Need stellar advice for relaxing trip
 

New to fodors, hoping for a little help in planning my beau's 30th birthday vacation to the the Caribbean in early June. We're overwhelmed with all the information out there and would really like some help from travellers in-the-know.

A bit about what we're looking for:

-Relaxing atmoshepre

-AI is preferrable but not necessary

-Water sports (windsurfing, snorkeling, possibly surfing and parasailing)

-Need nice beach and warm weather (should be easy enough to find in June!)

-Food needs to be good if not excellent

-Room should have a comfortable bed, be clean and well-kept, particularly the bathroom which would hopefully have a nice tub big enough for two :)

-Safety is important

-Budget is around $3500 not including airfare

Thanks and hope to hear from many of you out there!

I'm not sure how adventurous you want to be, but we took a Windjammer cruise as our first introduction to the Caribbean. You get to see more of the Caribbean for your money, and at off-the-beaten path types of places. There are more luxurious lines that are still small, but probably not in your budget.

I'm sure the more experienced travellers will pipe up soon with great suggestions for AI resorts. I've only done the Grenadines on the Windjammer and a then a fab trip to St.Kitts.

The planning is almost the best part!

The Somerset in the Turks and Caicos Island.www.thesomerset.com Nice long beach, safe, great food, clean, clean, clean,snorkling excursions parasailing,sunset cruise, white powder sand and turquiose water. Its not AL but there are so many great restaurants on the island.

I'll take the 3 BR Penthouse Suite for $1600/night, please. Holy $#^*!

CaribbeanSoul -
At least it's a 3 bedroom! :-D I think that's just a 1 bedroom at Amanyara. I loved your reaction! LOL.

Yep! It's a steal! Pilfer a small amount from my son's college fund....no prob! It amazes me what some people will pay....and that is a shoulder season price!

Codysmom-I'm a little apprehensive about doing a cruise (have never been on one), as nice as it sounds for the first time around in the Caribbean.
Turksoldtimer-The somerset looks fantastic and WAY out of my budget. do you think it would be feasible to do a week there on a $3500 budget?!! I have my doubts, especially when the 3BR pentouse CaribbeanSoul is enthralled with would knock me out in two nights time!!!

For a studio lockoff its just as much as the other resorts on Grace Bay. I thought you where going with just your boyfriend.

sorry for the confusion, i am going with just my boyfriend--def. won't need a three bedroom suite, just still a little pricey for a non-AI...am looking into more options now in st. lucia and trying to figure a way to narrow my search rather than add to it (which is all i've been doing so far!)-here's what's been most appealing:

Coco Palm (not AI but very reasonably priced & great reviews)
Anse Chastanet
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Ti Kaye Village
Windjammer Landing
Stonefield Estate

any info on these resorts is welcome!

My husband and I are going to Ti Kaye in March. Apparently it's well know for honeymooners. So we'll be the old farts on the beach. LOL

jersey-
what made you settle on ti kaye?