Romantic Week Long Vacation! Need an Island Recommendation!
 

Hello!! I was about to start planning a romantic getaway to the Caribbean but then realized there are way too many fantastic islands to choose from. Might there be any way to narrow down the field? We are set for the 2nd week of May!

My top priorities are:
- Beautiful Beaches
- Super relaxing in fantastic rooms preferably walking distance from the beaches
- Good food
- Not too touristy/crowded, a little off the beaten path

St. John has been highly recommended to me by a friend. It looks great! Anywhere else top the lists?

Thanks!
knemo

If you have not been St John the Westin spg.com or maho.org
is great awesome beach snorkel cheap flights down on
spirit.com aa.com for me.Deals on priceline.com

Our most romantic fav off the beaten path. briland.com cutest little Bahamian out island lots closer flight wise runawayhill.com pinksandsresort.com. Perfect PINK sand beach great diving valentinesdive.com.

Happy Travels!

Check out:

Cap Juluca, Anguilla
Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda
Sandy Lane, Barbados
Peter Island Resort, Peter Island (BVI's)
Amanyara or Parrot Cay, Providenciales (Turks & Caicos)
Palm Island, Grenadines
Eden Roc or Isle de France, St. Barths

HINT- You might want to do some basic research and FIRST pick the island you want to visit then choose the resort as you can generally find several "romantic" resorts on just about every island. You see, every island is different and has different things to offer. Start by using the "Destinations" link at the top of this age. Click through to the "Caribbean" and read the summaries of each island. Pick one or two that most appeal to you then start researching the resorts on that island. That will help you narrow your choices down to a manageable few.

Remember too, that no one island "has it all" so there's always a bit of a compromise but you should be able to find one that has what you are seeking. Don't get caught up in "Is the water bluer or the palm trees better on the other island syndrome" Most of the regular contributors on this (and other) forums have been traveling the Caribbean for years and we all had to make our first trip. We've leaned that one destination is not necessarily better than the other, they are just different and "Viva Le Difference"!!!

without a price range we can't give you any specific ideas. (roams has listed some of the pricest places to stay in the islands)

i would considser provodenciales (provo) in turks & caicos. it ticks all on your list.

unless you stay at westin or caneel bay on st. john you will not be on the beach & will need rental car to get to them.

Another recommendation for Turks, but what is your budget? It can be quite pricey, but does meet all the requirements on your list. And it's a fairly short ride ( about three hours or less) from the East Coast.

Agree on Turks. I think it neatly ticks all your boxes particularly fantastic rooms on the beach. Another option - Cap Jaluca on Anguilla (expensive). Based on your criteria I would not pick St John.

It will really help to have a budget as it's hard to recommend someplace without knowing your price range. Having said that I will recommend Anguilla. It meets all of your criteria and offers both high end and some moderate lodging choices. I've stayed at all of these Anguilla properties: Cap Juluca, Cuisinart, Frangipani and all are lovely on great beaches.

If you'll give us a price range we can better advise you.

Thanks everyone! I'd like to spend no more than $250/night. Is that ridiculous? I'm planning on using miles to get to/from the island we decide on.

My husband wants some adventure while I just want to relax. So we'll need to find a happy medium by choosing an island that has both options.

Does Turks/Caicos have adventuring options?

Knowing where you're traveling from (and the airport in particular) will be helpful in advising you of place that will maximize your short time.

I don't think Turks will fit into your budget. And make sure you check weather stats before you book. Some islands can be rainy in May.

When you say "not to touristy" you really have eliminated St John or at least the Westin and the area around Cruz Bay. You also have eliminated a good deal of the T&C along Grace Bay which is lined with lovely hotels and condos that by no means are off the beaten path. Your limit of $250/night is quite low. The islands mentioned have some out of the way locations would be $350 with tax or more.
You might want to consider St. Croix which does have much of what you are looking for and likely would run $300 for a nice place as long as it is not Dec.-Mar.

It's tough sometimes to find off the beaten path locations with great food. One of my favorite islands is Virgin Gorda. The resorts mentioned above, like Little Dix Bay, were above your price range. Try Mango Bay for something more affordable on the beach:
http://www.mangobayresort.com/
I've only visited that property (not stayed), but it gets very good reviews on Tripadvisor. Good pics on TA too.

You can still investigate Anguilla. May is the low season, but Cap Juluca will still be out of your range. Look at Carimar, Anacaona, Turtles Nest, Shoal Bay Villas

You can probably do T & C with the room per night budget. We stayed at the Sibonne, which is right on Grace Bay. It's a small boutique hotel with 26 rooms. I checked their web-site and their rooms in May come under $200 per night. We got a 2nd floor balcony room with an extra room, which was a living area and 2nd TV. I wouldn't call it a "fantastic" room, but I thought it was very nice. It also had the sheers canopy over the bed. The hotel has the Bay Bistro Restaurant, which is highly recommended. Our room rate included an extended continential breakfast.

We went May, 2006 and the weather was gorgeous. Not many activities outside of water related. We did a fab 2 hour guided jet ski tour, which was the highlight of our trip.

www.sibonne.com

If you're interested I have pics of our room and the hotel at: http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn

5 Words: Great Guana Cay, Abaco,Bahamas. Beautiful island, nice people, privacy, good food, comfy digs. Google it and read about the place on line.

I had thought Anguilla would be perfect for you until you said your husband wanted adventures. Both Anguilla and T&C are pretty sleepy with not much going on other than their fabulous beaches.

Would you consider Negril, Jamaica? It's a bit touristy but not in a bad way: no high rises or casinos or anything like that. Just a beautiful beach and funky little restaurants and beach bars. And you can certainly meet your budget. Jamaica offers lots of things to do other than sitting on the beach. You might even enjoy a couple of them!