virginia

We are are a group in our 30's and 40's looking for a small to medium sized resort. The most important thing is a great swimming beach (soft sand all the way into the calm, clear water). While we don't need a full kitchen, a mini-fridge and coffee maker are a must. A pool and an on site restaurant should complete the picture. Nice but not necessary, another bar/restaurant w/in walking distance, a gym, access to water sports. Night life not required. All this for about $250 a night (hotel) in Feb?? Is it out there? Last two trips were Barbados and Jamaica, so we are looking for a new spot. Thanks for any suggestions.

xx

Have you oonsidered an all=inclusive in the Dominican Republic? For information o on resorts go to www.debbiesdominicantravel.com

Susan

How about the Aruba Marriott.<BR><BR>Has all you are looking for. It has such awesome beaches, and it is on the end of the strip, so if you want seclusion, you have it. It is more quiet than alot of other resorts, so if youwant to relax by the pool, you don't have to worry about karaoke, etc. like some of the all inclusives have.<BR><BR>It also has an awesome gym, water aerobics in the AM, a very nice restauraunt, actually one very nice one called Tuscany, and a nice one that service breakfast buffets as well as ordering off the menu (it is less expensive than Tuscany). Then they have Simply Fish, which is an outside restaurant and you can have dinner in the sunset. <BR><BR>They have a swimup pool bar, which is fabulous and a wonderful tropical pool with waterfalls.<BR><BR>Boy all this talk, I can't wait to go back again in October.<BR><BR>My husband will be 40 and I am 33. So this resort is perfect.<BR><BR>One more thing...tons of watersports on site.

Jennine

Susan:<BR>Your description of the Aruba Marriott makes me want to book right now!! <BR>Would this be a good spot for a family w/teens?<BR>Aruba sounds like a wonderful island, if only the airfare was affordable! <BR>

Marilyn

Aruba is perfect for everyone. I'd also suggest the Wyndham. It is probably the best buy on Palm Beach. Large pool area with plenty of shade and the pool concierge comes around with cool face clothes, frozen fruit kabobs, personal CD players. It's at the opposite end from the Marriott but much closer to the other hotels and activities (which will be great for teens). Go to www.travelunlimited.com and see some of the package prices. They also have great rates for groups. They are Aruba specialists and can make knowledgeable recommendations as to which hotel would best suit your groups's needs.

virginia

thanks for the suggestions - I'm going to look into the Marriott.<BR>Anybody else? Another island?

Susan

Message: How about the Aruba<BR> Marriott.<BR><BR> Has all you are looking for. It has<BR> such awesome beaches, and it is<BR> on the end of the strip, so if you<BR> want seclusion, you have it. It is<BR> more quiet than alot of other<BR> resorts, so if youwant to relax by<BR> the pool, you don't have to worry<BR> about karaoke, etc. like some of<BR> the all inclusives have.<BR><BR> It also has an awesome gym, water<BR> aerobics in the AM, a very nice<BR> restauraunt, actually one very<BR> nice one called Tuscany, and a<BR> nice one that service breakfast<BR> buffets as well as ordering off the<BR> menu (it is less expensive than<BR> Tuscany). Then they have Simply<BR> Fish, which is an outside<BR> restaurant and you can have<BR> dinner in the sunset. <BR><BR> They have a swimup pool bar,<BR> which is fabulous and a wonderful<BR> tropical pool with waterfalls.<BR><BR> Boy all this talk, I can't wait to go<BR> back again in October.<BR><BR> My husband will be 40 and I am<BR> 33. So this resort is perfect.<BR><BR> One more thing...tons of<BR> watersports on site.<BR><BR>Jeanine-<BR>We usually book our package to Aruba with airfare and hotel through a charter package such as Travel Charter or MLT Vacations, etc. Ask your travel agent.<BR><BR>Aruba is wonderful. My husband and I have been there twice in October and once in the summer. There were very few kids in October because they were all in school, but was packed with kids in the summer (felt like I was at Disney World-just kidding). I assume February would also have kids.<BR><BR>We remember that there were teenage kids there, and they were having a ball. They were not wild or anything, but really really enjoying themselves.<BR>And a very good plus about Aruba is that you don't have to worry about the kids. There is virtually no crime and you can go anywhere without being afraid. Like I said you can eat and drink anything and not get sick. They have the largest desaltation plant which purifies the water, so it tastes like bottled water right from the tap (seriously)!! I can't imagine what teenager would not love Aruba.<BR><BR>They can snorkel, sail, jog, swim, walk the beach. It will be the trip of the lifetime for your family. I hope you can get a package deal. Aruba is awesome. I don't want to go anywhere else because I feel like i've already had the best!<BR><BR>Oh and the resorts are very upscale, clean and modern!!!!!<BR><BR>LOL

Bill

Look at Timothy Beach Resort in St. Kitts, it has everything your asking for. It is the only resort directly on the caribbean beach. www.timothybeachresort.com

Susan

Jeanine-<BR><BR> We usually book our package to<BR> Aruba with airfare and hotel<BR> through a charter package such as<BR> Travel Charter or MLT<BR> Vacations, etc. Ask your travel<BR> agent.<BR><BR> Aruba is wonderful. My husband<BR> and I have been there twice in<BR> October and once in the summer.<BR> There were very few kids in<BR> October because they were all in<BR> school, but was packed with kids<BR> in the summer (felt like I was at<BR> Disney World-just kidding). I<BR> assume February would also have<BR> kids.<BR><BR> We remember that there were<BR> teenage kids there, and they were<BR> having a ball. They were not wild<BR> or anything, but really really<BR> enjoying themselves.<BR> And a very good plus about Aruba<BR> is that you don't have to worry<BR> about the kids. There is virtually<BR> no crime and you can go<BR> anywhere without being afraid.<BR> Like I said you can eat and drink<BR> anything and not get sick. They<BR> have the largest desaltation plant<BR> which purifies the water, so it<BR> tastes like bottled water right<BR> from the tap (seriously)!! I can't<BR> imagine what teenager would not<BR> love Aruba.<BR><BR> They can snorkel, sail, jog, swim,<BR> walk the beach. It will be the trip<BR> of the lifetime for your family. I<BR> hope you can get a package deal.<BR> Aruba is awesome. I don't want to<BR> go anywhere else because I feel<BR> like i've already had the best!<BR><BR> Oh and the resorts are very<BR> upscale, clean and modern!!!!!<BR><BR> LOL Anymore questions, please let me know. Also the Wyndham is very nice. All the resorts are great!

virginia

I checked out the Timothy Beach web site and it does look like it has most of what we need. My only concern is that in the picture of the beach, it looks like there is coral or rock all the way up to the shoreline?? Funny picture or true? Thanks for the web address.

Bill

The picture does not show the beach as it should. The beach is sand,shells and some rocks on the far end from Timothy Beach. Some small stones half way back and directly in front of the resort is mostly sand with a group or small patchs of stones in the water until about 3 feet out. The snorkling is great from the beach off to the left and all the way to South Friars Bay.