Frank

I am trying to figure out which island to go to. I have to stay somewhere where there is a marriott hotel. I'm 25 and I will be traveling with my girlfriend. We are both quite active and would be looking for somewhere fun and tropical. I have narrowed it down to Grand Cayman, St. Thomas and Aruba. Any ideas which I should choose?

Michel

If you're like most people, a big part of your decision will depend on your budget. How much are you willing to spend per person? Do you prefer all-inclusive? Are you going for one or two weeks? Answering these questions may help you (or others) to narrow down the possibilities.

Frank

Thanks for the help. Here is some more info:

I am going to be staying for one week and my hotel and airfare are going to be free. (frequent flier points) Basically, I'll have to pay for food and fun. I'm interested in snorkeling and maybe mountain biking around the islands... Thanks for your help

Kim

Try Nassau, In the Bahamas I know there is a Marriott there.

Lorraine

I have traveled to St Thomas and was not impressed at all. We actually stayed on St John which is absolutely beautiful but would never consider going back to St Thomas. I heard that the Cayman Islands is top for snorkeling and are considering a trip there as well. Aruba is also very nice with a bit more nightlife. Good luck!

Michel

The resort Kim is referring to is called the "Nassau Marriott Resort & Crystal Palace Casino".

Leila

I stayed at the Nassau Marriott on Cable Beach in Nassau, Bahamas, and DO NOT recommend it at all. The beach was very disappointing (man made "cove"), it had a very bad smell (sewage problems I think) and the way the property is laid out around the pool, its just like a giant wind tunnel, the problem that bothered me the most was that I had cockroaches in my room. The Radisson next door, or Breezes to the other side of the hotel had a much nicer beach, clean and pleasant properties, with a much more "tropical" feeling.

Lana

We just returned from Cayman and stayed in a Condo next door to the Marriott.
I can not speak for the rooms but everything else was wonderful in the Hotel. I personaly liked it better than the Hyatt. We ate there several times and the food was great. Also the beach is not a crowded as the Hyatt. The Hyatt has too many rooms for the amount of beach frontage.
There was a post that the Marriott had lost it's beach from a storm in Oct. The beach is great now. It may not be as deep as it was but there is a lot of it.
Also, there is a reef right out front with lots of fish. The hotel has a pretty water garden runing thru it too.The pool area is right out front so it is like being on the beach. The staff was very very friendly even tho they knew we were staying next door they were very nice.
Of course, Cayman is my favorite place to go anyway. If you have any other questions please email me.
[email protected]

waggie

Grand Cayman for sure. It's a great island, and you'll have a fabulous time!

Karen

Since you are using FF miles and Marriott points, you should consider one of the STT properties. There is the Reef, a high rise that overlooks the harbour and Charolette Almalie, its neighbor, MorningStar which is beach front and whose beach the Reef uses or the Grande Beach! (Don't know that your trip is redeemable at the Ritz as it too is a Marriott property!). The island is a great spot to take a multitude of trips to other islands including St. John and the BVI's (you can charter trips or do it by public ferry) and is a "shopping mecca" for those who want a more cosmopolitian island. There are many options for dining both is choices and prices and a few fun spots for nitelife. Grande Beach can offer a "villa-like" accomdoation for "eating in" and the property is lovely! I personally do not like Aruba ... much too Americanized, commercial and windy and, although I have never been, Grand Caymen, I hear, is also more expensive and offers hirise wall to wall hotels and timeshares while in STT, the resorts are not all located in the same area.