Hi All,
I have been reading this board for quite some time now but this is my first time posting. Everyone is so helpful (and knowledgeable) that I'm hoping you won't mind another "help me decide!" post. So here goes...
I am attempting to plan a week long vaca (last week in August) to an island. My BF is scheduled to come home from some very rigorous military training and his only request is a beach vacation (with me!).
This is what we need to have the "ideal" vacation....#1,Beach. It has to be an amazing beach (thinking T&C) with the option of somewhat secluding ourselves from the masses. We want to spend our days at the beach with drinks in hand and we're not looking to do much else (besides hitting a spa for a treatment or two). A pool bar wouldn't hurt either! No sightseeing necessary and we aren't ones for excursions. This is to be the ultimate relaxation vacation.
As far as evenings go...we're looking to go to "nice" dinners and then wander over to a local bars or have drinks at the hotel. No club hopping for us.
Any suggestions are very much appreciated (I have been to bahamas and cancun and that's about it, so I'm looking for the Right Island for this trip, one not so "touristy"
. We are both in our late 20's and budget is around 800pp for airfare/hotel. Can we make it happen?? Thanks!
I have been reading this board for quite some time now but this is my first time posting. Everyone is so helpful (and knowledgeable) that I'm hoping you won't mind another "help me decide!" post. So here goes...
I am attempting to plan a week long vaca (last week in August) to an island. My BF is scheduled to come home from some very rigorous military training and his only request is a beach vacation (with me!).
This is what we need to have the "ideal" vacation....#1,Beach. It has to be an amazing beach (thinking T&C) with the option of somewhat secluding ourselves from the masses. We want to spend our days at the beach with drinks in hand and we're not looking to do much else (besides hitting a spa for a treatment or two). A pool bar wouldn't hurt either! No sightseeing necessary and we aren't ones for excursions. This is to be the ultimate relaxation vacation.
As far as evenings go...we're looking to go to "nice" dinners and then wander over to a local bars or have drinks at the hotel. No club hopping for us.
Any suggestions are very much appreciated (I have been to bahamas and cancun and that's about it, so I'm looking for the Right Island for this trip, one not so "touristy"
. We are both in our late 20's and budget is around 800pp for airfare/hotel. Can we make it happen?? Thanks!Gee $1600.00 is a bit tough for me to figure. But I can suggest a great website in which you can research your needs, likes and dislikes. It's www.islands.com - type a destination in the search bar and you will get all info including website links for that destination. There are resorts on T&C (and every island) to fit your budget, but you did not say where you were flying from, which makes a big difference in your airfare $$. After you have narrowed your choices, post here and ask for opinions on your resort choices. To figure your airfare costs I usually go to AmericanAirlines.com as that site will price all airlines for you. Since your budget combines both air and hotel, figure which island you want to go, calculate the airfare on aa.com the with the left over $$ choose a resort. The islands I would start researching are Turks, Anguilla (very affordable and nice beachfront accommodations, but the airfare might put you over $) Bahama Out islands. But there are affordable places on every island, you just have to see if they fit your needs. Hope this helps, at least its a place to start
You might try going to the American Airlines Fly Away Vacations Website http://aav8.aavacations.com/
You don't necessarily need to book your trip on this website, but you can get a ballpark idea of how much your trip will cost. $800pp is going to be hard to do. You also might try Mexico, either Cancun or Mayan Riveria. The Royal Hideaway is very nice, but I'm afraid it may be out of your price range if that $800pp is for a week.
You don't necessarily need to book your trip on this website, but you can get a ballpark idea of how much your trip will cost. $800pp is going to be hard to do. You also might try Mexico, either Cancun or Mayan Riveria. The Royal Hideaway is very nice, but I'm afraid it may be out of your price range if that $800pp is for a week.
Boy! When did $1,600 get to be too little for a vacation in the Caribean? You guys must be loaded!
We have recently done 2 trips for around that price:
1. Did a trip to Isla Mujeres (30 min from Cancun) for about 1,500 at a fabulous hotel with a pool and on the beach and with direct flights to Cancun in June (this was an MBA graduation present).
2. Last May (another MBA grad present) we went to the Caymans for $1,661.40 for airfare and one week stay at a beach front, one bedroom condo with sitting room, closed porch and kitchen.
