We're limited with time so therefore have chosen easy destinations from Tampa, FL. I can't decide whether to go to the Ocean Club in Bahamas or to the Ritz on St Thomas. We want luxury, golf, great beaches and great food. Also, any comments on the types of rooms - are the more expensive rooms worth the extra cost?

Karen,<BR>My choice would be St Thomas if we're talking about December, January or February, even March. The Bahamas can be cool. My husband and I were there last March and wore sweatshirts 3 days out of 5 and the ocean was quite chilly. You won't have that problem further south in the Caribbean. <BR>If you're talking about right now or further into the spring either is a great choice. I love the Ocean Club but the Ritz is a great property too. The only problem with the Ritz on STT is the beach is quite small. On St Thomas I greatly prefer Sapphire Beach Resort, not as luxurious as the Ritz but for me it's all about the beach and the beach at Sapphire is gorgeous!<BR>

I stayed at the Ritz Carlton 2 years ago and I thought it was a wonderful hotel. The rooms were beautiful and they were just about to begin renovating them so I imagine they're even nicer now. We had an upgraded room but I'm not sure I would do that again. The rooms are all the same size and same furnishings, it's the location that's different, and if the money is significant I'm not sure it's worth it. From what I remember every room is oceanfront and they all have beautiful balconies. The big negative with the Ritz, unfortunately, is the beach. It is small and the water is not as clean and pretty as other beaches in the Caribbean. The Ritz does have a beautiful (and not crowded) pool and we spent a lot of our time there. The food on the island was very good, and reasonably priced compared to other islands. We went over to St. John a few times to eat and enjoy their beaches. All and all it was a great vacation, but I don't think I'd go back because of the beach situation. It's just too big a thing to compromise on.

now that the Ritz Club has opened the wonderful beach on Great Bay is part of the property in addition to the smaller beach that is adjacent to the resort area.

While I don't doubt Joanie may have been cold in the Bahamas in March, the average high temp in Nassau in March is 80 degrees, while it's 84 in Montego Bay. Not a world of difference.<BR>Water temps may be cooler out of the main Gulf Stream, though.