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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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St. Lucia or Aruba?
DH and I are planning to go away for a week in February. It's been a really rough year so we just want sun, beaches, pools and relaxation.
We went to Aruba for our honeymoon and I'd love to go back there but DH is dieing to go to St. Lucia. Has anyone been there in February?
I've been researching average temps for both places and they're pretty close..I'm just nervous that it might be rainy/chilly at that time of year.
We definitely want an all-inclusive, I've heard some not so great things about the Sandals in St. Lucia so we're looking at The Windjammer Landing. We stayed at The RIU for our honeymoon in Aruba and LOVED it, but it's sold out for the week we want. Looking into The Occidental in Aruba.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. 
Message edited 11/29/2013 11:33:57 AM.
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Posted 11/29/13 11:23 AM  |
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BsMomma2014
Fly high little one
Member since 6/10 2662 total posts
Name:
nicole
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
We went for our honeymoon and stayed at the Sandals Grande and had an amazing time! they service, food and amenities were fabulous. I would go back in a heartbeat
We went in June
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| Posted 11/29/13 1:06 PM |
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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Thanks for your response, I'm glad you loved St. Lucia!
Message edited 11/29/2013 2:08:04 PM.
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| Posted 11/29/13 2:07 PM |
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ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides
Member since 11/12 14481 total posts
Name:
Me
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St. Lucia or Aruba?
St Lucia is gorgeous. It it's not like Aruba. It's has a lot of cliffs and there's not as much to do there. The just opened a beautiful viceroy resort at the former sugar plantation. It's. It all inclusive.
Also a lot of the properties are. To on swimmable beaches as it is so mountainous.
Are u open to other islands?
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| Posted 11/29/13 2:18 PM |
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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by ANewDayHasCome
St Lucia is gorgeous. It it's not like Aruba. It's has a lot of cliffs and there's not as much to do there. The just opened a beautiful viceroy resort at the former sugar plantation. It's. It all inclusive.
Also a lot of the properties are. To on swimmable beaches as it is so mountainous.
Are u open to other islands?
Yes, definitely! As long as it's an all-inclusive in a warm destination, we're open to anything.
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| Posted 11/29/13 3:22 PM |
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ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides
Member since 11/12 14481 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Check out this article
Fodors
The resort I was talking about is on there and I guess they have an all inclusive option? Jade mountain and viceroy sugar beach.
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| Posted 11/29/13 3:43 PM |
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SusiBee
. . . . .
Member since 3/09 8268 total posts
Name:
S
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
No to Occidental Aruba.
Been there and DH and I don't like it. Food & alcohol suck.
Went there because friends have a time share.
Hyatt is really nice but pricy, heard good things abouth the Radisson too.
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| Posted 11/29/13 4:41 PM |
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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by ANewDayHasCome
Check out this article
Fodors
The resort I was talking about is on there and I guess they have an all inclusive option? Jade mountain and viceroy sugar beach.
Wow, that resort looks gorgeous. I'll definitely look into it, thanks!
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| Posted 11/29/13 5:47 PM |
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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by SusiBee
No to Occidental Aruba.
Been there and DH and I don't like it. Food & alcohol suck.
Went there because friends have a time share.
Hyatt is really nice but pricy, heard good things abouth the Radisson too.
Wow, good to know! Thank you!
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| Posted 11/29/13 5:47 PM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by APT910
Posted by SusiBee
No to Occidental Aruba.
Been there and DH and I don't like it. Food & alcohol suck.
Went there because friends have a time share.
Hyatt is really nice but pricy, heard good things abouth the Radisson too.
Wow, good to know! Thank you!
We really liked the Radisdon but its not all inclusive. And their food and drinks are pretty expensive.
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| Posted 11/29/13 6:41 PM |
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ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides
Member since 11/12 14481 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by APT910
Posted by ANewDayHasCome
Check out this article
Fodors
The resort I was talking about is on there and I guess they have an all inclusive option? Jade mountain and viceroy sugar beach.
Wow, that resort looks gorgeous. I'll definitely look into it, thanks!
They're both amazing. The viceroy one isn't kid friendly bc of the cliffs (but that's a good thing,,haha) and the beach isn't right there but that's like most properties on the island.
I can list all the amazing properties in the Caribbean if you want. Fm me. I used to be in high end travel when I was working.
Message edited 11/29/2013 8:31:31 PM.
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| Posted 11/29/13 8:31 PM |
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Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
I just posted this on another thread where you mentioned Aruba.....
