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Please Help! I want to take a romantic trip to the Caribbean....

Please Help! I want to take a romantic trip to the Caribbean....

Old Jun 18th, 2011, 05:16 AM
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Please Help! I want to take a romantic trip to the Caribbean....

but don't know where to start.

I am looking to getaway for 4 days in January (or early December) from New Jersey and I'm looking for white sandy beaches, warm, blue, clear water... nice breezy or a.c. room. Decent food, quite atmosphere where my husband and I can be reconnect with each other - we don't want to do a lot of activities/sight seeing.

I want to feel like we are in paradise and I don't want to have to deal with problems like lost reservations, dirty rooms, construction etc.

OK, I'm listening!
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 05:20 AM
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I forgot to add, I would like to spend less than $3000 if possible.
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 06:07 AM
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To spend less than $3000 you're better off early Dec, from Dec 15th thru April is peak season in Caribbean and can cost 2-3 times more, and air can be proportionally more.

I think Turks and Caicos could work for you.

Not a bad place to stay.

You'll get the gorgeous water.

Terrific restaurants (but expensive)

Early Dec you'll still find specials, 4th night free, etc (can you add a night?)

4 days is not that long, you'll loose travel time, but T&C can maximize it--flights from JFK and Newark get there by noon-1pm, and leave the last day around 1:30-3:30.

Grace Bay is 12 miles long, you'll find your own peaceful stretch. Also, you need to take a boat excursion to Half Moon Bay-it's stunning!

Restaurants there are ultra romantic.
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 08:50 AM
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Ok, early December could work if there is a great deal and I could add another day so we don't feel rushed. I'll look into Turks and Caicos. Thanks for the input!
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 08:58 AM
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With only 4 days I won't venture to islands that are too far south or that require multiple flights and/or ferry rides to reach as yo can loose a lot to "travel time".

I agree with blamona that going before December 15 will save you a lot of money compare to what you'll pay for accommodations in High Season (between December 15 and Easter).

The T&C's are nice but they could be cool at that time of year, so too the Bahamas -t's a risk you'll have to take going at that time of year.

Consider the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and Grand Cayman - all are easy to reach with relatively short non-stop flights from NJ accessible airports (EWR or JFK) and they are further enough south that you'll be virtually assured of having warm weather. You should have do difficulty finding resorts on any of those islands for your $3,000 budget.

One think to point out, if your $3,000 budget includes airfare you may find going to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic or Jamaica may give you the biggest bang for your buck since those destination are traditionally among the lease expensive (airfare wise) to reach. Both Jamaica and the Dominican Republic have an abundance of moderately priced (but very nice) resorts you can choose from.
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 09:21 AM
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I agree with Turks and Caicos. We were able to make that budget for airfare and hotel staying at the Sibonne.

I'll also throw out the Rivera May of Mexico. We have been going the first week of December for several years as the prices are really good that time of year. They only issue is the pools tend to be too cool for us, but the ocean temps are perfect. You can probably do air, hotel, food and spending more for that budget. We have in the past depending on hotel.

We decided this December to go back to Jamaica. A little more than Mexico, but still within that budget.
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 10:40 AM
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The Sibonne looks interesting in T & C. Did you go in December? I'm looking for great weather.

The reviews of hotels/resorts in Jamaica are very discouraging. Sheesh, I know you cant please everyone but some reviews are down right scary!
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 01:51 PM
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We stayed at the Sibonne in May, 2006. We did go to Negril, Jamaica the last week of November, 2006. The pools there weren't as cool as Mexico that time of year.

We cheaped out and stayed at the RIU Tropical Bay in Negril and did not like it. We chose the Jewell Dunn's River in Ocho Rios for this December. It was a Sandals up until about a year ago. The reviews on TA look good. Air and hotel for 4 nights is coming in about $2,500. More than we like to spend as we can get much better prices in Mexico and more bang for the buck, but after 10 trips there, we wanted something else.

