It would help to know what you mean by "funds not unlimited" - giving us a dollar value range you are comfortable with will help us steer you in the right direction. For starters - Grand Cayman is generally considered an expensive destination, certainly on averagr, more than the other islands on your list. Second, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are the least expensive islands and they have the greatest selection of AI's.

Whether or not you can sleep with your windows open will depend on the general conditions during your visit. August in the Caribbean tends to be quite warm with minimal cooling breezes. Bear in mind most hotel rooms have exposure only in one direction and if the prevailing winds are not blowing toward your window it is likely to be warm in your room, especially in August. Also, for safety reasons you probably don't want to sleep with your screen doors/windows unlocked.

As far as safety goes, Grand Cayman and St. Kitts have a reputation of being very safe islands. The Dominican Republic and Jamaica are larger and much more populated so crime rates are higher. I'm not trying to be an alarmest but just because there are palm trees, sandy beaches and turquoise waters doesn't mean you should neglect to use common sense when it comes to protecting yourself and your belongings.

Regarding the getting a room with a view of the ocean, just about every beachfront resort will offer ocean view rooms but they will be the most expensive room categories. Many hotels have rooms that are close to the water (the closer you are the more you might be able to "hear" the waves. Keep in mind that if you choose a resort on the Caribbean side of an island the water in front of many resort will be quite calm so wave sounds might be minimal. You mentione the St. Kitts Marriott - that resort is quite large and most of the rooms are set back a fair distance from the water. On the plus side, it's on the Atlantic side of the island so the water is often wavy. Wheter or not you'd be able to hear the water will depend on the location of your room - most, however, are too far to hear any appreciable wave sounds.

Do a little research on the islands you are considering to help narrow your choice. There are litterally hundrds of resorts on Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and half again as many between St. Kitts and Grand Cayman. We really need more information from you about what you'd like to do and see while on your trip, the type of accomodations your require, your budget and what size island you want to visit to give you meaningful help. For starters go to the "Destinations" link at the top of this page, click through to the "Caribbean" and read the summaries of the 4 islands you are considering. That will help you choose which island you'd really like to visit. Once you select your island narrowing down your resort choice will be much, much easier.

check out Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios, with current deal its hard to beat for money. You can get 7 days w/Caterman sunset cruise for around $4k, plus Air is pretty cheap right now. I'm about to book it for August myself I think, seems to be best deal for money I can find. #1 spot in ocho rios per Trip Advisor, one of top in Carribean overall. I'm thinking of doing an additional 3 days at RC in Montego Bay before flying back. Total cost with Air and Insurance is around $6k for 10days. This is what the best resort rooms in Riveria Maya were going to run me for only 7 days and from what I understand Royal Plantation is a step above most resorts, especially AI resorts

coming from East Coast, you will get more 'bang for the buck' in either Cancun or Jamaica, partly because Air is cheap to both places.

you can also do well, if Air is good, to Bahamas, PR or DR. From what I understand Punta Cana isn't quite there yet, but on its way.

the rest of the islands generally cost more.

If you want to save alot of money, check out Grand Pineapple in Antigua or Jamaica, I beleive its 50% off and an AI. It would be very cheap for a week.

Three words: CAP. JULUCA. ANGUILLA.

Cap Juluca probably won't come anywhere close to fitting jenjay68's "funds not unlimited" budget.

thanks for all ur info... the search for the perfect honeymoon spot continues.. We are thinking 5 nts and wld like to spend around $3000.. we wld be flying from St Louis or Indy.

With five nights and a limited budget, see where your airlines fly directly. A direct morning flight will have you on the beach by lunchtime. Nevis is nice, but can be an all day affair to get to.
Play with sites like travelocity to see where you can get non stops to.

I wouldn't sleep with my doors open anywhere anymore unfortunately. There is just too much crime. You won't be able to fly to some remote paradise for only 5 days with 3000.
Grand cayman is beautiful and we found the people very friendly. Not sure if you can fly, stay and eat for 3000. But it doesn't hurt to look!

Posted this on the wrong thread, but I checked st louis to grand cayman and they did not fly non stop but offered a package for five nights in august (i used 9th-14th) and it was 2300 for two at the Westin (very nice), and it was 2200 for the Marriott (where we stayed, nice, but I think westin is nicer). That includes air and hotel and is on us airways. That would be more than enough to still leave 700 dollars for dinners and excursions. I think it is doable. You may need some more cash for the extra stuff, but you could go to GC. It was a very nice island to go to and it is very relaxing.

thats the problem with alot of those islands for me, takes all day to get to them, plus you have to hope for good weather so you make the connecting flights.

plus the cost differences

thanks girlonthego... sounds great.. I will check it out!

Did you look into cruises? those are usually the best way to do something nice and save money doing it. and you get to see more than one place, while there for a short time.

jenjay: one more thing... Definitely get the travelers insurance. It may cost you a little more, but in August in the caribbean, you never can tell. I was married in August (the 20th), twenty years ago! And we had perfect weather and went on the cheap to the Bahamas. We bought a house and were trying not to spend too much.
The cayman islands has the most beautiful water with white sand and the snorkeling and scuba diving can't be beat.
We found you could dine anywhere from expensive to cheap. We could walk from the Marriott to some stores and picked up little things like beer and soda for the room. We also picked up some cheap breakfast items and snacks. (We have teens that like to eat 24/7). We enjoyed the frozen drinks and the nice dinners because that is what vacation is about, but you can definitely get some stuff and make it cheaper. We had a mini fridge in the room at the Marriott, I am sure the Westin would as well. I liked the Marriott, but I think the Westin has a larger beach and a nicer pool. The Marriott pool was small, but the hotel itself was very nice. Good luck in the planning.
I punched in st. louis which I thought was larger than Indianapolis for airlines and it seems you will be stopping somewhere along the way no matter where you go. Just try to get on the earliest flight out and get there by lunchtime.
Best wishes!

