Early planning for a splurge anniversary trip for next spring (March). A friend recommended Serenity at Coconut Bay on St Lucia. (https://serenityatcoconutbay.com/). That certainly looks nice - but I would live to develop a list of three of four similar options - to compare - before making a final decision. I would love suggestions.

Things that are important to us (for this trip) - a) high quality food, b) great pool, c) nice beech, c) romantic setting, and d) (maybe) opportunity to do other activities (e.g. snorkeling or hiking).

We are open to any island - as long as it isn't too hard to get to.

All input appreciated.

Without knowing where you are coming from it is difficult to know what islands you consider “too hard to get to”. Also, it would help if you let potential responders know what your budget is for accommodations and airfare. Give specific dollar range not some nebulous terms like “affordable”, “won’t break the bank”, etc. as we don’t know what you can afford or how strong your bank account is.

All that being said, for starters check out Amanyara on Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos, Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda(British Virgin Islands), Cap Juluca on Anguilla, La Samara on St. Martin, Galley Bay on Antigua, Anse Chasetnet and Laderra on St. Lucia and Sandy Lane on Barbados.

Thanks for the feedback. As to your questions.

1) Flying from Washington DC. I don't want to travel anywhere that takes more than - say - 10 hours to get to.

2) As for budget - I think I would be willing to spend as much as 1.7K a night. That seems like an insane amount of money - but it seems like that is what the nice place cost - at least in March.

From Washington, DC you should be able to get to all the destinations I mentioned in under 10 hours. The resorts I mentioned should be in your price range. Also look at the Four Seasons on Nevis.

It seems like you look like mid range, somewhat serene resorts. Agree getting to any island under 10 hours is easy. Consider also:

Round Hill Jamaica (https://www.roundhill.com)
Golden Rock Resort Statia (http://goldenrockresort.com)
Divi resort st maarten (https://www.visitstmaarten.com/where...-beach-resort/)

Totally agree with you. It’s hard for others to suggest places without knowing where someone’s coming from or what they want to spend.

Or what they are comparing it to and want similar. Since I've no idea about Serenity Coconut Bay and have certainly never known anyone who spends "as much as 1.7K a night".

https://www.tensingpen.com/
Would be my idea of a fantasy vacation, At about 1/4 of the nightly budget you are naming. 90 minutes from the Montego Bay airport. Private drivers available from the hotel. It's a bit adult Swiss Family Robinson, and I mean that in the nicest way. It's not on the beach rather the Cliffs at the West End in Negril.