Sheilagh_Gillis

Looking for ideas for resort or villa (all inclusive possibly?)for 6 gals looking for rest, relaxation, good food, beach and fun. We are doing a 40th birthday trip, but are travelling from several locations in Canada/northern US. Because we are a diverse group, we are hoping for some options for adventure and cultural experiences if we desire..
Food/accomodation budget would be around $1200 to $1400 per person depending.

Sheilagh_Gillis

BTW we are planning on travelling July of 2013.

suze

For Jamaica, I always recommend Negril. Fabulous destination with the amazing "7-mile beach". Sorry don't know about villas or all-inclusives though.

If you aren't set on Jamaica, the other place I'd highly recommend for what you describe is the "Mayan Riviera" (the Caribbean coast of Mexico around the Playa del Carmen area).

Sheilagh_Gillis

I've also heard that St Maarten is great but am wonder what would be more bang for the buck.

Jimmie

Anguilla or St. Barts.

KVR

"Anguilla or St. Barts" The OP said "On a budget". Those Islands are definatly NOT for the budget minded.

Villas are not AI unless you hire a cooking/cleaning staff and then I don't think that would be budget friendly either.

I agree with Suze - Jamaica or Playa del Carmen/Riveria Maya area of Mexico if you want AI.

Rent a house or Villa on Turks and Caicos.

Lots of people use Vrbo.com for rentals.

Sheilagh_Gillis

Thanks for the input folks

suze

To reiterate... your budget will get you a LOT more in Jamaica or Mexico (or the Dominican Republic) than on islands like St Maarten, Anguilla or St Barts.

to the OP, the $1200-1400 budget, how long of a trip are you hoping for? Are we talking 4-days, 7-days, 10-days? That makes a big difference.

Sheilagh_Gillis

We are looking at 1 week. The total budget is around 2000, but I'm hoping to get a flight for $600-800. I would love to have feedback on a resort vs villa. One of the gals in our party mentioned that villas can be rented that include meals for fairly reasonable rates. I have been looking at Vrbo.com at this option but of course the possibilities seem endless. Any thoughts to help narrow a good option down would be appreciated.
All of the gals in our group have slightly different interests. For example, one of us has young children and merely wants a beautiful beach, comfortable sleeping and good food. Whereas, I would like the option for a little adventure and culture and wouldn't be quite contented relaxing on a beach the entire week (although some beach time would be great).
We are all married so the singles night life wouldn't be as important...

Sheilagh_Gillis

Also...we really do not want a family resort or a place that is heavily populated with children. We love ours but would like a week away...

suze

The possibilites ARE endless (lol) that's the problem. Personally I think it's a lot easier to go with a hotel or small resort, than try to rent a home/villa, in a place you are not familiar with.

I do rent condos and apartments myself, but in places I have vacationed several times already so I know how things work.