There are 8-10 women who will be turning 40 in 05 and we want to go on a bday bash. We are, however, having trouble deciding where to go. We'll be traveling in Sep and would like to keep it around $600.00pp including everything. Would like something with at least a nice pool, maybe even near ocean.
Fodorites please help!!!!!!!!!!!

mspitty:

Where are you from? East or west coast? It would be easier to recommend something close to you if we knew this information.

And for how long is this bash? One overnight, a long weekend, a week? Makes a big difference in considering the $600 price tag.

Go to a "walking city" like Savannah or New Orleans. Then you can party to your heart's content, not have to worry about driving or getting back to the hotel. Cruises work well too, because from experience I know that 8 women deciding "where to eat tonight" can become a huge issue!

How about Key West, Fla

Go to South Beach. Tons of fun for turning 40. Actually, that is where I'll be spending my 40th this year.

We will be traveling from AZ but can travel. We're thinking 4-5 days depending on how things cost.

Keep coming up with your great ideas everyone. You can imagine how hard it's for 8 women to make up their mind

How many days do you have?

my immediate thoughts were key west, new orleans, south beach, vegas...

If you're all traveling from AZ I would think Mexico would be the best location. You get ocean, scenery, decent accomodations for cheap. Check out Cabo San Lucas. I know Sept. might be a bit hot but if you're coming from AZ you already are used to that.

I was thinking Mexico (or Vegas) as well. Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Zihuatanejo, etc...

I would fly to Costa Rica. They have some really terrific all-inclusive clubs on the pacific/guanacaste coast. Delta flies from Phoenix to Liberia airport in the Guanacaste region. Depending on what days you pick in Sept, I have seen packages for air/lodging (which includes european plan meals) for about $700. You may be able to do even better than that if you take a villa or 2 suite type rooms that hold 4 to 5 people.
The hotels are right on the beach, have great bars on premises, plenty of water activities, and terrific day trips for horseback riding, canopy zip lines, etc. You do not need a car. I went last April and cannot wait to get back there.

RE: Caribbean, Mexico, Florida, and NO:
Keep in mind that Sept. is hurricane season. This may be good news and bad news for you. The bad news is that there is a chance (maybe small, but remember hurricane season '04?) that your vacation may be affected in some way. The good news is that you can probably find good deals in these places. Check www.cheapcaribbean.com for packages.

September is actually the ideal time to visit Southern/Central California IMO. America West always has cheap flights out of Phoenix, leaving you more room in your budget for lodging.

You could also take a 3-4 day cruise out of LA/Long Beach to Mexico.

Good luck in planning. I'm in charge of planning the girls' trips for my friends. We're coming your way (Scottsdale) in 4 weeks!

How about a 3-day package to Mexico? Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Cabo. You should be able to get air/hotel for that budget (maybe even all-inclusive with food included but that might be stretching it).

I saw $627 air/hotel adverstised yesterday for PV and that was from Seattle.

No contest, for a girls' trip - NYC.

Thank you for your continued suggestions. We're looking at vacations pkgs. I let you know what we decide