DH wants a luxury beach holiday

[Goingawayistricky]

I need advice please.
We both work in jobs with restricted leave (I’m school he’s self employed but travel s abroad with his job). Therefore I am the master of short stay, quirky or last minute deals.
DH said last night he fancies going to someone “lovely”. St Kitts and Nevis appealed to him. He wants white beaches, blue sea and rum. He might also like villas over the sea apparently.

I am out of my comfort zone with this sort of holiday. Most of the online suggestions seem to be aimed at the US. I love America but less fond of Americans on holiday.

Where do I start? August is free. I don’t mind it might be low season due to weather.

@Needlenardlenoo I’ll repeat what I wrote up thread to the same question:
He does book the Christmas Airbnbs.
However because he travels loads he’s not as concerned about going away.
Whereas if I don’t get away in the holidays my window of opportunity has shut.

He’s just back from staying in a brilliant hotel in Qatar. He doesn’t have time to see much but he’s used to hotels, other people feeding him all day etc so the novelty has worn off. I’m booking because I love thinking about going somewhere else.

If your going to Greece later in the year check whether you can get a direct flight.We did a flight to Athens had a few hours there then got a flight to the island and it was a very long day.

Were you fifteen lorazepam down and watching Arnie Schwarzenegger being beyond weird! Thailand is really far for someone who likes short stays. If you don’t like humidity, I’d swerve koh Samui. If you like a mix of beaches with lots to do, it’s perfect. Island hopping.

I lived in khao lak and would love to return. But I’m single and it’s not really a friend trip. Would you say the four seasons would be safe enough for a solo travel? I’d love a fortnight with my own room and pool. Dining on my own.

I thought the beaches in Mauritius felt more survivor tv show and more drab than dreamy beaches I was expecting. I’ve been to Jamaica and loved. Loved. Loved. But my aunt through marriage is Jamaican and she doesn’t even feel easy leaving the resort/complex now to visit family due to criminality. If you want dreamy beaches with rum I could think of nowhere better.

Romantic dreamy beaches that I’ve never heard anyone else mention is Railay beach, Thailand. Didn’t see you had mentioned Australia so equal distance. It put a spell on me. Lots of islands near that were busy like the James Bond island. But there it had beachside villas with pool suites…really dreamy and romantic but with plenty to do equally.

The West Coast of Barbados suits both of your needs. Speightstown is very quirky and still feels 'real'. There are amazing ( expensive) hotels on the beach or lots of private villas/apartments. Have a look at The Fish Pot accommodation as an example of something a bit different.

How about St Kitts and Nevis?

What’s your budget and how many days do you have?
There are definitely places that will suit both of you but some are either very expensive or far away/difficult to get to (which means that they probably need more than a week or 10days).
Are you willing to travel around during the holiday and stay in a few different places or do you just want to stay in one place and do day trips?

Is it not hurricane season in August?

I think Bali or Mexico would be good in August and have a luxurious beach holiday feel

@Goingawayistricky Can you afford a crewed yacht in the BVIs? Or stay in a villa on Virgin Gorda? Other islands are available. Try Little Dix Bay. Not cheap but lovely. A bit more quirky, try BequIa. Haven’t been to StK&N but sailing in bvis is my top pick. Peter Island is lovely too.

I went to Railay last year. It is beautiful but I wouldn't say massively romantic as the noise of long tail boats constantly from 930am to 6pm puts an end to that!

In August in Nevis they have their Culturama festival carnival which is awesome. So much culture and celebrations to be had.

Hahaa that’s where I put in my OP as his top pick …but obviously weather is a factor.

I don’t know where to start with a “proper” holiday either. Normally all I have is very restricted dates, so do the best within that. Having potentially the whole of August but a more specific brief is daunting.

So far Seychelles might work. Looking at Bali. @TizerorFizz No, definitely not got the budget for a yacht. Although that’s how we did the Greek islands and I agree it’s an amazing holiday.

I really appreciate everyone’s insights though.
It’s useful to know also which places have a more “survivor” feel as a PP put it!

Be really careful with Bali - some resorts are the Aussies version of Magaluf.

I LOVE the crewed yacht in BVI suggestion, absolutely stunning location. With hurricanes in August but 🤞🤞🤞

You are kind of right about the Maldives. Picture perfect beautiful islands which great snorkeling but no mountains or other activities!

Your Australian suggestion reminds me of MAFS Aus and the honeymoon destinations they go on - they look stunning! I would speak to a specialist travel advisor.

That’s why I said it lol, as it was what your OP said 😁

I would recommend Mexico, I’ve been several times in August to different parts, whilst it was rainy for some days we had pretty good weather for most. Tulum and Isla Mujeres were my favourites I’d avoid cancun like the plague and if you want some real adventures maybe Isla Holbox, it’s been a few years since I’ve been mind but I would definitely go back.
I have also been to Bali in August, weather was decent, I wasn’t that keen tho tbh I found it a bit grim. The best part was Nusa Penida for me tbh.
if you want amazing beaches the Philippines is the best place I’ve been to in the world but the best time of year is April for that as its boats and beach’s and adventure galore, if you want anything better it’s the Maldives!

We’ve been to Barbados in August twice for 10 days each trip and probably had one or two showers during each stay, which lasted for about half an hour and was then glorious sunshine again. Barbados is away from the main hurricane zone so doesn’t really get impacted. There’s beautiful beaches, the people are very friendly, great food and plenty of other attractions if you want to get away from the beach for a day or so and the snorkelling is fantastic if you’re into that.

Fiji Islands? Awfully long journey though.
French Polynesia
Possibly Seychelles

I’d still look at BVIs for hotels - there are boat trips to other islands and great beaches just about everywhere. Mostly Americans go there but lots of the Caribbean is the same.

I’m pretty much in the same situation as you OP so following for ideas. Have been to the Caribbean previously and can recommend Antigua and Barbados.

Have you thought of Antigua? Everywhere you go in the Caribbean in August may be the same hurricane risk but you said you work in school so how about October? We went to a small, adults only resort in Antigua in Oct24 and it was just perfect. You said you are not keen on Americans, nor are we, but Antigua is heavily catering for Brits, there are Americans of course but they were in minority and mostly couples 40+, very pleased and well behaved. We don't normally do resort holidays as we like exploring etc but we fancied quieter holiday. You can still explore in Antigua (Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights, St Johns) but it's definitely a relaxing vibe.

Australia has some amazing resorts that would probably fit the bill - have a look at the Whitsunday Islands, or Hamilton Island, or the beaches around Byron Bay. Unfortunately it will be winter there in August - still lovely weather but likely to be in the low 20s.

We have family in Oz, so DH and I tend to visit them at the start and finish of a 3-4 week holiday. Winter can be chilly down south (DB and family usually ski), but you would be fine in Queensland/Barrier Reef. Fraser Island is a bit further south, but the (humpback) whale-watching round there is great in July/August.

I would recommend using a decent Australia specialist if you decide to visit; they have more scope to swap itineraries around if hotels/resorts close.

We had to make do with Heron Island (had a toddler in tow), but I would have liked to have a couple of days here:
https://www.wilsonisland.com/greatbarrierreefactivities

Also if you rent a villa you aren’t mixing with anyone!