Need advice on tropical vacation destination

[g4string]

After a rough couple of years, my wife and I are going to treat ourselves to a vacation later this year....we are planning for a mid October trip. I have been around in regards to travels....my wife, not so much. She has been to Japan, Jamaica, and Mexico (twice, and both with me). The trip(s) to Mexico was her first experience to the Caribbean.....she absolutely loved it. We stayed at a Palace Resorts hotel both times....the first time at the Sun Palace, the 2nd time at the Beach Palace. Both Palace resorts were luxury hotels offering 4-5 star service and ammentaties. Even though she loves Mexico so much, she wants to travel to a different spot. I would love to take her to Bora-Bora or Fiji.....but alas, that would be an extremely expensive trip as we are on a budget. I (we) am thinking another Caribbean destination would be great...so long as it is not Mexico. The Pacific side of South America is cool too. Here is what we are looking for. FWIW we are looking at a 7 day trip. Our budget is $3000-$5000 USD as a couple....would like to keep it as close to $3K as possible;

4 to 5 star accommodations
jacuzzi tub in room
adults only
all inclusive....including booze
NO Jamaica...never want to go back there
no more than 6 flight hours from Chicago
4-5 star property restaurants

Thanks for your help!

Edit.....resort recommendations are appreciated as well

[MakiSupaStar]

British Virgin Islands, Barbados, or pehaps Beliz.

[iamlowsound]

Cuba, if they are letting Americans in yet.

lowsound

[bongomania]

It's long been easy for Americans to get into Cuba, you just have to use another country (like Mexico or Jamaica) as a stopover point and buy your ticket to Cuba there. However, it is not a 4 or 5 star resort the way it was in pre-revolutionary times. There are some semi-luxury hotels, but they do not have jacuzzis, and they do have rolling blackouts. And it would take more than 6 hrs to get there, with the stopover.

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by bongomania

It's long been easy for Americans to get into Cuba, you just have to use another country (like Mexico or Jamaica) as a stopover point and buy your ticket to Cuba there. However, it is not a 4 or 5 star resort the way it was in pre-revolutionary times. There are some semi-luxury hotels, but they do not have jacuzzis, and they do have rolling blackouts. And it would take more than 6 hrs to get there, with the stopover.

Now that is funny. It is not hard to get a sweet 5 star hotel in Cuba with all the stuff they are looking for. There is a reason that it is the top Caribbean destination for people that aren't Americans. I was there last year in a 4 and a half resort, it was very good (I didn't like the food, but everyone else did) and there were no blackouts. Tourism is the biggest economic driver for Cuba, they aren't going to cut the power off.

lowsound

[Number27]

isla nublar

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Now that is funny.

I'm just reporting how it was for the two months I was there. It was a while ago.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Number27

isla nublar

I hear they have attractions so outstanding that they capture the imagination of the entire world. Let`s just hope you can go on a coupon day

[Phalex]

Sandals resorts sound like they fit the bill. My wife and I went to Montego Bay on our honey moon. All inclusive, (Although I found it hard to actually catch a buzz on the fruity drinks) the restaurant fare was first rate, and there is plenty to do on site. They also have tours that come pick you up and drop you back off for a fee.

Oh yeah, No KIDS!

[Kipaste]

+1 for Cuba! Brilliant place! Great drinks, great cigars and most of all great people playing great music. Seemed like a very safe place too. Strolling the streets in Havanna during nightime alone and drunk is something I'd never be able to do in, for example, Kingston, but seemed completely safe in Cuba.

I'd even ditch the all inclusive nonsense, but that's just me. The life and all the beautiful things that come with it don't happen in fancy hotels. You can find million star food and drinks from pretty much everywhere in Cuba, and enjoy it with live music. But I bet there are some luxury hotels too, but I couldn't help you with that..

[playinpearls]

if you are wanting to relax head to turks and caicos island. provodenciales to be exact...

you can rent a scooter for 50 bucks a day and drive where ever you want. the whole island is 7 miles long. Plenty of carribean activites to do, or just relax...

can't wait to get back...

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by Phalex

Sandals resorts sound like they fit the bill. My wife and I went to Montego Bay on our honey moon. All inclusive, (Although I found it hard to actually catch a buzz on the fruity drinks) the restaurant fare was first rate, and there is plenty to do on site. They also have tours that come pick you up and drop you back off for a fee.

Oh yeah, No KIDS!

I went there with my wife two years ago and loved it. So much so that we went to the Sandals Royal Carribean (also Jamaica) last year.

I'm guessing your gripe with Jamaica is the typical one, but my experiences were very good. Sandals picks you up at the airport, they even have their own lounge, and once we were on the property we only left for an ATV tour. Everything else we wanted/needed was there. As such, there we weren't bombarded by locals trying to sell us stuff but recreational opportunities did exist (wink, wink) had we chosen to indulge.

[g4string]

thanks for the advice....anybody else??

[jonathan_matos5]

no more than 6 flight hours from chicago is seriously limiting you. it takes six flight hours to reach the airport that you connect to another 6 hour flight in order to get to the tropics. hows about 6 hours out of miami?

in which i suggest go to british virgin islands or bermuda. maybe dominican republic but that is a bit close to haiti.

good luck finding a tropical vacation

[g4string]

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

no more than 6 flight hours from chicago is seriously limiting you. it takes six flight hours to reach the airport that you connect to another 6 hour flight in order to get to the tropics. hows about 6 hours out of miami?

in which i suggest go to british virgin islands or bermuda. maybe dominican republic but that is a bit close to haiti.

good luck finding a tropical vacation

6 hours of flight time from Chicago will take me to all the way to the northern part of South America.......Chicago to Cancun is 4 hours...the Dominican is 4.5 hours...etc. etc

[jonathan_matos5]

Originally Posted by g4string

6 hours of flight time from Chicago will take me to all the way to the northern part of South America.......Chicago to Cancun is 4 hours...the Dominican is 4.5 hours...etc. etc

last time i hopped a plain 747 it was 4 hours to chicago from here in tulsa it takes about 6 to the northern most part of mexico. unless you have some kind of fighter jet it takes longer.

[g4string]

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

last time i hopped a plain 747 it was 4 hours to chicago from here in tulsa it takes about 6 to the northern most part of mexico. unless you have some kind of fighter jet it takes longer.

No offense, but it only takes ~2 hours to get from Chicago to Tulsa.......it only takes 3.5 - 4.0 hours to get to Cancun from Chicago. Furthermore, I dont know ANY airline that would fly a 747 on a 2 hour route from Chicago to Tulsa.

[bmc]

Zanzibar

[IconBasser]

Originally Posted by bmc

Zanzibar

Off to Zanzibar! To meet the Zanzibarbarians!

[groooooove]

my vote goes to any Caribbean cruise. 3 islands in one 7 day trip, usually.