Honeymooners

My fianc&eacute;e and I are looking for the best place to honeymoon. My fianc&eacute;e traveled years ago with a friend to Hawaii (a little too clich&eacute; for us anyway; we were hoping to prevent major jet lag). We planned our wedding in less then two months, just returned from Italy (we got really sick--ran around too much) and live in New York City. Ideally we are looking to just relax on the beach and pamper ourselves at a wonderful resort. As New Yorkers some of the leading spas are accessible to us but since we are so busy running around planning the wedding, time does not allow us to indulge. Ergo, we would like to stay on a property that offers the following:<BR><BR>* Full service spa (mud treatments and exotic massages). <BR>* Yoga classes (if possible)<BR><BR>* Unique cuisine--Japanese is our favorite (I have an allergy to wheat, and my fianc&eacute;e has an allergy to dairy--we both don't eat meat so American fare doesn’t always work well.)<BR><BR>* Water-activities <BR>(an aseptically pretty and comfortable beach to sunbath, snorkel, and scuba dive)<BR><BR>* Beautiful scenery (we dabble in photography)<BR><BR>*We don't drink much though dancing at a night lounge/club or listening to Caribbean/Cultural music would be nice<BR><BR>* Drinkable water and safe environment<BR><BR>Friends and family have suggested Aruba and St. Lucia. Any ideas you may have would be most helpful. I am in my mid-20's and he is in his early 30's. We need to book it soon...we would leave in July.<BR><BR>We appreciate any suggestions you may have--the more detail you provide the more helpful.<BR><BR>Thank you so much!!!!!<BR>

New Yorker

Las Casitas Village - the villas come with private butler. It is run by the El Conquistador hotel. Full service spa, various restaurants on site, and a beautiful beach in a private island with all types of watersports. Right now, Luxury Link (www.luxurylink.com) has an auction that includes spa treatments, or golf, for a very reasonable price.

Lucian

Sounds to me that you will love Le Sport in St.Lucia, look at their website, I think it covers everything you described. Their sister resort in Grenada is also worth looking into.

penny

I found St. Lucia to be lush, but it was very hard to get around the island, and I prefer white sand and blue-green water. If flora and fauna are not a must, look into CusinArt in Anguilla. It has an excellent spa, lovey grounds, more lush than the island as it has an underground sprinker system. It is often used for photo shots for Saks and other fashion mags. They have an excellent vegiterian (sp) menu, plus a hydroponic green house with some of the sweetest cherry tomatos I have ever tasted. They have a full spa and- yes you will be pampered. With in 10 minutes of the hotel are other fine hotels,Cap Juluca another excellent choice, beach bar restaurants, and other beaches. The dining on the island has some sushimi, and pan-asian cuisine, it is known for its red snapper, crayfish and Anguillan lobster, nice restaurants. The island is very relaxing, safe, and very assessible from NYC!

Emily

You might check out Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos.

another honeymooner

You also might check out the Jalousie Hilton. Anything interest you so far?

Belinda

Yikes, you are asking for alot. Japanese food in the Caribbean?? Peter Island Resort in the BVI just might do it for you.

Cheryl

Look into Cambridge Beaches on Bermuda ... very nice spa (fairly new I think) with both indoor and outdoor pools on a beautiful property. I would also highly recommend a room an ocean view .. much better than rooms on property not near the water. Bermuda has excellent options for dining (both casual and fine dining); the restaurant at Cambridge is excellent ... although you'll have to check about vegetarian options. There are a few small beaches at Cambridge, but you would have to go to the "south shore" beaches which are the really beautiful beaches Bermuda is known for. However, when we did spend time on the ones at Cambridge, we found we essentially had the beach to ourselves. There was one small cove beach we especially liked. There is water ferry transportation to and from Hamilton a few times per week (including Friday evenings), and they also arrange other activities right from the resort (i.e., sailing, snorkeling).

Sharon

Traveled extensively in Caribbean--look into Le Sport, St. Lucia; Grand Lido Sans Souci Jamaica and Sandals Antigua. Websites are good and Fodors suggestions. Our favorite islands are Aruba (Marriott, Wyndham--beautiful beaches and great cuisine), French St. Martin (Esmeralda Resort--gorgeous Orient Beach and cusine in Grand Case and Marigot outstanding) and Antigua (Sandals--beautiful beach, activities or just relax, very good cuisine and spa). Best with rental car in Aruba and St. Martin. Good luck! --neighbor from New Jersey

frank

Someone already said it Parrot Cay -beachfront units are wonderful. Asian spa and you'll be pleased with menu. Problem is traveling thru Miami from NYC! Aruba is cliche and for a honeymoon on Anguilla head to Cap Juluca. Cuisinart has the full spa services but falls short on the luxury. The photo ops are limited on both Anguilla and TCI other than fantastic beaches, water and a glimpse of the Green Flash. But it sounds like you don't want the prepackaged Aruba commericalism nor the business of some of the other islands.