Any suggestions on which Caribbean Island to use our Marriott points in January or February? We want an ocean front room, beautiful beach, and 4 or 5 star property. The ones we are looking at are Aruba, Grand Cayman, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, really open minded. Maybe even Hawaii, although not in the Caribbean. Any suggestions or comments?

I would use them in Curacao. Nice rooms and a very clean hotel. Rent a car for a couple of days (I think we used Avis)and see the island. Lots of sightseeing.

I will also use them in Curacao. The Marriot there is very nice, clean and well situated. The all inclusive plan they have is great.

Hi, I have been stayed at Marriott properties in Aruba, St. Kitts, Curacao and Waikiki. You don't give us any info about who you are traveling with (kids?) but I will chime in based on my experiences. Aruba -- huge mega resort, actually three resorts in one due to the two timeshare properties next door -- we went with our kids who were 7 and 12 at the time. Aruba is a great place for families. I liked the access to so many pools, activities, great restaurants, you have got all the bells and whistles at this resort. Didn't like -- can be very crowded because it's not a lot of beach for three high rise resorts. In high season would probably be packed. St. Kitts -- another mega resort but much less crowded with a large, wide beach you can walk on for quite a distance. All amenities and great place for families. St. Kitts is beautiful with more Caribbean culture and landscape than Aruba, lots of fun beach bars, etc., beaches are not that great as compared to some other islands. Didn't like -- the resort totally dominates the St. Kitts landscape, sticks out like a sore thumb and lacking in charm. Waikiki, great location, right across from the beach, great base for exploring Honolulu, basically a city hotel, high-rise with a rooftop pool -- we were there for three days to see Pearl Harbor, climb diamondhead, etc. but wouldn't seek it out for a one-week resort type vacation. Curacao -- like the other posters, this would probably be my pick if you are not going with kids. It's my favorite Caribbean Marriott -- lowrise, low density, Caribbean charm, really enjoyed the Euro/Caribbean atmosphere of the island, great beaches and snorkeling. We had a beachfront executive suite which I highly recommend if you can upgrade to it -- our patio was literally feet from the water and the room is larger with a small living area (couch and coffee table). Recent reviews have noted that the rooms need to be updated -- we haven't been in several years. I loved the open-air design of the resort, we did not use points to stay here and I thought it was a very good value for the cost. One more thing -- the Carambola Resort in St. Croix is one that we have been considering over the years but they have had a lot of ownership/management changes. Well, it is now a Marriott (Renaissance) and it's on my list to use with points because it is fairly expensive so good use of points and also because I think so highly of the Marriott brand that I think they will really improve the service of this resort. It's originally a Lawrence Rockefeller designed property (he also did Little Dix Bay and Dorado Beach which is one of our favorites)so it might be worth checking out. The thing about choosing Curacao Marriott for points is that it is one of the most reasonable Caribbean Marriott resorts and I am always trying to maximize point value!

Thanks for the info! No kids at all, just me and my Husband looking to get away for a relaxing vacation with good beach and good food. Have never considered Curacao, is the island safe?

I think so! We had a rental car so drove all around to the city and the beaches and never had a problem. The driving was easy as it was on the right like the U.S. There are lots of good restaurants in Curacao, getting out and about was really fun. The one drawback is that I think it can be a bit difficult to get to depending on where you live. There are direct flights from Miami and it was an easy trip from there -- 2 1/2 hours.

Yes, Curacao is a safe island. Just use your common sense and evrything will be just fine.

It is a lovely Dutch style island; I have been there 5 times in the last 8 years.

I am booking my 6th trip this January!

Since we use points, too, we have been to a few beach Marriotts. Curacao was wonderful and very safe. The marriott is a very pretty, relatively small hotel. We loved it and would definitely go back and are considering it this summer again. We also stayed at the Marriott's Renaissance in Oranjestad,Aruba. We loved it, too. It's right in town, and there are many restaurants and shopping within walking distance. They have a private island with a boat ride back and forth. We went to the big Marriott at Palm Beach to catch a snorkel boat; it was pretty, but we were glad we were at the other property. Loved Grand Cayman, too. The resort is not a mega-resort. Nice, clean, wonderful service and friendly people. The St. Kitts property was nice, but we did not enjoy the island as much as the others. On the big island, Hawaii, we stayed at the Marriott at Waikoloa. Not our favorite hotel (they were doing renovations when we were there), but we spent so much time out exploring the fabulous island, it did not matter. Great island.

I'd just like to add that I would call or book hotel online before buying your flights as we've found that rooms aren't always available for points (and you're going in peak season).

Don't forget you can also use your Marriott points for Ritz Carlton properties so that could also open a few other possibilities for you.

Additionally if you want "ocean front" be prepared to use a bunch of extra points or even cash to guarantee it. You take your chances otherwise. We got a fantastic upgrade to ocean front at the Wailea Marriott but it was no sure thing.

Another vote for Curacao!! WE went 5 years ago and are going back this March. We had a fantastic experience - good food, good service. My brother just went and said it is still a wonderful property - great experience.

Marriott Kauai is also lovely. As one poster suggested...check air fares first then book hotel..this does make a difference in price for air, time change and travel time if you have to switch planes...that being said, I will book the Aruba Marriott (flight non stop from JFK) thanks to a poster. Enjoy the trip!