mcqueeney449

My husband and I are about half way to having enough rewards points for 7 nights at a Marriott Resort and we could use some help picking the right one for us.

We LOVE to snorkel both from the beach and offshore, this is definitely our main activity. We enjoy swimming in the ocean and walking along the beach but we are more likely to sun bathe and relax at the pool. We like a large, interesting pool area with features like a water fall or a swim up bar and enough jacuzzi space that they aren't always packed. We do not need a great night life but do like to have some choices for dinner restaurants (at the resort or nearby) and at least one good place for after dinner drinks and music. We won't be traveling during school vacations (Easter weekend etc) and prefer places w/ few children or places that do a good job w/ children's activities so they aren't just running around everywhere (its not that we don't like kids, we just prefer a more adult atmosphere for a vacation). My personal vacationing pet peeve is water pressure in the shower and I would really appreciate any information on resorts that have really great or really terrible water pressure. Thanks in advance for the help.

alex

I would highly recommend the Curacao Marriott. Very good snorkeling right from the hotel beach and offshore. Excellent service and friendly staff. We went over Thanksgiving and there were hardly any children at the resort at all (maybe a handful). The children that were there were very well-behaved and mostly European. The pool area is very nice, was never crowded and has a swim-up bar (no waterfall but an beautiful view of the Caribbean). Each day the pool bar has a happy hour with drink specials - great for having a drink and watching the sunset. We ate there for lunch almost every day (mostly sandwiches and salads but very good and inexpensive). Curacao has excellent restaurants - both in quality and variety. There are two jacuzzis that are open 24 hours/day. The couple of times we went to them, we were the only ones there. All around a very nice resort - I would gladly return.

Knowing

Our favorite island and Marriott are on Curacao. It is a little more travel time, but for 7 days, you'd be fine. The hotel staff is friendly and very capable. Snorkeling is good, although if you swim at the hotel, I recommend water shoes. They were very fortunate to have purchased the hotel from Sonesta and it has a very nice pool with a swim-up bar. The property is nice. The jacuzzi never has anyone in it, although the reason is because it is very hot. We tended to eat at the hotel more than we have at others as the food is really good. However, many of us on this board would be ready to help you with island restaurant recommendations if you decide on Curacao. The island has many places for nightlife. The hotel also has a nice bar right on the beach that has some music and Karaoke twice a week. We have no children and my husband prefers to vacation where there are extremely few children, as well. We never ate with any, and there were a couple, but they also have their own pool. Water pressure is great. Do discuss Curacao with your husband. It would be a good selection for your vacation.

EmilyC

If you can swing the points, the best choice ( IMHO) is the Ritz in ST. Thomas.

mcqueeney449

Thanks for the info. Curacao is definitely on the short list now. I have also heard good things about St. Kitts. Emily - I wasn't even aware of the Ritz as an option, I will have to check it out.

EmilyC

I travel weekly in my job, so I spend my down time musing about how many points I have and where I can use them! You can use Marriott points for cruises ( Carnival, Costa amd one other) , hotels, airfare, the Orient Express and the Ritz Carlton properties. IMHO the Marriott program is among the best!

Debi

I agree with the Curacao Marriott - we loved it there - went there because the week we wanted to go, it was the only one we could get into (points). Turned out very lucky for us! We got our diving certification on Curacao and loved the island. Very relaxing. In addition to the other hotel chains you can look into - add Renaissance. We stayed in a wonderful Renaissance property in Maui - and I know they have them in the Caribbean. Where ever you go - it will be wonderful!

KimM

I have stayed at the Marriott in Aruba, and it is wonderful....the beach (great for walking) and a nice pool. We visited in May 2 years ago and I don't remember an overwhelming number of kids, although it is possible any time of year. I would tend to think since Aruba has so many time share properties available for rent that families would tend to stay at a time share such as the Marriott Ocean Club right next door.

I am off to the new Marriott in St. Kitts in a few weeks. For great pictures of this new property visit www.royalbeachcasino.net
I will post some comments upon return, but I hear it is spectacular.

Kim

wow

KimM, your experience @ Marriott in Aruba was ceratinly different from ours! We stayed there January, 2001 & it was a major disappointment. First off, the beds! What's with the beds? They did not have mattresses but merely slabs of foam! Our room was "Oceanfront Deluxe". View was spectacular....my "spectacular" is sun, surf & sand in January! But the room was "tired" & needed to be refurbished...everything from linens to drapes to area carpet that was thrown over the tiled floor. The pool was extremely crowded everyday. The restaurant had long lineups staffed by people with even longer faces. The elevators did not work. Room service took forever & food was awful. On the plus side, the beach was gorgeous & we wld go back to Aruba but not to the Marriott. Perhaps Radisson or Hyatt next time.

mjmre2

Sorry that WOW had such a terrible experience at the Aruba Marriott. We own a time share at the Marriott Ocean Club next door and can't say enough good things about the resort! Perhaps it's because the Ocean Club is a newer property, our mattresses are firm, the furnishings beautiful and the kitchen sparkling clean.

KimM

It just so happens that they had just finished renovating the rooms on the 8th floor a week or two before we arrived in May of 2001. I was the first to stay in the newly renovated room...it still had a fresh paint smell, and the bed was a real one. I'm sure the timing had everything to do with it. The pool may have been crowded, I don't really remember, because I can't seem to stray from the beach when I am in Aruba. Generally speaking I think January is much more crowded than May, so that could account for the crowded pool and lines in the restaurants. I'm sorry WOW had a bad experience with Marriott, but glad to hear you liked Aruba. As WOW said, Radisson is lovely as well.

I also forgot to mention in my last post that I don't think snorkeling right from the Marriott's beah will be too exciting. I also like to snorkel, but I think you would need to investigate what is offered off the resort. I did not snorkel in Aruba, but took up windsurfing next door to the Marriott.

Good luck with your decision.

mcqueeney449

Thanks for all the ideas .. I've posted this question on a few boards and the top 2 responses are consistently Curacao and the new Marriott in St. Kitts. The Ritz in St. Thomas looks amazing but I don't think we want to wait long enough to get the extra points. I'm looking forward to Kim's comments when she gets back from St. Kitts. Has anyone been to both Curacao and St. Kitts?

KimM

By the way McQueeney, St. Kitts Marriott is offering so many great promotions right now, I don't even know if I would use points to go there. You might be better off just paying and saving your points for the Ritz next year. For example, there is a Visa Summer Escape promotion right now (promotion code V12). If you pay with a Visa Card, they upgrade your room, throw in breakfast and give you 20% off! My mountain view room is costing $95 night with breakfast!!

Just some food for thought.

alex

I have been to both St. Kitts and Curacao but did not stay at the Marriott in St. Kitts. I am sure the St. Kitts property is lovely. I think the decision would have to be made based on what you are looking for in an island. Curacao and St. Kitts are completely different. St. Kitts is more lush and tropical while Curacao is very arid. Curacao is more developed (although not a tourist trap of high-rise hotels and souvenir shops). Curacao's main industry is not tourism - I believe it is oil and banking. St. Kitts is more quaint, not a lot of shopping or restaurants. Curacao has many good restaurants and nightlife. Both islands are beautiful in their own way - it just depends on what you are looking for.

wow

To mjmre2: Yes! You are absolutely right about the Marriott Ocean Club! Gorgeous! We had friends staying there while we were @ the Marriott Hotel. No comparison b/t the 2 properties.

To KimM: Thanks for the good news about the reno! Guess we were 4-5 months too early!