Starwood Preferred Guest - Need Suggestions on best award value, beach resort

Hi,

i looked up the stickys and made some searches.
but as i dont know where i want to go it is a bit difficult to find a location.
maybe some FTers can assist me?

i am planning my 2007 christmas and newyears eve.

i am looking for a beach resort and maybe a side trip to a big city.

for me the following countries/cities would be of interest.
as i never have been to this countries a briefing of security of the cities countries would be helpful too.


Argentina
Mexico
Cancun
Las Cabos
Chile
Equcador
Brazil

well, actually i am open to anything with a nice beach, but i spent my last some holidays in asia, so i want this time maybe something in another part of the world.

so i want to have a place near to the beach, if there is the possibilty to play golf and go surfing this would be welcome too.

best would be if the prices for food and transportation , party etc. is cheaper than europe, i found thailand and asia prices very nice for european travellers

i have never been to these countries so i dont know what i will get for my USD. (maybe i will look this up in the bigmac chart :D )



the hotel costs will be paid with SPG points so the price is not an issue for the hotel room.


any other locations which are a must seen , please post them here, if you just post the city and the name of the SPG hotel, i would reserach the rest by myself.

so YES, i know i will go somewhere but i dont know where to start !


dp

I have an award for Christmas time at the CUN Le Meridian. The current going rate for a superior king is about $721 per night all in. I think that is a great value for award use.

but the same hotel is going at 190USD if you punch in arrivel of 26.12.

i am lookin at the cancun westin and meridien too.

dp

I will be at the Westin on 18-20, only $109 then. The rates in CUN zoom around the 23rd. There have been some recent reviews about the construction at the Westin. I hope things are 95% done by the time I arrive.

its my first time, and i know nothing about costs, security etc.

a location where i do not need a bodyguard 24/7 would be better :)

personally i like westins better than meridiens, but from the reviews the meridien seems to be the better hotel.

dp

This is my first trip also. I will be going first to CUN and then a few days nearby at some of the Mayan ruins. I really expect there not to be a security issue at the hotel, but when you go into town or the beach I would be careful. I suspect the security there will be not as good as Japan but much better than Haiti.