Where should Mr. Athena and I go on vacation in February?

What I’d like to do is spend a week at the Hyatt Regency on Kauai, Hawaii. Unfortunately, that runs around $6K for a week’s lodging, airfare, and car, and that’s not really desirable at this point. I’d like to find something in the $2-$3K range that includes air, lodging, and a car if needed. I’m thinking someplace beach-y. Warm is a must.

Be warned that I have a taste for really, really nice hotels and restaurants. I’m looking for a relaxing vacation, and something like a posh resort and spa where I only leave the hotel twice in a week (once to go see some Mayan ruins, the other time to go shop and eat at the lovely little village a few miles away) sounds really nice. However, I like a variety of things, and staying at a funky waterfront hotel in Belize where I spend my time kayaking, playing in the ocean, and drinking cocktails that come with small umbrellas in 'em, poolside, sound pretty damn good, too.

Here’s what we like:

  • a really nice pool area, with a bar (umbrella-laden drinks a plus!)
  • some good restaurants, either at the hotel or within walking distance
  • good service. Really, really great service if we can get it at our price range.
  • stuff to do. Here’s a sampling of what we like to do, one or two of 'em should be available:
    Snorkelling and/or diving
    Walking through cute towns, stopping at local shops and restaurants
    Stuff to see: ruins, pretty beaches, nice overlooks, jungles, hikes, etc.
    Outdoor activities of all sorts (ie: rent a bicycle and pedel up the road a few miles to that black sand beach)

Any ideas?

Just had a belated honeymoon in Costa Rica. I highly recommend the Hotel Si Como No ( sicomono.com ).

beaches - check
kayaking - check
good restaurant - check
nice pool - check (with monkeys that come by and leap from tree to tree, a swim-up bar, an iguana that hangs out on the roof…)

No Mayan ruins tho…

Given that you’re not likely to find Mayan ruins in Hawaii, I’ll make a suggestion:

Isla Muejres (The Island of Women) off the Yucutan Peninsula. Beaches, kayaking, good restaurants, nice amenities, right next to a nature preserve.

or

Anguilla. Again, no Mayan ruins, but very nice full service resorts and beautiful, secluded, unpopulated beaches.

Well, the in-laws are building their house in Placentia, Belize as we speak and they are putting in two guest suites downstairs that they will be renting out for a very reasonable price. It’ll be done in January. Mrs. Bernse and I will hopefully be heading out March-ish.

It has all of your “stuff to do” list but to be honest, you won’t be waited on hand and foot… you’ll be more or less “left alone.” Very quiet, laid back, and safe.

http://www.placencia.com/

Interested?

And I still can’t spell Placencia to save my life. :rolleyes: