GerdaFaust

80th birthday for mother-in-law. 4-5 nights in St. Croix or Bermuda. Four grown sons over the age of 40, 3 of whom like to golf. Two spouses, no children. Everyone enjoys the water, nice restaurants.

We will be traveling from Seattle, Boston, Palm Beach, Boise, and New York - April or May.

Any suggestions for a good hotel? Other ideas?

Thanks!

doug_stallings

Golf is much better in Bermuda than St. Croix, but it's also more expensive. There are 2 golf courses on St. Croix ... the Carambola course and the course at the Buccaneer, and hte latter is only open to hotel guests. It's probably also easier to get to Bermuda from the places you mention. Bermuda is much more expensive than St. Croix. Is there a particular reason why these are the only 2 choices? Why not simply go to Hilton Head or someplace in the U.S.?

GerdaFaust

I'm with you. Her choice, not mine. These are among her favorite places... Hilton Head, or any place on the mainland would not be considered special enough!

cmcfong

Bermuda! Hands down. May will be more "beachy weather", gorgeous with flowers everwhere. She will love it. I can recommend some hotel ideas but budget guidelines, whether you want to be oceanfront or in town, and any mobility limitations would help.

doug_stallings

If I had to choose, I guess I'd choose St. Croix. It's really in the Caribbean and will be warm and tropical in April/May (and it's the beginning of the low season there, while the high season is just getting underway in Bermuda).

Stay at the Buccaneer to take advantage of its golf course. It's a beautiful resort, and there are a lot of good restaurants in Christiansted that you can get to easily.

This isn't a cheap resort, but it's very nice, and one of my favorites on St. Croix.

toc919

We have been to both and each has its strong points. St Croix is a more laid back, "no problem" type of island. Bermuda is more formal and "proper". If you are looking to just relax, take it easy, let your hair down, got to St Croix. If you seek a higher level of service, entertainment, food, go to Bermuda. Don't let me give you a false impression, St Croix does have a number of good resturants and activities. When we stay in St Croix, we go to the Gentle Winds (condo), outside of Christainsted. Very quiet, relaxing, great pool and beach, with snorkeling 20 yards off shore. If you go, try to get unit C-6 - 3 bedroom, 2 bath. Great owners, very cooperative and responsible. Best hotel in Bermuda is the Southampton Princess, the Lady on the Hill. Best hotel in St Croix is the Buccaneer. You will enjoy either place and feel free to contact me if you would like further info.

lovethecape

The island you pick may depend upon your mother-in-law's needs. I'm guessing St. Croix will be a longer trip for her with a connecting flight. St. Croix is also probably hotter than Bermuda this time of year. Will that be a problem?

If you do decide to stay on St. Croix, I believe there is a promotion going on that gives a $250 air fare credit per person, double occupancy. I will look for the site for the Buccaneer but other hotels on the island offer a similar deal. Do a search for St. Corix travel promotion. We are going in April but had already made arrangements before the deal came out (frequent flyers,...)

lovethecape

Check out the following:


http://www.thebuccaneer.com/fantasti...-promotion.htm

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum....l&tid=1074

LilRicky

I think there is some type of cruise that you can take from Florida to Bermuda and back, but for the life of me, I can't remember who operates it!

doug_stallings

Cruise to Bermuda don't typically leave from Florida. There's a weekly cruise from Norfolk, Virginia, and there are cruises from Baltimore and New York during the summer season. Some cruises from Florida go to Bermuda for a day before going back to the Bahamas, but I don't think that's the kind of experience GerdaFaust is looking for. Many people choose a cruise because of the high cost of lodging and dining in Bermuda, and that's a viable choice. But these travelers seem to want to have restaurants and be off a ship, not on it every night.

buckminster

I guess perceptions about weather are very subjective, but I think St. Croix would be way too hot in April/May. I've been to the Virgin Islands during the last week of March, and it was quite warm. Fine for going to the beach, but we found it too hot to enjoy hiking. I would assume golfers would like it a tad cooler.

nanabee

I was curious about your comments on the weather. How hot does it get in St. Croix in April?
Would the Bahamas (incl water temp) be too cold that time of year.

buckminster

When we were in the Virgin Islands the last week of March, the weather was probably mid to upper 80s during the day. This was great for swimming and the beach, but we found it a bit hot and humid for hiking around during the middle of the day.

I plan to go a bit earlier next time, maybe February.

But that's just my opinion. I am not a fan of hot humid weather. I believe the "high season" goes until mid-April.

I've never been to the Bahamas so I don't know, but it is possible some would find it too cool for swimming then? I live by Lake Michigan, so we're used to very cold water. We used to go to the Florida Keys in February and swim in the ocean there with no problem.

mnag

My vote would be Bermuda. Beautiful island, lots of nice restaurants, I think there are just about 14 golf courses on the tiny island. Very scenic and clean island. I would pick a hotel close to the south shore beaches such as Pompano, Reefs, etc. A bit expensive though.

buckminster

Oops, sorry! You were considering Bermuda, not the Bahamas. It probably would be too cold to swim in April in Bermuda. We were in Hilton Head once in April and it was too cold. Not sure about May, that might be OK. The ocean was like a bathtub the time we went ro Hilton Head in July!