christianj

We normally go on a higher-end warm weather European vacation in May/June every year. Sadly in 2020 we need to take that vacation in mid-March due to some scheduling issues at work that won't allow us to take time off in May/June. The earlier time frame is however limiting our options to seek a warm weather destination that is not too far away from the east coast.

Prefer
- Optimally I would prefer a direct flight out of JFK/LGA/EWR but that makes the choices even more limiting so willing to connect but not willing to fly all the way to Hawaii.
- High-end resort type hotel
- Prefer a beach destination
- Prefer to book an award stay

Currently under consideration
- St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort Puerto Rico - Is it worth 100k per night?
- Solaz Los Cabos - flight is long and requires a layover
- Palm Springs/LA combo trip - direct flights with hotels TBD. Recommendations?
- Mexico - any other recommendations?
- Florida - St. Regis Bal Harbour or other FLL or S. Beach options - Will it be warm enough?
- Spanish Canary Islands - Will it be warm enough?

I would appreciate any comments on the options I am considering as well as other options I might not have listed. (I did not include Scottsdale since we have no real interest in going there again.)

hnewman

Curacao?

MSPeconomist

Avoid spring breakers above all (mostly rowdy drunk and badly behaved college students who pack many kids into hotel rooms and cause lots of distrubances and problems for other guests).

Very upscale and expensive luxury establishments might be pretty safe, but sometimes an expensive room divided by a lot of people becomes affordable, although a high end resort should refuse to put up with the nonsense (but not all are willing to enforce reasonable standards of behavior).

Some flights will also be packed, especially late Thursday through Saturday flying south in March and Sunday return flights. Airports can also be very crowded and parking at the airport can be impossible during the spring break period.

Florida and Mexico are especially risky, as are Aruba and other places where those under 21 can drink.

mahasamatman

Good job generalizing based on personal views and insufficient sample data.

MaxFlying

St Regis Punta Mita. We were there last March. Even at what was close to full occupancy we generally saw no more than a couple of people at the adult pool. Great place to use SNA, but even without an upgrade the basic rooms are excellent.

christianj

Had not considered that and there is a direct flight on JetBlue. Which of the Marriott options is the best?

Good suggestion! I wasn’t thinking of spring breakers since we don’t normally vacation around that time.

I looked at that hotel but getting there from NYC/CT area is even more difficult that going to Cabo.

VCURamFan

Solaz and St. Regis Bal Harbour are my top favorite NA beach resorts by a mile, I'd probably go w/ StR just bc of the ease of getting there compared with Cabo.

HNLbasedFlyer

You've got direct flights from EWR and JFK to Honolulu - and Honolulu is not a rowdy spring break destination and has predictable temperatures (we aren't susceptible to cold temperatures like Florida or California can be that time of the year)

Edit, reread you don't want to go to Hawaii - but it is probably the safest warm weather destination that time of the year)

writerguyfl

I'm within walking distance of Fort Lauderdale Beach. It's quite lovely most of the year. Plenty of upscale dining, some laid back night spots, a state park to get away from traffic, and miles of beaches. The Marriott properties on the beach usually start around $250/night. The Marriott resort (Harbor Beach) is typically $340/night during the winter months. And the Ritz Carlton is usually $600/night when you factor in the $40 resort fee.

If money isn't an issue, I will gladly recommend Fort Lauderdale Beach to everyone...with one major exception.

During the 3 to 4 weeks of Spring Break, it's a nightmare. It gets overrun with college students. More often than not, they are intoxicated and rude. Last time I went out there during Spring Break, it was 11am on a weekday. The students were already rowdy. I was unfortunate enough to see someone throw up in the street. The guy laughed, took the beer his friend handed him, and resumed drinking.

It's like that every year. It gets reported in our local media every year, too. So, MSPeconomist is simply stating a fact.

Dr. HFH

By mid-March, Florida weather is pretty reliable, though still not the Caribbean. You might consider the RC at Naples. I went there every year for a number of years for the last week in October (the last time at which the weather was reliably hot), and it's just lovely, in every respect. The food was also great; I never felt the need to leave the hotel for the entire week.

Stgermainparis

Cartagena, Colombia?

hotelboy

Alaska should be nice that time of year.

spainlover

I am presuming you want to stick to a Marriott Bonvoy hotel given where you are posting?
Otherwise I’d recommend the Golden Rock on Nevis (you can fly direct to St Kitts from NYC and take a scenic ferry over to Nevis). I just stayed there this summer and loved it.
The Canary Islands are close to the same temperature year-round, so that could be an option.

Dr. HFH

I meant the RC Beach Resort, NOT the RC Golf Resort, also in Naples. When I used to go, the golf resort didn't exist.

t1c

Good idea they have a new Marriott there...