Caribbean Marriott
 

Can someone give me a recommendation on the best Marriotts to vacation at in February in the Caymans, Aruba, St Thomas or Curacao. Golf is not an important criteria, but a nice beach, pool, surrounding restaurants and sight seeing opportunities would be. This would be a anniversary gift for my wife.

Well as a true fan of the Caribbean...here are my thoughts...you left off St. Kitts which gets rave reviews as it is new and very nice...I have never been but read a lot about it. Cayman is not on a great part of the beach...Aruba (Marriott) has a lovely beach but is dated but I think is undergoing renovations. Now I use my Marriott points for Ritz Carltons and if you have the points and like those properties then I highly recommend the Ritz in Grand Cayman...I will be spending Christmas there and I am counting down.

The Renaissance in Aruba is nice with its private island. Dining choices are quite varied in the area.
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13F

St Kitts
 

Thanks for comments. St Kitts was actually my first choice, plus they had availabilty for the time I wanted to go, but I need to use two free NWA tickets I won at one of their customers appreciation functions and they expire Feb 16th. I have over 600,000 Mar points but was unaware I could use them at Ritz Carlton, I'll check on that property in the AM.

St Kitts
 

Sorry I should have added the NWA reservation rep advised that they do not fly to St Kitts.

Does NWA partner with Delta because Delta starts flights to St. Kitts next year and 600k points will go a long way at the Ritz...

1) St Kitts my favorite, this is a very large resort with a great beach and 3 very large pools. Several choices for dinning and a cigar bar and casino on site. It’s a very small quiet Island so if you are looking for a lot of night life this is not the place. We love the quiet, relaxing nature of the island.

2) Aruba my #2 but I like the Marriott better than the Renaissance, I guess I like to be able to walk to the beach not take a van. These both have casino and Aruba has a great night life along with the best beaches I have seen at a Marriott.

3) I did not like the Cayman Island Marriott; it reminds me a FS Marriott in the USA sitting on a great beach. It was very small and you had to leave the resort for almost everything.

4) I also visit the Ritz Jamaica for my honeymoon a good resort with great service but still average to me…. thanks

I am going to St Thomas next week so I will give you an update

You don't list Cancun as an option (there is another thread on this), but I really like the JW Cancun property - and a lot to do.
I've been to Aruba, stayed at the Ren and really liked the in the city thing with the private island.
I've also been to St. Kitts; it was good for a resort - but less things to do.
If you are set on St. Kitts, check flight options into San Juan or Charlotte on NW miles - and then get a cheap(er) connection from there.
You may want to do some searches, since a lot of these properties have reviews on this board.

Cancun JW Marriott
 

Actually the JW in Cancun was my first choice, but I couldn't use my points during Feb because of availability. The only way was double points and I wasn't willing to do that. Also thanks for the suggestion to fly to San Juan and then on to St Kitts I'll check on that in the morning.

I have heard about Cancun going there in Feb .... I can't wait

Do not forget Curacao
 

We have been to St. Kitts, Aruba, Cayman, and Curacao and in order:

Curacao Wonderful
St. Kitts Wonderful
Aruba Wonderful
Cayman Worst Marriott experience ever. (Bad beach, horrible service, bad food, just all around bad) :td:

It really depends on what you like to do. We are divers.

I would definitely steer clear of Frenchman's Reef in St Thomas - stayed there in July and it was the most run down Marriott I have stayed in.

I opted for the Ritz in St. Thomas.

St Kitts is great. Not much night life, but very relaxing.

I have stayed at Marriotts in St. Kitts, Curacao, St. Thomas and Cancun (if you agree it is part of the Caribbean). Have visited the Marriotts in Aruba and Grand Cayman (both times we were staying at the Hyatt). Not one of these Marriotts is spectacular like the JW Marriott resorts in Capri and Phuket. Only exception may be JW Marriott in Cancun, which I visited while at the adjacent Marriott. If you are using points, think about the Ritz properties in St. Thomas (stunning) and Jamaica (pristine).

As an aside, I don't think any of the major chains have outstanding resorts in the Caribbean. I say this having enjoyed Hyatts in Aruba and Puerto Rico, and the Hilton in Barbados.

Am interested in checking out the new Westin in St. Martin, and look forward to the opening of a Westin in Dominican Republic.

Bottom line--if anyone can tell me about an over-the-top Caribbean chain hotel resort property where I could potentially use points, I would love to hear about it!