Long Weekend Suggestion
 

My wife and I are looking into a long relaxing weekend (Thurs-Sun)in the Carribean in either June or July and we are looking for suggestions. Here's our criteria: we're flying out of Charlotte and would like a direct flight (we don't want to lose 2 days flying), nice accomadations (Marriott,Sheraton,Ritz or something at that level), scuba diving, friendly islanders, and good restaurants preferably in walking distance. I know this is asking alot but i figure you guys are the experts and are my best shot.
Thanks in advance

Since nobody replied to your earlier post, I"ll just say that I think USAIr offers a direct flight from Charlotte to St. Thomas, which does offer a Ritz Carlton. There probably aren't too many direct flights from Charlotte to other places in the Caribbean, unfortunately, but that should be easy enough for you to figure out. I don't think the RC is within walking distance of many restaurants, however, and the snorkeling isn't as great there as other islands.

You could also ferry over to St. John, stay at Caneel Bay, and take a short taxi ride to Cruz Bay for a variety of places to eat and drink. St. John is great for snorkeling and scuba. If you want to stay within walking distance of town, look at Gallows Point--a nice, spacious collection of condo-style accommodations.

There is a direct flight from Charlotte to Turks and Caicos on Usairways, great scuba diving, gorgeous, gorgeous, beach. Usairways flies almost everywhere with a connection through Charlotte, So I can assume you can pick alot of direct destinations from Charlotte.

if the hotel is the big thing then i agree with st. thomas ritz. no walking to restaurants but quick taxi rides to several good ones. (blue moon cafe at secret harbour, tony romano's near coki beach) or 20+ mins taxi to places in charlotte amalie. if they aren't booked you could snorkel (not dive) with www.newhorizonscharters.com they run a cigarette boat to jost van dyke, marina cay, guana island and virgin gorda to the baths. it goes from sapphire beach (next to ritz more or less) there IS diving available but i don't dive so can't recommend a company.
that said t&c has some of the best diving in the world. try art pickering provo turtle divers. my friend has used them with great satisfaction. its a quiet, romantic island and has super restauants. but no fancy hotels mostly condo type places - some very nice ones. all directly on grace bay beach.
book the earliest flight down you can find and the last one leaving the island to max your time.

There is a direct flight to San Juan from almost anywhere. IF you are interested in this you could stay at the Ritz, the Wyndham El San Juan, the Caribe Hilton, the Condado Plaza Hotel or the Mariott, they are all good places to stay, all or on the beach, all are walking distance from restaurants (the Hilton is a bit farther), and they have many stores and things to do near by.
If the stores and the sights arent something you NEED, you can go to Vieques Island and stay at the Wyndham, (i believe its turning over to the W soon) . Vieques is a small island with many great beaches and restaurants, this would be more of a relax atmosphere.
-Ricky

There is a direct flight to San Juan from almost anywhere. IF you are interested in this you could stay at the Ritz, the Wyndham El San Juan, the Caribe Hilton, Sheraton at Old San Juan, El Convento, the Condado Plaza Hotel or the Mariott, they are all good places to stay, all or on the beach, all are walking distance from restaurants (the Hilton is a bit farther), and they have many stores and things to do near by.
If the stores and the sights arent something you NEED, you can go to Vieques Island and stay at the Wyndham, (i believe its turning over to the W soon) . Vieques is a small island with many great beaches and restaurants, this would be more of a relax atmosphere. Then you could also go for a resort feel with golf, tennis, scuba, restaurants, stores, horse back riding, all within the resort. THis resort is Palmas del Mar and they have a newly opened Four Points by Sheraton. Or you could see the beautiful Wyndham EL CONQUISTADOR hotel, with its one private island.
-Ricky
PS From any hotel you can arrange the scuba, snorkel, Old San Juan ,... tours
**The Sheraton Old San Juan and El Convento do not have beaches, for the are IN old san juan.

I'm desparately trying to get objective, current info on the newly renovated Sheraton in Humacao (ex Palmas del Mar). I was preparing to stay at the Wyndham El Conquistador but am slightly freaked out at the price. Can you easily walk to the beach from the Sheraton? Is it too far from reasonable dining? Any details would be appreciated. We are a falily of 3 w/a 16yr old who golfs too.

US Air does non stop from CLT to Cayman---what about the new Ritz in Cayman?

Gossip mags say that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are set to get married at the new Ritz in Grand Cayman.

CLT to Cayman is indeed non-stop, about 2 1/2 hours... and yes, the Ritz is open, plus snorkelling in Cayman is world class, and we have a huge variety of restaurants.

As for celebrities, Cayman has an enormous number of celebrities visitors. As someone in the tourism industry, we would love to publicise that sort of info, but the famous people we have here are the types who don't hire publicists to smear themselves all over gossip rags, they are the kind who like to keep their vacation preferences quiet... so we can't talk about them :(

As for Tom Cruise, I think you know which category he falls into :)

I believe Delta just started non-stops from Charlotte to Barbados. You would be there by 2 pm. I'd opt for that -- fantastic island. Check out Sandy Lane or Coral Reef Club if you want great accommodations. From Coral Reef Club you can walk into Holetown (10 min. walk). The food at Coral Reef Club is fantastic, but in Holetown you have a variety of restaurants to choose from. Olives or The Mews are quite good. The Cliff - known worldwide, is only a taxi ride away.

Lois