Hawaii Alternatives for East Coasters
We all love Hawaii. But when you are on the East coast, it can truly be tough to make happen, especially if you only have a few days for vacation. If you are looking for some great alternatives to Hawaii with much shorter flights from the East coast, we’ve got some great options for you.
Aruba
White sandy beach meets desert landscape, and more importantly, outside of the hurricane belt if you want to reduce the risk of stormy weather during end of summer/fall travel.
Great hotel points option: The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Spa (25K – 35K points/night)
- Breach front property
- Walking distance to restaurants and shops
- Court sports, a spa, kids club
- A casino on site
- Most major US airports have daily nonstop flights to Aruba
Economy award flights as low as:
- 8K points each way from CLT on American Airlines
- 10K points each way from MIA on American Airlines
- 11K points each way from JFK on Jetblue
- 10K points each way from EWR on United
Costa Rica
No wonder people think of “Pura vida” when they think of Costa Rica! You get the best of both worlds when it comes to nature—beaches, and a focus on outdoorsy activities like hiking and zip lining, tours of national parks with waterfalls, and seeing animals in their natural habitats.
Great hotel points option: Andaz Papagayo (35K – 45K points/night):
- Beach club on property
- The hotel offers volunteer opportunities with the local community
- Access to oceanfront golf course, pickle ball, and tennis court
- Wellness spa
- Surf lessons
- Kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and, snorkel gear are complimentary
- Strict occupancy rules: 1 King Bed room can accommodate 3 people, and a 2 Double Beds room can accommodate 4 people, though the 2 Double Beds room is harder to find. If you are a family of 5 with young children, it is worth asking if the hotel will allow you to book a single 2 Double BedS room instead of booking 2 connecting rooms
Great hotel points option: Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica (120K points/night)
- Direct beach access, a kids club, and a daily afternoon snack
- Wellness spa
- 2 Queen Room can accommodate 4 people, however, if you are a family of 5 with young children, it is worth asking if you can book a single 2 Queen Bed room instead of booking 2 connecting rooms
- You can get the 5th night free when using Hilton Honors points to book your stay
The closest airport to both properties is LIR, which has daily nonstop flights from most major US airports.
Economy award flights as low as:
- 7,500 points each way from MIA on American Airlines
- 8K points each way from CLT on American Airlines
- 13K points each way from JFK on JetBlue
- 15K points each way from EWR on United
Grand Cayman
Seven Mile Beach, known for its soft sand and crystal clear water sounds like a dream! From snorkeling, to a visit to Stingray City, Grand Cayman is a water lover’s dream
Great hotel points option: Kimpton Seafire (70K points per night)
- There is a splash pad, and kids under 5 eat free
- Sunscreen, aloe, and swim diapers are available at the pool
- Daily afternoon poolside snack
- Daily wine and hors d’oeuvres
- Free shuttle to the turtle center
- You can get the 4th night free at IHG properties if you hold any of the IHG One Rewards cards
- Most major airports have daily nonstop flights to Grand Cayman
Economy award flights as low as:
- 4,500 points each way from MIA on American Airlines
- 8K points each way from CLT on American Airlines
- 11,300 points each way from JFK on Jetblue
- 13,200 points each way from EWR on United
Florida
No passport? Florida has beautiful beaches and a laidback vibe. From Clearwater beach to the Florida Keys, there are options to fit your needs.
Great hotel points option: Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa (21K – 29K points/night)
- Beachfront property
- Nearby attractions: aquarium, botanical garden, and a pier with shopping
- Suite options include kitchen
Great hotel points option: Bakers Cay Resort Key Largo (90K points/night)
- Waterfront property
- Movie nights on the green
- Kids club
- Daily sunset champagne included in the resort fee
- Marina on property (you might even spot a manatee or 2 on the dock)
Economy award flights to both Tampa and Miami as low as:
- 4,500 points each way from CLT on American Airlines
- 7,300 points each way from EWR on JetBlue
- 8K points each way from JFK on JetBlue
St. Kitts
A beautiful island where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, St. Kitts is a tropical paradise. St. Kitts offers rich history, lush vegetation, and views of neighboring island Nevis and its volcano.
Great hotel points option: Park Hyatt St. Kitts (25K – 35K points/night)
- Beachfront property
- Unlike other options, the beach has black sand throughout from volcanic activity
- Ferry access to Nevis for historical day trip (birthplace of Alexander Hamilton)
- Kids club, kids under 5 eat free
- Zero entry pool
- Adults only pool
- Access to spa facilities, including steam room and sauna
- St. Kitts is accessible with nonstop flights from New York, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Miami
Economy award flights as low as:
- 7,500 points each way from MIA on American Airlines
- 8K points each way from JFK on American Airlines
- 15,500 points each way from CLT on American Airlines
- 17,800 points each way from EWR on United
- 18,500 points each way from ATL on Delta
All Inclusive Options
In terms of all inclusive options, you can’t go wrong with any of the Hyatt Ziva/Zilara properties (Cap Cana, Dominican Republic – starting at 42K – 58K points/night; Cancun, Mexico – starting at 42K – 58K points/night; and Rose Hall, Jamaica – starting at 35K – 45K points/night).
Please note that when booking on points, availability will only appear when searching for 2 people — you will need to contact the hotel directly to add additional people to the reservation and confirm the daily charge per additional person.
