August Honeymoon, suggestions??? Barbados, Bermuda, BVI???

also throw in the Turks as I keep reading they have the best water

Bermuda is very nice, manicured, not in the Caribbean. You will think you are in a tropical England. Aruba is very arid, with American-style hotels. Barbados is wonderful--lovely people, a wide variety of hotels, beaches, sightseeing, nitelife. Vibrant Caribbean culture with a British flair. A great hotel for a honeymoon is Coral Reef Club, the class act on the island. Low-rise, charming, plantation-style on gorgeous grounds; family owned for 50+ years, and it shows.
See www.coralreefbarbados.com and www.barbados.org

Consider in the factor that August is prime hurricane season when choosing a destination. We went to Nassau and stayed at the Sandals Royal Bahamaian the first week of Sept, 2003. Hurricane Fabian was on the way and barely missed us. During the night it made a strong turn and hit Bermuda instead. The Mayan Riveria and Jamaica has been plagued with bad weather for years during hurricane season. We stopped going to that area during that time period. Best to go about the second week of November instead. Since it is so hard to predict the weather, if you chose any of those destinations buy the trip insurance that specifies you can cancel for any reason and not just if your flight is canceled or your hotel closes up.

We've been to most of the areas you listed. I would go with an Island that is mostly out of the hurricane belt like Aruba, Curacao, Barbados or St. Lucia. If you have the time/funds you can Island hop from Barbados to St. Vincent, Grenada, Tobago Cays and St. Lucia. From St. Lucia you can hop to Martinque and St. Vincent.

I would agree with August being an issue in terms of hurricanes or tropical depressions with a lot of rain for 1-2 days. That said we have gone in July and Aug. probably 8-9 times and only once has a 2 day wash-out.
To be dafer Barbados and Curacau reduce the possibility. They are so very different so you should read up on them through the threads on each here and the Fodor's Guide book.

Barbados - Been there a couple of times. Beautiful beaches, great weather, lots of shopping and all kinds of activities. Lots to explore and no real worry about hurricanes.
Bermuda - We were there for our tenth anniversary. We were thrilled to be there. I am certain you would discover much and have some great adventures.
Bahama's - This island (and this particular Sandals) falls way down on our list. Nothing five star here and we won't go back. The people were not warm. One thing that was nice is that Sandals has the private island and it allows you to explore up close when you are snorkeling right from the beach.
Although I think Jamaica is a very distinctive island, I don't think I would go there in August.

Harbour Island, Bahamas...stunning Pink Sand Beach- very wide. Quiet, only Golf Carts- several great restaurants. Several great resorts right on the beach. Direct flight from CLT to Nassau...usually under $300. Will take a small ferry over to Harbour Island from Nassau- 15min max. Fabulous trip without breaking the bank. Recommended resort: Runaway Hill, Coral Sands

thanks, met with a travel agent today and she sold us hard on the El Dorado Royale or its sister resorts the Cancun area. For the money, its hard to beat for what you get. I was wanting to go to an island(and somewhere different than most of my friends) but its hard to pass up these deals. Cost for the El Dorado Royale with swim up pool and OV was about 3800 which included honeymoon package.

everything on one of these islands would be alot more than that, though I'm still thinking about Barbados or Caicos/Turks.

Bermuda is out(cost), though I'd love to go sometime.

We've been to that resort back in 2001 before it was re-done. It's located in the Mayan Riviera area about 30 minutes outside of Playa del Carmen.

I agree you will get more bang for your buck in Mexico. We personally didn't like the location as we didn't like being so isolated, but that may be what you are looking for.

If your wanting that area I suggest looking at the Iberostar Grand Pariso, The Royal Playa del Carmen, Secrets Capri, Secrects Maroma or Secrets Silversands before making a decision.

Again, buy the hurriance/trip insurance. That area gets hits every year, which is why we stopped going until November.

thanks, will look at those. Riveria Maya is a draw for a honeymoon, the El Dorado Royale includes the honeymoon package with couples massage with package. TA was selling it hard, her 'favorite'....kinda wonder though if she gets more of a kickback from them than other resorts?

