Hi - we are an active couple in our early 50's. We are looking for some advice on a week long vacation we can take to the Caribbean - 7 nights/8 days departing Phx or LA on the evening of Dec 25th or on Dec 26th. Here are our criteria:

1. Beautiful beach for swimming and lounging as well as taking long walks in the mornings or evenings
2. Small boutique style resort - adults only is preferable but not mandatory
3. Flying from AZ and would like 1 stop max each way
4. Budget: would like to keep it around $3,000 per person including air, lodging, food/beverages
5. We have no preference for AI or non AI. If a small resort has a high quality AI offering, that would be of interest, if not, we'd prefer not having an AI.
6. We like a resort that has the ability to do things on site like snorkeling, kayaking, etc...
7. Quiet, non-touristy, understated elegance, off the beaten path
8. Warm weather

We've been to a number of Caribbean resorts, I'll list a few to give you an idea of the kind of place we like, in case that helps. Belmond Maroma (Cancun), Cocobay (Antigua), Grace Point (Turks and Caico's), Cap Maison (St Lucia) to name a few . As i look into a spot for the week between Xmas and NYE's, not surprisingly, I'm finding that all of my top picks Galley Bay (Antigua), Cap Juluca (Angilla), La Luna (Grenada) are our of our price range the week between Xmas and NYs. As most of us know, the prices get inflated quite abit during the Holiday season.

So, I'm looking to see if the Fodorites have any suggestions on resorts that fit our requirements that have any specials going. For example, Mantagi in Fiji is a pretty good match for all of our requirements we just don't think we want to travel that far when we only have 7 nights/8 days. (fyi - they have a special of pay for 5 nights and stay 7 nights) .

Thanks, in advance, for any assistance you can offer.

You have a difficult task ahead of you. You are not only planning your trip during the most expensive week in the Caribbean (or any warm weather destination for that matter) but you are also looking to stay at high end resorts and your overall budget is modest.

I'm guessing from AZ you are going to spend somewhere between $750 to $900 per person just on airfare. That's going to leave you with somewhere between $4,200 and $4,500 for everything else. I suggestion lower your sights regarding resorts and look at mid-range (3-star) properties rather than 4-star/5-star resorts.

Check out:

Oualie Beach Resort or Hermitage Inn on Nevis,

Gallows Point or Estate Lindholm on St. John,

Point Pleasant or Emerald Beach on St. Thomas

Sugar Beach Condos on St. Croix

The Marriott or Timothy Beach on St. Kitts,

Anaconda or Carimar on Anguilla,

Grand Pineapple or Jolly Beach on Antigua

Many of the "condo resorts" on St. Martin

I visit St Kitts and enjoy it, but seeing where you have been before, I think you might be disappointed with beaches and walking in St Kitts.

RoamsAround - thank you for your reply. I wholeheartedly agree that we are going to need to lower our sights abit. I appreciate your suggestions and will be looking into all of them.

Sassafrass - thanks for your response. I know that we are going to have to make some concessions so I'm prepared to do that. If you have any lodging recommendations on St Kitts, please let me know.

Thanks to both of you.

I did some more searching last night and found a few options in St Lucia: Stonefield Estate, Fond Doux Plantation Resort and Ty Kaye in St Lucia looked like consideration. Has anyone got any experience with any of these properties.

I know that beaches are not the kind I'll find in T&C, Antigua, etc...but we also like the idea of jungle(lush vegetation)/beach combination.

One other thing I forgot to mention: we decided to up our budget to $3500 per person.

Neither Stonefield nor Fond Doux is on a beach or close enough that you can get to a beach without a car but Stonefield may have a beach shuttle. Ti Kaye is a really unique and beautiful hideaway, though not really luxurious. My issue with the beach there is that it's rocky and not so soft (and down a lot of stairs), a common problem on St. Lucia except at the northern tip of the island.

Doug - thank you. Yes, I had the same concerns that you pointed out re: Stonefield, Fond Doux and I Kaye. We really would like to be on the beach, if possible.

I'm going to look abit into DR and Central America, too, such as Belize, CR, etc...

I've been to CR many times but never to the Caribbean coast side of CR. We are somewhat warming up to the idea of Jungle/Beach knowing the beach will be different than that of say a T&C or Antigua beach but also thinking that we may be able to find some more affordable options if we broaden our requirements abit.

Does anyone have any knowledge/feedback on Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa in the
Dominican Republic? I've never been to DR so only know what I've been able to find online.

hmmm... I've been to the DR a couple times but don't know anything about that specific resort.

Thanks for your reply Suze...