Where to go in Dec
 

Hi - my husband and I went to Anguilla (Cuisinart) on our honeymoon and had an amazing time. Then last year we went to the Ritz Carlton in Montego Bay and hated everything about it. We're trying to plan a trip for this December and aren't sure where to go.... We are looking for recommendations on destinations and hotels/resorts. Any help is much appreciated.

Look into Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin islands.

Hi Kristen,

We did look at Little Dix Bay - but it is looking like it might be too expensive this time around. In looking online, I've looked at some of the Rosewood Resorts (Jumby Bay in Antigua, Las Ventanas in Cabo) but they seem pretty pricey as well. We were hoping to find something reasonable (that still measures up to CuisinArt), but I don't know if we will. Do you have any other opinions of either islands/places to look into? Is there anyway we can spend a week in December for less than $5000 at a decent place? Thanks for your help.

Sally: What did you hate? Jamaica or the hotel or both.

Hi Sallycharles ~

I'm sorry but I don't know anything about Antigua or Cabo.

Turks and Caicos might be another option...look into Coral Gardens or The Sands. Though if you don't go til later in December it may be a little cool...

Aruba is one of my favorite islands...if that is of interest, try the Hyatt Radisson or Bucuti.

Hi - thanks to both for your help. In response to mgmargate about Jamaica... where do I start!

We flew Air Jamaica and the airline lost my husband's luggage for the entire time we were down there. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Montego Bay and they were not helpful at all. The general manager told us that they know this happens all the time with luggage around the holidays and that they (the RC) have an airline representative who tracks down the lost bags, but my husband still spend 1 1/2 days at the airport trying to file a claim and find out what was happenning. The hotel didn't offer to wash the clothes he was wearing (since he had them on for days) and it was a pain to even get a t-shirt for him to wear to the beach (All he had was the dress shirt he flew down in). The food wasn't great, the beach is pretty small and crowded, and overall we thought the hotel had too many kids running around. I'm sure it didn't help things that it rained almost every day we were there! After an amazing trip to Anguilla the year before, this paled in comparision.

We've done cruises during the holiday season - choose one that visits several islands - you can then find one you like and go back.

Don't overlood USVI (St. Croix, St. Thomas, or St. John). Very nice in December.

As my wife indicated, we had a horrible experience at the Ritz in Jamaica. Have others had better experiences at the Ritz in St. Thomas?

We're off to Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia in November. I don't know what part of December you plan on going but I believe their low season is until the 15th and their rates should fall within your budget. Check out www.windjammer-landing.com. From all I have read, it sounds wonderful. I will post a trip report when we return but that will probably be too late for you to decide. Good luck!

It appears as if your real problems were with the airline and the weather.

YOu are not going during the holidays are you? If so, it will be harder to find something reasonable and available. I also recommend St. Lucia. There are many great resorts small and large. I recommend Ladera for a truly luxurious stay- but it is small and the rooms have one wall missing and private plunge pools. The Rendezvous is nice as well, and will be cheaper. Also, I recommend Royal Hideaway in the Mayan Riviera south of Cancun. Great value for a luxury resort and perfect beach. Lastly, Caneel Bay on St. John USVI would be a good choice.

Hi - we're actually not going during the holidays. That was also part of the problem last year... we went during school holidays. This year we're planning on going Dec 10-17 or so.

We've also got recommendations for the Marquis in Cabo San Lucas, so we're checking on that as well.

Thanks to all for the help - this is a great source of information.

We usually travel in December. Last year we stayed at the Sugar Mill, a small romantic resort in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The award winning cuisine was superb and the staff were very friendly and helpful. A jeep rental is necessary to drive the sometimes steep hills on the island--the views are gorgeous. We spent the day at Cane Garden Bay and returned to the small beach at the Sugar Mill for the remainder. Swimming is good from the jetty. It is easy to get to other islands for the day by water taxi or by sailing.
We also have stayed at the Bucuti in Aruba which now is an adults only property. There is a very large beautiful white sand beach and it is quiet. Easy to get to other hotels, restaurants and to casinos. There are a lot of very good restaurants on the island.
I have a list of properties we might want to try in the future which include the new Marriott Hotel in St. Kitts or the Mount Nevis Hotel and Beach Club in Nevis if that may be of any interest to you.
All these properties have websites online.
Good luck with your search.

I highly recommend Peach & Quiet in Barbados. We stayed there *very* inexpensively for a week in late October 2003.

Here's a review I posted on several "traveler review" sites:

If you're seeking a quiet haven from civilization while remaining very much civilized, you should consider a stay at the Peach and Quiet.

Our stay in late October 2003 was one of the most serene and yet most affordable trips weve had in years.We felt like honored guests of Adrian and Margaret Loveridge's four-acre piece of heaven. The Loveridges seem have an almost preternatural instinct about the needs of each guest. When we wanted to enjoy the view of the ocean and do a bit of snorkeling, it seemed as if the view and the natural pool were all our own. But when we wanted explore and learn about Barbados, Margaret scheduled everything we needed (even taking care to help us schedule our excursions to avoid sunburn). And Adrian was a wealth of history and information about the country.

A traditional beach is just a five-minute walk, and that meant we could get there quickly, but there werent loads of other tourists crowding us.

The honor bar is a nice touch for those who prefer not to have a costumed waiter serving $10 drinks. Just mix them yourself, mark the sheet, and youve paid little more for a cocktail than you would in your own home. The meals were wonderful and always included a vegetarian option.

The overall property and rooms are spacious and elegantly spare in a tropical way. We found the scents of frangipani trees and handmade soaps enticing our senses rather than the blare of a radio, television, or telephone. There are even small collections of books in each room which prompted during our stay a literary discussion at dinner with other guests. (Bonus for us: no children are allowed at the Peach.)

We took advantage of the Summer Breeze package which included two days car rental, breakfast every day, several dinners, a snorkel tour, and dinner at Carambola, one of the islands best restaurants. It was an incredible deal by any standards, but we felt like we were living like kings on usually-expensive Barbados.

If you want roaring air conditioning, a screaming social director leading a limbo line, and a tacked-on charge for every little thing, go to one of the big resorts on the West Coast. Or better yet, just go to Orlando. If you want to chill out and enjoy true island life, consider Peach and Quiet.

I would suggest getting to a local travel agent YESTERDAY if you are interested in a trip in December. Airfare and hotels on alot of islands are already full, so a travel agent would have a better handle on what might still be available.

Also try the www.libertytravel.com site. The specialize in the carribean and often have some package deals.

Have a great time.