We got quotes to the Somerset in Grace Bay, Caicos and it looks nice.

problem with Barbados is little longer for us to get there from CLT and I think its a place to explore and see some sites which I'm not sure we want to spend alot of time doing that on a honeymoon. I was looking at The Crane resort there and a couple others.

1) Some all-inclusive in Riveria Maya
2) tie between Barbados and Caicos
3) Jamaica is wildcard

On one hand Barbados makes most sense for that time of year but on other for a honeymoon we may get more of what we want in Cancun(or Jamaica, especially for the funds).

I'm guessing Caicos gets hit often with Storms that time of year as well.

Sounds like the TA was concerned about her commission and not you all.
Think it's a condo-type resort and not a real resort.

Would splurge on a real resort and AMEX offers great packages and the best insurance coverage.

Do some more research.

Aruba tends to not get hit as much in hurricane season.

Good luck!

Sandals Whitehouse seems to have some really good prices right now, so I'm wondering if I shouldn't go that route. You can get the high-end suites w/butler, etc. for this week at between 4500 to 5500 range(its 65% off).

Can anyone tell me if the food is good at this Sandals? I've had friends go to the El Dorado Royale recently and they claim the food was excellent. the Casita's swimup suites there are $5500 this time of year

Sandals Whitehouse is outside of Negril in the middle of nowhere. If you want to explore Negril you'll have to hire a taxi from the resort. I've been to two Sandals; Sandals Royal Bahamian and Sandals Grande St. Lucia. Not all Sandals are created equal. They are overpriced for what you get. The Mexico resorts I named offer services and amenties that Sandals charges for. ie, oceanviews, liquor/frig in the room, room service, upgraded bedding and rooms. We did enjoy the Sandals in Nassau, but not St. Lucia. The only other Sandals resort I would consider is Dunn's River in Ocho Rios and only if I got a really good deal. I still haven't been there.

We stayed at the Sibonne in Turks and Caicos. It's a small, quite hotel with 26 rooms and sits on one of the best sections of Grace Bay Beach. Though we really enjoyed our trip, we found Provo a little on the boring side. Hardly any nightlife or shopping. We did several water related excursions as it's all about the water and beaches there.

Aruba has become one of our favorite destinations. We love the numerous resturants, bars and shopping complexes. We're headed to Curacao in May, but will eventually get back to Aruba. Either of those Isands are a safe bet for hurricane season.

We actually honeymooned in Cozumel. We've been back 2 other times and it's still our favorite destination. We were married in a July, which now I regret. We usually celebrate in November instead. We are planning on Barbados for our 10th wedding aniiversry next year, but we'll see. I think the gutting and re-do of our kitchen may come first.

Any other time of year I would vote Mexico whole heartedly, but since you're considering going in hurricane season, I would go for Barbados, Aruba or Curacao. We've been to Mexico 9 times and will never go again between June and the 2 week of November. You will grit your teeth to see if a tropical storm or hurricane is going to wipe out your vacation and it if hits before you go then you have to deal with the destruction of the beaches and water.

I agree that it looks like your TA is more concerned with their commission then helping you with a honeymoon.

I was told by TA that Sandals Whitehouse, which is new, is one of the best Sandals and is good if you want to stay on the resort alot vs. explore island. the prices at the moment sound great, I just want to know the food is great as well as service and amenities.

It being august is of course still an issue I guess, it would be awful with hurricane. I keep telling myself that early August is more unlikely and to chance it(w/insurance of course).

Barbados sounds great, was looking at The Crane and then maybe a few days rent a car and see the island and eat off property. Just not sure we would get pampered as much there.

poollizard: What do you mean by "real resort"....some examples?

I have not stayed at that Sandals so can not provide info on food or service. Try this forum for everyting Sandals:

http://www.tropictravelonline.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubbthreads.php/ubb/cfrm


It would be a shame to go to Negril and sit on the resort. Jamaica is a beautiful Island and should be explored.

