Couples Escape in August...need help
 

My husband and I are looking to escape as an early 10th anniversary trip in August for 5-6 nights. With 3 boys, school, sports and my husband's work schedule, early August is the best time for us. Open to any ideas/recommendations and we will be flying from Dulles on United points...want relaxation for both of us, good food and fun. Platinum members and open to anything honestly. Where would you go?

Congrats! Our 20th is August of this year….Wife and I researching the same thing tonight.

We probably won't repeat this year, but a fun easy place to get to is Orlando. We love the JW Grande Lakes. We have celebrated two anniversaries there. Treated us extremely well. The pool is wonderful. Although its in Orlando, you really do feel isolated in a good way. AND tons to do if you want.

If you do go this route, you can request parking as your Platinum Arrival gift. (If you rent a car.) We love Vito's Chop House. Great steak house. We never miss a stop there whenever in Orlando.

Congrats to you also! We love Orlando but will be taking the kids there @ Thanksgiving for a big trip staying at the new VGF at Disney so we want to look elsewhere for this trip. Really wishing hurricane season was avoidable!

Well, Aruba lies outside of the hurricane belt!

That's another favorite spot of ours. They just opened the new Ritz. Personally, I love the Renaissance. Its in town with a great vibe. They also have a private island with great beaches and more. Its a category 6. But, often can be less than $200/night AAA rate.

Other's prefer the Stellaris but I am a Renaissance fan.

Aruba is on our list as is Costa Rica. We've done a cruise during hurricane season before and no issues but we need a break from cruising. One would think there would be more direct flights from DC...alas, there is not!

We are just back from Costa Rica yesterday!

CR would be a great choice. It will be a bit more of a chore to get there. Punta Islita, Los Suenos, and the JW are all a bit of a drive from the airport. I think Los Suenos about 1 hour. JW 90 mins-2 hours. Punta Islita 3 hours. Thats after a connection. The resorts are really great though.

Doesn't United have a daily non-stop to Aruba from Dulles?

August is considered off season so the nonstop only runs on Saturday and Thursdays....there is a nonstop to Costa Rica also on United into San Jose.

We also have access to American Express fine hotels and resorts via my husbands platinum card so that opens a few other possibilities.

San Jose is close to Los Suenos. Far from the JW or Punta Islita. Los Suenos is a wonderful place-as they all are.

FHR is a great program. I think you will enjoy planning nearly as much as going!

Any recommendations if we choose Costa Rica on outings?

Well, all of the Marriott resorts are on the Pac side. The charm of CR for me is the flora and fauna + the beaches. I would try an estuary tour that gives the chance to see Monkeys, sloths, wide variety of birds and beautiful jungle foliage. Zip lining is very popular.

If you are in Los Suenos, Manuel Antonio National park is nearby-I think. Supposed to be a great place.

Enjoy the surroundings as well as the resorts.

Trip report on Punta Islita with links to our photos. Gives you an idea of what's out there to enjoy!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...ip-report.html

Curacao is outside the belt also and we like the island better than Aruba. A bit tougher to get to though as the island is not served by as many airlines. The food and environment are great.

JW Marriott Ihilani or Ritz Carlton Maui in Hawaii.

We have looked at Curacao several times. Leaning towards a couple of days there next year after our Surf Club week.

Aruba and Curaçao are out of the hurricane belt. My daughter stayed at the Marriott and Ritz in Aruba last month. Because Marriott has an adults only pool, their opinion Ritz not worth the extra money. They love Aruba.

We did Aruba Surf Club (own there) and The Renaissance Marina. Due to private island we felt like 2 different vacations in one. Checked out of Surf Club in our swimsuits and since room not ready went directly to Renaissance private island at 10:00 am. No lost time traveling.

Curaçao has a different feel. We happened to hit it during "fleet week" and very interesting ship tours and events. My sister loved it enough to return 2 times.

I enjoyed Scrub Island. I felt it was very romantic and isolated. Good for a few days only. Got an upgrade to the 1 bedroom. Since we connected through San Juan we spent the night at the Courtyard Isla Verde. Again, I felt like 2 different vacations in one. But again it's hurricane season and you take your chance.

I love St Kitts but I feel it's better with the kids. It's a great place for little ones. Nice and quiet.

One thing about going to the Caribbean during that time is that the rates are low.

Right now at JW Marriott in Costa Rica. Beautiful resort and fabulous service. The upgrade we got was ocean view instead of garden view. VERY quiet. Secluded. The tours to rainforest, etc are a few hours away.

Don't mean to high jack your thread but we too are looking for a place to go that's no more than 5 hour fly from NY in January and not that expensive. I know it's high season in the Caribbean. My only requirement is a lounge as I want to utilize my platinum before it expires. I'm leaning towards Puerto Rico.
USA,maybe?

Any suggestions, anyone?

Thanks.