[MoeTE87]

Good morning All,

I have been trying to do some of my own research on this but there is just way too much out there.

My 10 year wedding anniversary is next year, October 2026. The wife and I want to go somewhere fun, with a gorgeous beach and lots to do. I am having a hard time deciding where to go. We are thinking 5-7 days minimum.

When I look at certain places, some have really good reviews then they have 8 straight negative reviews.

We are open to all inclusive's but also okay to pay for a noninclusive if the place checks all of our boxes.

We are looking for a place with awesome food, unbelievable pools and not a forever drive from the airport. Wife loves the spa and I would be looking at taking my golf clubs to play about 36 holes while there.

We stayed at the Sandals La Toc in St. Lucia 2 years ago and the place was absolute garbage. Was not cheap at all! Beach was a joke. The pool was gross and the hot tubs were either 10000 degrees or cold with a cloudy film. We don't want to make this mistake again.

Any help would be much appreciated! The wife and I have been to the Caribbean before. Jamaica, Grand Caymans, Bahamas.

Just wanted to get your first hand experiences and not just rely on trip advisor website where the majority of the reviews are just fluff.

Please provide links if possible!


Thanks!

[CamasM3e93]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Good morning All,

I have been trying to do some of my own research on this but there is just way too much out there.

My 10 year wedding anniversary is next year, October 2026. The wife and I want to go somewhere fun, with a gorgeous beach and lots to do. I am having a hard time deciding where to go. We are thinking 5-7 days minimum.

When I look at certain places, some have really good reviews then they have 8 straight negative reviews.

We are open to all inclusive's but also okay to pay for a noninclusive if the place checks all of our boxes.

We are looking for a place with awesome food, unbelievable pools and not a forever drive from the airport. Wife loves the spa and I would be looking at taking my golf clubs to play about 36 holes while there.

We stayed at the Sandals La Toc in St. Lucia 2 years ago and the place was absolute garbage. Was not cheap at all! Beach was a joke. The pool was gross and the hot tubs were either 10000 degrees or cold with a cloudy film. We don't want to make this mistake again.

Any help would be much appreciated! The wife and I have been to the Caribbean before. Jamaica, Grand Caymans, Bahamas.

Just wanted to get your first hand experiences and not just rely on trip advisor website where the majority of the reviews are just fluff.

Please provide links if possible!


Thanks!

Grand Hyatt in Poipu, Kauai (Hawaii)

[the_abe]

How much are you wanting to spend? The Hotel Wailea on Maui is very nice but you're going to pay for it.

https://www.hotelwailea.com/

[GarySL]

Is Cuba still accessible? If so, paging Lady Jane...

[Alfisti]

I'd try and find more time and head to Greece rather than confine myself to a pre-packaged saccharine experience. Just sayin.

[JMcLellan]

Originally Posted by CamasM3e93

Grand Hyatt in Poipu, Kauai (Hawaii)

That is an amazing hotel and the beach out front is beautiful!

[JMcLellan]

My first thought reading what you are looking to do was try out Hawaii which a couple other people already recommended. Due to the long flights and time zone difference you would want to shoot for 7 days or more vs 5 days.

I have been to each of the 4 main islands and I have always had an amazing time. There aren't all inclusive options that Im aware of but there are plenty of resorts and Air BnB options. Also, renting a car there is a must to go and explore.

A couple other places that I have heard good things about but haven't been are Aruba, Turks and Caicos, and the Virgin Islands.

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by CamasM3e93

Grand Hyatt in Poipu, Kauai (Hawaii)

Thank you! Will check it out!

Originally Posted by the_abe

How much are you wanting to spend? The Hotel Wailea on Maui is very nice but you're going to pay for it.

https://www.hotelwailea.com/

Awesome! We have a decent budget so this is something we would be interested in!

Originally Posted by GarySL

Is Cuba still accessible? If so, paging Lady Jane...

Haha! Maybe.

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I'd try and find more time and head to Greece rather than confine myself to a pre-packaged saccharine experience. Just sayin.

That is definitely on our list! Have any recommendations?

Originally Posted by JMcLellan

That is an amazing hotel and the beach out front is beautiful!

Thanks for vouching for that!

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by JMcLellan

My first thought reading what you are looking to do was try out Hawaii which a couple other people already recommended. Due to the long flights and time zone difference you would want to shoot for 7 days or more vs 5 days.

I have been to each of the 4 main islands and I have always had an amazing time. There aren't all inclusive options that Im aware of but there are plenty of resorts and Air BnB options. Also, renting a car there is a must to go and explore.

A couple other places that I have heard good things about but haven't been are Aruba, Turks and Caicos, and the Virgin Islands.

Thanks for the info JMcLellan!

Not sure how my wife would do on a long flight to Hawaii but if we find a place we are excited about then we will make it happen. I am not opposed to Hawaii, but would be open to other places...like Aruba (wife has been), Turks and Caicos, and others.

