Madmarticus

Hello Fodor Members,
I am doing some research for our Honeymoon in June/July this year and would love some assistance. I have been looking into the inclusive resorts because I believe it would be less stressful and easier to relax. My parents have decided they will be purchasing our honeymoon so I also think it would be nice to not have to worry about too many expenses once we are there. Here is a little background on us to direct any references which are greatly appreciated:

Young couple (25 & 29) looking for great food and drinks in a resort that is not too overcrowded, but we would love to meet and hang out with other couples. Our only requisite is that its on a beautiful beach and I would prefer great snorkeling off the beach as well. We are drinkers so the inclusion of adult beverages would be great as well. I've looked into Sandals and several other resorts, but many of these have 400+ rooms... that seems a little too big. I'm hoping to stay under $7-8K without flights and would love to stay 10(+) days without sacrificing the quality of the resort.

Please let me know your recommendations and any suggestion is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Shawn

wlzmatilida

Hi Shawn,

I'm a travel agent, and I can tell you by first hand experience as well as my clients' imput, that there is no better value & stress-free vacation than all inclusive. Being in a cash-free environment does that! And, the best part, unlike other vacations, you know upfront exactly what your expenses are and they're paid before you go. I literally spent a week in Jamaica @ a Sandals resort and spent $5 for a little watercolor - that was it for the week!

Re: Sandals -- I used to be a Certified Sandals Specialist, but I quit selling them a few years ago based on my own personal experience at 2 resorts and what should have been an easy problem to fix for a client took me an entire year to get them a $320 refund.

There are plenty of smaller properties in the Caribbean, Mexico (the Caribbean side). You don't say where you're flying from which can be a big part of your budget.

For example, I'm in CA and I used to get honeymooners who wanted to go to Sandals Antigua - until they found out how much trouble it was to get there and how expensive the airfare was!

Regards,

Melodie

wliwl

I'd look at Coco's in Antigua. They had a nasty murder there in 2008, but it is a top notch place and it's probably the most secure place in Antigua now. No kids there either!

wliwl

Oh, and I'd also look at Galley Bay Resort.

http://www.galleybayresort.com/resortAmenities.htm

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...d_Barbuda.html

wliwl

And here are some links for Cocos

http://www.cocoshotel.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...d_Barbuda.html

Jimmie

My sense is that Jamaica is a good match for the more partying kind of honeymoon. Maybe Negril? There should be lots of non-Sandals options.

wlzmatilida

Jimmie,

not true at all -- Jamaica STARTED the whole all inclusive idea and the target market was honeymooners - there are lots of resorts for honeymooners there.

Regards,

Melodie

Madmarticus

@wliwl - Thanks for the recommendations! Galley Bay is definitely on my list of potential locations and they look to be perfect size.

I live near Cincinnati, OH and I have checked flights to Antigua... which are rather expensive. The flights to Aruba arent that bad though if there are any recommendations for AI there. The Manchebo Resort & Spa looks pretty good and I'm currently looking for some reviews too.

As for AI, we're looking to have some fun, but not quite a "party" or spring break atmosphere as we hope to relax a lot while we're there too. Thanks for the help.

Madmarticus

@wliwl - Thanks for the recommendations! Galley Bay is definitely on my list of potential locations and they look to be perfect size.

I live near Cincinnati, OH and I have checked flights to Antigua... which are rather expensive. The flights to Aruba arent that bad though if there are any recommendations for AI there. The Manchebo Resort & Spa looks pretty good and I'm currently looking for some reviews too.

As for AI, we're looking to have some fun, but not quite a "party" or spring break atmosphere as we hope to relax a lot while we're there too. Thanks for the help.

wlzmatilida

Hi,

I know I'm partial, but I suggest you find a good travel agent in your area; instead of trying to do everything "piecemeal" by yourself. An agent will put the whole thing together using a wholesaler, so the air and resort and insurance is all together for you - one stop shopping, and less than you'd be able to do it on your own.

Good luck!

Melodie