Caribbean Island planning help

[djyamyam]

It's been 25 years since we've been to the caribbean! Easier for us to go west than east but we're doing it! We're going during a high demand travel time. We've got a reservation at the Crane in Barbados and then looking to add another week before or after either there or on another nearby island since it's not worth it to travel that far for just a week. Any suggestions? I'm seeing TS availability on St. Maartten at one of the Divi resorts. Open to other ideas

 

[b2bailey]

Unlike a visit to Hawaii, Island hopping in the Caribbean is a bit more challenging (and expensive.)

 

[bucs0721]

If you plan on staying in Barbados, you might want to check out this place. It's in Payne's Bay right off of the main drag. Walking distance to QP Bistro & The Cliff restaurants. It's also convenient to the local 'reggae' bus & Barbados bus. We took the reggae bus all of the time to restaurants & beaches north of Paynes Bay.

Beach View Barbados

4-star Barbados hotel offering villas, suites & hotel rooms. Across from the beach, 4 swimming pools, poolside restaurant, gym, spa & salon, free WiFi

www.beachviewbarbados.com

 

[GrayFal]

Suggest you first do a search of where you can fly to from Barbados - without having to go back thru Miami.
It might not be possible?

There are many TS choices in Aruba and St Martin; those would be your best bet. Marriott STT really nice but would likely need a Marriott to trade into in high season.

 

[Laurie]

fyi -- maybe these aren't all the options, but some:

Barbados Island Hopping

While on your Barbados vacation, you can travel by island-hopping to many other Caribbean islands.

www.totallybarbados.com

While on your Barbados vacation, you can travel by island-hopping to many other Caribbean islands.

Direct flights are available from Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados, to Antigua, Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tobago, or Trinidad.

 

[GrayFal]

fyi -- maybe these aren't all the options, but some:

Barbados Island Hopping

While on your Barbados vacation, you can travel by island-hopping to many other Caribbean islands.

www.totallybarbados.com

While on your Barbados vacation, you can travel by island-hopping to many other Caribbean islands.

Direct flights are available from Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados, to Antigua, Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tobago, or Trinidad.

Windjammer Landing St Lucia available in RCI Points, very very nice.

 

[djyamyam]

Windjammer Landing St Lucia available in RCI Points, very very nice.

I've been tracking inventory at this resort for a while now but very limited availability and definitely not for the high demand time I'm looking for, unless a it comes as a unicorn

 

[djyamyam]

fyi -- maybe these aren't all the options, but some:

Barbados Island Hopping

While on your Barbados vacation, you can travel by island-hopping to many other Caribbean islands.

www.totallybarbados.com

While on your Barbados vacation, you can travel by island-hopping to many other Caribbean islands.

Direct flights are available from Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados, to Antigua, Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tobago, or Trinidad.

Thanks, I found the same. I have access these areas via both exchange companies but not too many options for our time, and most are all-inclusive. I've checked out the TUG reviews too. St. Maarten seems to have the most availability from a TS non-AI standpoint

 

[Laurie]

Thanks, I found the same. I have access these areas via both exchange companies but not too many options for our time, and most are all-inclusive. I've checked out the TUG reviews too. St. Maarten seems to have the most availability from a TS non-AI standpoint

So you mentioned the Divi resort in St. Maarten, I think the only one is at Little Bay. We haven't stayed at the resort, but spent 2 weeks next door at Belair Beach Club which shares a beach, and walked a few steps over to the beach directly in front of it to swim every day. We did walk around Divi, and it was pleasant and scenic. The location was excellent for what we were looking for -- we could walk into town (it was Carnival season, so we walked over to Carnival Village every evening for concerts), and also had a car for further exploration. That was awhile back before some hurricanes caused major damage on the island, but assuming things are satisfactorily restored, I would choose the location again, and wouldn't turn it down to make a doable 2-week trip.

 

[Laurie]

Oh -- but are there direct flights between Barbados and St Maarten? Maybe not then ...
Editing to say: yes, Winair shows direct flights between the 2. Good luck!

 

[GrayFal]

I am glad @Laurie mentioned Divi Little Bay. I had a TUG friend do 2 weeks there 10 years ago. They loved the location on-a peninsula with fabulous views of the harbor and all the cruise ships. Close to town. They really enjoyed it

 

[djyamyam]

Oh -- but are there direct flights between Barbados and St Maarten? Maybe not then ...
Editing to say: yes, Winair shows direct flights between the 2. Good luck!

Doesn't look like they have any flights this far out but Caribbean air has connecting flights via Trinnidad/Tobago

 

[stmartinfan]

We own at Divi Little Nay and are there right now. Have visited SXM almost annually for more than 25 years because we love the island. Divi Is a great location but you need a car to get to restaurants and other beaches, or can taxi like many visitors do. Some of the small island hops fly into Grand Case airport as well as flights to Juliana, the major airport.