kalyx522

Not sure this belongs in hangar talk, but I have a question I wanna throw out... I've yet to use my travel bennies and I'm looking to go on a quick getaway... somewhere in the Caribbean (because US Airways has one leg flights from Philly).. nice and hot and tranquil with soft sand and gorgeous blue water. That is my only criteria, no need for activities/nightlife/etc. because all I wanna do is roast in the sun while enjoying a beverage or two or eight. I've never been to the area so I wanted to ask if anybody had any suggestions as to which island, hotel, etc. Also, which website do you guys use to look up last minute hotel deals? I've googled some, but I can't tell which are the good ones.

Fartknocker

Looks like USAir goes to SXM, PUJ, AUA. I would recommend any of these. Nice beaches, beautiful water.

In SXM, the Maho hotel is right by the airport. Nice rooms, and you can watch airplanes come in over the beach.

In PUJ, the beach resorts are nice. Some are all inclusive. I think Bavarro (SP?) is one of them?

AUA has nice beaches, casinos, just about everything.

Just depends on what you like to do.

For sitting on the beach, I like SXM, but PUJ has some nice beaches too.

kalyx522

Thanks, fart. I googled all the ones on your list.. esp, punta cana.. man those pictures are unbelievable! a ton of the hotels have the word "bavaro" in their name so I'm not sure exactly one you were talking about..
SXM looks cool, but after working like a rabid dog for the past 2 months, last thing I wanna see is an airplane!

Fartknocker

I think the hotel in PUJ is the Barceló Bávaro Beach hotel. I have heard they give a good rate to airline folks. Tell them an Eagle pilot recommended it.

Try this link:

http://www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels...varoBeach/Home

1 800 227 2356

Try calling and asking if they give airline employee discounts.

I have also used the website http://www.perx.com/ for travel info and discounts. They work with airline employees.

Good luck!

timman19

I've stayed at the Barcelo in Punta Cana. Nice place and it's all-inclusive. I can't remember if they give airline personnel a break or not but I don't think that they did.

The place has great beaches and pools. The food is also good. There are actually a few hotels that make up this resort. There are three by the beach. We stayed at the Palace one which was really nice. There are two others at the casino and the golf course but they are not on the water. You can use all of the beaches but you'll have to take the trolley to get around which is fine. There is nightly entertainment which is pretty good.

The only bad thing is that you'll have to stay on the resort for your own safety. There are signs and guards on the beaches that warn you to go no further. Toursits are targeted in the Dominican Republic so walking outside the resort on your own is not recommended. There are some tours you can go on which I heard were fine. I didn't go on any. There is plenty of security on the resort so you'll have nothing to worry about when you are there.

This is a nice choice if you just want to sit by the beach and the pool. My wife and I went on our own so it was a nice romantic getaway. This place is highly recommended for that kind of a trip.

Also, if you go here, make sure that you pay for the airport shuttle service that the hotel provides. They pick you up there and take you back. There are taxis at the airport but some are notorious for charging high fares.