Starwood Preferred Guest - Where to Honeymoon on *points?

My little brother is getting married in August and he and the fiancé really have no preference as to where they honeymoon.

I have offered to get them first class tickets to Hawaii (or wherever AA flies) based on my AA airline miles.

However, I would also like to make arrangements for the hotel using my *points. Currently, I have about 70k *points and am adding about 2k per month.

So, all that said, what *wood property would any of you recommend for a honeymoon for approximately seven days/six nights?

Any suggestions would be appreciated - my goal is to provide a honeymoon that they will never forget (and since they are starting out in life, they can't afford) and will be full of wonderful memories.

Thank you,

Erik

If you are considering Hawaii, then I would recommend Princeville (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/007312.html) on Kauai. This is a Category 5 property, which means 16,000 points/night (5 nights for 64,000) during peak times (which run through 8/21 next year).

Another option would be Sheraton Moorea in French Polynesia (with a possible side trip to the Bora Bora Nui - although if you do a search here you will see that your SPG points won'tget you too many nights in Bora Bora), which is a Category 4 property. Your roughly 80,000 points would get you 10 nights (or perhaps fewer nights with some upgrades). You can redeem AA miles (albeit more miles than Hawaii) for tickets on AirTahiti Nui to Papeete, Tahiti.

I am certain that others will chime in with other great suggestions.


[This message has been edited by cactuspete (edited Nov 13, 2003).]

I think anywhere in Hawaii would be great with a Heavenly Bed, Balcony, and Ocean View. Getting LEI'd in Hawaii is memorable. If you choose the right activities it could be every night.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Don't forget Venice....

If I had to honeymoon all over again, I would want to go somewhere 'unreachable' later in life. Once they start having kids, leaving the country will seem impossible. One, because they will likely not want to spend the $ on international tickets overseas for the whole family... Two, because they won't want to take the kids out of the country.. Three, because taking the kids out of the country to someplace romantic won't sound all that romantic.. Four, because leaving the kids with a babysitter for a week+ won't be easy to do!!
I am speaking from experience here!! Tahiti with toddlers doesn't sound like much fun!

I vote for Moorea.

But whatever you do for them, you are being very generous! Good luck!

Hawaii is wonderful, however some people are beach people and some are not. If they are not they probably would rather tour a few cities in Europe. I vote for a split between Madrid and Paris.

The first property that came to mind after reading your post was Princeville on Kauai -- a suggestion someone else mentioned.

The views are breathtaking! A very romantic place indeed.

What I really wanted to say, however, was that I found your generosity outstanding. I'm sure your brother thinks the world of you.

Wishing you luck with your quest.

What a great offer for the bride and groom.

Going to some of the exotic locations suggested would be great. However, don't forget to figure in the amount of time needed to get there. Spending the equivalent of 2 or 3 days flying out of a 7 honeymoon could be more than some people would find tolerable.

Also, they will be exhausted after the ceremony is over. If they have the ability to delay their departure for a couple of days they will be far more relaxed and enjoy the trip even more.

Where ever you send them, I'm sure that this will be something that they never forget.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by CKL:
...

I vote for Moorea.

But whatever you do for them, you are being very generous! Good luck!</font>

I agree. AA miles will get you on Air Tahiti (75K/125K/145K miles economy, business or first). Then there is Bora Bora or Moorea. For many this is truely a once-in-a-lifetime destination. I visited once many years ago... now I can't see myself going back at least until the kids have left the nest.

DAK

My take would be to send them somewhere where there aren't 10,000 other honeymooners. This past June my wife and I spent 10 days at the Sheraton Moorea and 5 nights in Bora Bora it seemed like 75% of the people were on their honeymoons. The location is amazing, snorkeling wonderful and facilities top notch. However, I take real exception to the attitude you get in French Polynesia from the resort staff. Per the GM in Moorea--roughly quoted--because of the lack of motivated workers on the islands we try and make due with what we have. I get the feeling they are working on it but it's an uphill battle. Food, transportation is also VERY expensive. We ate two meals a day and averaged about $150/day for the two of us. Car rental will run $80/day; bike rental $15/day and activities start at $50/150 pp per activity.

I much preferred my time at the Rayavadee (for the whole experience) in Thailand or the Four Seasons (service and spa) in Maui.

If your giving them a trip to remember send them to Thailand because once they get there it is inexpensive. Not only can they visit the Krabi province (see The Beach with Leo DiCapiro it was filmed here). They can shop in Bangkok, enjoy Rayavadee (beaches and cliffs) and learn to love the Thai people.

Seven days is short for SE Asia but could be a trip of a lifetime.

Having been to both French Polynesia and Krabi (Rayavadee) I would go Rayavadee with no hesitation!

The Westin Maui & Sheraton Maui are Cat. 4 = 10K points per nite or 40K for 5 nites.

Hard 2 say with the attitude of manana extending all this year, but if the Sheraton Buganvilias of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, ever re-opens, it's a Cat. 1! at 19K points per WEEK http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif!

If they are city/culture people, many hotels in Ireland, Germany, Belgium, etc. are Cat. 1--3.

BTW, the word 'fiance(e)' requires the double
E if female. So you've accidentally (?) called your brother gay http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif.

------------------
Play the travel game 3 vacations into the future!

Now that Rayavadee is not an option, anything else to be recommended? Not even for a honeymoon, but Best Vacation (beach/relaxation) is what I am seeking. Thanks!

Bump for new suggestions...

