Need help choosing, please help. Cap Juluca, Sandals Antigua, Riu Aruba
 

Hubby and I are traveling to St. Maarten in Oct. with in-laws. We love St. Maarten have been many times. Always include a day trip to Anguilla, since inlaws have never been there, will do the same this trip. Now second week of this trip hubby and will be traveling alone to celebrate birthday and 15 yr anniversary. We are torn between Cap Juluca. Concern is this being second week of travel things may start to get pricey for us. (but we would be nixing inter island air) next 2 options would be Sandals Med village Antigua. Nice resort, been there but had a jelly fish infestation couldn't get in water at the time. OR, Hyatt or Riu Aruba, I know most people would not do AI in Aruba. We have been there a few times even though it's been awhile. We have a couple restaurants we like we still would probably hit. After staying at Divi in St. Maarten, dinning around St. Maarten, and site seeing with the in-laws for a week. For our second week hubby and I want to chill with nice accomodations, nice beach with calm clear water, good food, and drink with out cringing worrying about price. Would like a little upbeat atmosphere. Don't want the place to feel dead and boring. We are not big partiers but it would be nice to go dancing one or two nights. Appreciate any suggestions or input.

Well I guess Cap is out. Originally in an e-mail they said they would open Oct. 27. Now over phone they don't open until Nov. 1. The day we are scheduled to come home.

The Hyatt in Aruba recently underwent a renovation. It is beautiful. I would choose that hotel. RIU Palace Aruba is nice, but there are soooooooooooo many fine restaurants in Aruba it would be a shame to stay there. You can easily walk over to the RIU from the Hyatt and gamble in their casino and walk around the property to see it.

Sandals Antigua gets my vote....beautiful resort. Just newly renovated. Will be staying there for 2 weeks in Feb 09.

Cap would have been my first chocie hands down.

2nd choice: the Hyatt is Aruba. It is gorgeous.

that should read :The Hyatt IN Aruba"

If you would still consider Anguilla, try Malliohana, Cuisinart, or for a less expensive stay Ku or Frangipani

Sandals is way overpriced for what you get. I'd go to Hyatt or Riu.

We've been to 2 Sandals and one RIU. Not big fans of either of those resorts. However, given the choice and the location, I definatley feel you'll get your monies worth at the RIU Aruba than any Sandals.

The RIU's in Mexico and Jamaica tend to attract more of the party crowd. The RIU in Aruba appears to draw a little bit more mature atmosphere. Still it's a huge property and appears to be very crowded. I might give them a try if I was interested in a AI in Aruba. However, I think something more low key like the Bucuti or Amesterdam Manor would be more to our liking and they offer AI plans also. It's whatever your looking for.

As for Sandals, I have to agree you really don't get what you pay for and they are terribily over priced compared to other resorts in that catagory. There are way better, less expensive hotels out there that don't nickel and dime you death on extra amenties. Many hotels now include those amenties as standard while Sandals is still charging top dollar for them.

We really do like Sandals Antigua and it sounds as if you've been there. Thus, you are already familiar with it's nice beach, the 5 pools,the tropical gardens, and dancing at night under the stars. Also, as a past guest of Sandals Resorts, you are able to join in with the returning guests dinner.

We just feel that Sandals Antigua has something that appeals to everyone.