I'm trying to arrange a first anniversary stay with my wife in the Caribbean, using Rewards if possible. I'm shooting for May 27 - 31. I attempted the Frenchmen's Reef / Morning Star in St Thomas but they claim to have no award rooms, although they do have general availability. They do have the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort, but at an available rate of $125/nt this doesn't seem like much of a bargain to use reward points for.

Anyone have any hints on how to finagle a reward stay? Suggestions for other nice resorts in the Caribbean? What about the best place to book a room if I'm going to need to pay?

Thanks much for the help!

Bill

Just checked the website for you... the Renaissance Grand Beach does appear to be available for your dates, and even an upgraded room certificate is available if you want to go for the extra points. (I checked May 27 with a checkout of May 31. Are you actually looking to checkout on June 1? Shouldn't matter.) The Cayman Islands Marriott appears available, as does the Puerto Rico Stellaris Casino location in San Juan. Go to the website, pick your location, click "make reservation", and after you put in the dates, scroll down a bit to where it offers "Marriott Rewards Redemption Certificate". Click a check in that box before clicking "Go" and it should give you the Marriott Rewards Redemption option. Let me know how it works, or if I can help with something else.

As opposed to prior years, the on-season award stays at Marriott's Caribbean resorts seem much more plentiful this year. I was recently able to book a 5 night #712 at Grand Cayman on relatively short notice (about three weeks), finding out that it was available by browsing the Marriott website. I leave tomorrow morning, see you all on the 27th.

I will let you know how the Renaissance is..as I'm leaving tomorrow for St. Thomas/St, John and staying there for 7 nights...only when we went to book it...it was $295/night...must be the season...

[This message has been edited by IM4Travel (edited 02-22-2001).]

Also...be careful about Frenchman's reef...Morningstar is right near it...but one of those is NOT on the beach from what I understand...so if that's a priority...make sure you get the right one.

Both Frenchmens Reef and Morningstar share the same beach. Frenchmen's Reef sits high above the beach, and a bit to the right (facing the ocean). Morningstar's rooms either directly open to the beach or face a garden.... they are all only a few steps from the beach itself.

The Renaissance on St. Thomas is not bad, but it's a little far away from everything and I got a little tired walking up the hill to the room.

Morningstar and Frenchman's Reef are in the same location. Both are right on the beach, but Morningstar is literally 30 feet from the water. Both are very nice, but I would try to get an upgraded view at Frenchman's if you end up there.

Highly recommend Craig & Sally's and Hotel 1829 restaurants. Daytrips to St. John or British VI's are great.

The Cancun and Aruba Marriott's are also very nice and a new JW Marriott Cancun opens shortly and has some cheap rates. I haven't stayed at any of the others.

Did a little more checking for you... the Marriott in Aruba is not available for a reward, but room there at that time start at $145 and are available....
There is reward availability for your dates at the Curacao Marriott, Cancun Marriott and the new JW Marriott in Cancun. (Cancun is great, by the way, and the JW is a brand new hotel.)
Looks like someone will be able to have a great anniversary celebration. And yes, it does appear that there is much more availability this year as far as reward travel in the Caribbean.

Cancun being great is subject to debate...very American-ized,touristy and very built-up.. It doesn't do anything for me.

Cancun being great is subject to debate...very American-ized,touristy and very built-up.. It doesn't do anything for me.