Guilty searched long and hard to find just the perfect family getaway. My extensive quest for summertime bliss was a labor of love and a commitment to our never ending high standards for the Guilty Pleasures Club. Fortunately, there were numerous vacation options available with cool island breezes, tropical sunsets and family friendly summertime prices. From St. Croix to the Roatan Island in Honduras to Nicaragua and back again, we found a treasure chest of stunningly beautiful villas that met all of our lofty expectations. It was an exhausting and successful journey in search of opulence, family adventure and fiscal sanity.In fact, in the end, there were so many amazing choices for us to consider, that making a decision was really the hardest part. Would we escape to a breathtaking beach in El Salvador or the spectacular Pacific Coast of Nicaragua? Would our stay in paradise be on an isolated beach on Bonaire or perhaps a cliff side palace in St. Martin? Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. I drove Thin Mint crazy at first. But then, like the visionary she is, my beautiful bride of almost 23 years, saw the light,
We decided to put together a Sweet 16 Tournament of Vacation Villas to share with our luxury-minded legions. However, just whittling the list of vacation options down to only 16 finalists was a difficult task unto itself. Let alone, choosing just one. Of course, as always, Guilty and Thin Mint would not be denied. Here are the 16 finalists for the first ever Luxury Villa Showdown. Just like March Madness, our fiercely competitive tournament is destined to become an annual event with stunning upsets and big surprises.
http://www.vrbo.com/347898#photos Ranked # 1. Incredible waterfront property in Honduras. The Kissing bug epidemic in Central America and Mexico scared us off.
http://www.vrbo.com/252475#photos Bequia property ranked # 2. Just an amazing home. Airfare was a little high for a family vacation.
http://www.vrbo.com/257646#photos
Ranked # 3. Jamaican 3.5 acre waterfront estate. Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner. Lot's of Guiltorious Glee looming with an outdoor shower and a well-trained staff of five.The Villa is next to the world famous Round Hill resort. www.roundhill.com This spectacular property is a winner on every level with too many perks to pass up.
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p296694#photos Ranked # 4. St. Martin villa on Dawn Beach. An awesome property. Love this house, but we have been to the island too many already.
http://www.vrbo.com/143126#photos Very nice property in St. Croix. Ranked # 5. I love this Villa on the cliffs
http://www.vrbo.com/175999#photos Ranked
# 6 Incredible all-inclusive for 6 people in Nicaragua. OMG Same kissing bug concerns.
http://www.vrbo.com/218687#photos Ranked # 7. A fantastic property on Grenada.
http://www.vrbo.com/219216#photos Fabulous for the money in Nicaragua. Ranked # 8.
http://www.vrbo.com/40246#photos Great waterfront property in Antiqua. Ranked # 10
http://www.vrbo.com/233134#photos Wonderful oceanfront property in El Salvador. Very tropical and inexpensive. Ranked # 11,
http://www.vrbo.com/52036#photos Ranked # 12. Great waterfront property in Negril .
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p227082#photos Bonaire property ranked # 13. On the beach in dive central
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p334879#photos St. Thomas property on the cliffs above the water. ranked # 14.
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p927563#photos Ranked # 15 a St, Croix property. Very nice.
http://www.vrbo.com/271990#photos A fantastic treehouse in Nicaragua above the ocean. Ranked # 16