The El Dorado is a real AI resort. It's not a condo unit.

Thanks KVR,

I Know your not a Sandals person, but if you were choosing between these nice all-inclusives in Riveria Maya vs. one of the highest end Sandals rooms at Whitehouse or Dunns River, for basically the same money ($5k to 6k range) which would you choose?

I'm trying to gauge just how good a deal Sandals is right now, but they have rooms where you get a Butler for same ball park as the AI in Riveria Maya.

I want best deal for the money, with requirements being stocked rooms, good food, great beaches(now looking at Maroma area resorts for beach)....anyway, with El Dorado you get alot included in price, so I'm wondering if the high end Sandals rooms for same money are better or if you still get short changed and have to buy the extra things once you are there.

i will check out that site for some of those answers of course. Also, I think this time of year the Temp is little better in Jamaica over Cancun area.

That's a hard question, but after going to Mexico 9 times and Jamaica once and Sandals twice. I still think you get more for you're money in Mexico. I know we did get better tasting food and better service at the resorts in Mexico, but we are Mexican food lovers and not to keen on the Caribbean stuff, so that makes a difference. Loved the jerk chicken in Jamaica, but that was about it.

Maroma Beach is nicer and the water is clearer than Negril, Jamaica. We are very active on vacation and not all that interested in such room amenties. Mexico has more things to see and do and easier to get around. The weather in Mexico in August will be very hot and humid. I would think more so than Jamaica.

To determine if your getting the most for the money, compare all the amenities that are offered with each resort and then the final price of each. You can get that info by looking at each resorts personal web-site. Good luck I know it's a very hard decision. Looking back now, we paid a total of $1,200 for our honeymoon in Cozumel at a decent AI (nothing like what Mexico and Sandals offers now) and thought that was expensive, but we loved it.

good to know about the Maroma beach, I was under impression the Negril beach is one of best in world. Sounds like Maroma is the beach to go to in Riveria.

since its our honeymoon, I doubt we will be overly active as far as trying to site see and what not. We will need some down time to relax.

btw, is there anything in Cozumel we should consider that is on par with these in Maroma or Tulum areas?

Maybe the Occidental or the Iberostar in Cozumel. Probably not as nice or as many amenties than what your looking at though. Wouldn't hurt to research them. We were just at Maroma Beach April of last year. We did this really fun dinner in which we went sailing with drinks and appertizers until the sun set and then we went back to the beach for dinner. Very romantic and the food was good. We went back the next day to go snorkeling and then had lunch on the beach afterward.

can anyone speak to the Bucati resort in Aruba, the tiera suites I beleive they are called?

still not ruling Aruba completely out, since this is not AI we would have to go out to eat each night is one thing about it.

If you want AI in Aruba look at the Tamarijn or the Amsterdam Manor. Both are on Eagle Beach. AI in Aruba won't be anything like AI in Mexico or Sandals. No real amenities, just included food and drinks. After going to Aruba, we would never go AI there again. Aruba has tons or really great resturants in all price ranges and part of the fun is getting to try all of them. The Radisson or Hyatt on Palm Beach are really nice hotels. Across the street are several resturants, bars and shopping. Aruba's bus system is really great, convenient and cheap. Driving is no hassel.

In August you are much more likely to have hurricane problems in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area. Same is true for anything in the northern part of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas and Turks/Caicos.

To be on the safeside, Barbados or Aruba might work best. It would be terrible to be disappointed for your honeymoon due to bad weather.

yeah, I know which sucks. Will get insurance if we go to one of these spots no matter what. For where we live, the Carribean is still the quickest tropical place we can fly to out of country. Hawaii, Cabo or Mediterainian are all too far a flight and not worth the time for us as well.

Problem with Aruba is I'm not sure the resorts there are as nice as these mentioned. Although I would like the Casino part for a night or two of fun.

has anyone been to PALM ISLAND RESORT in the Grenadines? If so how is the food and how long does it take to get there once in Barados?

You might want to post that question in a new thread as it may get buried in this one and the posters on this forum that know a lot about Barbados and Grenada won't see it.

