Ndamashek

My husband and I are looking for a destination/resort for 5 or 6 nights in February. We're celebrating our 5 year anniversary, and this is our first time leaving our kids (3 and 7 mos.). We want ultra-luxurious, something on par with Hualalai in Hawaii, which is where we honeymooned. We can't decide between Mexico or the Caribbean. Cap Juluca is a thought. We live in NJ. Any suggestions or tips will be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!

virginia

in mexico look at: (non-stop from ewr 4 1/2hrs on continental)
http://www.maromahotel.com/web/ocan/maroma.jsp
http://www.tidesrivieramaya.com/
http://www.rosewoodmayakoba.com/en/index.cfm
http://www.zoetry-riviera-maya.com/index.htm
in turks & caicos (6-7hrs from jfk,lga)
http://www.amanyara.com/album.aspx?id=3746
http://www.parrotcay.com/
nevis (a lot of travel for 5-6 nights)
http://www.fourseasons.com/nevis/
barbados (jet blue or aa from jfk 5hrs)
http://www.sandylane.com/

Caribzack

Make sure Four Seasons Nevis is reopened!
My vote Parrot Cay ( Turks )

eileen

Hi, we also live in NJ (South) and fly out of Newark when we can get direct flights. We have been fortunate to be able to take 12 annual childless trips so I will make a few suggestions based on my experiences. We have stayed at many nice resorts including Ritz-Carlton and the Four Seasons. We look for peace and quiet, good food, good service, an uncrowded beach, nice accomodations and as few children as possible (because we don't want to be surrounded by other children when we leave ours at home). Hands-down, our three favorite resorts have been Four Seasons Punta Mita (Mexico), Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis and Galley Bay on Antigua. They are each luxurious in their own way. FS Punta Mita -- Pros: spectacular property, 4 1/2 hour direct flight on Continental to Puerta Vallarta, renowned FS perks and service. Cons: food and drink very expensive, many children and can be crowded depending on when you go. NPBC - not luxury in the 5-star, FS sense, but wonderful service and food, an authentic caribbean experience, highest-level rooms have every amenity you could want (except TVs -- this is intentional), small, quiet property that is very special. But I agree with previous poster that Nevis is difficult to get to and may be too long a trip for 5/6 days. Also, the FS Nevis is closed right now and may not reopen, I was also underwhelmed by this FS as compared to FS Punta Mita which I found to be far nicer. Galley Bay -- even if you don't like GB you should definitely consider Antigua because it is an easy 4 hour direct flight on Cont'l from Newark. You can take the 8 a.m. flight and be at your resort by 1:30 and not waste an entire day. GB is also not 5-star FS luxury, for example, they don't have wait service on the beach or room service because the beach is just too long and the rooms spread out to make this feasible for a relatively few guests. So that might be a deal-breaker for you but it does not matter at all to us because the property is so incredible, the sense of "get away from it all" isolation wonderful, you practically have the 3/4 mile long beach to yourself and it is an upscale all-inclusive with absolutely everything (except spa treatments) included in the daily rate so you never had to settle a bill, etc. which to me is a huge plus. And the food is great, all order off the menu. It's very low-density and spread out which is one way in which is reminds me of FS Hualalai. But fewer rooms, only 90. And very romantic. The premium beachfront rooms are the ones to choose and they are huge, with the largest bathrooms I have ever seen, every amenity, including flat screen TV's, trust me, those rooms are FS level. It's the only resort that we have returned to two years in a row which I think says how much we like it. And don't be put off by the rack rates you can get at least a 25% - 50% off sale. 50% off in high season with everything included was an incredible value. Those rum punches and pina coladas go down so much easier when you are not paying $15 - 20 each (the FS prices)! If you don't like GB you might check out Hermitage Bay and Carlisle Bay on Antigua, but I hear that CB is overrun with children. Hope this is helpful!

Ndamashek

Thanks everyone...I think we've decided on Las Ventanas.

sharona

I was going to comment on eileen's suggestion of the Four Seasons, Punta Mita, and your idea of Cap Juluca. My husband and I were at the FS, Punta Mita in April of last year and we were at Cap Juluca just this past April. But we also vacationed at Las Ventanas last September. It's a fabulous property. A bit over-the-top actually. The service was unlike any I've had anywhere. Unfortunately, the food didn't quite live up to the rest of the resort. We found it to be rather mediocre and very expensive. The food was not bad; it simply wasn't as fabulous as it should have been, especially at those prices. We ended up going into Cabo San Lucas a couple of nights for dinner and to Cabo San Jose another night.

I would certainly return to Las Ventanas and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.