I know it has been asked before... But here are my parameters:
Four women, mid-forties.
Majority flying out of Boston.
Looking for warm weather next March.
Will have 3 nights max.
Fav activity is shopping, esp "homewares."
Other "activites" may include poolside cocktails and fine dining (I know, it's a real kickin crowd!) Basically, we need a place to yak. Some would enjoy spa service.
Thoughts so far: Santa Fe, Puerto Rico, New Orleans, W.Palm Beach, Tampa area.
Don't want: Mexico, cruise, Europe, or anyplace chilly.
Looking for "good deals!" AI fine, but probably wouldn't get our "money's worth."
Okay, Fodorite Ladies, what's our best bet?! Which area, and which resort(s) would you recommend?
Thanks in advance for any help.

I am not 100% sure this meets all the paramaters but.......
Asheville, NC?
You could go to the biltmore house---
There is this place called the grove park in, never stayed there, don't know prices--but stepped in for a view and it is BEAUTIFUL!
There are many antique malls in hearby hendersonville ....But then again it may be cooler in march---

Dreamer, I don't think it's warm enough in March for sitting/swimming at the pool in either Santa Fe or New Orleans. While I haven't been in YEARS, don't know that PR will provide the shopping you're looking for. Tampa can sometimes be a bit cool in March so...I'd opt for southeast Fla. - West Palm or Miami. I haven't been but Aventura has a big mall AND several nice hotels. Look into Turnberry Isle which has a large spa.

DCOTA (Design Center of America) is located in Dania, not too far away, but I think you must be a decorator or designer to get in.

What about the Delano or Shore Club in Miami? I hear they are really cool. I know also they are expensive, but I did some research on them and on one site (can't remember which) I found a room at the Shore Club for $150/night. If you are spliting with friends then that doesn't seem too steep. The pools are big there where you can just hang out and shopping apparently is great.

Close to West Palm, Fort Lauderdale. Lots of nice restaurants, shopping at Sawgrass Mills.

Thanks, ladies! I'll direct my friends to this post, and we can start planning.
Sesame, Ashville is a place I never would have considered, but your description puts it on my "future reference list!" I think for a later spring or early fall trip, though.
McLauri, where is Aventura? I don't seem to know it.
Also, does anyone know what credentials are needed for the DCOTA? Can you go if escorted by a decorator? (Can floral decorators, ie., florists, get in?) I have family in Margate, and maybe they have a contact that could get us in... ???
I have a feeling from your posts that we may end up flying into Ft. Lauderdale. I'll check into Turnberry Isle. Any other suggestions for good deals in high season?
By the way, thanks also for ignoring my random smiling crescent moon. It appeared after I posted, the result of an open paren, s, close paren combo!

Dreamer, while I love Asheville, if you don't want someplace chilly, skip Asheville in March. They sometimes get snow in March.

I would suggest The Breakers in Palm Beach. Great shopping on Worth Avenue.

it's a long ways for only three nights, but palm springs meets all your criteria.

Don't forget that March is college Spring Break, so just about anywhere with sun and a beach will be out!

I agree that New Orleans and Santa Fe would eb my top choices, but their March weather will likely NOT be warm.

Naples, Florida. The Ritz if you can swing it...

Adventura is in Miami or near it. The mall of adventura is in adventura.
A simmilar mall also would be the boca town center in Boca raton. I believe both have macys, nordstroms, and bloomindales as their (can't think of the word--but main) department stores. I am not sure about DCOTA and membership. I think they may have days when the public can go, but not 100% sure it is right off of 95 or 595 by Hollywood and Dania. Fort Lauderdale-Holywood airport will probably have cheaper flights than MIA or West Palm, (at least they usually do.) Fort Lauderdale isn't as spring break centered as it was when I was growing up there (when I was in elementary school it was spring break HEAVAN!)--still there are ocasionaly spring breakers.--Sawgrass Mills overwhelms me at times. It is huge, many outlets---and the parking lots speak to you in english and spanish--it is in sunrise. South Florida is basically one area and if you stay in Fort Lauderdale (Broward County Area) You can get to Miami and Palm Beach usually within 45 minutes. Take a look at the Mariot Harbor Beach hotel. Also, I remember going to a place when I was younger called Indian Harbor Beach by vero beach--check that out.

Dreamer2, do keep Asheville on your short list of great places to see, especially if you like shopping for unique items for your home.

If you use the search box toward the top of the screen and type in 'Asheville' a wealth of information will come up, including a couple of recent trip reviews.

And you're right -- a late spring or fall visit to Asheville would be best. We're in the mountains, you know, and it can get extremely cold here, even up into March and sometimes April.

Oh, by the way... did you know the Boston Globe featured Asheville in a travel review a couple of years ago?

Would you consider Key West? I would imagine the weather would be okay in March. There is some great (albeit pricey) shopping on Duval St. Lots of great bars, great seafood if that's what you like (especially at a place called the Half Shell Raw Bar, right on the water; awesome buffalo shrimp and oysters (a dozen) for something like $5.00.) We stayed at an inn which was lovely and had a great time. Think about it. I'm not sure what deals you can get, but, check it out!

Dreamer, Aventura (not aDventura) is just north of Miami Beach. They have a website shopaventuramall.com The anchor stores are Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, Burdines etc.

DCOTA also has a website (I think DCOTA.com) It's furniture, fabrics etc. I think you need a decorators card & a resale # but there may be a day when it's open to the public (but then you'd be paying retail

ABC Carpet & Home also has a warehouse store in se Fla. Can't remember whether it's near West Palm or FLL but you can do a web search. This is a big home furnishings store from NYC.

The shopping in Boca Raton (Town Center has Saks, Lord & Taylor, Pottery Barn, Bloomingdales etc. and Mizner Park has smaller boutiques & restaurants) is also very good but thought you might enjoy the ambiance in Miami better (it's younger). The Boca Raton Resort & Tennis Club is very nice & I think has spa facilities.

There's another thread right now on shopping in Fla. you might want to check out.
The Bal Harbor shops which someone else mentioned are mostly very expensive (Chanel, Tiffany, Neiman Marcus) & I don't remember seeing any home furnishing stores