination confine your search to the islands you can reach non-stop from your nearest international gateway airport rather than smaller islands which require connecting flights or ferries as the added travel costs will eat into your already tight budget.

kai00051

Thanks, my budget is 3K total, but I'm going to be booking through Delta with miles as well, so the cost wlll come down.

Would prefer AI.

Thanks!

KVR

Look at the Riviera Maya/Play del Carmen area of Mexico. Tons of AI resorts in all price ranges. Not having to pay air, you could get a very nice AI hotel for that budget. Look at the Secrets Maroma, El Dorado Maroma, Iberostar Grand Pasario and Royal Hidaway.

Jamaica wold be a good option also. Look at Sunset at the Palms, the Couples Resorts and Jewell Dunn's River.

Cabo San Lucas is a good option also. There are several AI's in the San Jose Corridor. We stayed at the Marina Fiesta AI on the Marina, which we loved being able to walk to most everything, but proably look classy enough for an anniversary. There are a few AI's on Medona Beach. We found the food options in Cabo much better than any other Mexico/Carribean destination we've been to.

There are a few AI hotels in various Caribbean destinations, but we have found that they are quite expensive and don't offer as much as what we got in Mexico and Jamaica.

We spent our 10th Anniversary in Key West. Loved it. Excellant food, but we were looking for more activities and bar hopping. It was perfect for us.

suze

Puerto Valalrta is my favorite go-to place. I also like Negril Jamaica and Waikiki on Oahu. If I were branching out within Mexico I'd try Playa del Carmen or Isla Mujeres next.

gillybrit

I agree with the suggestion of playa del carmen / riviera maya. Nice resorts, but interesting possibilities for sightseeing, such as tulum. We stayed at the barcelo maya...great snorkelling right off the beach, and we were very happy with the resort overall.

kai00051

Thanks everyone, very helpful!! Trying to find cheap direct flights from O'Hare now!

kai00051

Gillybrit - regarding the Barcelo Maya, I am seeing 4 options, can you refer me to the one you stayed at?

Barcelo Maya Beach & Caribe
Barcelo Maya Tropical & Colonial
Barcelo Maya Palace Deluxe

These are in order of cost, cheapest on top.

gillybrit

We stayed at the tropical and colonial