Angel631, if you want more info, just email me and I can give you particular tips.
Don't despair, $1,600 (as I have shown) is plenty for a fantatic vacation unless you are on the manor born
We have recently done 2 trips for around that price:
1. Did a trip to Isla Mujeres (30 min from Cancun) for about 1,500 at a fabulous hotel with a pool and on the beach and with direct flights to Cancun in June (this was an MBA graduation present).
2. Last May (another MBA grad present) we went to the Caymans for $1,661.40 for airfare and one week stay at a beach front, one bedroom condo with sitting room, closed porch and kitchen.
Angel631, if you want more info, just email me and I can give you particular tips.
Don't despair, $1,600 (as I have shown) is plenty for a fantatic vacation unless you are on the manor born
PCircles - Just curious, where did you stay? Was that price of $1500.00 for 1 person or 2? Sounds pretty inexpensive for 2. I find $800.00 for hotel and r/t air nearly impossible for 1 person for 1 week. Considering they want an amazing beach, seclusion, spa treatments, nice dinners And non "touristy" place. I know they are not figuring the spa treatments and dinners into the $800.00, but resorts that have those things ususlly cost more than what they have to spend. I would really like to hear more about your vacation destinations for the amount of money you spent.
Hi...Me again. Thanks everyone for the input. Didn't realize 800pp sounded so cheap! (something I am not!!)
Just doing some looking around on orbitz/expedia I found quite a few packages with hotel/airfare for 7 nights that ran in my ballpark (i.e. Barbados for 883pp and less). I'm not saying 800 is my drop dead final offer, just a good starting point, and I thought it was a realistic one??
I fully understand that a 5 star resort is out of the question but there's got to be a way to make this vaca happen?
How about this...keeping all the criteria of my initial post in mind, where would you suggest I go if budget was increased(or not an option) I'll take the suggestions and do my research! Thanks
Just doing some looking around on orbitz/expedia I found quite a few packages with hotel/airfare for 7 nights that ran in my ballpark (i.e. Barbados for 883pp and less). I'm not saying 800 is my drop dead final offer, just a good starting point, and I thought it was a realistic one??
I fully understand that a 5 star resort is out of the question but there's got to be a way to make this vaca happen?
How about this...keeping all the criteria of my initial post in mind, where would you suggest I go if budget was increased(or not an option) I'll take the suggestions and do my research! Thanks
Angel,
August is off season in the Carribean, so you should be able to find some good deals. I would hit some of the local travel agencies and find out that kind of package deals are available. Travel to the carribean this year has been down a bit, so deals are out there.
Also try the Delta and American sites for their vacation deals.
Some of the Cub Meds out there have prices that are just about what you are looking to spend and everything is included and some really nice locations and food and sports are also included.
Check with Club Med for villages that are available.
My favorite island is in the Bahamas and there are several nice places to stay on Abaco, Eleuthera and Harbour Island that would also fit your criteria and are easy to get to from NYC. Also you can do a "picnic" on a deserted island for just the two of you, from several of those locations.
Have a great time.
August is off season in the Carribean, so you should be able to find some good deals. I would hit some of the local travel agencies and find out that kind of package deals are available. Travel to the carribean this year has been down a bit, so deals are out there.
Also try the Delta and American sites for their vacation deals.
Some of the Cub Meds out there have prices that are just about what you are looking to spend and everything is included and some really nice locations and food and sports are also included.
Check with Club Med for villages that are available.
My favorite island is in the Bahamas and there are several nice places to stay on Abaco, Eleuthera and Harbour Island that would also fit your criteria and are easy to get to from NYC. Also you can do a "picnic" on a deserted island for just the two of you, from several of those locations.
Have a great time.
Hello,
You can get a vacation package to Turks and Caicos for that price.
Comfort Suites is a budget type hotel, not directly on the beach but a very short walk. They have chairs and umbrellas for guests. ALso, all of the rooms have fridges. I have not stayed there personally, but honestly have never read a negative review.
Try these sites for reasonable vacation packages:
www.orbitz.com
www.expedia.com
www.cheapcaribbean.com
www.Discount-All-Inclusive.com (great prices here)
You will see that for 7 nights, with airfare included, a package at Comfort Suites is right around $1600 for 2 people.
