Which location would you choose?

[mrsukyankee]

My H wants to plan our 10th anniversary (he NEVER plans holidays - that's my gig - so this is huge).  He has given me the options of Hawaii, Bora Bora or Bali (so far).  Of these three which would you choose and why?  Is there somewhere else you would suggest along those lines?

[mrssandro]

Been to Kauai twice. LOVED IT! Bali is on my bucket list. Bora Bora is as well. I would choose Bali. If I had PTO I would be using Bali for our 10 year.

[Deleted]

I'd choose Hawaii because it's not as far but totally gorgeous and amazing. I'd like to go back to Maui for an anniversary trip someday and add Kuaui.

[mdgirl]

I chose Bali. We go to Hawaii a lot (and plus that's a long ass flight for you), and Bora Bora seems overpriced and overdeveloped to me.

It doesn't come up a lot but I liked the Cook Islands. It's like Hawaii with (almost) no people.

[Alyssa]

Out of those I would choose Bali, however I also want to check out the Seychelles or the Maldives.

[moorea]

Bora Bora (and Moorea)!  We went there on our honeymoon and are going back for our 5 year anniversary.  We've been to Hawaii a couple of times and love it.  And Bali is on our wishlist (and it's more reasonable!).  Really, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.  

[Peacock]

I would pick Bali, mostly because I think there might be a bit more to do there than in bora bora or Hawaii. But I don't really like beach vacations, so there's that.

[rupertpenny]

Bali! Bora Bora seems kind of boring to me and there is so much interesting stuff to see and do in Bali.

The only thing more attractive to me about Hawaii is the possibility of eating Chipotle and wandering around a Target, but you have Chipotle in London and Target ships internationally now, so no need.

[mrsukyankee]

Mar 1, 2016 18:51:22 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I've been to Hawaii and Bali but somehow those over-water bungalows in Bora Bora seem like a whole other kind of dream experience.

I also really want to go to the Maldives ever since UnderProtest showed me pics of her trip there.

He just brought that up this morning (Maldives).  I'm leaning in that direction.

[UnderProtest]

Definitely the Maldives!!!! Its a direct flight from Gatwick to the main airport! We absolutely LOVED it!!!!!! So peaceful and beautiful! Lovely snorkeling and scuba diving.

[mrsukyankee]

Mar 2, 2016 4:50:11 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Definitely the Maldives!!!! Its a direct flight from Gatwick to the main airport! We absolutely LOVED it!!!!!! So peaceful and beautiful! Lovely snorkeling and scuba diving.

That's awesome.  That might seal the deal!  I'd love to hear about your trip more (where you stayed, etc).

[UnderProtest]

We stayed at the Taj Exoctica which was a short boat ride from the airport (therefore not wasting more time traveling). I LOVED it. The resort was the whole tiny island and it was private and quiet. We had an over water villa with our own plunge pool and deck. It was amazing. The resort has three restaurants, a public pool (I think almost all rooms had their own pool too), spa, gym, ocean center with all sorts of water sports. We had a private meal on the beach for my husband's birthday which was amazing. The staff were lovely, always there when you wanted something, but never in your way.

what else do you want to know, mrsukyankee or RockNVoll,?

[mrsukyankee]

UnderProtest, that sounds amazing. I'm going to pass on that info to my H so he can look at it. He is meant to be planning but he knows I'll send him info about options. I can't help it.

[UnderProtest]

@sfgal530 was also in the Maldives recently. I know she stayed at a different resort, but I don't know how far from the airport it was.

[UnderProtest]

Mar 2, 2016 6:25:19 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Mar 2, 2016 5:59:51 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

We stayed at the Taj Exoctica which was a short boat ride from the airport (therefore not wasting more time traveling). I LOVED it. The resort was the whole tiny island and it was private and quiet. We had an over water villa with our own plunge pool and deck. It was amazing. The resort has three restaurants, a public pool (I think almost all rooms had their own pool too), spa, gym, ocean center with all sorts of water sports. We had a private meal on the beach for my husband's birthday which was amazing. The staff were lovely, always there when you wanted something, but never in your way.

what else do you want to know, mrsukyankee or RockNVoll ,?

I know you never wanted to come back, but how long would you say an ideal visit should be?  I know this totally varies by how much one likes a beach vacation, but sounds like there are plenty of activities to keep us interested too.

Uhmmm, forever?  But remember, I was escaping small, whiny children.  I think my husband was ready to leave after a week.

[mrsukyankee]

Mar 2, 2016 19:12:43 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Mar 2, 2016 6:05:49 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

@sfgal530 was also in the Maldives recently. I know she stayed at a different resort, but I don't know how far from the airport it was.

It was a 45 minute speedboat transfer - a little bumpy, but not bad.

mrsukyankee , what's your budget, what time of year are you wanting to go, and what do you like to do? I've done the Maldives, Hawaii (Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii), French Polynesia (Bora Bora and Moorea), and the Seychelles (Praslin, La Digue, and Mahe). All had their strengths and weaknesses, so it really depends on what you want and how much you want to spend.

I will say the Maldives was mind-blowingly expensive (though awesome). I spent $44 on water one night at dinner. 

We're looking at any time of the year next year - very flexible though probably Feb/Mar onward.  We'd probably spend around a max of £12,000 or $17,000.  We're coming from the UK so that's always a thought in terms of travel.

[ashap]

If the Maldives is an option I choose that 

We are planning a non-monsoon season trip there once the St. Regis opens its doors this fall! 

[mabillon]

Bali, from the options you originally posted! But the Maldives truly are lovely. We stayed at the Sheraton Full Moon (we wanted boat ride, not water plane). It was gorgeous. We booked a water bungalow for half the stay (1st half) and instead of making us move to the garden room, we were upgraded to finish our stay there for free. So, I cannot love them enough.

We spent a few days in Sri Lanka after. Huge mistake. SL was great but we def should've done it before the Maldives, not after!