burkjack

My fiance and I will be heading on our honeymoon this October/November. I've been searching for about 2 months and haven't found what I want for less than $5000 for the two of us for a week. We don't really care where we go, but just focused our search on the Caribbean because we live in Texas and it would be a quick trip! Instinctively, we were first drawn to the south pacific (fiji, tahiti, cook islands, etc), but this has proved to be very difficult for less than $5000. The search then moved its focus to the Caribbean.

What we are looking for is some type of hut/bungalow/cottage on the beach or over the water. We don't want to be in a high rise hotel. A little updated local flare on the inside would be nice. Hopefully there will be a restaurant/bar at the resort but not necessarily all inclusive. We would like to explore whatever island we are on a bit. We are both suckers for a gorgeous beach, but my fiance gets bored easily so we couldn't spend all day lying out in the sun. We are both very active and would hope that we have easy access to activities nearby!

I feel like I'm searching for a diamond in the rough but hope some of you travel gurus will have just the spot!

qwovadis

www.alcielohotel.com
www.ecotulum.com
best for what you want for me.
Usually find cheapest flights into CUN on
spirit.com aa.com
www.rockhousehotel.com Negril for Carib
Best sunsets and local rasta vibe

Congrats!

blamona

You are looking for the South Pacific, where properties have huts or overwater bungalows.

Very few places in Caribbean have that, and those that do will cost a lot more than your budget.

How much under $5000 are we talking, we can't guess

You might want to look into Belize, (placenta area) , panama (Bocas area) maybe Roatan, or southern Mexico (closer to Belize).

You'll find "huts" at these places, no over the water bungalows. Bermuda has those, and they're more than your budget. There is a small place in Belize that has it, but it's on it's own tiny island so no exploring.

What I think you're picturing in your mind is Tahiti, Maldives, Fiji. And over the water bungalows in these places are close to $1000 a night.

You might find within your budget some bungalows in Thailand or Indonesia. (Phuket or Bali)

Caribbean is an expensive destination, add what you're looking for it gets more expensive.

blamona

Actually qwovadis gave excellent suggestions!

KVR

Sandals Grande in St. Lucia has bungalows by the water, but it's an AI and probably more then your budget.

Look at the Mahekal Beach Resort in Playa del Carmen, MX. They have beach side bunglows. They also provide breakfast and dinner. It's about a 20 minute walk to 5th Avenue in Playa for tons of restaurants, shopping, bars and entertainment. It should come under your budget.

http://www.mahekalbeachresort.com

virginia

maya riviera would be a good choice for you.
locogringo.com has tons of info.
more to do there than any of the islands - from ziplines to duty free shopping to seeing mayan ruins a/or cenotes & tons more.
you might enjoy a villa. many in your price range (even some with 3brs would be in your range so don't narrow your search to 1br houses) are beachfront, have pool & ac, come with housekeeper. cooks usually avail on request. lots of restaurants too depending on location of house.

ejcrowe

Also look at LaLuna on Grenada. Most of their cottage units are hillside, but they have one beachfront one. Very romantic atmosphere, beautiful beach, gorgeous island. The restaurant on site is good, or at least it was as of my last visit in 2009.

ishkribbl

Take a look at the one bedroom beachfront cottage here :

http://www.barefootcay.com/

CaliNurse

http://www.flipkey.com/leverick-bay-...ntals/p135920/


on a beach but near a resort.

heharris

I have the place for you. I have been to most of the Caribbean and my husband and my favorite resort is Biras Creek on Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands). We like casual elegance and this place has it. It stradles a cove not far from Bitter End. Very private and only about 30 villas total. There are individual huts right on the water. The resort is 5 star. Food is fabulous, has a spa, bikes, water sports, etc. We loved that you could take out little Boston Whalers for the day and explore the small islands that surround it. We had wonderful picnic lunches on neighboring tiny islands all to ourselves. This place is pure romance with an adventurous side. It is not cheap though. I think a week will run you about 5-7K but meals are included. The food is fabulous (no buffets). Every night was better than the one prior. Check it out. We tell all our friends about it.

RoamsAround

The lowest daily room rate (including meals) at Biras Creek in November is $715/night (plus 18% service charge making it closer to ) so it's at the very top of OP's budget (assuming a 6 or 7 night stay and the $5,000 does not include airfare).

OP might have to set his/her expectations a bit lower to keep within the $5,000 budget - actually it seems OP wants to spend "less than $5,000" so we really need to know how much less.

RoamsAround

Oops! That should read "... making it closer to $850/night.

burkjack

You all are incredible! Thank you so much! Its funny that I had come across both Biras creek and la luna and I have calls/emails in to both places. Many of the mexico recommendations were suberb, but I'm hesitant to book a trip to Mexico now, and ironically as I was reading these reviews, there was another warning on the news advising tourists not to go to even the resorts!
So please send more if you have them and I'll look into those you've already sent!

susannj

Not sure if you would prefer a villa as opposed to a resort, but take a look at the Gibney Beach Cottage on St. John. Since you're going off season, it looks like it may be within your budget:
http://www.gibneybeachvillas.com/beach_cottage.htm

doug_stallings

I'll throw in two other options. Natura Cabana in the DR is exactly what you describe and is well within your price range. Also, you should look at Guavaberry Spring Bay (also on Virgin Gorda); it's not exactly cottages or huts, but the units are self-contained on a really amazing beach and well within your price range. If Virgin Gorda is a serious consideration for you, this is a much better choice for your budget than Biras Creek.

DickieG

Many of the cottages in The Bahamas come in at around 1500 per week and have a dock rather than being over the water. You get a similar effect and most of the beaches are up with best in the world but deserted.

You could easily spend two weeks snorkelling on the reefs and not get bored.

Look at

http://www.elbowcayrentals.com/

For rentals

doug_stallings

If you were to go to the Bahamas, the Marley Resort might do the trick. It's also what you describe and (I believe) within your price range.

DickieG

Doug

there was a phrase " I don't want to be in a high rise"

I was referring To The Out Islands, I don't tn Nassau fits the above.

mnag

I do agree with the Bahamas recommendation. Check out Cape Santa Maria on Long island. The beach is to die for. It is very quiet so you really would need to rent a car and explore on your own (its very safe). Harbor island may also fit the bill. Some nice resorts on a wonderful beach (coral sands resort, pink sands resort).

kellybeaches

My recommendations:

Cape Santa Maria is gorgeous and the bungalows and villas are directly on the beach.
http://www.capesantamaria.com/

Staniel Cay Yacht Club in the Exumas. They have brand new villas and you get your own 13' whaler for the week. You can visit the deserted cays, and even swim with pigs and nurse sharks!
http://www.stanielcay.com/

Another thought is Stonefield Resort in St. Lucia. Private villas that are all part of a resort -aka share the same restaurant. Lots to do in St. Lucia and it's gorgeous-plus you have your own pool.
http://www.stonefieldvillas.com/

Are you open to renting a villa that is not part of a resort? If so that opens up many options for you in your budget. We loved Crystal Sands villa on Provo last year. It's right on the beach and in your budget.
www.crystalsandsvilla.com

Good luck!