Jim_Singleton

I've already checked every travel site known to man, books, and harranged everyone I know in the office, train, sidewalk, etc. I want to find a really great Caribbean beach resort for a 4 night get-away for just me and my wife. We haven't been away just us in years and I'm deploying at the end of August for a year to Iraq. I don't want to get there and go..."oh....yikes." Our departure airport would be JFK / LaGuardia and would rather not spend the whole day flying. Also don't want to spend the whole budget on air travel. I like the idea of an all-inclusive, but Lori's not a big drinker or eater, so that probably wouldn't be too efficient for us. Also, we've done family cruises for years and really, really don't want organized entertainment (belly flop contests, limo dancing, vollyball, etc.).

So which island has an awesome, updated, modern resort on a beautiful beach. Ideally with a pretty, safe town with stores and restaurants not too far away (walk or a fairly cheap cab ride). Mostly want to sit by a pool or beach, have drinks, have great food, maybe take a sailboat or kayak out, go for a long walk. We love old San Juan, but the beachs aren't great and we've been to PR several times, loved the Marriott at St. Kitts, but its a pretty long flight. Bermuda's neat and organized, but real expensive and to me not really very Caribbean like. I was looking at the Hyatt in Curacao or Aruba. Read reviews that the Curacao Hyatt beach is so-so, and there's a mosquito / sand fly issue.

Sorry folks, I know, long story. So where is a beach like on St. Johns, with a charming town like old San Juan, on a beautiful island like St. Kitts, but maybe a 4 hour flight from NY?????????

Jimmie

What's your budget per night? You could go to Caneel Bay via their ferry charter from St. Thomas, a non-stop flight from NYC. I'd also look at Antigua and St. Martin.

KVR

I first thought after reading was Aruba. It's everything you described. Stay on Eagle Beach though instead of the Hyatt on Palm Beach. Look at the Divi, Bucuti, the Tam and Manchebo.

wliwl

Caneel is nice, but way overpriced IMO.

Jim_Singleton

I'd like to keep it as close to $2000 (all in, air/hotel) as possible.

My wife has been fixed on Aruba, I'll take a look at KVR's recommendations.

Thanks all.

JS

RoamsAround

Aruba fits your budget but of all the destinations in the caribbean it's the furthest away so it won't meet your criteria of a short flight. If you found the flight from the NY area to St. Kitts long then flying to Aruba will be way to long.

Look at resorts on Providenciales (Turks & Caicos - about 3 hours from New York) or St. Thomas (you can do it in under 4 hours).