I've done absolutely no research, and promise to start this weekend, but please let me tell you what I'm looking for and give me your suggestions. My elderly parents have been through quite a bit in the last few months and need to get away someplace where she can dip her toes in the sea, where he can get around with a walker, where she can get a massage and pedicure, and where they can both get some really fine dining (this is important). Someplace with a little shopping wouldn't be all bad either. Let's say something between $350-500 a night (or more, it isn't really a money thing). They love France and Italy, and enjoy Hawaii as well, just trying to find someplace they can get to fairly easily from the midwest. Any suggestions? Thanks, annie

Bermuda is a very pretty island with good food and good service. It is the only island my mom will get on a plane to go to. The place my parents love is The Reefs, but there are too many steps to navigate down to the beach. I would check into Bermuda in general. Really great island.
Town is cute too for shopping.

Not sure wher you are starting from but based on the info provided I'd start w/direct fli8ghts & go from there....

hi annie, i'd like to suggest the st. thomas ritz. it is a gorgeous hotel with spa, infinity pool and nice beach with good views of st. john and ass't other smaller islands. they have 4 nice restaurants and the island has numeerous other dining options. my favorite is havana blue at the marriott.
the shopping in charlotte amalie is duty free and plentiful.
my only concern is getting from the main part of the hotel to the pool/beach area. i recall going down quite a staircase, however i'm almost certain there would be an alternate route on flat paths. once on pool level i think everything was step free.

I recently returned from Galley Bay in Antigua and there were a few guests either with a walker or in a wheelchair. Overall the resort has very few steps and many of the rooms you can walk out to the beach. There were wide, paved walkways, a lovely spa, an easily accessible pool, the food was good and the demographic was mostly ages 50's - 70's. It's a gorgeous resort with wonderful service. The prices on the website seem high, but there are sales (a good deal can be had right now on luxurylink.com) and the price includes absolutely everything (except spa treatments). Not sure about midwest connections but it was a direct 4 hours flight from Newark. We have been to many resorts and it is one of the few that seems to be pretty accessible for someone who cannot easily get around.

depending on the time of year, I'd look at either bermuda (May and on) or Aruba. As mentioned before, Berumda has lovely beaches, excellent restaurants and shopping. Elbow Beach is our favorite and is on the most beautiful stretch of beach there. The hotel restaurants are great; I'd also recommend that they visit Tom Moore's Tavern for a gourmet treat. Cabs are easy, the hotel has a little tram system to move then down to the beach and back, etc. If you're thinking earlier, consider Aruba. They have the highest concentration of gourmet restaurants/sq mile in the caribbean. The Hyatt and Westin are both very nice, they have onsite casinos if they like to play the slots, and the shopping ia good as well. both can be reached from the midwest on direct flights now I believe.

Take a look at the Divi Aruba. They have "casita" rooms that are all on the ground floor with a patio that is directly on the beach. From there it is a flat pathway to the main lobby where all the bars and restaurants are located. It is an all inclusive. But it is easy to get a cab and go out to other places for a meal. Aruba is safe and has a good hospital nearly if one is needed for an emergency. Shopping in town is good and there is a casino hearby if that is important. I have seen many people in wheelchairs and using walkers there.

As you know, getting to the Caribbean from the midwest is tough. If your mom is dreaming of sifting her toes in the sand, I agree with the other posters that Bermuda would be a great choice. They won't get a hint of warmth if they're looking in April yet, but if you wait another month, they'll be fine.

There are direct flights to Grand Cayman from Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit (maybe others). Not sure where in the Midwest your traveling from, but Grand Cayman seems to match what you are looking for.

I agree that Grand Cayman (went June 07) had very good dining. It also has nice beaches with that aqua water and the people were very friendly. We stayed at the Marriott and it was nice. The nicest in my opinion was the Ritz.
The island is not as picturesque as Bermuda. It may be easier to get around some of the resorts on GC. Bermuda has a nicer town and nicer island feel. The GC was friendly and more of a relaxed atmosphere.

Sandals Royal Caribbean a would be a great choice for them.

The caribbean does not have ADA laws so getting around with a walker or wheelchair is difficult off the hotel site in most places. Check with the hotel and find out if they consider themselves handicap accessible. Then check out the islands cities and villages to see if you can get your Mom off the resort. Grand Cayman, Barbados and Aruba come to mind as the best possibilities. Grand Cayman is the easiest out of Chicago. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands may be a good suggestion. Bermuda is in the Atlantic so it won't be as warm this time of year. I'd love to suggest Nevis but an elderly woman, dependent on a walker, would have trouble navigating The Four Seasons let alone the mountain Inns.

We were in Bermuda and Elbow Beach last June. I remember that they have a little tram type system to move folks from the main hotel to the beach and back. The island itself is so lovely. Its proper, clean, welcoming. While we were on our honeymoon there almost 23 years ago, I managed to tear most of the ligaments in my right ankle and was on crutches for the last half of our trip. When I hobbled into some of the department stores,the ladies immediately found me a chair and asked what I was looking for, then brought the items to me! I will never forget the customer service! We strapped the crutches on my moped and kept right on going... I did use the buses the first day and the drivers were more than acommodating as well.