Where to go for tropical vacation?

Some friends and I are trying to come up with some ideas for vacation next year (2012). We were considering Atlantis on Paradise Island, however the prices and costs of food are a bit of a turn off. I don't mind paying for a good vacation, but 15% gratuity on every meal, $25 hamburgers, and the hour long waits to get into restaurants don't really thrill me. I'd like to be able to eat when I want to eat, and do what I want to do, when I want to do it. And it just seems like they want to charge you for every little thing, and nothing at all is included for free. Atlantis isn't ruled out, we'd just like to find some other options.



What we're looking for:



- First and foremost, we want it to be safe. No shady areas, or one of those "don't wander off the hotel property/watch your drink constantly" resorts. I understand you always need to be alert and aware, but I don't want to be in a bad area that puts us at risk.



-Beach front... :) Obviously has to be on the beach. Don't want something that is 4 miles inland.



- A nice variety of restaurants and food, at decent prices. It's nice to have different options than just the one in your hotel. And it's nice to have a burger that doesn't cost $25+ and an hour wait. I'm also a "fine diner", and I realize what's involved, but I also don't want to end up paying $200 +15% for a steak and glass of wine either, that I would pay $60-$100 at home for.



- Nightclubs, a fitness center, waterparks, jet skis, other fun stuff... I love just sitting back relaxing, but it's nice to have other stuff to do as well. So these would be a plus.



- And definitely a good overall staff at the resort. I'm on vacation, I don't want to have to worry, or be bothered by going through hassles everywhere I go. The friendlier you are, the better and more comfortable I feel. :)





I realize it's a lot to ask, to have all of these wrapped into one.. But I know there is a lot of people out there who have traveled more than I could ever imagine. Basically, it would be nice to have an Atlantis-type resort, without the over-priced things. So if anyone has any suggestions, whether it be Jamaica, Cancun, Virgin Islands, etc., I'm open to suggestions.



Thanks!Where to go for tropical vacation?
Well. first of all, do you have passports? If not, then the US VirginIslands are your only choice......which, based on 37 years on St Thomas, is apretty goood choice.



Everything from 5 star ( Caneel Bay ) to three star ( Sugar Bay/Frenchman's Reef ) to three-star -looks- like-where-Buffet-would-have-stayed-befo鈥?-became -rich ( Bolongo Bay) all of the above have what you mentioned.....
you can go easilyWhere to go for tropical vacation?
If your level of knowledge is based on ALL INCLUSIVE then you automatically can expect to get a resort IN THE WORST PART OF TOWN.. they don't build all inclusive resorts in the NICE parts of town.. Besides that, "ALL INCLUSIVE" is travel industry CODE for "RESORTS CATERING TO BIG FAMILIES ON SMALL BUDGETS".. so the one thing you will find in an all inclusive resort is CHEAP FROZEN FOODS, and cheap watered down booze.. and small out of control brats running around between the BABY STROLLERS.

Why would ANY ADULT who is not dragging along a bunch of brats.. want to go to an ALL INCLUSIVE? Especially one like ATLANTIS that is nothing more than a FAKE THEME PARK it's NOT REAL.. it's all FAKE and about as authentic MAYAN as CINDERELLA'S CASTLE in Disneyland.

When people like YOU come here with a whole list of DEMANDS (even YOU admit "it's a lot to ask" then the ONLY and BEST answer I can give yoiu is: GO SEE A TRAVEL AGENT. Answer Caribbean Travel IS NOT A TRAVEL AGENT although someo of you people seem to think it is. With all those DEMANDS then the ONLY THING you can do is SEE A TRAVEL AGENT.. that way you will get what you are looking for AND IT WON'T COST YOU ANY MORE.. it's FREE ADVICE from a TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL and not from these 14 year old girls on here who tell everyone to 'come to Jamaica'.
Hi,

Place: Cayman Islands why because it has been awarded the BEST PLACE to visit in the Caribbean and Mexico and got place number 23 in the world to visit; Grand Cayman has the best has one of the best beaches in the world: 7 MILES BEACH is a safe island very very safe and have fun for adults and kids....

Hotel: The Ritz Carlton one of the best hotels in the caribbean , or The Marriott but not only those they are plenty more and all of then got from cheap to expensive rooms...

Cayman Islands paradise the best beaches, clubs, restaurants like the Brick House or Dog House believe me a burger wont cost you 25 dollars but they are luxurious restaurants too believe me very very luxurious...

Attractions: Plenties: The Dolphin Cove, West Bay where you can go with horses (dont know very well this attraction but its great) Turtle Farm, Rum Point, Stingray City is a sandbar located ten or 20 minutes from the island you go in a ferry and u can swim with stingrays, Atlantis Submarine u go in it and u go inside the water like for 45 minutes they take u like to a reef where u can see the ocean beauty

Nightlife: Excellent believe me u wont get dissapointed about cayman visit it