justme22

I've asked the questions before and i know one can get tired of answering the same question but my sisters have made me crazy changing their minds so i need a plan of attack, give them only a few options.

We lost our parents in the last couple of years and we want to make sure we keep connected. so my 3 sisters and i are going on a caribbean trip next summer. (we range from early 40s to mid 50s)

we have to go in the summer as my one sister is a teacher
based on schedules (including a late june HS graduation of my nephew) and a family obligation over the fourth of july (which would have been my choice - as early in hurricane season as possible)

I love staying in villas, my other sister likes resorts but we do know that we would prefer separate bedrooms but have a living space for us to hang out in at night.

my one sister wants a hot tub, i would like a pool (but if we are beach front with swimming area i'll survive,) anther wants long walks on the beach and to go shelling another wants to shop! casino was briefly mentioned but i am not worried about that.

I suggested barbados, caymans, st. john, and Dominican republic - my friend belongs to lifestyle holiday club and i can use that place...

my one sister said the dominican republic was dangerous and the resorts have armed guards- my friends didn't notice that on their trip in june.... well, anyway i need island and facility suggestions so i can present my plan of attack please help!

virginia

of your 4 islands i think barbados might be nice for you four. there are many villas available, most come with staff (including cooks who will for fee prepare dinners of your choice at the villa). you should be able to find a 4 bedroom, beachfront with a pool and hot tub. the area known as the gap offers loads of shopping and dining options. there is one casino with all mahcines. also you can bet on horse racing. watching polo matches is quite popular. many other things to go see and do on barbados. for an amazinly complete description type lois swanson into the search box above, look for her tip sheet thread, and email her for it. 30 some pages packed with info she has gathered after many trips there.

aruba might be an option. they have real gambling.

i can not recall which resorts or islands, but i have seen resorts that include the option to rent a villa on their property. allowing you use of all facilities. possibly windjammer on st. lucia does this. hopefully someone will know of some other specific ideas.

if you could give some idea of your budget and whether you are willing to have a long travel day to/from destination it will help you get more specific suggestions. and perhaps where you're flying from.

Knowing

I can promise you that you would not be unhappy with Barbados. Beautiful beaches, although like you, I prefer the pools. We stayed at the Hilton, which had both. The other thing that was neat about it was that we stayed on the executive floor, which gave us a suite, so we had our bedroom, but a living room for us at night when we came in and were't ready for bed yet. BTW, it has a pull out couch. They also have regular rooms. The executive floors include a continental breakfast on a separate floor as well as a cocktail hour with appetizers and drinks. There is a hot tub, a beach that you can walk for a very long time and shelling and Barbados has tons of shopping. I have two sisters, so when people mention that bond it hits that special place. Good luck in choosing and I hope you all have a GREAT time.

justme22

thanx for the help so far. our budget for the lodging is around 4000 for the week. i am willing to double up in one bedroom, but 3 is firm. we can fly out of philly or newark, nj but my one sister uses moline ill. as her airport so she's got an all day trip no matter what.

i would like to hit the beach late afternoon of the travel day. i was thinking barbados too, but i don't know anyone who has been there to give a first hand report. any and all info is greatly appreciated.

bhonoreh

justme22 have you been to Bermuda?

beachykeen

Look into Anguilla also. June is offseason, so prices are good. There's a direct flight to St. Maarten, then a ferry or water taxi. The shopping is limited, but St Martin/Maarten has shopping and casinos.
I haven't been to Barbados in a few yrs, but last time was with my sister and we had a great time.

justme22

my girlfriend and i are headed to anguilla sat !! so i'll admit i'd like to do a different island.

my one sister has gone to bermuda with her inlaws about 10 times and they stayed at the reefs! hard to beat that and she'd like something different! i was there about 30 years ago as a teen. it's probably different!

beachdreams3

I think your idea of St. John's is a good one. I haven't been there, but it is on my list and is somewhere I would like to go with a group since there are limited hotel choices but lots of villas to rent. St. John's has nice beaches, great snorkeling, and good shopping is an easy ferry ride away in St. Thomas.

Another idea to consider is Turks & Caicos Islands, specifically Providenciales (aka Provo). Great long beach, beautiful water, relaxing, lots of condo resorts (including some three bedrooms), and some villas. The shopping is pretty limited though. There are a couple of small casinos there now.

xkenx

Barbados has everything and is in the far southeastern Caribbean where hurricanes are rare and the season doesn't start until August. Many beachfront villas, some with pools (but ocean so calm and warm, pool is not nec.). The only way to be on the beach in the afternoon is to leave the east coast early morning. Best way to accomplish that is for your sister in IL to visit one of you and leave with you, or fly to Miami the evening before and stay overnight at one of the many inexpensive hotels adjacent to the airport with shuttle service. American has a nonstop to BGI from MIA, arriving early afternoon. Local Realtor in Barbados, Alleyne-Aguilar has villa rentals, and there are others-just Google for Caribbean villa rentals.