Man, I need help... so I ask the gurus!
 

Our situation;

Several couples (probably no kids) looking to travel to the 'caribbean' in April '05. We all traveled together four and a half year ago and swore we'd do it every five years.

Unfortunately, times have been a bit 'rough' for most of us and finances aren't where we'd like them to be. BUT, we're not going to let that stop us!

What we're looking for;

-Relaxing (most important)
-Beautiful (Something to make us say, WOW. Could be the people, landscape, flora/fauna, whatever)
-Quiet (no touristy, commercial areas)
-Romantic (most of us are celebrating anniverseries)
-Lush (We like the flowers and mangroves)
-Unique rooms (should feel different from the Holiday Inn express around the corner)
-Good food (we like to eat)
-Great beach (private to the accomodations)

It would be nice to have;
-all inclusive (I know most of the posters here don't like AI, but there is something to be said for getting there and not having to worry about anything 'till you leave.)
-some spa services (extra of course)
-Golf (not mandatory)

We don't care much about;
-night life
-bar-hopping
-hedonistic stuff
-crowds

We plan to spend between $2000 - 3000 per couple with air from Atlanta. We all went to Negril on our last trip and stayed at Couples which we all really enjoyed. One of the couples went to Swept Away Negril five year before that and thoroughly enjoyed it. We'd like to try something 'new' this time. I've been reading about Isla Mujeres and that sound interesting.

So here are my questions;

-Any recommendations based on our criteria?
-Where (island, country) can we get the best 'value' for our $$ due to exchange rates, local economies, etc.?
-What are your thoughts regarding AI vs. non-AI when the budget is a concern?
-Where is the best place (website) to find 'bargains'/'deals'/packages?

Thanks so much for your time, help, and recommendations. You guys are really knowledgable about this stuff and are a great resource for those of us that aren't so much. Thanks again!

Actually, I think Isla Mujeres would be a GREAT choice for you if you liked Negril.

The only thing it is missing that you asked for is the lushness, but there are plenty of palms, and most of the resorts have beautiful flowering bushes.

The beach there - Playa Norte - will definitely make you say WOW! The people are also just super.

I would NOT go AI as the main AI there - Avalon - has really crummy food. There are so many great places to eat. The prices for accommodations and food are very reasonable and it's easy to get to.

Suggestions for places to stay:

Na Balam
Media Luna
Maria del Mar
Hotel Secreto
Nautibeach Condos

Most of the other places that would be within your budget are too touristy.

Another possibility would be Akumal south of Cancun. You could rent an AMAZING villa with a pool right on the water with a housekeeper and a driver and a cook for what you will be paying for a hotel or condos. CHeck out locogringo.com

Also look into Puerto Morelos. VERY quiet and non-touristy and easy to get to.

We got back from three weeks in Mexico in May and the exchange rate was 11 to 1. Our $ went a LONG way.

You said you didn't want the Bahamas, but you might like some of the outislands like Harbour Island, Eleuthera, Cat Island, the Abacos.

Try this website www.romorabay.com which is on Harbour Island. The accomodations are bungalows overlooking the ocean. There is a nice pool, great food, good diving and snorkle trips and a bit of nite life and shopping.

Very laid back island and it's small so you can walk everywhere.

Have a great time.

Hi SunBum,

If you want AI, lushness, private beach, and relaxing... you might look into the resorts between Playa Del Carmen and Akumal. The two that come to mind are Barcelo Maya and Palladium, but once you start investigating you'll find a lot of them. I've been to Barcelo and it has one of the nicest beaches in the area. Mile and half of wide beach with no nearby resorts to share it with.

I'm sure there are other places, but nothing else within my traveling experience fits.

Good luck on your selection and trip.

Ken

For airfare, I would check out www.bestfares.com You have to pay a 50$ annual fee to join, but it is well worth it. The savings on one trip will pay for itself.

For accommodations rental look at www.vrbo.com they have vacation rental places - mostly villas and condos - by owner. Since there are a few of you, you could share a villa rental and probably enjoy it a LOT more!

Stay far away from anything to do with any of the Avalon Reef Clubs. Just my 2 cents arising from painful experience.

Sunburn,
So far responses are not really lush places! Two suggestions I have for lush, golf and good value are Costa Rica and Tobago.

You may wish to consider a private villa, they generally are less expensive than hotels and you have all that space to yourselves and most with private pools, some with maid/cook and other services (usually extra). For AI, I really think you end up paying more than pay as you go. Although there is one really great place in Playa Ocotal, Costa Rica that is a really good deal, and the woman who owns it is just a true delight. Here's that website:
http://www.costa-rica-vacation-rental.com/

On Tobago are also villa options, although they aren't really AI but actually better than that...most of the rentals you have your own cook but you buy the food, so its kinda pay as you go...if you decide to eat out you can do that. Groceries are purchased at cost based on what your requirements are. Generally you have to take the cook shopping though, as they don't usually have their own trans. Here's a wonderful rental and there are more on that website:
http://www.islreal.com/solymar.htm

There's also a good full service villa on the north coast of Dominican Republic you have interest in the villa option I can find that for you.

Best of luck and enjoy your trip.

Hey Diana, Which villa did you stay at in Cancun? They all look great but didn't have time to find out about a cook and driver! I want to go there!

I
ll agree with those that said Isla Mujures. Check out isla-mujeres.net

Offbeat, lush, budgetable, decent connections from Atlanta: check out the Bocas del Toro area of Caribbean coastal
Panama -- and in particular, the CARACOL
small resort, unique in the Caribbean
for a South Seas over-the-water bungalow
accomodation style. Great fishing, nature/national park exploration areas, bbeaches, a rowdy port and pretty much still unknown to anyone but Texas-based land speculators and serious fisherman.

Sounds like a villa may be your best option. Would also be less than 2000-3000 per couple inlcuding airfare. Check out jamaicavillas.com or Linda Smith Villas.

Hi. As a fellow Atlantan, I *highly* recommend Peach & Quiet in Barbados. Their website is www.peachandquiet.com. If you have further questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
(I don't know if their spa is up and running yet, but other than that, it fits your requirements -- which are the same as ours were.)
It's not AI, but they have a package that covers all breakfasts and most of your suppers as well as many other things.

You may want to check out Port Antonio in Jamaica. Having been to all the areas in JA, we love Port the best for it's lushness, friendly mountain type locals - no vendors bugging you. Check out Fern Hill Club - we stayed there a few years ago - beautiful, great rooms, excellent staff. Alot to choose from in Port - excellent areas to explore - you'll love it - way more real than Negril!
Cheers,
Lorka