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Post Info TOPIC: Girl's Island/Beach/Spa Getaway ideas?
dc


Dooney & Bourke

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Girl's Island/Beach/Spa Getaway ideas?
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Every year my oldest friend and I go on vacation together, usually somewhere warm.  We've done Puerto Rico (loooooved) and Jamaica (haaaaated).  I've been to many caribbean islands and a few places in Mexico, and I am not averse to going back to most places (except I can do without St Thomas).  The thing is, there is a *chance* my friend could be pregnant and she wants to be sure that medical care isn't scary wherever we are in case she has a problem. But she'd only be a few weeks preggo if at all, as we hope to go in late March/early April.  Anyway, so our requirements are:


- Amazing, non-touristy, uncrowded beach


- Spa. 


- Not Florida (I am going to Orlando in a month for work, and I feel more on vacation if I leave the country anyway). 


- Something with a bit of culture or a little town or ruins or something nearby.  We get bored just lying on the beach.


- Not *too* trendy or nightlifey.  I don't want to have to obsess about what to wear to dinner.   


- Somewhat luxe.  We can afford up to $400/night or so (5-6 nights), which goes farther in some countries than others! 


- No big all-inclusive/touristy/generic hotels.  Yucko.  We stayed at Wyndham El Conquistador in PR, for example, and found it too "Vegas," though it's supposed to be so luxurious (yawn... boring and generic). Smaller and charming/gorgeous is better - we appreciate lovely little details. 


- Preferably not a family-oriented place. 


- Not somewhere that only honeymooners go, but we'd like somewhere peaceful and beautiful like that. A little gem of a hotel. 


- Easy/direct to get to from the eastern USA.


- *I* love the idea of Tulum (MX), but the lack of electricity in most places will not fly with my friend (and Ana Y Jose, which has power, is booked!) 


I know... tall order!  I am just hoping someone will have that perfect spot.  Thanks in advance!



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~ dc "Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination" - Oscar Wilde
Maat


Kenneth Cole

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My vote is for Santorini, Greece, although I don't know of a specific place for you to stay.  You wouldn't want to stay where I stayed.  But it beaches that aren't crowded (mostly black sand), ruins, wineries, hot springs, beautiful sunsets, volcano, great weather, and a nightlife (I can't remember it being too trendy though).  I know there's more...it's making me want to take out my pictures.  I don't think the health care would be scary at all there, but I'm also not pregnant and I'm a huge risk-taker (sometimes unwisely).

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jj


Kate Spade

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This place doesn't fit a lot of your critieria, but I would check out Miraval in AZ. My mom and I went there and it was total heaven. It's not a place people go to lose weight or exercise like crazy - it's just indulgent, really relaxing and they serve plenty of alcohol if you want it

And the one place I am DYING to go to, but can't really recommend, since I haven't gone yet, is Nevis. I've read that it's small and uncrowded with lots of history (many hotels are former plantation houses) and they have a Four Seasons.



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Maddie


Coach

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My parents stayed here in Tulum and LOVED it. My mom's into yoga and my dad is not, but they both thought it was great. They said it was stunningly beautiful and uncrowded. I don't know about the electricity situation, though I can't imagine it is too rustic if my parents went there. Anyway, they said it ws one of the best places they've been and the spa was amazing.

http://www.mayatulum.com/

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Escrime


Kate Spade

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I a planning out beach getaway too.  I have had a ton of ideas floating around.


How about Turks & Caicos?


http://parrotcay.como.bz/default.asp


http://www.sibonne.com/


http://www.turksheadmansion.com


St. Barts?


http://www.labanane.com/


Barbados


http://cobblerscove.com/h16welcome.php


Martinique


http://www.capest.com/#


Bermuda?


A friend stayed here last year while in California and raved about it:


http://www.innatplayadelrey.com/



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sfclinevandy


Coach

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You should look into Bermuda. If you've never been there before, it's really lovely. The culture is still very English and the island is so beautiful... much different than anywhere in the Carribean. There is also a lot to do... shopping, historical tours, lying on the beach :)


This is where we stayed, the Pink Beach Club. It was really cute. It was one of the smaller hotels and the staff was excellent. Even if you don't stay there, I would recommend dinner in the formal Dining Room... everything they served was amazing.


http://www.pinkbeach.com/pages/about_set.html


There are other larger hotels like the Princess and Elbow Beach, but they are bigger and tend to attract the honeymooners. You might also consider looking at Ariel Sands. I don't know much about this hotel but it's smaller. quaint and owned by Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones.