Bump for new suggestions...

Tick. . tock. . .:D If he's getting married in August and you haven't made any plans, you may run into some trouble getting to use awards (airline)since August is still high vacation season (not to sound negative, but based on what other forums have talked about).

I would suggest splitting the time on two islands in Hawaii. Maui is very fun but Kauai really allows a person to enjoy the beauty and relax - much quieter.

Like other posters have said, your generosity is great. Please let us know what you decide to give them. Best wishes to the couple!

70k Starpoints will get you nearly two weeks in Australia at some very nice hotels. And your AA miles can get them there.

Just a thought... :cool:

I just came across the new selection of Elite Awards on the SPG site. With 70K Starpoints you could likely do a nice European tour. This new award permits you to use as many as three Starwood high end properties in major European cities for up to seven nights. Seems like a great idea for a honeymoon: three nights in Paris, train to Vienna for two nights, then down to Venice or Florence for two nights. Hawaii is so pedestrian, and particularly in the summer when it is hot in NAmerica. Consider offering your brother and sister-in-law to be a taste of Europe! Or consider Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Several nights in the Starwoods down in those two cities would be relatively inexpensive, and I believe AA flies for both, albeit you might have to do a separate paid fare between the two cities. [Or do a oneworld award with LANChile.]

With so much of the world out there to see, I cannot understand this fixation with Hawaii, unless it is mid-February and -40 degrees [farenheit or celsius] at home...

Just visit

www.spghoneymoons.com

It has a great review of typical honeymoon hotels, and you can browse by region or interest.

Steve

I just came across the new selection of Elite Awards on the SPG site. With 70K Starpoints you could likely do a nice European tour. This new award permits you to use as many as three Starwood high end properties in major European cities for up to seven nights. Seems like a great idea for a honeymoon: three nights in Paris, train to Vienna for two nights, then down to Venice or Florence for two nights. Hawaii is so pedestrian, and particularly in the summer when it is hot in NAmerica. Consider offering your brother and sister-in-law to be a taste of Europe! Or consider Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Several nights in the Starwoods down in those two cities would be relatively inexpensive, and I believe AA flies for both, albeit you might have to do a separate paid fare between the two cities. [Or do a oneworld award with LANChile.]

With so much of the world out there to see, I cannot understand this fixation with Hawaii, unless it is mid-February and -40 degrees [farenheit or celsius] at home...

I don't think that the other posters here have a "fixation" with Hawaii - it just comes to mind as a honeymoon type of place along with being relaxing. After their wedding preparations, etc. they're probably going to want to have a vacation where they don't have to "think" . .. and as far as "particularly in the summer when it is hot in NA. . .ummm. . .I don't recall the European cities mentioned as exactly cool spots temperature wise :)

I personally love this idea for a trip where it's a vacation and not a honeymoon idea!

I just think Americans generally have a fixation with Hawaii, as it seems to be the number one choice for airline and hotel awards. As well, Americans are so reluctant to travel outside their own country, Hawaii seems far enough away to have gone somewhere "exotic" but still part of a comfortable world they feel secure in. As for Europe being hot in the summer too, sure, I agree. But why go to a hot climate resort when you can save that trip for the winter when it really counts for something. Note that I also suggested Chile and Argentina, which are now entering winter, albeit a very temperate winter, as is Australia, another somewhat more "exotic" foreign location suggested by someone else. As for wanting to do nothing but lie on the beach after all the preps for a wedding, perhaps.

I guess I'm a bit like Seinfeld: "What is it about Americans and Hawaii?"

Wow! I just want to tell you that with generosity like yours I am up for adoption. :D

I sort of agree with Shareholder, though would hesitate to generalize. As for me, when looking at options and cost (using *pts or not), it just seems like a waste to spend on Hawaii when for the same amt you can see Europe. There are plenty of resorts to "relax" in - Westin Marbella, Venice Lido, Greece, etc, if thats what you want to do. In talking with other SPGers in the office, the main consideration is time on the airplane and kids, which would make Hawaii seem more accessible, I guess.

If you are American with kids and a mortgage, you can still drop the little ones off at the in-laws and go to Hawaii for a week. That option will, IMO, always be there for you.

It's your once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon (we hope). Go somewhere that may not be an option later in life. Australia, South America, Thailand.... great ideas!!! As an east-coast USA resident I find Europe a little easier to do even for a long-weekend. But I wouldn't rule it out!

My two cents: Celebrate an anniversary in Hawaii but spend your honemoon somewhere more interesting.... :D

My Favorite Starwood properties:
- Westin King Alfonso XIII, Seville - it's a converted palace.
- Grand Sheraton Sukhumvit, Bangkok. I've stayed at all *wood properties in Bangkok and this one's my favorite
- Sheraton on the Park, Sydney (some rooms are not very nice, but the last time I was there, I just asked for another room and they gladly moved me to a much nicer room)

I haven't been to it, but I believe there is a St. Regis on the island of Santorini, Greece. If I was being given a gift, that's where I'd want to go!

Good luck!

Here's a thought? Have the to be newlyweds expressed an interest in a location? I would hate to send them to Thailand if where they wanted to go was Mexico. And it would be a shame to send them to a big city(s) in Europe only to find that they prefer ocean and beach (such as I do.) In fact, I think you first mentioned they want a beachfront location...most think tropical island here (my personal favorite), so I would stick with Hawaii (Princeville or Westin Maui Resorts) or French Polynesia (haven't yet been there).