I posted saturday ...doesn't ANYONE have advice for us?
We are a 60 to 70 aged couple looking to go anywhere where we can sit, swim, read, at the beach with drinks at the ready, and some dancing or entertainment at night. We want AI, but are not fussy....don't mind noise, games, activities...but are hoping for a diversity of ages, not just the under 30 set.
We will book this trip this by Tuesday 5/9/06
so we hope someone can advise us.

I would suggest Aruba...we just came back from this island a couple of weeks ago, and it has everything you are asking for. We loved it, lots of fun, and plenty of options for being lazy on the beach, or going out at night, etc...Good Luck!

Thank you beachgirl.
Yes Aruba is on our list. We have been there several times, and it will be an easy decision to go back....won't take too long to get there either, and being familiar with the area makes for an easy trip. We also would consider a different resort than Sandals in Antigua, which we love, but thought it would be nice to try a new resort. We get in a rut sometimes going to places we have tried and loved, so we were wondering if anyone can suggest anything we have not tried. Bonnaire, Curacao maybe. We keep repeating Antigua, Aruba, and St. Lucia, but have never been to St. Thomas or Nevis or Barbados, etc.
Thanks to anyone who can help us.

If you are considering Nevis, you might take a look at Nisbet Plantation. Although not totally AI, they are offering a breakfast and dinner combination.

If you would consider Jamaica, there are many options there. You should look at Jamaica Inn...again not a typical AI....but you can elect to have all meals and drinks included.

Couples Swept Away in Negril also gets good reviews here.

I'd also suggest that you look at luxurylink.com for great offers and more suggestions.

People here want to help...but you need to give us a little more info regarding your budget and where you are flying from.

Marion

Marion

Have you considered the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico? There are some nice AI resorts just south of Playa del Carmen. Plenty of activities on site, but you also have the option of doing some day trips to the ruins in Tulum or to Cozumel.

I understand Bonaire is wonderful for scuba and snorkling, but there isn't much in the way of nightlife.

Thanks for the ideas.
I will try to be a litle more specific, although we are not fussy and open to anything. We often repeat past trips due to the ease of doing so, and being familiar with the surroundings, but would like to try something new if we can find something last minute.I hate to admit it but we get into a travel rut. This comes from not planning too far in advance...usually no more than 3 weeks.This time we are only going for 6 days and did not decide to do so until yesterday!
We love Aruba, St. Lucia, and Antigua. But where else would anyone recommend?We have been to Antigua Sandals, love it, but would like to try a different Antigua property since we have only a short time to spend, or another island.
We are coming from the Northeast, and would like an all inclusive. As I said, we just want a nice beach, and some dancing or entertainment at night. Snorkeling perhaps, but not needed.Some of the flights I have looked into seem to be long, such as to Grand Cayman, perhaps because we are traveling mid week and not a charter???
I have been to Cancun but not for a long time and that is a possibility especially since the prices are so cheap and travel time so short, but are the beaches ready yet after the hurricane?
Thanks in advance everyone.

I would also suggest the Playa del maya area. Many fine AI and much to do in the area. Not sure of your budget but Royal Hideway is suppose to be one of the best, although I have never been there. I have been to St. Thomas and Barbados but only on cruise ships. Both are great I love St. thomas. Not sure if the AI get great reviews though. You might want to check applevacations.com to see if they have any specials this time of year anywhere.

Curacao springs to mind also. You will find peace and quiet at the hotels and some nightlife in town. Cheers, Larry

Thanks everyone. Nisbet Plantation Totally Royal Escape will probably fit us just fine. Also I have had good experiences with Apple Tours in the past and have forgotten about them. I see there are some good deals on that site and we may be able to get something for less than our usual Sandals trips.
Thanks again.

Think you would like Grand Cayman.

Yes we really really were hoping to find something on Grand Cayman. But with a last minute trip, and only 6 days, I have not been able to find a quick flight from CT nor an all inclusive.We do not want to spend a whole day on each end travelling...and want an all inclusive because we love to eat all day as well as drink pina colatas or margaritas , apple martinis, as well as any special island concoctions without having to think about how much we are wasting on such frivolity.
Any Cayman suggestions will be appreciated however.
Thanks.

Does GC even have an AI? With the price of eating out there it would seem to be a good idea.

Antigua and the Long Bay Hotel may be a lovely place for you. We were just there in April and the beach was warm and very calm and the sand was white but not hot. The hotel is small and intimate with dinner and breakfast included with your room. I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone wanting a quiet and lovely vacation.