Looking for a fun place to go that when you walk into the resort and your room, its unreal and breathtaking. I have seen a lot of resorts where the resort is nice, but then the room looks like an shitty updated Motel 6 job. I know when going to these places, you don't spend a lot of time in the room but we want that wow factor in all aspect of the resort.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Thank you! Will check it out!
That is definitely on our list! Have any recommendations?

Greece won't be resort style "do nothing" vacation though, you need to explore a bit but the beaches are excellent and Prices reasonable. We did Santorini, Paros and Athens to sort of get a mix. You can drop Athens (though we loved it) and add another island. Paros is ugly at first sight as it is a critical transport hub but get away from the port into Noussa and it is beautiful, not to mention the wonderful Faragas beach bar........ this is where you do nothing.

[JMcLellan]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Thanks for the info JMcLellan!

Not sure how my wife would do on a long flight to Hawaii but if we find a place we are excited about then we will make it happen. I am not opposed to Hawaii, but would be open to other places...like Aruba (wife has been), Turks and Caicos, and others.

Looking for a fun place to go that when you walk into the resort and your room, its unreal and breathtaking. I have seen a lot of resorts where the resort is nice, but then the room looks like an shitty updated Motel 6 job. I know when going to these places, you don't spend a lot of time in the room but we want that wow factor in all aspect of the resort.

Sounds like you need something like the Four Seasons, or Ritz Carlton. I've been to the Four Seasons in Ko'Olina (Oahu) when I stayed at the Disney Aulani resort which is right next door and they share the same beach cove. Another place that would be amazing is the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua on Maui. Both Ko'Olina and Kapalua are right by amazing golf courses. Just saying

Jade Mountain resort in St. Lucia looks absolutely incredible but you said you went there before.

[CLTMDA]

Four Seasons, Hualalai was great, been there a few times.

Turks & Caicos is also great for the beach, not sure about golf.

[Watching The World Burn]

Curacao has decent beaches / water and decent food options if you want to go Caribbean. I don't know about golf as I'm not much of a golfer so I never looked it up.

We did a 10 year anniversary trip ourselves, though we went to Italy for two weeks. It was fantastic. Though if you went there, I'd suggest maybe going a month or two before your anniversary just so you get the warm weather still.

[CLTMDA]

If you wanted to consider August/September, You could think about the Four Seasons, Whistler. Lots to do, great food. We have been there 10+ times, twice in summer and I think I might like summer better. In fact, it is on our list to get to at some point this summer. Not exactly beachy, but an option nonetheless.

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Greece won't be resort style "do nothing" vacation though, you need to explore a bit but the beaches are excellent and Prices reasonable. We did Santorini, Paros and Athens to sort of get a mix. You can drop Athens (though we loved it) and add another island. Paros is ugly at first sight as it is a critical transport hub but get away from the port into Noussa and it is beautiful, not to mention the wonderful Faragas beach bar........ this is where you do nothing.

Sounds good and thanks for the info! I will make note of this! I will need to ask the wife if she is down to site see and walk around or be a beach / pool bum. I would like to mix it up as I can't sit still for too long.

When we went to St. Lucia, we went 4-wheelin for a day because we didn't want to drink all day and wanted to do something fun.

Originally Posted by JMcLellan

Sounds like you need something like the Four Seasons, or Ritz Carlton. I've been to the Four Seasons in Ko'Olina (Oahu) when I stayed at the Disney Aulani resort which is right next door and they share the same beach cove. Another place that would be amazing is the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua on Maui. Both Ko'Olina and Kapalua are right by amazing golf courses. Just saying

Jade Mountain resort in St. Lucia looks absolutely incredible but you said you went there before.

Perfect! Will check these out! Tough part is having the resorts being adult only. Golf is at the top of my list!

Originally Posted by CLTMDA

Four Seasons, Hualalai was great, been there a few times.

Turks & Caicos is also great for the beach, not sure about golf.

Thank you! I have heard and seen a lot of great things about Turks & Caicos. Just want to be safe.

Originally Posted by Watching The World Burn

Curacao has decent beaches / water and decent food options if you want to go Caribbean. I don't know about golf as I'm not much of a golfer so I never looked it up.

We did a 10 year anniversary trip ourselves, though we went to Italy for two weeks. It was fantastic. Though if you went there, I'd suggest maybe going a month or two before your anniversary just so you get the warm weather still.

Our one friend and her husband are avid Sandals members and they go twice a year to their resorts. (they dont have kids) and they loved Curacao and would go back. Not sure if I would do with them. Huge story. lol.

Originally Posted by CLTMDA

If you wanted to consider August/September, You could think about the Four Seasons, Whistler. Lots to do, great food. We have been there 10+ times, twice in summer and I think I might like summer better. In fact, it is on our list to get to at some point this summer. Not exactly beachy, but an option nonetheless.

