In a previous post, I received several very good non-beach suggestions, but my husband really wants to go to a beach destination for our 7th anniversary in early May.

I'm looking for suggestions for a location as well as hotels. We can fly out of CHI or Milwaukee and it will be only a 5 day vacation (leave Wed return Sun), so I'd like a to do a direct flight if possible.

Here are our priorities:
1. Beautiful beaches
2. Warm waters and weather
3. Good restaurants nearby
4. Hotels - nice but not outrageous

Thank you!

My husband and I went on a 4-night getaway to Aruba last October for our anniversary, and we had a great time. The beaches are beautiful, but remember that the island isn't lush and beautiful like Hawaii. There are lots of good restaurants. Not sure if there is a direct flight for you.

Sounds like Playa del Carmen area south of Cancun would fit your requirements. You should be able to get a direct flight into Cancun. Hop onto the Playa bus and about 45 minutes later you're in Playa. Warm water, warm weather, lots of good restaurants, nice hotels in every price range. Check out play info website. I think if you do a search you will find it. We went in February for 8 days. Stayed at a smaller hotel off of the beach for about $50 night. But you can find them in any price range. Good luck. Pam

When I recently got cheap tickets ($135r/t) from Indy to Tampa for a long weekend with just DH- no kids- a friend suggested staying at Indian Rocks Beach, FL for a getaway. When I researched the area I found that it is a quiet, residential area of the beach on a key between Clearwater to the north and S. Pete Beach to the south and just 45 minutes west of Tampa. The restaurants in the immediate area seem to be more "Old Style" seafood establishments, not fussy or pretentious. There is a trolley that runs between Clearwater and St. Pete Beach if you'd prefer not to drive.

Check out the cute house I just rented today for Spring Break 2006! It is a 1930s cottage on the beach with its own pool. www.vrbo.com/49960

I'd love Aruba, but it would take a day of traveling, even with a direct flight out of CHI. As for Playa, we did that last year...

amwosu - Love love love the little house on the beach; it doesn't look like they rent for only 4 nights though. But thanks for the suggestion on the area, i will research it.

Any other beach ideas out there?

Most places like to rent for an entire week on www.vrbo.com BUT May is a fairly slow time in Florida, between Spring Break and Summer Break for students. If a place isn't rented out for a week, various owners frequently will rent for a shorter time to get it rented out at all. You might give it a try.

My other sleepy little beach area with miles of beach without crowds and that you can get to quickly from the Tampa Airport is Anna Maria Island. In two weeks I'm renting a beach house there through www.mikenormanrealty.com. The website has really nice pics and is easy to navigate. Two years ago I rented a kayak and had several pods of dolphins swimming nearby.

Anna Maria is close to Longboat and Lido if you want more restaurant and shopping alternatives.

I live in Chicago and there's a great AA fare sale going on and I noticed that flights to Miami are only $168, which is a great deal! I'd go, but we're probably going to Aspen or Sante Fe instead to visit relatives.

South beach is an awesome place to go for a quick 5-day trip.

Try Kauai, it has everything mountains,canyons, waterfalls, lush vegetation Kee' beach is beautiful and great for snorkeling.The food is good also.
I have been to Aruba too, and it is great for nightlife, but I would never go back because the beaches are pretty but the water was not good for snorkeling.The food was good and people were friendly.
We are going to St.John in the USVI in June and cannot wait.We prefer hilly islands as opposed to flat, desert like Aruba.

Isle of Palms in South Carolina. You can zip into Charleston for shops and restaurants galore, but stay out by the beach. GoTravel posted an excellent report on her recent visit to Charleston. it won't be a direct flight, but you could go to CLT and take a flight from there.

Thanks again for all the replies. Some locations (Kauaii, USVI) are places I'd like but just too far for a 5 day trip.

Isle of Palms looks really nice because I've never been in that area. Does anyone know, are Ocean temps good there in may? Also, does anyone have any experience with Seaside Inn, or is Isle of Palms that much better?

I like Wild Dunes on Isle of Palms.

Air temps should be 85+ and water temps close to 80 degrees.

The restaurant at Wild Dunes, Boardwalk, is very good. I also liked our meals at the Boathouse. Have a great time.

tween-waters.com in Captiva Island, FL.

Also, the Don Cesar Hotel in St. pete Beach.

Kauai and St John are great places but did you ever think of Bermuda. We were ther 2 years ago for our anniversary and loved it. We are going back this May.
Karen

Endless- we would like to go to Bermuda too.We have heard that it is really expensive.Do you think that it would be anymore expensive than Kauai?

I loved Pensacola Beach a couple of years ago. Was there in October, so I can't tell you what it's like in May. Beautiful beaches, very low key and good restaurants.

Playa del Carmen seems way too busy for me these days. But if you don't mind "roughing it", check out Kailuum, between Cancun and PDC. It's an amazing place. The most restorative vacation I've ever had!

Bermuda is fantastic. I don't think it is anymore expensive than Kauai. For a really romantic retreat, Cambridge Beaches. For a less expensive, but still
lovely hotel The Reefs, Pompano, or Ariel Sands.