Which Caribbean SPG hotel/resort for my 80-something parents?
Dec 20, 2013, 3:36 pm
#1
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Which Caribbean SPG hotel/resort for my 80-something parents?
Howdy, SPG folks.
Just received the "Pay the amount of dollars equal to your birth year" offer in the email. This is tailor-made for my dad, born in 1930, who has been wanting to go with my mom to the Caribbean for a while. So he could redeem for 3 nights, and my mom for 3, I assume.
The resorts below are available; which would you suggest for a couple who like the beach (mostly to walk and sit, not swim), good but not extravagant food, maybe a museum or two, decent neighborhood to walk around, don't need super-fancy accommodations, and not too deeply in the city?
They'd be flying from LEX, CVG, or SDF. I can give them Avios/WN/UR/AA if it would make a cheap redemption.
Thank you very much for your insights.
Available:
Aruba: Westin Resort and Casino
Grand Cayman: Westin Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa
Puerto Rico:
1. Sheraton Puerto Rico and Casino
2. St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort
3. W Retreat and Spa: Vieques
St. Maarten: Westin Resort Beach and Spa
Virgin Islands: Westin St. John Resort and Villas
Just received the "Pay the amount of dollars equal to your birth year" offer in the email. This is tailor-made for my dad, born in 1930, who has been wanting to go with my mom to the Caribbean for a while. So he could redeem for 3 nights, and my mom for 3, I assume.
The resorts below are available; which would you suggest for a couple who like the beach (mostly to walk and sit, not swim), good but not extravagant food, maybe a museum or two, decent neighborhood to walk around, don't need super-fancy accommodations, and not too deeply in the city?
They'd be flying from LEX, CVG, or SDF. I can give them Avios/WN/UR/AA if it would make a cheap redemption.
Thank you very much for your insights.
Available:
Aruba: Westin Resort and Casino
Grand Cayman: Westin Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa
Puerto Rico:
1. Sheraton Puerto Rico and Casino
2. St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort
3. W Retreat and Spa: Vieques
St. Maarten: Westin Resort Beach and Spa
Virgin Islands: Westin St. John Resort and Villas
Dec 20, 2013, 3:50 pm
#2
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What about Cancun? I see that's not on your list...
Dec 20, 2013, 4:14 pm
#3
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Dec 20, 2013, 5:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
I've been to most of them. They all have good food, or in the area. None are in a city or walkable neighbourhood or have museums, with the possible exception of the Sheraton PR, which I think is the closest to your criteria. But I can't see 80-year-olds walking to Old San Juan from that property.
If I was sending my mother, I would pick Cayman. It's safe, not too exotic, great weather and a very nice beach. Everyone speaks English, the restaurants in the vicinity range from good to great, it's easy to get to, and has all the comforts of home.
Cheers,
If I was sending my mother, I would pick Cayman. It's safe, not too exotic, great weather and a very nice beach. Everyone speaks English, the restaurants in the vicinity range from good to great, it's easy to get to, and has all the comforts of home.
Cheers,
Dec 20, 2013, 5:29 pm
#5
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By the way, there is no such thing as "too many books"! 
Cheers,
Cheers,
Dec 20, 2013, 5:35 pm
#6
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I've been to most of them. They all have good food, or in the area. None are in a city or walkable neighbourhood or have museums, with the possible exception of the Sheraton PR, which I think is the closest to your criteria. But I can't see 80-year-olds walking to Old San Juan from that property.
If I was sending my mother, I would pick Cayman. It's safe, not too exotic, great weather and a very nice beach. Everyone speaks English, the restaurants in the vicinity range from good to great, it's easy to get to, and has all the comforts of home.
Cheers,
If I was sending my mother, I would pick Cayman. It's safe, not too exotic, great weather and a very nice beach. Everyone speaks English, the restaurants in the vicinity range from good to great, it's easy to get to, and has all the comforts of home.
Cheers,
Come to Chicagoland sometime and see my warehouse.
Dec 20, 2013, 5:55 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Too bad you can't choose the Sheraton San Juan. It has all your criteria, except for the beach. (Don't think Sheraton PR has a beach either...)
Cheers,
Dec 20, 2013, 7:13 pm
#8
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I've been to most of them. They all have good food, or in the area. None are in a city or walkable neighbourhood or have museums, with the possible exception of the Sheraton PR, which I think is the closest to your criteria. But I can't see 80-year-olds walking to Old San Juan from that property.
If I was sending my mother, I would pick Cayman. It's safe, not too exotic, great weather and a very nice beach. Everyone speaks English, the restaurants in the vicinity range from good to great, it's easy to get to, and has all the comforts of home.
Cheers,
If I was sending my mother, I would pick Cayman. It's safe, not too exotic, great weather and a very nice beach. Everyone speaks English, the restaurants in the vicinity range from good to great, it's easy to get to, and has all the comforts of home.
Cheers,
Reading their criteria, Hawaii or the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area might be just as good if not better for what they would like to do, or Key West.
Dec 20, 2013, 7:50 pm
#9
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I've been to most of them and I'd say either Grand Cayman or Aruba.
Dec 21, 2013, 7:05 am
#10
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Not the W Vieques. It's dark with gravel paths making it fairly difficult to get around. Plus you likely need to rent a car.
Dec 21, 2013, 12:10 pm
#11
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Your parents may enjoy the Westin Aruba. The demographics skew older at that resort.
Dec 21, 2013, 12:15 pm
#12
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I think you're going to find that there are significant limits to this offer. I can't find any availability in Cayman, Aruba, St Maarten. And this offer isn't necessarily for 3 nights; properties can limit it to one full paid and one birth year night.
http://www.starwoodpromos.com/payyourbirthyear/
Read the T&C.
You may want to call SPG with a list of dates and properties and see what they come up with.
You will probably find better rates/availability by booking other rates. Like simply booking Cancun for 6 nights.
http://www.starwoodpromos.com/payyourbirthyear/
Read the T&C.
You may want to call SPG with a list of dates and properties and see what they come up with.
You will probably find better rates/availability by booking other rates. Like simply booking Cancun for 6 nights.
Dec 21, 2013, 2:29 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Posts: 1,397
Don't the properties in Puerto Rico have really high resort fees? I seem to recall seeing that on a preliminary search a while back and general discussion on here.
Dec 21, 2013, 3:05 pm
#15
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