ckfior

Last year 8 of us (3 couples, 2 singles) took a trip to Cabo San Lucas. We are looking take another trip to the Caribbean in late spring/early summer 2005. We prefer to stay at different hotels that are close to each other (so that we can enjoy "alone time" with our significant others, but meet up as a group easily, especially for meals/drinks/etc.) - Criteria includes good nightlife and restaurants (good nightlife is especially important for the singles, but not "Cancun-style" nightlife, as we are in our 30s and have outgrown that!), hotels in a variety of price ranges that are in relatively close proximity to each other, including a "luxury" hotel ($500+/night). Can anyone suggest the best place for us?

cartera45

I would suggest Negril - good nightlife with a variety of accomodations. Those wanting upscale could do Moon Dance Villas and then the range - all within an easy walk would include Coco La Palm, Idle Awhile, Charela and White Sands (more budget conscious.) Food is great and cheap and a stroll away as are bars and nightclubs. Early summer would be nice because no crowds and an already good bargain gets better.

benj

Negril was a great trip for us. Just be sure to go when lobster is in season. It is usually really reasonable & tastes even better there. I believe lobster season is closed from 4-1 through 6-30. If you aren't big seafood eaters then you have no problem. Jerk chicken is always around.

ScottB

I would suggest Aruba. Great beaches, great restaurants, and good nightlife. There are a large variety of accomodations as well.

Traveler863

Don't go to Jamaica, nightlife there can involve more than you bargained for like being robbed and assaulted or worse.

For what you're looking for sounds like Aruba, as Scott recommends or perhaps St. Maarten.

If you don't mind me commenting, I think its a little strange to all be in separate hotels for alone time. Its not like the other people are staying in your room! Understand separate hotels for different budgets, that makes sense.

girlonthego

I agree with Aruba. I also think you stay in the same hotel complex and still never see each other if you don't want to... Aruba has great dining, nice hotels, and wonderful beaches. There is also a nightlife there and it is much safer to walk around at night than some other islands.

ejcrowe

I would second the suggestions for either Negril in Jamaica or Aruba for what you're looking for. I would also take any warnings about Jamaica safety with a grain of salt.

ckfior

Thank you for all of your advice. I will suggest Jamaica, Aruba and St. Martin to the group. As far as staying in different hotels, the biggest reason for that is the price issue. However, I have not found it easy to stay at the same hotel and "still never see each other if you don't want to." While I realize that of course the other people will not be staying in our room, on vacation we are usually only in our room to sleep. Therefore, hanging out by the pool or on the beach, having lunch, etc. are all outside of our room, for which the couples like to be alone with each other. My husband and I both work a lot and can usually only get enough time off to take one vacation a year, other than a few long weekends. That is why it was great for us in Cabo to stay at different hotels, be alone with each other all day and meet up with the group for dinner and drinks at night. Don't get me wrong, we did group activities on some of the days. But, I prefer not to say to someone, "listen, we want to be alone today so when we see you at the pool we won't come over and hang out with you, but maybe we will tomorrow." It works for us so please don't judge how we choose to utilize our hard-earned vacation time.

ejcrowe

Nothing wrong with staying at different hotels when traveling with friends. Upon the second reading of your post, it seems to me that Negril would best fit your requirements, especially with lots of hotels within walking distance in a variety of price range & styles. You also have the choice of being on the cliffs or on the beach--each has its own special ambience. Check out www.negril.com for a rundown of accommodation choices that can be listed by location or price. Idle Awhile on the beach and Rockhouse on the cliffs would probably be my first choices, were I to visit Negril.

Kristen1206

I would suggest Aruba as well.

Great beaches, weather, food, activities, nightlife, and a variety of hotel price ranges.

ScottB

I actually agree with the separate hotels idea. The last two vacations we went on with other couples, this is exactly what we did. If the resorts are all situated on the same beach area, it is very easy to hook up for dinners & excursions together, but also easy to have the alone time that all couples need on vacation. I will stay with my original suggestion of Aruba.

Maureen

Aruba might be a good selection because of the variety of hotels, activities and excellent restaurants.
At the adults only Bucuti Hotel the rooms include garden view and they have a separate building with suites so there are all price ranges. The gorgeous beach is quiet but there are a lot of activities offered around the island such as snorkeling boat trips, jeep rides, golf at 2 courses etc. At night there are a variety of restaurants and plenty of casinos.
The Radisson at the high rise area has several pools and is in the middle of the "action" strip. We stayed in one of the garden rooms and it was very nice. Although we prefer the quieter Bucuti your group might enjoy staying at a busier property. Again everyone would be able to stay at this property depending on the type of room they wanted.
The high rise and low rise area are very close to each other as Aruba is a very small island.