Advice on possible Caribbean trip June 2012
 

Hello all.

Apologies in advance for the long post. I'm a first time poster but have done quite a bit of reading on these boards and am hoping to get some advice. I've been asked to research options for a "best of the best" type sales incentive trip for next June. There are a few locations that I've been asked to look into and one is the Caribbean. Criteria I have been given is a Ritz-Carleton quality hotel and also the same level of quality for dinners. Budget is $10k US pp which needs to include hotel, airfare, food/drink, activities such as watersports, spa, maybe something like a sailing tour or helicopter tour. Total number of guests will be 14.

Locations for the Caribbean I've been given are St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Cayman Islands. From reading on the boards here, I've added Anguilla, potentially at Cap Juluca or Cuisinart but I'm not %100 percent sure that my budget will stretch for those places.

My questions are:

a) Does anyone have recommendations that will fit the budget for St. Thomas, St. Kitts or Caymans (or other locations not on the list)

b) Will my $10k pp budget stretch for Anguilla at the abovementioned hotels

Thanks very much in advance.

Well, there's a Ritz Carleton in St. Thomas which is quite nice. I think you can get it done for 10K per person, assuming you are talking about a week's stay. They have nice excursions that go to St. John and the BVI.

I'm sorry yes, total stay is 7 days. Thanks for the reply.

Yes, there are Ritz Carltons in St. Thomas and San juan (Puerto Rico).

The "best" accommodations you'll find on St. Kitts is the Marriott (nice but not Ritz Carlton standards). Consider the Four Seasons on Nevis as an alternative.

On Anguilla check out Cap Juluca or Cusinart - they should be in your budget category.

Grand Cayman has plenty of upscale resorts that will fill your bill

Caneelbay.com a Rock Resort would be great for this

June can get rainy south St Lucia Sugar Mill Roooms jalousieplantation.com jadenountain

would be beautiful and outstanding then an ou of the storm belt

Luxurylink.com Zicasso.com might help you with best discounts for a crowd like this.

For me Ritz Carlton in Cancun is the very best of them some of the others are quite dated

And locatons no too good for the price.

Aguilla some great beaches but hot and flat as pancake prefer more Green Hills

Mountaind lke St Lucia

Actually Caneel Bay is a Rosewood now and a classic beauty

Have been visiting there since the 1960s simply enchanting

And very upscale.

Great, I really appreciate the feedback, lots of good advice!

Definitely take a look at the Four Seasons in Nevis. And there you have the option of dining out at some of the plantation inns for dinner. Leeward Island Charters is one of the catamaran tour companies and there are other sail boat charters as well. Other activities (fishing, diving, etc.) are available through Dive Nevis.

The Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman would be a good choice. There are plenty of choice for water sports in Grand Cayman. It is easy to get around the island and there is a wide variety of good restaurants in all price ranges. Your budget should easily pay for 7 days.

I went on an incentive trip back in February with my fiancé to the Grand Caymans. I have to say it was the most wonderful trip we have ever been on! We stayed at the Westin which was nice...but the Ritz Carlton next door looked even better!

I am certain that with a budget of 10,000 a person you can easily do the trip to Grand Cayman. Our flights were around 1500 a person and they provided our hotel room, all our meals (with open bar) and excursions for about $6000 a person

The water is so clear and the beaches are so beautiful!! It is a very safe island with lots of different activities. The Ritz Carlton is located on 7 mile beach which is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Georgetown where all the cruise ships come in to port. The locals in Grand Cayman are some of the nicest people and the restaurants are amazing!

I am in the process of planning my honeymoon for June of 2012 so I know how overwhelming it can to try to find the best place to go! Good luck! you certainly cannot go wrong with the Caribbean.

Check out Nesbit Plantation on Nevis (sister island for St. Kitts)

Just my opinion but Nesbit is nice but not on a par with the Four Seasons (also on Nevis) and not at all in the same ball park as a Ritz Carlton. Don't get me wrong, I've stayed at Nesbit numerous time but I wouldn't recommend it for an "incentive trip" - it lacks an on-site the full treatment spa facility, lately the quality of food has not lived up to past reputation.

As much as I love Caneel (paradise on earth), it is for beachfront crashout. Way too casual, limited in activities for the crowd you have.

anadr, I hope you are still checking the posts. I would have to go with Anguilla. Cap Juluca is my favorite place in the world. Great staff, best beach on an island of great beaches. Lots of fantastic restaurants of varying price. You could take a trip to Scilly Cay for lunch and the day, or take a catamaran or powerboat to either Sandy Island or Prickly Pear