briancooper6

Hello everyone,
My fiance and I are looking at locations for our honeymoon. We will be arriving in early September 2014 and staying roughly a week. Neither of us have ever been to the Caribbean before, and are very excited, but also nervous about choosing the right place for us. Let me give you a little of what we are looking for. We are in our early 30's, she is a sun Goddess (but pool or ocean are both fine by her), we like activity, nightlife a must, cocktails, dancing, exploring, and having fun (not just partying). I am the type that if I am in silence and am forced to lay on a beach for a week, I will wind up becoming best friends with a volleyball and naming him Wilson. I have recently been looking at Curacao and Barbados. I am asking for some help here. Some people in the forums were not fans of Curacao's beaches. Can you all give me some recommendations on which island fits us as well as places to stay on those islands? Would love to find a place with everything listed above, and close to nightlife. I want to give her the fantastic, romantic, and fun honeymoon she deserves! Somewhere we can be private when we want, and social when we want. Thanks a million in advance!!!

alisa23

The South side of Barbados sounds like a good fit.
Not sure what nightlife in Curacao is like.

FrankS

Barbados sounds like it will work

We stayed at O2 our visit. Oceans 2 is located within walking distance to the St Lawerence Gap and the shops, clubs and restaurants there but far away enough to spend quality time with Wilson @ O2s beach & pool areas. They have an ultra cool rooftop pool area, and you will be alone

http://www.oceantwobarbados.com/

Odin

West coast of Barbados. The beaches are calm in this area and the island is small enough to get to St Lawrence/Gap for nightlife easily. Also there are restaurants/shops etc near Holetown which is on the exclusive west coast. Barbados is great for a first time visitor to the Caribbean.

schmerl

We loved the beach in Holetown.

briancooper6

This stuff is all so confusing. I am getting over-analysis paralysis! What is special about the West and East sides of the island specificaly? Which fits our styl better?

Odin

East coast is the Atlantic side and not suitable for swimming. It is very windswept. West coast is the Caribbean side with calm sea. South west is more wavy.

alisa23

Also more nightlife and action on the south side. Less action and more queit on the west side.

virginia

this map might help you orient. a lot of the partying goes on in "the gap" in/around the town of oistens in christ church (southwest part of island)

http://www.ezilon.com/maps/north-ame...ados-maps.html

at the top of this page you can click destinations to read about barbados or check out this page put together by another fodorite who goes a couple times a year.
http://www.barbadostips.com/Barbados_Tips/Welcome.html

KVR

We have been to Curacao. Have not been to Barbados yet. From what you listed, Curacao would not be the best option. It's very laid back and not much nightlife. You will find more things to see/do and a variety of activities in Barbados.

WWK

Curacao would not be my first pick. You might want to look at Aruba, since it fits many of the items on your list. Check out Bucuti Tara Suites on Eagle Beach or Manchebo also on Eagle Beach. Those are real "honeymoon" spots, and will give you privacy plus luxury, but close enough to plenty of action/nightlife.

You might also look at St. John, which has gorgeous beaches, hikes, small but lively downtown with lots of nightlife. Much
less commercial than Aruba, but a little harder to get to since you have to transit through St. Thomas to get there.

lenlu

I liked Barbados a lot. We stayed on the West side at the Fairmont many years ago. The water is beautiful and calm there. It was a quiet side of the island which we liked for a few nights. We took a taxi to dinner a few times and walked to "Olives" which is probably not there anymore. We also spent a few nights in the St. Lawrence Gap. That is bustling with bars and restaurants and is a fun area but the water is not calm at all. I can't speak to Curacao as I haven't been but plenty of people go for snorkeling/diving. My favorite is Grand Cayman for the water and beach but it's a quieter island. Grenada is also fantastic; lush, tropical, beautiful all-inclusive resorts but it's quite a flight. Is the Sandals thing not for you? It's my experience people either love it or hate it. Any way, good luck on your decision making!