wliwl

I have no clue. Needs to be warm in January. I'm picturing a laid-back, resorty cluster of villas. I'd like a beach and a pool. Uncrowded, no high rise stuff. Not all-inclusive. Not fancy pants. Price negotiable.

Thanks for ideas.

virginia

http://www.roundhilljamaica.com/ 25 mins east of sangster/mobay jamaica. quite pricey.
also on jamaica is http://www.tryallclub.com/
both may be too fancy pants?

wliwl

Thanks Virginia. Yeah, a little too fancy and a little to pricey.

blamona

Price negotiable leaves alot to the imagination, and every island has something similar to what you ask.

could you please tell us more? budget, who traveling with, special occassion, shopping, nightlife, town, snorkeling, food, All Inclusive or none, easy access, tastes in beaches (hilly vs Corona commercials)car rental or stay put........

It would really help narrow down recs.

bellaboo

http://suenostulum.com/

bellaboo

http://bahia-las-ballenas.net/english/index.html

bellaboo

http://www.hotel-lagunita.com/

bellaboo

http://www.playa-escondida.com/index.php

Jimmie

Mahoe Bay villas, Virgin Gorda BVI.

wliwl

Thanks you guys. I appreciate your suggestions.

I wonder if Mexico is, overall, cheaper than the Caribbean?

I priced a vacation to Antigua (Galley Bay) - and it was coming it at over $6,700 for a week (over $8000 for premium rooms). After discussing it with H I think I'd be more comfortable with something in the $5000-$5500 range for everything (flight too).

RoamsAround

Obviously where you are flying from can have a significant affect on how much you have left for your accomodations. Since you didn't give us that info it's hard to make meaningful suggestions since airfares vary greatly. Also, let us know if your budget includes meals. Depending on where you live you could spend anywhere from $500 to $900 PP on airfare alone (more if you pick a destination that involves 2 or 3 connecting flights).

You are planning to visit the Caribbean in the midst of High Season so you'll encounter some of the highest room rates of the year. Quite frankly, January is not exactly the time of year when you'll find most resorts uncrowded as it's the Caribbean's busy season and many resorts will be at full or near capacity. Sinve many of the "seculded resorts" are among the most expensive destinations you could look at smaller resorts and boutique hotels which, because of their size, will give the impression they are uncrowded.

If your total budget for flights, lodging and food is in the $5,000 to $5,500 range for a week's stay consider destinations in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cancun or Cozmel as they are among the least expensive destinations in the Caribbean. You could probably also find some resorts on Antigua that fit your needs but you'd have to look at something a notch lower than Galley Bay.

Be realistic in your approach, pick an island you can reach for a reasonable airfare from your departure city. You should then look for a resort that falls within your remaining budget. Don't expect to stay in 4 or 5-star resorts for 3-star prices, it won't happen during January.

bellaboo

Overall, Mexico is cheaper than the Caribbean...and the DR is cheaper as well.