I don't know if you like AI or not(we do). In Jamaica, look at Sunset at the Palms or Couple Negril. Take reviews with a grain of salt and try to read between the lines. Some things that people complain about really wouldn't bother us.
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Old Jun 18th, 2011, 03:24 PM
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Would you consider an AI in Mexico? I never thought I'd say this, since I'm such a fan of the Caribbean ( particularly Negril, in Jamaica) but we loved our trip to Cancun last December. We stayed at LIVE AQUA, which has beautiful oceanfront rooms, a spa and health club on site, a few good restaurants ( although there are many more in the area if you want to take a night off from AI), and a beautiful beachfront. The hotel seems to cater mostly to adults and has a very quiet, romantic, and serene atmosphere. IF you could get decent airfare on Jet Blue to Cancun, I think you could definitely stay within budget, especially if you go in the shoulder season. Also- for not much more, they will sometimes upgrade you to what's called "The Aqua Suite" which has a separate living room, half bath, and wrap around deck right on the ocean. Pure heaven!!
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Old Jun 19th, 2011, 04:53 AM
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We went to Negril this past March and it was not hot at all, around 77F which was very pleasant. The sea was colder than expected. I would not call it quiet or romantic, with Couples Swept Away & surrounding area heaving with people, but the beach is stunning and there are alot of properties to choose further down the beach which would be quieter, plus lots of very good eating options both on the beach and the cliffs. The cliffs however is very romantic, at least I thought so.
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Old Jun 19th, 2011, 07:00 AM
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With only 4 shorts days, I'd definitely look first at islands you can get a nonstop flight into at times favorable to stretch out your vacation as much as possible.
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Old Jun 19th, 2011, 03:27 PM
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Runawayhill.com

Betterbidding.com Westin St Thomas

Maho.org

Rockhouse Inn Negril Jamiaca cheap luxury

All would be good
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Old Jun 19th, 2011, 03:34 PM
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rockhouse wins for price pretty easy to get to from US

Runawayhill.com closer a bit more usually but perfect PINK sand beach

One of the best I have seen in the world
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Old Jun 19th, 2011, 05:42 PM
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The tropics are o'kay. I like the Island of Roatan in the Bays Islands (Honduras). You can take like a 17 minute plane ride from the main land (La Ceiba, Honduras). But you also have to consider one small thing, the waters are usually colder during this time of the season. I notice that people don't crowd the beaches. In a way that could be an advantage because then you get the beach all for yourself.
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Old Jun 19th, 2011, 05:56 PM
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If you go to the T&C in Dec. you could have ocean temperatures of 70 degrees and if you are unlucky daytime high temps of 70-72 and nights at 65. That's the bad news. The good news is it might be 78-80 in the afternoon but the ocean will likely not be above 75 and that is quite cold.
The Grand Lido in Negril was lovely when we went 5 years ago and the food was top shelf. Maybe someone can comment on it today. The problem is no beach.
I would think St. thomas and stay at the Rotz Carlton and I think you could swing it on your budget if you went in the first 10 days of Dec. Temps will be 78-85 and 72-75 at night and ocean about 78-79.It is ,lovely. you might have to eat lightly because the food prices are as steep as room rates. We thought the food was above average but over-priced for the quality. But it is a classy place.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2011, 10:57 AM
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if you can make it early December all they better as rates to go up after 14 December throughout the caribbean. Visit our website and send us a request, we do have access to more properties than what is listed there. Sounds like you may need a private villa. I think Grenada or St Lucia might be perfect. Or even a private island? like Palm island? www.sugarhutvillas.com
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Old Jun 23rd, 2011, 06:33 PM
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Though Theresa has some good ideas you need a destination where you can get a non-stop flight of 5 hours or less considering you are limiting yourself to 4 days. I assume you mean 4 full days on vacation and paying for 5 nights. To a place like St. Thomas pr PR you can be on the beach at 3 PM but to St. Lucia, barbados, etc. you likely will arrive for dinner.
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