AGS

Because of a recent job change, I haven't figured out our annual Christmas vacation in advance like I have over the last ten or twelve years. I've been chided almost continuously by my family for being a huge slacker this year. Now things have settled out, and I'm ready to book, but not sure where to go.

I'm Hilton Diamond, and have about 480,000 points to burn on a week at a nice place. So, looking for a place that's no more than 60,000 points a night. We'd like someplace warm, preferably with good beaches. We've spent many Christmas weeks in Hawaii, at the HHV and HWV. For this year, that's probably too far, as I only have a week off. We spent last year at the Hilton Rose Hall in Jamaica, and enjoyed that one as well. We'd return, but now the points required have gone way up and it's out of reach.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
AGS

jerry a. laska

Caribbean, Mexico, Central America.
http://www.hiltoncaribbean.com/
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/promotio...co/index.jhtml
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/promotio...entralamerica/

AGS

Thanks.

Any thoughts on the Doubletree Costa Rica (I'm holding a reward reservation there now) vs the Hilton Resort in Puerta Vallarta?

AGS

jerry a. laska

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ght=costa+rica
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ght=costa+rica

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...arta-help.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...light=vallarta
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...light=vallarta

jamesteroh

Not sure if you can get it Christmas week for this or not, but I love the Bentley in Miami beach and have gotten it for as low as 50K points a night (staying there thanksgiving weekend for that).

You get two beach chairs and an umbrella for free every day, and great treatment to diamonds. They go out of their way to treat diamonds right and give them first priority on upgrades and a full breakfast.

BOSOGG

Hilton Los Cabos Beach showing availability December, 5 or 7 night stays at 56-59.5k/night rate for Diamond.

MoreMilesPlease

What about Barbados?

sleasure

I'm going to Ponce PR for the Christmas holiday this year. Looks okay from reviews here but was a bargain when I booked for 20K points/night. 7 days under 150K with a beach = can't lose for me. YMMV.

AGS

Just booked a week at the Puerta Vallarta Resort. Took every Hilton point that I have, but the regular rate was $1200+ a night for the seven nights, which I'm getting for 70K points a night.

AGS

Gagravarr

It may be a bit further than you wanted to travel, but the Hilton Residences in Noumea, New Caledonia is a category 6, and so looks to be in your points range. It's summer there at Christmas, so nice and warm, and it's just over the road from the beach. Another good beach one nearby is the Hilton Surfers Paradise, only 60k/night for the week of Christmas.

pauleeepaul

The (dirt) beach at Ponce is underwhelming, to swim or sit. The pool is nice, and there is an adjoining country club with reciprocity privileges if you want a change of scenery.

I suggest hiring a car for part or all of the time and seeing some more of the island. Rincon has nice beaches, on the Atlantic (bigger waves) and Caribbean.

sleasure

Thanks for the ideas.

Mustang1

Stayed there in March & really enjoyed it.

Force951

If you have a car then a nice day trip would be heading up to fajarado and taking the ferry to Culebra island. Flamenco beach is there, and it was defiantly worth the hassle to get out there.

tom_MN

On Puerto Rico: Rincon beaches tend to be crappy unless you surf: bad parking, crowded, lots of rocky plates in the thin strip of beach, and frightening surf. The beach in Rincon town is nice, however, and only locals seem to use it.

There are many deserted beaches south of Rincon: tres hermanos beach in anasco is deserted for Christmas and picture perfect, then many more beaches south of Mayaguez.