We stopped by the Montpelier Plantation on Nevis and it sure is a beautiful spot. It overlooks the water and takes you to the beach. Dining would be 5 star.

Also Goldenn Lemon on St Kitts is right on the beach and aso a lovely place

I doubt either would offer dancing though. h

caribbeandawn: ooh, ooh, ooh--I love the Long Bay Hotel, too! We try to get there for at least a few days each year, but this will be the first year we haven't visited since our first visit in 2001. That place has become very dear to me, mostly because now it feels like visiting old friends. But based on toppy's posts, I don't think it's the best choice for what s/he is looking for...

Toppy, what did you decide?

Hi EJ,

According to post 24 or 25...Toppy has booked Kura Hulanda Lodge in Curacao.

Hope you and your family have a boat or a kayak...or a way to get to the roof

Even my Spaniel refuses to go out in this current deluge.

When do you leave for your next adventure ? Not soon enough, I imagine ;-)

Marion

Thanks everyone for all the input. We decided on the Kura Hulanda resort in Curacao. We booked Breezes first but were frightened by some negative reports on tripadvisor so we changed to Kura Hulanda. Then we saw many positives about Breezes so we might have made a mistake. I think this vacation might be quieter than what we are used to, maybe too quiet for us, but that's OK. We always have fun.
I have made notes on all your suggestions because we will plan another trip as soon as we return, for this summer. I liked the web site for Long Bay, although we really like Sandals Antigua for all it has to offer. They used to offer lobster tails every night in their Western restaurant, but didn't the third time we were there. They do spoil us there in spite of the craziness that goes along with Sandals, and I realize there are more upscale and less crazy resorts.
The Nisbet Plantation in Nevis looks nice too.I think we might settle on Negril next, due to all the great things I have read here. And Playa Del Carmen...just saw a special on TV too.
One of the main deciding factors was how soon can we be there...oh so many choices.
Curacao is an island we have never been to, so that is the main reason we chose it....plus travel time from CT is not too long.
Again, thanks to everyone, and Reeder, thanks for the info on the Bradley hotel.

Marion, I really cannot believe this dreadful weather. Our dogs look so miserable every time we make them go outside. I suppose if I were a better person I would accompany them outside with an umbrella.

Counter to his feline reputation, however, I have a wonderful little orange tabby who LOVES being out in the rain. He frolics and jumps and plays in the puddles.

Our flight for PR/Vieques leaves early Friday morning, but since we're overnighting at an airport motel, I'm counting Thursday as our day of departure. We'll only be gone for a short 4 night trip with another of my husband's 13 year old granddaughters--this will be the third such trip we've taken, and they've all been a blast. BUT our big trip is coming in July, a full two weeks to spend in Bequia and Grenada, with one day in transit in St. Vincent. I really can't wait, as it will be the longest vacation I've had since I left grad school. Alas, it means I won't be able to meet you for a Killer Bee or three in Nevis, but perhaps another time!

ejcrowe I am interested in Vieques and will look forward to your trip report. Also Bequia which I have never heard of...oh so many places to go.

Do you give each granddaughter a turn for a special trip? Ours are too young right now, but in the future.... also, I am glad to hear about your 4 night trips. Since we decided it is not so bad to take 5 night trips, we now feel we will go away more often...in the past it was 7 nights at least. But I must admit, hating to leave our small dog has kept us homebound more than we like, so the short trips are good for her too. And, by the way, try to get a dog that's only 5 inches off the ground to go out with or without an umbrella, onto wet grass that hasn't been mowed. Our mowers probably won't be able to come this week either, and will need some serious equipment to cut through this grass if the sun ever comes out!
But it has left me with plenty of time to plan/dream about future trips.

What is a KIller Bee? I think I must have one!!!

hi, toppy. Yes, when each of our granddaughters (technically, my step-granddaughters, but that just sounds so cold and distanced) we take her someplace special for her 13th birthday. When they turn 6, my husband takes them on a special overnight visit to Boston. I started the tradition of the 13th birthday so that I could get in on the fun after I married into the family.

A Killer Bee is a special kind of rum punch whose recipe is a secret and is served only at Sunshine's on Nevis. It's been my favorite of all the rum punches I've tried and I've tried to recreate it at home. However, Sunshine sometimes uses a certain very special ingredient that might be a little hard for me to come by.

Our dogs are the opposite of yours. Our newly adopted girl is 100 pounds and our older boy is twice her size. If it were easier to find folks to house and petsit for us, we would be able to get away a bit more. But you're right--it's hard to leave them!