 



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gingembre1


Kate Spade

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*Tahiti


*Fiji


*Martinique


*Borneo


*Canary Islands


*Cozumel


*Cyprus


*Turkey


*Portugal


*Seychelles


*Egypt (specifically, the Red Sea) <-- supposed to be one of the best coral reefs and dive sites in the world.


*Greece


*Croatia (It's kind of the new "IT" destination in Europe, but not crowded yet)


These are just some of the ones I can think of off the top of my head, listed in no particular order.  I've heard good things about all of them, and I'm sure you could find luxury, historical interest, and great beaches at all of them.  I wish I could go!!



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mckenke


BCBG

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I loved Croatia.  It is beautiful, not that crowded and there are lots of islands to visit.  I am not sure how warm it is going to be in mid-April.


Brazil is a little further, but there is this beautiful island called fernando de noronha (might have spelled it wrong).  The beaches are gorgeous and it is totally relaxing.


Another suggestion is the Azores.  I have never been there, but my friend who is a travel writer can't say enough about them. They are only a 4 or 5 hour flight from Boston (I think you have to fly out of Boston for some reason) and they aren't touristy at all.  My friend's favorite two islands are Faial and Sao Miguel.



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Karina


Chanel

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Another vote for Barbados.

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gingembre1


Kate Spade

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mckenke wrote:

I loved Croatia.  It is beautiful, not that crowded and there are lots of islands to visit.  I am not sure how warm it is going to be in mid-April. Brazil is a little further, but there is this beautiful island called fernando de noronha (might have spelled it wrong).  The beaches are gorgeous and it is totally relaxing. Another suggestion is the Azores.  I have never been there, but my friend who is a travel writer can't say enough about them. They are only a 4 or 5 hour flight from Boston (I think you have to fly out of Boston for some reason) and they aren't touristy at all.  My friend's favorite two islands are Faial and Sao Miguel.
I also vote for the Azores.  They're Portugues islands, and will rapidly become a new tourist destination as they are starting to get more press.  Go now and beat the rush!!  I've heard great, great things about these islands.

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esquiress


Marc Jacobs

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ok my suggestion is a bit different but i am *sure* it would be perfect for you and your friend.  there's this spa that's supposed to be absolutely amazing, it's pricey but all-inclusive (unless you get extra treatments and stuff) and it's kind of a little known celeb secret but don't worry it's not hollywood at all.  it's called the we care spa near palm springs, ca.  my friend says it's AMAZING and i'm seriously considering going soon.  here's the website:  www.wecarespa.com  pm me if you have questions and i'll ask my friend for more info, she's been there a bunch of times and is seriously addicted to the place.  but have fun and safe travels wherever you go!


ETA:  NEVER MIND!  i just told my friend i'd recommended this place and mentioned that your friend was pregnant (or could be) and she said don't go here because they do colonics and juice fasting and she didn't think that was appropriate for a pregnant woman.  sorry!



-- Edited by esquiress at 14:13, 2006-02-13

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halleybird


Hermes

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not really exotic, but if you're into naturey stuff, Sedona is amazing, and supposed to have some of the best spas in the nation. It is so beautiful there.


Fiji is supposed to be amazing too!



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dc


Dooney & Bourke

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Thanks so much for your suggestions - I am definitely going to file a lot of those under my to-do list!

In the interest of time (i.e. short/direct flights) and ease, and because I love Mexico, we're headed to this place in Isla Mujeres, MX. Yeah, you fly into Cancun (yucko), but then ferry out to the island and it's supposed to cute and not as touristy as Cancun. Mainly, this place looked relaxing, we can do spa and I can do yoga stuff, and there is actual electricity and a little town to hang out in. And they have a restaurant that does veg. It's all just easiest for us for just 5 nights.

http://www.nabalam.com

Anyway, thanks to all! On a different trip I will definitely be revisiting this thread for ideas. The Azores sound amazing...



-- Edited by dc at 22:12, 2006-02-15

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~ dc "Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination" - Oscar Wilde
jj


Kate Spade

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DC, your choice looks amazing!  I may bug you for a review when you return, and ask about the ease of getting from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.  I've heard IM is wonderful!

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zeitgeist4


Gucci

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dc wrote:
we're headed to this place in Isla Mujeres, MX. Yeah, you fly into Cancun (yucko), but then ferry out to the island and it's supposed to cute and not as touristy as Cancun.


That's what my best friend did for her honeymoon... stayed in Cancun and went out to Isla Mujeres.

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