dazzlingdiva

I would like some feedback on what location to go to for my 30th birthday: Aruba, Barbados, St. Maarten. We are planning to go March 2012
Some background: My traveling group consists of 30-35 yr olds who like adventure and nightlife of our destination. We enjoy tours as well.
Any suggestions on where to stay. I would like to have a place that will accomodate us all in a suite or something. When we went to the Cayman Islands we stayed in a 3-bedroom condo hotel right on the beach so I would like to stay in something similar. Also we will not be renting a car, any suggestions about what areas
Thanks

qwovadis

Aruba Hyatt Palm Eagle Beach my fav for beach party dive

Fairmont.com Barbados good packages travelzoo.com

Barbados Brit vibe more spread out harder to get around.

St Marteen similar story... Marigot french smaller town

good food hotels not really as nice... more expensive.

Happy Travels!

blamona

My opinion, but if you end up in St Martin or Barbados you'll need a car, everything is spread out and no consistent public transportation, taxi can get costly.

Aruba has public transportation.

Other than the car issue, your 3 choices has nightlife and accommodations like you're looking for.

As for personality of the islands, all 3 are completely different from each other.

DavidSXM

A rental car is ESSENTIAL on St Martin, otherwise you will see very little, and viable public transport is non-existant - apart from taxis.

bostonallison

Hi, my husband and I spent New Years 2011 in Barbados and stayed along the South Coast, near Accra Beach. We found public transportation in Barbados to be cheap, easy and actually fun on the little buses that shuttle people around. There was nightlife in St. Lawrence Gap and on Friday nights, the Fish Fry at Oistens. We also enjoyed going out for dinner in Bridegtown. We did rent a car for one day to explore other parts of the island but you don't need a car at all. I have been to St. Martin and we rented a jeep the entire week; I do think you need a car there. I have never been to Aruba but my brother says it's the best place he's ever been.

bajangirl

Sounds like Barbados would fill all your requirements - condos are in abundance on both the west and south coasts. Check out Sapphire Beach - condos in St Lawrence Gap where you can walk to everything, and use public transport for further afield activities, Villas on the Beach in Holetown on the west coast where you can walk to everything and public transport for other activities. Generally speaking, tour operators will pickup and drop off as part of their package.

http://www.destinationcaribbean.net/...=35&Itemid2=70

dazzlingdiva

Thanks everyone for your replies! I think this information will help with my decision.