My husband and i will be celebrating our 5th anniversary in early May. We're in our late 30s and are looking for a luxurious trip with great food and great beaches. We were originally thinking of going to Paris since neither of us has ever been, but with the state of the dollar there, it just seems silly to go now. We love the caribbean and think we should go there.

We're thinkign of Bermuda, which we've been to several times and love, but i'm worried about the weater and the water temp. My vote is sandy lane in barbados, but my husband is a little put off by the price-- i do think i can convince him though! He suggested the Four seasons in costa rica, but i don't know, that seems a little remote to me. I also think May might be the start of the rainy season there.

We've done anguilla (last yr) and loved it, but want to try something different. Any suggestions?

We're looking to go on a thursday through sunday trip, so anywhere direct from JFK or BOS would be a necessity. A place that's hard to get to would not be ideal. TIA!

Since you loved Anguilla, you might want to try Turks & Caicos, specifically the island of Providenciales (aka Provo). Like Anguilla, Provo has spectacular beaches (Grace Bay beach is 12 miles of white sand) and beautiful water with many choices for upscale lodging and dining, spas, etc. A lot of people who like one also like the other.

There are nonstop flights to Provo (PLS) from JFK (on American) and Boston sometimes (I think they may be seasonal and/or not daily from BOS).

Upscale resorts on Provo include: Grace Bay Club, Point Grace, the Regent Palms, and the Somerset. There are others to consider if you want someplace less centrally located or are willing to consider places that do not have all the resort amenities (i.e., on site restaurants).

A colleague of mine went to Bermuda in early May last year and had good weather, but I agree it could be too cold for the beach/water that time of year. It is at about the same latitude (I think that's the right word) as North Carolina.

If your husband is put off by the price of Sandy Lane, what about another property in Barbados? We were there last year and will be returning for a few days next month. You feel both relaxed and revived when you're there. Choices abound with gourmet restaurants and a multitude of beaches. Barbados is a Caribbean gem.

For a long weekend, I'd consider just those islands that I could make sure I'd be able to be on the beach by mid-afternoon. Even with one stopver in San Juan you should be able to get to many islands by midafternoon on your first day.

It seems that you like upscale, and there should be plenty of choices in that range no matter what island you choose. I'll make a list of places that I know I could get to from the east coast and be on the beach by 2:30pm:

Nevis: The Four Seasons or Nisbet Plantation. 4S is what you'd expect. Nisbet is perhaps a notch below that in terms of luxury, but it's much smaller and intimate with a very romantic atmosphere. Much more island charm, but no Evian spritzers by the pool.

Antigua: Carlisle Bay, Hermitage Bay--both relatively new places on the island, with everything a la carte. Galley Bay or Jumby Bay, both of which are all-inclusive places.

Barbados: If you don't like the price tag of Sandy Lane, take a look at Coral Reef Club, a family owned resort with a fine old reputation.

Returning to Anguilla could also be good for you, as would be the nicer hotels on Provo in T&C.

Thanks all for your suggestions. yes, we are definitely looking for upscale.

I had thought of the FS nevis and read some negative reviews about it being a bit tired. Is this true? We are newbies when it comes to other areas of the Caribbean-- is Provo really wonderful? Friends of ours stayed at Parrot Cay in T&C-- is that near Provo? Which hotel in Provo is considered the most upscale?

Good food is also very important. I know bermuda isn't known for phenomenal cuisine, but we've gone enough times to feel that we've scouted out some great places. I do think the water temp in bermuda might keep up from going there in May. AI is not an option for us.

For those who have stayed at Sandy Lane, is it worth the $$? Also, is it a close or far ride from the airport?

Thanks!!!!

Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica is cheap and easy to get to by flying into Montego Bay. It is very laid back. Try Montego Bay if you want more action. There are several upscale and some adults only all-inclusive properties at both places.

u should definately go to grenada its beautiful it has great diving fishing and beaches my sister is going there later in the year it depends if u want a resort or a nice b and b if u wanna a b and b u should try the island pearl.

I love 7 mile beach in Negril but I know some don't like Jamaica - though it is one of my favorites.

The Caves is a great resort in Negril but on the cliffs, not the beach. read the reviews at Tripadvisor for lots of info.

Check out Jamaica Inn for Caribbean luxury, lovely beach and great food in Ocho Rios.

Have you checked out Maroma? Great beaches and some new high end properties opening.

Let us know what you decide.

Cayman Air offers direct flights from JFK. 7 mile beach in Grand Cayman is beautiful and the restaurants very good. Check to see if the Westin and Ritz are having specials.

floridaphil, you'd be hard pressed to find somebody on this board to match my enthusiasm for Grenada, but it's just not a great place for a long weekend. Flying from most places in the US, the earliest you can get to the island is about 8:00 pm on your first day, and you have to leave at about 7:00am on your return home.

Sandy Lane is about a 45 minute drive from the airport. We actually went through this exact same thought process when we went to Barbados in 2007. Money was not a factor for us, and we came very close to booking there, although in the end we decided that it was truly ridiculous for us to spend that kind of money as we weren't really planning on spending all our time there. We wanted to try as many of the island restaurants on our list as we could fit in and all the activities. Additionally, we weren't arriving until 11pm the first night, so that didn't help. Sandy Lane is beautiful, but unless you are planning to stay there the entire time, I would give it some more thought.

