alldaytravel

Hi All - I am looking for some advice on a Caribbean island to visit in the July/August timeframe for a long weekend trip from NYC. I am a BIG beach person, so I am hoping for long beautiful stretches of beach with nice, reasonably priced All Inclusive resorts. Ideally, I'd also like a "safe" island where we can leave the resort if we choose.

I have been to Cancun, Riviera Maya, Jamaica, and Bermuda in the past, so hoping to try someplace new.

Any suggestions??

luvtotravl

Check into the east end of Grand Cayman. The Reef Resort now offers an all inclusive option, and has a large beautiful uncrowded beach. Grand Cayman is a great "safe" island, where you will never be hasseled by beach vendors, etc.

bajangirl

What about St Maarten? You can get the AI and the great beaches, plus easy access from NYC.

J_R_Hartley

"I'd also like a "safe" island where we can leave the resort if we choose"

Try St Barts

a) There are no resorts
b) You can go anywhere you like night or day.

KVR

I would suggest Aruba. There are not many AI's as there are tons of really great restaurants in various price ranges. Choose a hotel on Eagle Beach. Very long nice stretch of beach. Look at the Amsterdam Manor, Divi, Tamarijn and the Manchebo. Palm Beach is just as nice, but a a little more crowded as there are more hotels, but right across the street are resturants, bars and shopping. Easly and safe walking. The RIU and Occidental are great AI's in that area.

I also agree with Grand Cayman. However, the Island doesn't have much selection with AI hotels. The Marriott also offers an AI plan and sits on 7 Mile Beach, which is much closer to to Georgetown.

Suzi72

For amazing beaches try St.John usvi. Great sand gorgeous water good for swimming and snorkeling. Very scenic pretty trees palms/foilage. Super safe. Not sure about AI seems like renting a villa/condo is the thing to do there and try some of the awesome rest. One of my fav places

Suzi72

also i have been to the places you were except bermuda.. and st john beaches are much more scenic/picuresque and more private ! trust me you won't be dissapointed

STARSHINE8

have you looked into Barbados? I know that there are many AI in Barbados and there is non-stop service right into Barbados from NY. We stayed at Turtle Beach on the SouthCoast. There is also Crystal Cove on the West Coasat. Both are AI and very well maintained, on beautiful beaches. We went off the resort a lot and the Bayan people are amazing. Check out eleganthotels.com for both of these properties.

Welbourn3

I agree with Suzi72. St. John has many absolutely stunning beaches and the snorkeling opportunities are immense. One very famous beach is on Trunk Bay, which I've read is one of the most photographed beaches in the world.

Knowing

You may want to check and see if Sandals Antigua is still running any of their promotions. We've stayed there a couple of times and been very comfy. Nice beach and some of the rooms on the older side are right by the water, so I'm guessing you could fall asleep to the gentle sounds of the surf there. The staff is extremely accommodating and the other guests are usually nice. The older side is also intriguing as it has such lovely scenery, although we stayed in the new section this April.

blamona

I'm a huge beach person, I actually tell people I was born to find the world's most perfect beach! ;-) And I've actually tried, everywhere around the world. I've probably been to about 75% of the Caribbean, Cook Islands, Bora Bora , Maldives, Seychelles.......

Having said that, truly my opinion, but by staying at AI's, you're really limiting yourself to the most spectacular strands. I have found the best beaches to be on islands that don't really have AIs. So, if you can break away from that, my opinion of some of the best beaches in Caribbean area:

St. John and Virgin Gorda
Anguilla
Turks and Caicos
Out Islands in Bahamas

Most islands have a pretty strand here and there, quite frankly, I've never met a beach I didn't like, BUT the above mentioned are the best of the best.

Problem is, they really don't have AI, or are not know for matching the personality of AI.

One of the Out Islands of Bahamas, San Salvador, has a Club Med AI on a gorgeous strand.

T&C has an adult only Club Med on stunning Grace Bay Beach. The rooms are basic, but you'll see turquoise like you've never seen before.

Anguilla and Virgin Islands don't have any AIs.