Hi all,
My girlfriend and I are in the USAF stationed in TX. We are trying to plan a getaway for our birthdays on the 14th and 15th of October. We're torn between the idea of taking a cruise or hitting an all-inclusive for a week or so. The options in the travel world are seemingly never-ending and, given our lack of experience, we are having difficulty making a decision. Trying to look up the "best value" or "best destination" on the internet seems to just be begging to be advertised to. I guess we're just looking for some straight talk. Our basic criteria are:
couples oriented
good value (not necessarily cheap, but we are on a Military budget)
nothing too commercialized (we don't want to be by ourselves on a beach, but we don't want to be harassed by a bunch of college-age idiots eiher)

Can anybody give us some much-needed advice? This will be our one big trip for two years or so and we want to make it count.

Thanks,
p & m

The first thing jumped into my head was:
http://www.halekoa.com/

which is an Armed Forces Recreation Center for the military on the beach at Waikiki.

We drove past it and it was in a really good location.

I think there are threads on here about it.

The prices are supposed to be very good.

Snag a good airfare and you are good to go.

Perhaps there are others like this, but I am not aware of any others.

Deb

P & M

How long are you planning for your trip? And October is the time frame?

My husband and I stayed at the Hale Koa and it is a nice property. They charge based upon rank. There are some other properties you can check out here too
http://www.armymwr.com/portal/travel/recreationcenters/

As for all inclusive - how about the Club Med in Cancun? They have a private beach, water is gorgeous.

Any thought of catching a hop to Europe?

Cruises are great, but you need to pin down a little what part of the world you're interested in doing.

Thanks for the info, Deb. We hadn't actually considered Hawaii because of the relatively high cost of vacationing there. But a resort geared towards Military may be the ticket. Thanks!

Pat and Hank,
I probably should have been a little more specific in my first post. We are definitely going tropical. By the time October rolls around here in Northern Texas it will feel really nice to lounge on a beach somewhere!

We stopped in Ixtapa on a cruise last year and loved it but we wanted to try somewhere new. We've done a little research on St Lucia but it's hard to tell if you're just getting the resort's opinion on how nice the resort is. LOL

I just don't want to spend 5k on a mediocre experience.

I agree with the Hale Koa recommendation. It is right next door to the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki's widest stretch of beach. It is a superb location and they really do cater to the military guest. We stayed there about 15 years ago and I can't say enough about it. I'd go back there in a heartbeat.

Alternatively, there is Shades of Green <http://www.shadesofgreen.org/> at Disney World in Orlando. There are also fantastic deals on Disney tickets for the military. <http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthr...d=0&t=1109134>

<http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwtixdis...html#military>

Mid-October is a wonderful time of the year to visit Central Florida.

Another vote for the Hale Koa. We stayed there for a week in March and loved it. My DH has been several times over the years as well. The location is great, and the room rates are amazing, even at the highest rate. There are a few good restaurants on site, as well as a good gym, and of course the beachside Barefoot Bar

Another place you might consider is the Shades of Green resort in Orlando. It is another military resort. We stayed there ages ago, but recent reviews say it is still well kept. Again, rates based upon rank, but very fair. Plus you can get military pricing for park admissions, and there is a lot to do around Disney that does not involve kids or the college crowd.

Gotta put my vote in for Hale Koa as well.........my BIL is in the Army, my sister loves the place, and I wish I could have stayed longer!!
The Sun Palace in Cancun is adults only; I haven't stayed there, but my sis and BIL did, loved it, and I stayed at the Beach Palace~you can't go wrong with a Palace resort!
You may need to narrow it down by what you want do do~nothing by lying on a beach? some sightseeing? culture? history? that might help....

Here's another endorsement of the Hale Koa, but it's a very long flight out there, so you'd need to spend enough time to make it worth while... if not this time, then another time, you really should go!

Friends of ours, young and also in the military, like to go to the Dominican Republic. They say there are several good resorts, and prices are in general reasonable. I wish I could tell you more about it, but maybe others here could help, or there's always more Internet research!

Or maybe a Florida beach? The Gulf side is the nicest, IMO, and there are tons of threads on this board about Anna Maria Island, which is popular, and other areas.

Good luck--have fun whatever you decide!

Hi Ssgt...
First, Thank You for your service to our country! Without you, we would certainly not be this free, wonderful democracy!

Now, onto Hawaii.
My husband and I actually preferred a private cabin at Bellows AFB.
See the reviews on Tripadvisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...hu_Hawaii.html

Even though I spend tons of time at hotels (in one as I type) I prefer to have freedom to eat and save money at the hotel.
If you stay at Bellows, it is like a private secluded hideaway...not a hotel.
You can grab groceries at the commissary at Hickam (prices almost like home and head to your own secluded cabin on the beach!
You have loads of room and no tourists crowding you.
If you want to join the crowds, you leave your little paradise and venture out past the gates.
It's all up to you.
The money you save can go to some wonderful meals or to do something fun!

Hale Koa is fine, we have had great times there.
You pay (nominal) to park and the little fridge does not get too cold... they even warn you at check in that it is not appropriate for food preservation. In general, it is more expensive.
Great location and perfectly fine, but Bellows was better!

I hope you and your girlfriend have a great time.
Always ask for the military discount for anything you pay for... shows, museums, attractions, etc.
Also, you might consider contacting the travel agency at Sheppard, if they have one... or Ft Sill if you ever get up that way. Ft Hood also has a pretty busy agency.
They often have great packages offered only to/through them...

Thanks again for your service and take care of yourself!

TXTravelPro--I think the fridge thing might have been remedied. Nothing was mentioned at checkin about it when we were there this past March. Our fridge was definitely cold enough. We did keep perishables in there without a problem.