shwoopies

Okay,guys, HELP! <BR>We are a few couples (4-5)who will be vacationing to the carribean in early to mid june. We are on a BUDGET, want to do an all-inclusive, golf,(even if not included &quot;at&quot; the resort), scuba, spa?, snorkel, become beach bums, eat, drink, and party in the evenings, with some FUN people (other vacationers, or just amongst ourselves.) No hoytie toytie resorts with nothing but retirees around. Just 30-something year olds looking for the best OVERALL bang for your buck. Will be flying from the Midwest, so I am sure we are in for a long flight either way. <BR>What is your suggestions...have been to Jamaica and Cancun. Have talked about St. Lucia and Aruba, but concerned about the cost factor....truly open to all suggestions. Thanks!

ezron

Forget All-inclusive and rent a villa(house) in St John. With that many people and off season rates, it will seem cheap. Golf is the only thing you will have to give up.

Love2Travel

How about Club Med in Turks and Caicos. Meets all of your requirements, including golf. Well, golf isn't included in the fee but there is a great gold course very close to Club Med.<BR><BR>Also, Turks and Caicos has the absolute best beach. It is beautiful!<BR><BR>Good luck!

Love2Travel

Oooops....excuse the typos!!<BR><BR>I meant to say golf course, not GOLD course!!<BR><BR

tivertonhouse

Do a villa -- anywhere in islands -- for most bang for buck as well as a more customized holiday.If you're adventuresome and have learned to move beyond AIs, see UNFORGETTABLE, for one, on Jamaica's South Coast at Treasure Beach, inclusive-rated at about US$650/week per couple with airfare discounts on Air Jamaica and American also avaialble.<BR>Golf at villa owner's club, the oldest in Western hemisphere, an area of virtually deserted beaches with waterfalls, crocodile cruising,a funky Karlsbad-style spa, swimming with manatees, a hip if low-key expat community, mt.biking,snorkeling,etc.<BR>For a look at the area, a gem, see the community Web site at treasurebeach.net

beachlover99

I would suggest Sandals Antigua. We honeymooned there last year and there were quite a few groups of people that seemed to be having a great time. The prices aren't bad with the 35% off. The resort has a spa, the food and drinks are included, along with the watersports (snorkeling, scuba, windsurfing, waterskiing, catamarans, etc.). They also offer nightly entertainment and the disco and piano bars open up afterwards. There was a group of about 4 couples from California there that was always having a good time (maybe due to all the bottles of champagne!). <BR>There are also things to do outside the resort, for instance Shirley Heights on Sunday nights. And the beaches on Antigua are beautiful.<BR><BR>If you're looking for a lot of nightlife and more bang for your buck, I would suggest Jamaica (Negril) or somewhere in Mexico (just outside of Cancun or possibly Cabo San Lucas). Good luck in deciding and enjoy!

Knowing

An AI would probablt work well for you. A villa may give you more closeness with the other couples than you would want. We just returned from Wyndham Sugar Bay in St. Thomas last week. From Mpls. it was about a seven hour trip with one stop in San Juan. It was an AI with everything you are looking for except you need to leave to golf. There were a group of 6 couples that told us that they went golfing nearby and had a good time. You can scuba and snorkel and do other watersports. The beach isn't huge, but it didn't appear to stop anyone. Food was generally good. Buffets as well as sitdown restaurants. Drinks were fantastic-best I've ever had in the Caribbean! There was always something going on in the Ocean Club at night. On average, I would say most people were in their 20's, 30's and 40's. One night we went to Duffy's Love Shack which is an absolute MUST. In June, I would expect you could do this and stay within your budget.

karan

If you want golf, villa and great food, all inclusive and reasonable for what you get off season-casa de campo. <BR><BR> It is in La Romana, Domincan Republic. I do not know where you are coming from but American flies non stop from Kennedy and others fly thru San JUan or Miami.<BR><BR>Not the greatest of beaches but certainly meets all of the other stuff.<BR><BR>They have excel villas that are spectacular and with the all inclusive and/or golf package, can't be beat.

shwoopies

Wow! <BR><BR>Thanks for all the suggestion, guys...however, a villa is not an option...as one person said...a little too close for some of us. We all want to come home and still be friends, ya know! <BR>Love those guys, but I think we all agree that being able to part company when we want/need is a good idea. THANKS!

liza

The area around Montego Bay, JA has a couple of world class golf courses...Tryall for sure, there's also also White Witch, Rose Hall, Ironshore, Half Moon.<BR><BR>Some of the villas out there are definitely big enough for you not to run into each other too much...take a look:<BR><BR>http://www.jamaicavillas.com/<BR><BR>...in JA villas come with a full staff so it's not like you and your friends ahve to cook. In some cases, the villa is part of alarger resort with golf, beach, bars...places to get away from your party.<BR><BR>Check out Tryall, Half Moon, Round Hill for that kind of villa vacation. Not cheap but probably cheaper than some other islands and really very special.

liza

...want to add about villas....<BR><BR>The only real difference between a villa in a resort and staying at a resort is that in addition to each couple getting a bedroom and bathroom, your group gets a living room, dining room, kitchen, private pool, your own staff, and some outdoor private space.<BR><BR>You don't sacrifice privacy at all.