Hi! We are going to be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary in September...and we are having a hard time narrowing down our choices for a destination. Europe is out due to currency issues. Hawaii, we go there every year with our kids.
Mexico is one of our choices...the Maroma Spa Resort, or the Tides, or La Esperanza...have you experienced it there? And is September a good time to go there? (hurricane season)...but we just got back from Tulum area last month (with our kids)
We have agreed that spa, beach, good food and wine is on our agenda! Just relax and hang out and to TALK uninterrupted! LOL.
We would be open to Hawaii as well--Kahala resort? BUT we would like to try a new destination! That's the problem...a new spot for us We already have been to Costa Rica, various countries in Europe, wineries in California, etc.
ANY IDEAS would be helpful, and thanks so much!

I have been to Esperanza; it really is gorgeous. I don't think you'd have to worry about hurricane season too much in Cabo.

I am assuming this trip will be without the kids....then what you want IS in HAWAII.

Southern CA is nice too. Why not San Diego or Palm Springs?

I cannot speak about Mixico as I have never been to any resorts there.

If you like city life, consider San Diego. Weather will be good, great restaurants. The S.D. Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Scripps Aquarium, the harbor. Wineries not far away around Temucla.

If you're more into the countryside, consider Santa Barbara, CA area.

If you like to look at the water, but not get in because it's too darn cold, what about the northern Pacific coast from Mendocino, CA to Long Beach, WA.

How about the USVIs or BVIs? St. John is very pretty with gorgeous beaches. We travel a lot during September and don't worry too much about hurricanes. Bermuda is nice too. Have you been to all the Hawaiian islands? We've done Kauai, Maui, and BI - it would be a very different experience without your kids.

Wow, thanks so much--I knew I could count on you Fodorites, for ideas and help!

Volcanogirl, we did consider St John's and would *love* to go there but was concerned about the hurricane season there...do you always go there (USVI/BVI) in Sept? What has your experiences been like? We thought of Caneel Bay or renting a villa through VRBO. Or even Little Dix or Nevis or St. Lucia. Again, the hurricane season! We went to Hawaii (Maui and Kauai) for our 2 weeks honeymoon and we have not yet experienced the BI yet...thought about that as well.

Ncounty, would you go back to Esperanza? Did you experience the beach at all? I've heard the Cabo beaches is not suitable for swimming, but hey, spa services and a pool is good enough for me!
What did you think of the food?

BoomBoom, been to SD and loved it. We think the idea of driving along the coast is lovely...which areas were your favorite? Big Sur? Monterrey? Point Reyes? Willamette region?

I appreciate your feedback very much!

And yes, it's without the kids!

We spent our Tenth in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Basic trip, no Resort. Day trip to Lamanai. Snorkeling the Reef. Low Key, beautiful water. Relaxing trip.

A friend of mine stayed at Esperanza and loved it. She took me back there and we just spent the day there drinking amazing drinks from their bar (mango goddess?) and hanging out by the pool. I had a tour of their facilities; very high end and luxurious. Not an amazing beach but then none of Cabo is in my opinion. That would be Eleuthera...
Another great trip is the rugged coastline north of San Francisco...Petaluma/Point Reyes to Healdsburg, Russian River, to Mendocino. Stay in lovely bed and breakfasts, etc. I think that would be a very romantic trip.

Have you considered going back to where you spent your honeymoon? We did that for our 10th anniversary and it was very romantic.

we visited Esperanza a couple of years ago and had drinks/lunch there while staying at the Marquis. It is a stunning resort, just beautiful. The views were to die for and we had an amazing meal. I've stayed at the Four Seasons Punta Mita, and I thought the setting/architecture of Esperanza was even more beautiful. A great place to go in September. I like the Riviera Maya better than Los Cabos, but Sept. is iffy weather on the Carribbean side.

I'd also suggest looking into La Casa Que Canta in Zihuatanejo.

TR, we didn't expect to like the Big Island as much as we did. We split our stay between the Hapuna Beach Prince - gorgeous beach there and the Kilauea Lodge by the volcano; we really loved it. People think of Hawaii as being outside the hurricane belt, but we were under a watch while we were there; nothing came of it though. The beaches were gorgeous, and we loved seeing the lava flow and also Akaka Falls.

For our USVI/BVI trip, we stayed on Tortola and then ferried over to all the other islands Virgin Gorda, St. John, St. Thomas. St. John was by far our favorite and the prettiest; Trunk Bay is one of the most gorgeous places I've ever seen and reminded me a lot of Kauai. Most of the areas we travel to are in the hurricane zone, and I just don't worry about it too much. Hurricanes are not all that common and the chance of it hitting where you are are slim. I've been in Bermuda when one hit, and we got a day of rain, but that's it. Maybe because I'm fron Houston; they just don't phase me all that much. I think if you travel in September, it's just a chance you take. Good luck with all your planning. Hope you find a wonderful spot!

Million thanks to you all who responded and helped out! It is much appreciated and we are checking out these ideas!

Volcanogirl,

Now I'm debating between the Big Island (haven't touched that one nor Lanai!) and Virgin Gorda/St.John's! I've read here that St John's reminds many people of Kauai--that sounds great. We have never been to the Caribbean together, and it would be an exciting spot to visit. Did you rent a villa as well? I've been drooling over many hilltop villas with the infinity pools. As for September, did you encounter any limitied resturants due to the "off season"? Just curious...and which places on VG/SJ would be good to go for spa day?

BI--we love the idea and I saw this cool B and B place by the volcano and doing a hike, and the spa facilities on BI looks awesome too. Sooo many choices...but I tell myself we have every year to go exploring We just want to make this 10th a very special and romantic time!

Love the BVIs!

All the really fabulous hotels are not on Tortola but it is fun to day trip to the other islands by ferry!

Here is a thought, what about a boat charter? One of the best things about the BVIs is getting out on the water and seeing the different islands?

You can bareboat or have a captain.

Chartering a boat would actually be less expensive than some of the resorts you've mentioned.

TR, yep, we stayed in a villa on Tortola, but if I went back, I'd definitely stay on St. John just because it's so beautiful; all the islands are pretty, but SJ is primarily national park land that's protected. The beaches were gorgeous, and it's pretty easy to get from island to island so you can explore. GoTravel is right - a lot of people yacht there. When we made our reservation, they asked me if I was bringing my own yacht, which completely cracked me up! I wish!

There were some restaurants that were closed in September; a lot of places in the Carib. close down for the entire month, but we still found plenty to do and good restaurants. The Caribbean had a very laid back vibe that was hard for my husband to adjust to. Cabs and ferries didn't run on time, the power went out, etc. so you have to have a go with the flow personality to enjoy it. Hawaii in my opinion has a better infrastructure, but Carib. is gorgeous.

http://www.hotelito.com/

www.haciendadesanantonio.com/

www.lacasaquecanta.com/

www.hopetownlodge.com/

www.littledixbay.com/


johnb

we were going to cabo for our 10th anniversary in September - without the kids - but decided on El Dorado Maroma...the beach is supposed to be to die for. Small GI (gourmet inclusive)...I'll let you know how it turns out.

We loved the Tickle Pink Inn in Carmel... stayed 5 nights in early October and had a wonderful time.

It's a great place, located perfectly for exploring the state parks, Carmel, Monterey, Big Sur. Check to see how they are doing re the wildfires.

www.ticklepinkinn.com

You might also look into: http://postranchinn.com/

My trip report:
http://fodors.com/forums/pgMessages....1&tid=34452270

Have a great time no matter where you go!!