Good luck!
Denise
You can get a vacation package to Turks and Caicos for that price.
Comfort Suites is a budget type hotel, not directly on the beach but a very short walk. They have chairs and umbrellas for guests. ALso, all of the rooms have fridges. I have not stayed there personally, but honestly have never read a negative review.
Try these sites for reasonable vacation packages:
www.orbitz.com
www.expedia.com
www.cheapcaribbean.com
www.Discount-All-Inclusive.com (great prices here)
You will see that for 7 nights, with airfare included, a package at Comfort Suites is right around $1600 for 2 people.
Good luck!
Denise
Hello again,
Just wanted to let you know. I just checked www.aavacations.com and they have a deal for comfort suites. 7 nights and airfare included of for $1578.00 This is for 2 people.
Just wanted to let you know. I just checked www.aavacations.com and they have a deal for comfort suites. 7 nights and airfare included of for $1578.00 This is for 2 people.
Sorry it took so long for me get back - didn't check this thread yes.
Anyhow, here are the q's someone asked:
1. PCircles - Just curious, where did you stay?
>> IN Isla Mujeres we stayed at ahotel on the beach. Can't rememebr the name - it was a small family run hotel. Very pretty - the pool was surrounded by gardens with gorgeous trees and floweeers. We went in May?June and they even had coconut trees from which the gardener gave me a fresh coconut every morning. Nothing like it!
2. Was that price of $1500.00 for 1 person or 2? Sounds pretty inexpensive for 2.
>> 2 people - me and my husband. Isla Mujeres was a graduation present form my cousin, but I know the price because the travel agent sent me the invoice with the tickets - by mistake!
Grand Cayman was in June of last year and I made all the arrangements, so I know what we paid (my accounts are all in Quicken - no guesswork).
3. I find $800.00 for hotel and r/t air nearly impossible for 1 person for 1 week. Considering they want an amazing beach, seclusion, spa treatments, nice dinners And non "touristy" place. I know they are not figuring the spa treatments and dinners into the $800.00, but resorts that have those things ususlly cost more than what they have to spend. I would really like to hear more about your vacation destinations for the amount of money you spent.
>> If you want those treatments, from what I know, you do not have to stay at the hotel that offers them. Just call the spa and get your reservations. Unless you want to stay in the spa 24/7, why pay to stay in a touristy resort if you do not have to?
Happy to answer more questions?
Angel, airfare from NYC has to be cheaper than airfare from DC
Anyhow, here are the q's someone asked:
1. PCircles - Just curious, where did you stay?
>> IN Isla Mujeres we stayed at ahotel on the beach. Can't rememebr the name - it was a small family run hotel. Very pretty - the pool was surrounded by gardens with gorgeous trees and floweeers. We went in May?June and they even had coconut trees from which the gardener gave me a fresh coconut every morning. Nothing like it!
2. Was that price of $1500.00 for 1 person or 2? Sounds pretty inexpensive for 2.
>> 2 people - me and my husband. Isla Mujeres was a graduation present form my cousin, but I know the price because the travel agent sent me the invoice with the tickets - by mistake!
Grand Cayman was in June of last year and I made all the arrangements, so I know what we paid (my accounts are all in Quicken - no guesswork).
3. I find $800.00 for hotel and r/t air nearly impossible for 1 person for 1 week. Considering they want an amazing beach, seclusion, spa treatments, nice dinners And non "touristy" place. I know they are not figuring the spa treatments and dinners into the $800.00, but resorts that have those things ususlly cost more than what they have to spend. I would really like to hear more about your vacation destinations for the amount of money you spent.
>> If you want those treatments, from what I know, you do not have to stay at the hotel that offers them. Just call the spa and get your reservations. Unless you want to stay in the spa 24/7, why pay to stay in a touristy resort if you do not have to?
Happy to answer more questions?
Angel, airfare from NYC has to be cheaper than airfare from DC
hello we are going to punta cana bavaro beach barcelos all inclusive resort for the fourth time for 760.00 per person flying out of miami in agust is a great place.. any questions drop me a line