If Jamaica is your choice, here's a plan. US Air leaving STL at 5:55 am, connecting thru Charlotte, into Mobay at 11:30 a.m.($500.00 ea taxes in)Private driver ($80.00 each way) to Negril, on the beach by 2:30 at the latest. Deluxe Ocean view room at Idle Awhile (5 X $150.00 - offseason rate!!) Not AI but I've done the math and unless you have a drinking problem it's not worth it, plus there are lots of great places to go out to. $1,910.00 so far leaving $1,100.00 or $220.00 per day for the rest which is easily do-able. Will supply contact info for our driver of 6 years if so desired.

its $133/night on hotels.com

just looked at that resort on Trip Advisor, not a bad option for money.

spook, how much does food and drinks run in Negril on average?

Red Stripe is anywhere from JA $100 to $250 (UD $1.50 - $3.75) depending on the bar while cocktails run in the US $4 - $6 range. Restaurant prices are comparable to the US with meals in the $7 - $10 range in smaller family places and the $15 - $30 range in the more upscale places like Norma's Kuyaba or the Rockhouse which by the way are all great options and worth the money. You can get patties on the beach from Norman for $1 US and they are tasty especially the Veggie ones. As for the cheaper price at Idle Awhile maybe thats for a Garden view room. Another great thing about Idle Awhile is the free use of Couples Swept Away Gym which is quite nice and well equiped.

I think Orbitz was just quoting it a little cheaper, i double checked room category, said OV..


What is a good Bed/Breakfest or Non-AI in Montego Bay that is safe and not too wild? I'm spending 3 nights there after a 7 night stat at Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios. Right now I'm set to do Sandals RC, but thinking we might should find something like this if room and facilities are just as nice and eat out those days and possibly save money. Sandals RC for 3 days, Beachfront room with no Concierge, just base level Sandals room was going to be $1k or so, which includes food and drinks too of course.

I think that in Mobay proper there are very few non AI options that would meet your expectations as far as room quality etc. while still being in walking distance to a good variety of restaurants etc. There are a few mid level properties (Doctor's Cave, Toby's) but not being sure of what you find exceptable would make them hard to reccomend (We stayed at Toby's for a night and liked it but the whole Mobay hip strip scene is only good for one day IMO.)

I think you can definitely get what you want in Cayman, but would encourage you to research carefully to get what you want. Suffice to say that whilst the Marriott and Westin are good hotels, there are many, many others options that will tick all the boxes for you and for a reasonable budget

I think Cayman in August sounds fantastic. I spent two weeks there in August on my honeymoon and it was unbelievable great weather. Good and hot! I also would worry about Riveria Maya. The violence isn't there-its at the Mexican border. I had several friends who went there over Spring break and they said it was great.

Punta cana - I found some good deals... However , it seems every resort there has bad reviews. The only one I found that seemed ok was the Grand Pallidium. Lots of people talk about getting ill either from the food or water. ANyone been to this resort? It is one of 3.

any great deals out there for August at an Ai in Jamaica, DR, or Antigua..... Still searching...

good deals are in Mexico right now for obvious reasons.

Check out Sandals and Couples AI's in Jamaica, or Royal Plantation where I'm going.

Sandals Ocho rios is a 'deal' right now, but its also considered the least favorite Sandals to many.

Breezes Runaway Bay is a nice cheaper AI from what I understand.

Tentatively booked Grand Pallidium in DR.. Great deal thru apple vacations... Any comments on that resort
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try timothys beach resort in stkitts , and flite to stkitts are direct from ny miami atlanta this place is right by the beach they have some good deals , food is quite inexpensive by the beach, it has a strip of bars there too !for shopping go to port zante , i have personally tried shopping on many islands but think prices given by a store name glitter jewelry are gr8 ..its relatively a newer store ...try for food restaurants- circus, serendipity,and spicemill ...faboulous...enjoy

Check out Moon San Villa at the Blue Lagoon in the secret part of Jamaica, Port Antonio.

www.moonsanvilla.com

jenjay I checked on Expedia and flying out on Delta, arriving in Mobay at 11:40am you can get the follwoing packages for 7 nights for 2 people (I checked Aug 9-15 as an example):

$2810 Couple swept Away (AI): We love this place and we go there almost annually. Best hotel beach in Negril, great service, lots of activities included, great gym/spa.

$1750 Rosehall Ritz Carlton: 5 star property, one of the more elegant properties in Mobay but not AI. Dining options close by.

$2775 Sandals Grande Ocho Rios (AI): haven't been there personally but others say good things and there's much to do in Ocho Rios

$1789 Sunset Beach Resort & Spa (AI): Good price for AI-- you'll save $1200 I've been there for a wedding and the facilities/grounds seem nice but I haven't stayed overnight


Hope this helps!

www.bezlu.com