Our favorite resort is the FS Nevis. We haven't been there in the last year, so I don't know how much it's changed. It was wonderful then. See if you're hearing that on more than just one forum. There is another big forum out there that I tend to not pay much attention to.

Flying from JFK or BOS limits you in time. Grenada is one of my favorite islands but must agree with ejcrowe too far for a long weekend. What about something in the USVI or PR? Barbados would be an option too only because of the direct flights from JFK but you wouldn't arrive until later in the afternoon.
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My suggestion would be to go to Sandals Mobay or Sandals Royal Carribean. My husband and I have stayed at those and also Whitehouse Sandals and loved every minute. I wouldn't suggest Whitehouse because of your time constraints but you must go there! Fabulous. Mobay and Royal are a quick ride from the airport (10 mins) and your weekend can begin. We'll be going for our 3rd trip to Sandals Mobay for our wedding anniversary in April and we cannot wait! Personnel, food, beach, everything is fantastic. Hope you go, but wherever you go, hope you have a wonderful and blessed trip (go to Jamaica!!!)

Not a fan of the Four Seasons in Costa Rica.

Love Parrot Cay, love Sandy Lane.

We have stayed at Sandy Lane in their least expensive room and it was totally worth it. The decor and everything about our room was fabulous. Service was excellent - everyone was warm and friendly. Loved the beach (although all beaches are public so if you use a public access you can use that beach). They pick you up at the airport in a limo. Food in L'Acajou was fabulous too.

Other good hotels in Barbados that I can recommend are:

Treasure Beach (especially the Hibiscus suite);

The Sandpiper (run by same family who runs Coral Reef). Easier to walk to other things in Holetow from The Sandpiper;

Coral Reef Club;

Colony Club.

Fabulous restaurants in Barbados also -- 1st Caribbean island with recommendations from Zagat.

Lois

My opinion, but Thursday thru Sunday gives you no time in Barbados. I would stay closer.

I've been to most places mentioned (Bermuda, Barbados, CostaRica, Anguilla, etc.)

My suggestion would be Turks and Caicos. 3 1/2 hour flight from New York. Excellent restaurants. (Almost as good as Anguilla, better than all the others mentioned.)

T&C is flat dry and scrubby, much like Anguilla. The beaches are longer, and if you can believe this, much brighter neon turquoise. The restaurant settings are ultra romantic. You can have romantic beach getaways on secluded cays and beaches, where they set you up with umbrellas, lounge chairs, food, drinks (including wine and beer, water, sodas) and you can spend all day exploring, in late afternoon they come pick you up (by boat.)

There are some gorgeous resorts that won't cost what Sandy Lane costs-check out The Somerset, or for less, check out Turks and Caicos Club. T&C Club has a terrific package, includes professional pictures taken on the beach that you can take home-gorgeous pictures. T&C also has restaurants that will set up dinner ON the beach, with tiki tourches, etc. T&C is a small island, so you don't waste any time enjoying that gorgeous beach. No resort is more than 15 minutes from the airport. It's easy to get around, and you'll have gorgeous sunsets from almost every vantage point.

You need to save Barbados when you have a couple more days. You'll loose time in travel (the return is usually early morning) You'd only have 2 days there really. Barbados is a surprisingly big island. I'm not trying to convince you not to go, just to go when you have more time.

Pretty much same with Costa Rica. CR is more active vacation, zip lines, exploring. The beaches, and (my opinion) rommance is better in Caribbean.

You all are so great to continue to help me out. Just found a flight from JFK that gets us into barbados late morning and leaves mid to late afternoon-- direct flight. Blamona, does that affect your opinion at all on barbados as a destination? We really are just looking for a beautiful beach and hotel, a great spa and great food...

Will look into T&C more...

Thanks to the others as well. jamaica is just not for us- have been and wasn't crazy about it.

blamona- The flight from JFk to T&C gets us in at the same time as the barbados flight, but the flight home leaves at 12:30 rather than the 3:45 flight from barbados. Do you still think T&C would be more "do-able?" I understand the hotels would be closer to the airport. Is it also that Provo is smaller and therefore "less" to see? Again, we're not much sightseers, we're more the relaxing type who love good food.

more questions for you re T&C. We don't want a place where we are tied to the hotel for meals and the like, so i think that crosses Amanyara and Parrot Cay from our list. Is it grace bay club that has teh construction around it? Point Grace looks very very nice-- is that a 5 star type property? The prices aren't too far off from sandy lane if you want ocean front. Are the properties you mention of the same "caliber" as these?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Blamona (or others) - do you have an opinion on the regent Palms?

They are all great islands. We've done Barbados, St Lucia and Jamaica. St Lucia was our last vacation isle and perhaps the best of the three fr friendly people and beauty. We spent 10 days at Couples Jamaica a while back and enjoyed it. Sam Lords Castle was OK, the food as I remembered was good, the beach a no no.