We stayed at the renaissance back in 2006 and LOVED IT! I loved the location because we were able to walk to alot. THe only negative (depending on what you are looking for) is the hotel is not ON the beach, its in downtown on the marina. So to get to the beach they have a boat that drives into the hotel and takes you to a private island which was so nice IMO. They had a family beach and adult beach. Food place on the island and tons of flamingos which was fun to see!
Also I have only heard good things about St Lucia but we havent been there.
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| Posted 12/2/13 10:28 AM |
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OnlyU12
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/13 431 total posts
Name:
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
I just got back from Jamaica. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
We stayed at Secrets, in Montego Bay. All adults, beautiful rooms, 7 restaurants, entertainment is great. 15 min ride from airport. We had a blast!! Tons of activities, and things to see. Really, really nice. We are going back next year.
February is perfect for Jamaica. Hot, sunny and relaxing.
November was 89 degree weather everday, and sunny. YA MON! LOL
We also stayed in Ocho Rios which I prefer the beach at, but it's 90 mins away from airport.
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| Posted 12/2/13 2:40 PM |
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Kathy042806
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 1417 total posts
Name:
Kathy
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Aruba...We've been twice and loove it. Did St. Lucia for our honeymoon in 2006, stayed at Sandals Regency La Toc and have had a horrible expensive experience.
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| Posted 12/3/13 8:51 AM |
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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by Kelly9904
I just posted this on another thread where you mentioned Aruba.....
We stayed at the renaissance back in 2006 and LOVED IT! I loved the location because we were able to walk to alot. THe only negative (depending on what you are looking for) is the hotel is not ON the beach, its in downtown on the marina. So to get to the beach they have a boat that drives into the hotel and takes you to a private island which was so nice IMO. They had a family beach and adult beach. Food place on the island and tons of flamingos which was fun to see!
Also I have only heard good things about St Lucia but we havent been there.
Good to know! Thanks for the feed back. I'm leaning more towards Aruba, definitely going to pass your review on to DH.
Message edited 12/3/2013 1:05:30 PM.
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| Posted 12/3/13 12:24 PM |
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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by OnlyU12
I just got back from Jamaica. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
We stayed at Secrets, in Montego Bay. All adults, beautiful rooms, 7 restaurants, entertainment is great. 15 min ride from airport. We had a blast!! Tons of activities, and things to see. Really, really nice. We are going back next year.
February is perfect for Jamaica. Hot, sunny and relaxing.
November was 89 degree weather everday, and sunny. YA MON! LOL
We also stayed in Ocho Rios which I prefer the beach at, but it's 90 mins away from airport.
DH actually went to Jamaica with an ex girlfriend and hated it. He said he'd never go back...I told him it wasn't the location, it was the company. 
I'm going to look into the resort you mentioned. How far is it from the airport? One of the things DH hated was the ride to the resort he stayed in.
Message edited 12/3/2013 12:26:53 PM.
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| Posted 12/3/13 12:25 PM |
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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by Kathy042806
Aruba...We've been twice and loove it. Did St. Lucia for our honeymoon in 2006, stayed at Sandals Regency La Toc and have had a horrible expensive experience.
I've heard the same things about the Sandals in St. Lucia. DH's cousins stayed there in 2007 and a friend of mine stayed there in 2011 - they both had bad experiences.
We went to Aruba for our honeymoon and LOVED it! DH has always wanted to go to St. Lucia though, so we're up in the air.
What month did you visit St. Lucia?
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| Posted 12/3/13 12:30 PM |
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HisNoMore
LIF Toddler
Member since 12/10 415 total posts
Name:
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
We stayed at the Windjammer Landing during February break. We had warm, beautiful sunny days the entire 10 days we were there. The water was also warm enough to swim. If you have any questions about the resort let me know.
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| Posted 12/3/13 1:10 PM |
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OnlyU12
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/13 431 total posts
Name:
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by APT910
Posted by OnlyU12
I just got back from Jamaica. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
We stayed at Secrets, in Montego Bay. All adults, beautiful rooms, 7 restaurants, entertainment is great. 15 min ride from airport. We had a blast!! Tons of activities, and things to see. Really, really nice. We are going back next year.
February is perfect for Jamaica. Hot, sunny and relaxing.
November was 89 degree weather everday, and sunny. YA MON! LOL
We also stayed in Ocho Rios which I prefer the beach at, but it's 90 mins away from airport.
DH actually went to Jamaica with an ex girlfriend and hated it. He said he'd never go back...I told him it wasn't the location, it was the company.