Good thinking. I have been thinking about that too! I know October might be tough, season temp wise, but we are looking when our daughter is in school so it would help my parents and my wife's parents watching our daughter. But I will make sure to keep the season / month in mind when booking.

The wife and I are open to other places. Hawaii sounds amazing but I don't think my wife could do a 12hr flight. I'm not even sure if I could. lol.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

...
The wife and I are open to other places. Hawaii sounds amazing but I don't think my wife could do a 12hr flight. I'm not even sure if I could. lol.

Looks like it's about 9 1/2 hours in the air and quite a longish layover on the way. Is your wife's issue the air-time or total travel time?

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Looks like it's about 9 1/2 hours in the air and quite a longish layover on the way. Is your wife's issue the air-time or total travel time?

Both! lol.

[m630]

If want to stay at a beach resort with a few day trips as one other noted above, go to Kona, and stay at the Four Seasons Hualalali, its 900acres of pristine lush greenery carved out into volcanic rock. Flying into Kona will feel like landing on the moon, its amazing.
Its the highest grossing FS in the world for a reason, ive been all over and if u want ultimate privacy and ultimate luxury beach destination in the US, this is the place. Even if u dont like long flights just fly to LA and have a couple hour stopover and then fly to Hawaii, Kona is on the big Island which is also named Hawaii.
Added bonus u can see Kilauea erupting majorly now in the Volcano national park, or as I did, take a day trip to the top of Mauna Kea for a sunset tour on the tallest volcano in the world and then catch a star gazing show on the way down and see the milky way in real life. U can see the light from the Kilauea lava eruptions too from up at the stargazing station.
So much to do on the big island though the resort is so amazing ull not want to leave much! Spent 2+weeks out there for the honeymoon and while the FS Maui in Waialea is very nice, once u see the property in Kona ull regret going to Maui! LOL!
Good luck

[2000cs]

October is still hurricane season in the gulf/FL/islands. For an important trip like this you could get trip insurance but you just get your money back and have to sit at home on the anniversary. For me, I’d prefer to plan going to another region. Hawaii is a good call, as is Greece, maybe Portugal. San Diego (area) might work also.

The warm beach thing really narrows the choices; there are a lot of cool places to explore in fall like the CA-OR coast (Santa Barbara to WA border), maybe Yosemite (too late for Yellowstone), Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, Prague, etc.

[2000cs]

By the way the traditional 10th anniversary gift is tin or aluminum (awesome!) and the modern is diamond. So, Hawaii, visit Diamond Head, maybe some diamond stud earrings? Cheesy but also memorable.

[Alfisti]

Have a poke around here........

https://alfiimages.zenfolio.com/f911526456

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by m630

If want to stay at a beach resort with a few day trips as one other noted above, go to Kona, and stay at the Four Seasons Hualalali, its 900acres of pristine lush greenery carved out into volcanic rock. Flying into Kona will feel like landing on the moon, its amazing.
Its the highest grossing FS in the world for a reason, ive been all over and if u want ultimate privacy and ultimate luxury beach destination in the US, this is the place. Even if u dont like long flights just fly to LA and have a couple hour stopover and then fly to Hawaii, Kona is on the big Island which is also named Hawaii.
Added bonus u can see Kilauea erupting majorly now in the Volcano national park, or as I did, take a day trip to the top of Mauna Kea for a sunset tour on the tallest volcano in the world and then catch a star gazing show on the way down and see the milky way in real life. U can see the light from the Kilauea lava eruptions too from up at the stargazing station.
So much to do on the big island though the resort is so amazing ull not want to leave much! Spent 2+weeks out there for the honeymoon and while the FS Maui in Waialea is very nice, once u see the property in Kona ull regret going to Maui! LOL!
Good luck

Sounds wonderful to be honest! I will make note of it!

Originally Posted by 2000cs

October is still hurricane season in the gulf/FL/islands. For an important trip like this you could get trip insurance but you just get your money back and have to sit at home on the anniversary. For me, I’d prefer to plan going to another region. Hawaii is a good call, as is Greece, maybe Portugal. San Diego (area) might work also.

The warm beach thing really narrows the choices; there are a lot of cool places to explore in fall like the CA-OR coast (Santa Barbara to WA border), maybe Yosemite (too late for Yellowstone), Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, Prague, etc.

I think we are looking at going elsewhere. I brought it up to my wife last night while we were getting our daughter ready for bed and my wife gave a look like, "ehhh, no thanks."

So I am thinking she is wanting the Caribbean or just somewhere else. Greece is on our bucket list for sure. I would love to go to Europe and explore a few places out there.

I will chat with her this weekend and see what she is thinking. I know she has had a crazy work week so far, so it doesn't surprise me that she wasn't in the mood to chat about it.

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Have a poke around here........

https://alfiimages.zenfolio.com/f911526456

Will do! Thanks!