South Beach is yesterday unless you are Eurotrash.

Palm Springs California, Scottsdale/Phoenix area, or Charleston SC would be my picks.

I wish my husband would take me to Newport Beach, California.

I wish mine would take me anywhere. Even Laughlin.

Sobe "eurotrash" ??? huh!

Palm Springs, Scotsdale, Charleston !?!?!??

They are 40 NOT 90!

How long have you been out of the loop??

For those that are still hip you can check out this http://www.southbeach-usa.com

My husband and I just came back from Hawaii, in Oahu we stayed at the JW MARRIOTT IHILANI RESORT & SPA. In Maui at the FAIRMOUNT KEA LANI.
GO THIS PLACE!!!
GOOD LUCK!!

Home,

Your reply made me laugh out loud. I feel for ya, honey.

David,

I'm not a big fan of Vegas, but if you do it right, (Bellagio or Venetian) it would probably meet all your criteria.

My recommendations would be San Franciso or New Orleans

ronr

What a wonderful guy you are!
I am 45 and have never been to Vegas, and would love to go to either Bellagio or Venetian. I have the impression of it being as much a contrast of my day-to-day life as possible, and very "liberating!" Has your wife ever expressed an interest?
I LOVE Bermuda, but hate the cold, so I'd want someplace warmer for March. Ditto for Charleston.
I'd probably pick South Beach or Little Palm Island for ease of travel, but Florida is not an option for this trip.
I'd also love New Mexico, but the long flight and time difference would kill a long weekend get-away.
That leaves two options: New Orleans (as long as it's NOT Mardi Gras), possibly the Ocean Club in the Bahamas, or Puerto Rico.

You could always do what my husband did, and take her to see your mother for her 40th. Talk about a double whammy!

Seriously considering divorce.

David - My fiance and I are going to New Orleans this weekend. I'll give you the lowdown. I used to live in Miami, actually on South Beach for a few years. South Beach is a lot of fun, but it might not be the most romantic place. There are a lot of beautiful people there and I'm sure your wife would love it if she caught you eyeing the topless beauties on the beach, especially on her 40th.

I'm in my late 20's and loved Scottsdale. Classy restaurants, nice resort and good hiking right outside of town. I'm also very much looking forward to New Orleans. Charleston and Savannah are also great romantic getaways. Quebec is gorgeous but save that for a long weekend in the summer/fall.

Make, my condolences. You're kidding right, he took you to visit his mother for your 40th birthday? Now unless she lives in a cliffside villa overlooking the Amalfi coast, that stinks. Did you punish him, or was he able to make it up to you?

I counted the votes and it's settled: Bermuda. Have a fab time, and bring us back some of that delightful pink sand.

I wish I were kidding Nina! We actually stayed on the beach, but spent a lot of time with her anyhow. I did not spend my actual "birthday" with her. And, yes, I'm still punishing him!

Vegas seems to be an either you love it or you hate it kind of place. I'm astonished at the number of 'no way' responses you got for Vegas...I love Vegas! My husband & I went there for our 10th anniversary, and we've been about 7 or 8 times. Gorgeous hotels, nice restaurants. I like the gambling (you can have a lot of entertainment for a little money on the nickle slots), but there is also a lot of shopping (which I'm not into, but there are numerous casinos - Venetian, Caesar's, Aladin - with fancy attached 'malls', as well as Fashion Show Mall). Red Rock Canyon close by for a little hiking and nature. Lots of hotels also have nice pools and spas. Easy to get a cheap, nonstop flight from NY, I would think. I think it's a great, unreal place - Disneyworld for adults.

I think what a number of posters said is right on target, though, you have to know your wife. I love Vegas, but would be bored silly at a beach resort - maybe your wife is the opposite. I also liked the skiing suggestion (there are a number of wonderfuly mountain ski towns), but unless you guys ski (or have always wanted to), that probably wouldn't be your choice.

Checking back today to see the new postings. For weather, everywhere except Scottsdale (puke) and South Beach (fun for conventions, not romantic onene) will be too marginal. If you don't want skiing then go for Ritz Carlton St. Thomas which is a non-stop flight, as someone suggested. You get beach, shops, convenience, spa, exercise, swimming, glamour, day trip to St. Johns, diving expeditions if you want and lots of bragging to friends and neighbors when she gets home with her new jewelry bought duty free!

PS to the above...I just looked at the website for Ritz Carlton St. Thomas and I must say, it has everything...what a pretty place...for a quick getaway that would be magic and they have various packages. You cannot go wrong with this choice and I believe the flight is even shorter than to Vegas from NY and I agree with whomever said you will probably not want to see snow at that time after all....

How about Puerto Rico? You can spend a day walking around Old San Juan, it's a very nice and romantic city, a day or two at the beach where you can swim, make a daytrip to the rainforest if you wish. It's a 3 hour flight from NY. I think Las Vegas might actually suit you too, but personally I wouldn't want to fly that long for just 3-4 days. I

United States Virgin Islands! St. Thomas, St. Croix, or St. John!

I've been to the RC St. Thomas. It is very pretty, but when we were there 3 years ago in March, it was overrun with kids (ours included). This might be something to consider if you want a romantic getaway. Also, the beach there is VERY small. There are some good restaurants in nearby Red Hook though.

Another thing about shopping in St. Thomas, the people trying to get you to come to their shops, restaurants, tours etc. are very aggresive. We attempted to go shopping but these people were so annoying we turned right around and went back to the hotel. When my husband told one guy he wasn't interested in hearing his spiel, the guy starting screaming at him and a fist fight nearly ensued. Not fun.

The flight from NYC to Las Vegas is 5 hours. 3-4 days is a perfect amount of time to be in Vegas.

We did a 4 day March escape to Charleston and would go back every year if we could. It has all the things you're looking for.

Second place would be a hotel across from the water in Santa Monica (or right on the beach if you're wealthy) and 3 or 4 days bopping around LA. How about sitting in the bleachers at the Oscars (Mar. 24)?

Finally, go to http://www.whatsonwhen.com and see if there are any places you could get to where there's a big festival etc. coinciding with your wife's birthday-with-a-zero.