4 women are looking for a laid-back beach vacation for 3 days from EWR in June. We need:
--a beautiful beach with soft sand and clear water / nice scenery
--somewhat isolated or at least as much as possible
--budget
--short plane ride
--charming atmosphere

We're not looking for anything fancy or luxurious. We'd consider an AI if it isn't too too crowded. We're thinking of the DR, but it seems like there won't be anything to do other than the beach (no places to explore).

Thanks for your help!

How about Bermuda? Although it isn't really isolated, it is beautiful, a short flight from NJ, charming, and has lots to do in addition to the beach.

We liked the Harmony AI.

Well, Bermuda isn't exactly known as a budget destination, though there are more options these days. I'd suggest you look at places with direct flights from Newark. How about Arawak Beach Inn or Ku Resort on Anguilla? These are relatively cheap alternatives on an expensive island. Arawak is the more isolated. To get to Anguilla, you fly to St. Maarten (probably nonstop from EWR) and then switch to a ferry for a 20-minute ride, or if there are 4 of you, it might be almost as cheap to book a private water taxi directly from the St. Maarten airport, which is more convenient. You can pop back over to St. Martin for a day of shopping and sightseeing or to St. Barths. For just 3 days, i don't think you should worry too much about having a lot of places to explore. It will take that long to decompress from life.

If you don't want to do a ferry, then stay at The Delfina Hotel in St. Maarten, which is between the airport and Marigot. You'll need a car, but this hotel is cheap (though not on the beach), and there is plenty to do in St. Maarten. For more luxury, there's a nicer small hotel called Inn at Cupecoy ... or you could stay in one of the small apartments at the Horny Toad in Simpson's Bay (but no pool there).

How about Virgin Gorda in the BVI - fly from EWR to SJU and take a short hop on a two engine plane to Virgin Gorda - http://www.adagiovilla.com/getting-to-virgin-gorda.php

cheers Brian

Hi,

Dominican Republic is an excellent choice - I've seen packages with charter air from the Midwest and 7 nights all-inclusive accommodations for $800 per person.

Consider the Sunscape Resorts or Paradisus Punta Cana.

Best Regards,
Julia
Blog: spasandadventures.wordpress.com

Just returned from Playa del Carmen last month from a girls weekend. We loved it. Great town with character, reasonable, Direct flight to cancun. Isla Mujeres may also be a good option. I did a trip report on Playa and the place we stayed. Just click on my screen name.

Missc

I just posted a reply to a similar request. We cruised the Caribbean recently and used Serenity Vacations & Tours for a wonderful day tour. They seem to have excellent packages on Windjammer landing and a Caribbean Jewel resort. I was told that you can negotiate a package, you may want to check them out serenitytvl.com or 866 766 0794 toll free

Dominica is also a very beautiful Island, but more for nature lovers.

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I think I'll wait til winter instead of trying to find something at the last minute. However, I'll use this info in the future.