Caribbean Resort Search
 

I have been given a gift from my boss for a trip to the Caribbean to any resort of my choice. My husband and I will be going sometime in 2006 and really want to stay at fabulous upscale resort. We have stayed at Couples and Sandals Resorts but really want to take that extra step up this trip. Any thoughts out there would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

Wow, now that's a gift! Any resort? No price limit of any kind?

If money is not a concern, then look at Sandy Lane in Barbados. Old-time classic on the island's best beach, rebuilt just a few years ago. All the latest posh and pampering on a wonderful island. If boss chokes at Sandy Lane prices, the nearby Coral Reef Club is more upscale casual, family owned for some 50 years, probably the class act on the island w/o the ostentatiousness of Sandy Lane.
See www.barbados.org and www.coralreefbarbados.com

p.s. Tiger Woods took over the entire Sandy Lane Resort for his wedding. Many reviews for both Sandy Lane and Coral Reef at www.tripadvisor.com

No, there is no price limit. Our choice is the Caribbean. We fell in love with Negril, Jamaica several years ago but would like to get away from the Couples and Sandals routine just this one time!

If you loved Negril, then I assume you'd prefer a hotel on a beautiful beach. Here are two choices you may wish to consider. First, Cap Juluca (http://www.capjuluca.com/) on Maunday's Bay in Anguilla. You won't find a more stunning beach in the entire Caribbean. CJ's Romantic Rendezvous package (http://www.capjuluca.com/romanticrendevous.asp) is especially romantic.

Second, Point Grace Resort (http://www.pointgrace.com/) in Providenciales on the Turks & Caicos Islands. Grace Bay is nearly as breathtaking as Maunday's Bay (some would even argue that it is a more beautiful beach). Point Grace's Romantic Getaway Package is a great way to experience this wonderful resort.

Both of these resorts are very luxurious and you'll feel extremely pampered. They're both also very very expensive (a week in high season in one of their nicer rooms would run you at least $5,000 if you were paying the bill).

Another place you might like is Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands). This is an upscale resort run by Rosewood Properties (check out their web-site). Besides the resort itself, the island has plenty of beautiful uncrowded beaches, a variety of very good restaurants, attractive flora and fauna, access to terrific off-beach snorkeling, great dive sites, etc. It is on of the best "all around" islands in the Caribbean. I've been to just about every upscale reort in the Caribbean and to LDB numerous times. I go back there in a heart beat.

Of course, the aforementioned Sandy Lane and Cap Juluca are also very wonderful resorts. It's a tough choice when someone else is paying the tab - you won't be disappointed at any of these places. You've got a wonderful boss.

Does a gift of a Caribbean trip include the price of food, drinks, etc., that you consume while you're there?

If it does, then go to somewhere fabulous that gets raves on every travel site. Cap Jaluca in Anguilla is probably the most universally acclaimed place in the Caribbean. A friend of a friend went there on her honeymoon and raved over it.

Jamaica Inn also gets raves from a lot on this site. Since you loved Negril, maybe you could try a different region of the country.

Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos is supposed to be fabulous too.

Perhaps you should look into the various islands, and determine which would be the best fit. Then you can pick a wonderful place to stay.

If the trip doesn't include food, drinks, etc., maybe you should consider Royal Hideaway in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico. It's regarded as the top all-inclusive on the Caribbean.

IF you have to stay at a hotel or resort you might also look at the 4 seasons on Nevis but if some extra lattitude is given then there is always Necker or Little Thatch or a Villa on Mustique. See www.mustique-island.com
Also on Mustique and a little different is Cotton House and Firefly and then there is always PSV is you want to get away from it all.