I'm going to look into the resort you mentioned. How far is it from the airport? One of the things DH hated was the ride to the resort he stayed in.
We stayed at Ocho Rios for 4 days at the RUI< we both said never again to the RUI. We would go back to Ocho Rios but its a 90 min ride.
Secrets was only 15 MINS from the airport. BEST vacation and money spent. I can guarantee that.
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| Posted 12/3/13 1:28 PM |
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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by HisNoMore
We stayed at the Windjammer Landing during February break. We had warm, beautiful sunny days the entire 10 days we were there. The water was also warm enough to swim. If you have any questions about the resort let me know.
Thank you!!! The weather is what I was concerned about. I really want to just veg out in the sun with a drink and a good book! Was it warm enough to lay out in your bathing suit?
Also, would you recommend the resort? I've read some complaints about it being TOO big: rooms are too far from restaurants/pool/beach..did you find any issues with it? How was the food and service?
DH and I are both pretty easy going so I think we will pretty much be happy anywhere with sun, warmth, food and drinks. LOL But any feed back you have would be awesome!
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| Posted 12/3/13 3:05 PM |
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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by OnlyU12
Secrets was only 15 MINS from the airport. BEST vacation and money spent. I can guarantee that.
Sounds amazing, I'll definitely look into it. Thanks again!
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| Posted 12/3/13 3:05 PM |
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HisNoMore
LIF Toddler
Member since 12/10 415 total posts
Name:
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Yes, absolutely you will be able to lay out in your swim suit on the beach or pool! The resort is big. It's all villas built into the hills but that's what is St. Lucia, hills, mountains and valleys. We had a three-floor villa. They do have golf carts to pick up to bring to you to the hub but we liked the walk which takes less than 5 minutes and it's just such a beautiful property you won't mind the walk.
There are I believe 4 restaurants on property. Embers on the beach which has beach service so you won't have to leave your lounge chair for a drink or food. Dragonfly is their upscale restaurant which you will need reservations. There's Papa Don's for Italian in the upper part of resort near the quiet pool. I highly recommend going off resort one night for dinner at the Coal Pot. Upscale yet island funky with tables literally feet from the water. There's another restaurant in town that the name escapes me that was also fantastic. I'll post back after I look at my notes.
Looking into Jump Up which I think is on Friday nights (if you're there on a Friday) in Castries. Local vendors, restaurants and bars open the street to pedestrians only. I have friends that live in St. Lucia so we hit a lot of off the beaten track places. Never felt unsafe.
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| Posted 12/3/13 5:35 PM |
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Kathy042806
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 1417 total posts
Name:
Kathy
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Posted by APT910
Posted by Kathy042806
Aruba...We've been twice and loove it. Did St. Lucia for our honeymoon in 2006, stayed at Sandals Regency La Toc and have had a horrible expensive experience.
I've heard the same things about the Sandals in St. Lucia. DH's cousins stayed there in 2007 and a friend of mine stayed there in 2011 - they both had bad experiences.
We went to Aruba for our honeymoon and LOVED it! DH has always wanted to go to St. Lucia though, so we're up in the air.
What month did you visit St. Lucia?
We stayed from April 30-May 5th...the weather was great, our experience was just not great, the island itself isn't as "nice" as Aruba. Aruba is definitely much safer to leave the resort, which we love, and food in Aruba is waayyyy better
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| Posted 12/3/13 5:51 PM |
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caps612
In love with my little guys!!
Member since 8/10 5108 total posts
Name:
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Re: St. Lucia or Aruba?
Personally I think if you really want all inclusive don't go to Aruba... the food is sooooo good at the all the restaurants it is a waste there!
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| Posted 12/6/13 3:33 PM |
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BabyBearA
LIF Adult
Member since 7/11 1254 total posts
Name:
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St. Lucia or Aruba?
I'm prob a little late but I agree - I wouldn't do all inclusive in Aruba. Too many great places to eat. I loved the Renaissance in Aruba with the private beach island!!! Went to St. Lucia for honeymoon. Spent the first few nights in the Body Holiday LeSport. We Loved it!!! You get a spa treatment everyday other than the day u check-in and check-out. Food was good too - not junk foodie. Alcohol was top shelf. Then we stayed at Jade Mountain a couple nights and the experience is incredible!!!! Amazing how the architect got the idea to build this hotel basically on a cliff of a mountain. However it is like $1k+ per night!
But overall Aruba is my preference
Message edited 12/14/2013 5:40:30 PM.
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| Posted 12/14/13 5:39 PM |
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