Marriott Rewards - Need Advice: Where to Vacation in April '05?

... and so I've been racking up the MR points for a few years now, but have never had occasion to use any of them. (Being on the road 100% of the time probably has that effect on a lot of us. :D )

However, I just found out that I have to use a whole lot of vacation before 1 May, so I am hoping to get one of the 7 night fly/stay awards and cash out some miles as well. My questions are:

1) Is it easy to redeem these awards pretty much at any time? Or are there a lot of blackout periods or non-availability?

2) Where are some excellent Marriott Resorts you've been to in the past few years? We are looking for somewhere in the category 1-5 range, in Europe/Middle East/South America. We are looking for more of a beach holiday than a city holiday, and SE Asia is the only area that is out for us right now. Bonus points for somewhere United flies. :D

Has anyone been to any of the Red Sea resorts? They look sumptuous!

Any thoughts are much appreciated!

Please consider Aruba (AUA). We stayed at the Renaissance there; it's right in town (Oranjestad), but the hotel has a private island, and the shuttle boat can come into the hotel to pick you up. You get the privacy of the island with a little bit of city entertainment/dining in the evenings if you want. Aruba is a desert island - very warm with an almost constant breeze. There is also a Marriott property/resort outside of town where most of the hotels are. If interested, I can provide details, tips, pics, etc.

Past posts focusing on the Carribean have put Aruba and St. Kitts at the top, although there only seems to be one person that has been at both, giving the edge to Aruba. I loved St. Kitts and hope to be able to add a data point in March. St. Kitts is a 5, but I think Aruba is a 6. US flys to both, so UA miles should get you there. Curacao is also commonly mentioned.

A co-worker just got back from Costa Rica and said the Marriott was teh best he had seen, but he's 23 and not exactly a world traveler. But the activities he described, and pictures he brought back, have kept it on my top 5 'places to get to' list.

SKB was wide open last summer, but it was newly opened. Aruba in March will cost me the 50% premium for an anytime award, but that's why we earn points right? To use them.