My husband and I are planning on taking a vacation the week of May 19th in the Caribbean. We are seeking the following:
1. Great Food
2. Nice Accomodations
3. Good Beach - we just want to relax and play in the water...we enjoyed the beaches in Aruba...calm and clear...
4. Nice Pool Area - we tend to go back and forth btwn the pool and beach
We are looking for some R&R with some really nice dinners. We've only been to Puerto Rico, Aruba and my husband has been to T&C. We are trying to keep the budget under $4k...preferably $3,500 for everything. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Ummmmm....I hope you live in Florida.
I assume you know that short notice fares to the Caribbean in May aren't usually cheap or easy to find unless you live close by.
If you're in California or other western state you could eat up almost half of your budget in airfares.
Some last minute packages can be found, but they will typically feature hotels which are having trouble selling rooms, not the top choice type places.
Are you looking to go for a week?
I would guess that your choices will be limited by what's available in your price range at this point.

A suggestion: www.frangipani.ai in Anguilla. They have a great package for $1575/wk and you can get a car there for around $215/week. There are 80+ fabulous restaurants on the island, many of them very reasonable. Frangipani is on one of the most gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean & the pool is superb (we go back & forth all day long as well). Anguilla has 33 world class beaches that are really fun to explore (www.beaches.ai).

Thanks for your quick responses. Just as additional information we are leaving the New York area.

I agree that Frangipani would be a good choice. With the Sun, Sea and sand package you get a condo suite with kitchen which would help with food costs and also a free continental breakfast. The price quoted above comes to a litle over $1900 with tax and service charge included. You could probably do it for around $4000. That said the chances of getting in to Frangipani at this late date are slim as they are very small,, only six full suites and one junior suite. You might look at Cocoloba which is very nice. The chalets do not have kitchens but do have mini fridges. Not all have tv's. The web site is www.cocolobaresort.com. The cheapest way from NY is Probably direct to St Martin, Cab to Marigot, and a 20 min ferry ride. Last ferry is at 7 PM.

You might consider T&C again. Lots od condo type accomodations--Coral Gardens, Sands, Ocean Club West, and Royal West Indies. American flies direct to Provo from NY on Saturdays. If you have other questions feel free to E-mail me. [email protected]

Another thought --Barbados--BWIA flies direct from NY. We just got back and stayed at Coral Sands which is really nice. Studio suite off season (Now) is $140/night and include kitchen. All units are beachfront. Nice pool on one of the better beaches we saw on Barbados. Check out www.coralsandsresort.com. Have lots of Barbados info if you decide to go there. Decisions, decisions, decisions !!!!

Although I usually book my own travel directly with the resort or through the web, I think your case is the perfect example of when to book through a travel agent. They would be able to check for you any last minute specials through charters, airline fares and availability to various destinations since you are limited to what is available on a short notice. Then, you can pick and choose from the viable options that are available.

I really enjoyed the Royal Hideaway in Playacar and it meets your 4 vacation requirements as well as your budget requirements.

Let us know where you go!

I would suggest Compas Point on Nassau, several nice places on Abaco, Coco di Mama on Eleuthera.

On Harbour Island, Runaway Hill would be perfect for you www.runawayhill.com or Romora Bay www.romorabay.com.

Harbour Island is very small with several nice resorts, restaurants and an amazing stretch of beach.

We have been going there from NYC for several years now and love being on island.

Runaway Hill only has 10 rooms and the best food on island so it would be our first recommendation and they have a meal plan available.

You can fly Delta on the early am flight out of LGA to Nassau and either take the fast ferry over or fly on Bahamas Air (15 minute flight).

Have a great time wherever you decide to go.