We've been researching a trip to Barbados with day trips to Grenada and the Grenadines/Tobago Cays for our 10th wedding anniversary next year. Look at www.Chantours.com or www.carib-safari.com They offer day trips to several Islands from Barbados. Price is approx $500 p/p. Includes air over to the Island, a tour guide to shuttle you around and lunch/drinks. There is also a 2 or 3 day/night packages at a higher cost.

We have been to Palm Island in the Grenadines. It's about a 45 minutes flight.
The food at PI is wonderful. Freshly caught seafood, locally grown vegetables,cheeseburgers,shrimp Angelique, shrimp skewers, pumpkin soup,etc. Plus afternoon tea with pastries, as well as cocktails and hors d'oeuvres before dinner at the bar. Additionally, they meet your boat with rum punch with fresh flowers in them. We watched them make the fruit punch one afternnon and instantly understood why we thought it was so potent. Great bartenders and interesting drink menu's.

how do you get there once you land in St. Vincent?

I think I would have to fly to ATL, from there to Barbados. Then hope I could catch a flight soon from there to St. Vincent. How long from there does it take to get to Palm Island and how

BVI is a wonderful choice and has not been hit as often with hurricanes as some other areas. You can go from very expensive to less so in the BVI and there are options of things to do. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, I would start with Tortola to look for places to stay. We've been to the BVI many times and never have been disappointed. There's great sailing, good diving and snorkeling. We have flown into St. Thomas and taken the ferry from Red Hook but there are other options for getting there including flying in from San Juan directly to Beef Island in the BVI. Congratulations and good luck!

jpniner,
We have stayed at Sandals Dunn's River Falls, Sandals Royal Jamaican, and Sandals Grande St. Lucia. Liked Dunn's the best, has the really large pools where the Royal has much smaller ones spread around the hilly resort. The Grande in St. Lucia is pretty good. (Especially if you Scuba) The Grande also has the largest pool and some smaller ones and has better weather. The other two Sandals on St. Lucia were always getting rain when we didn't even though the are not far apart.(The others are in hilly terrain.)We really enjoyed our stay there. They have free shuttles to take you to the other two Sandals. Remember Sandals has the hurricane guarentee(read about it on their site.) We haven't been to the Sandals in Nassau yet, was to go there and Hurricane Floyd hit that year. Got our money back from Sandals. One thing about Sandals is that they don't look for tips and it is adult only. Decide what you want included and then go to a resort that provides what you want.

thanks, now the fiance has decided she wants a 10 day honeymoon, which further complicates things, on the other hand it opens up options such as splitting stay between resorts which is easy to do with Sandals.

Something like Sandals Whitehouse then go to Royal Plantation, or even catch a plane to Sandals Royal bahamian in Nassau. Or just do 5 days at a Sandals, then fly to Riveria Maya for another 5 days.

If I was going to some Island like BVI which I can't fly direct too, I may fly to San Juan, spend several days there then from there to the island/resort wherever that may be.

Turks and Caicos Club Med has some good deals and they are Adult only. Never stayed at one. Actually I would try to book a cruise in the South Pacific such as Tahiti. August is a great time to go because it is the less rainy time. Have been there twice and a cruise is the way to go, since it is so expensive to stay on land. Also August is less kids on those cruises. You could do a pre or post cruise on one of the Tahitian Islands.

would love to do something like that, problem is fiance doesn't want a cruise for honeymoon and doesn't want long days worth of travel to get there. We are coming from South East, USA

We've traveled to the Caribbean a lot, and have had some unfortunate experiences during the hurricane season. Best choices for August are in the southern Caribbean -- Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. We've been to all of them, and my suggestion for a really nice resort with a spectacular beach and a moderate price is Bucuti Beach Club in Aruba. Since it is your honeymoon, go for the Tara Beachfront Suites. Aruba is easy to get to, has nice restaurants, some interesting sites, lots of activities, and is also a great place to just hang out on the beach. Trust me, you won't go wrong with this one.