u/NYTravelerBD

We are about to book five nights at the El Conquistador in February with our 13 year old daughter, and would hugely appreciate any guidance re: room selection.

For basically the same price we can get an ocean view room in Las Brisas (upper level), a garden view room in Las Vista, or an ocean view room in La Marina. We're not super big water park people, although we'll definitely check out the Lazy River, and I think it'd generally be better to be on the upper level for pools and restaurants. But La Marina is more recently renovated, and Las Brisas sounds like it may be dated and not as nice (and slightly smaller than La Marina). I don't know much about Las Vista.

Any insight from guests who've visited recently re: what's our best bet? I expect in general that we'll spend a lot more time at the pools and restaurants than at the water park, but if Las Brisas is dated looking and not as nice, maybe it's better to be on the Marina level? I wasn't sure if the funicular has long lines/takes a long time, such that it's inconvenient to be on the Marina level. Thanks so much in advance!!

Anyone else of a certain age starting to feel like Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon when it comes to certain aspects of travel? I'm 48 and still absolutely love to travel, but what I was willing to put up with at 28, and even 38, is massively different.

We just got back from an incredible vacation to Sicily, and while I LOVED it there, I'm never driving overseas in a non-English speaking country again. Ever. When I was younger I was much more willing to rent a car and drive on my own, and did so in Norway, Ireland, Portugal, Israel, etc. Now it stresses me out terribly, and I'm just done.

Airports also stress me out much more, and the entire process of flying, from long security lines to going through customs, makes me irritable and on edge. It was never fun per se, but now it just hits differently.

Maybe it's just me and maybe I'm just irritable and easily annoyed. But I've noticed a huge difference in what I'm willing to put up with travel-wise. Anyone else feel similarly?

We're well-traveled but very new to A/I, and would hugely appreciate A/I recommendations in the Caribbean for a February trip with our 13 year old daughter. Budget is around $1,000/night and $1,200/night absolute max. We like to do excursions (snorkeling, horseback riding, visiting waterfalls, etc.) and don't really value waterparks, kids clubs, or costumed characters that might be aimed at younger kids. Really just looking for a clean, well maintained resort for beach and pool time with our tween/young teen daughter, and I know that we can't afford the super fancy ones.

We just went to Puerto Vallarta in February and loved it, but we'd prefer to not visit Mexico this time (while acknowledging that Riviera Maya is obviously very different). Looking at Jamaica, Antigua & Barbuda, Punta Cana/La Romana in the DR, but wide open to suggestions in the Caribbean.

Appreciate any recommendations!!

Can anyone with a more basic understanding of meteorology than I have please let me know if there are micro climates in Westchester, i.e., spots that seem to consistently get more rain while others are passed over by storms?

I've lived in Larchmont and worked in White Plains for over a decade, and countless times - including today - big rain and thunderstorms from the west soak White Plains, while Larchmont gets drizzle. So often I'll drive to work after an overnight rain, and while Larchmont has almost nothing, Scarsdale and then White Plains have huge puddles of water. Just curious whether there is an explanation for this, because it happens consistently. Thanks in advance to anyone with information!

The forecast is showing light rain until about 4 or 5 pm for tomorrow's game. Any precedent for moving the 4:10 start time to 7 pm or so to avoid a rain delay? Excited to attend with my family and hopefully it's dry by the first pitch. Really appreciate any insights. Thanks!