Hllywdbrit

We are only months away from our wedding, August 6th, and are still in the dark regarding our honeymoon! I've seen all the lush resorts and they look great... but I think we are seeking a private, romantic bungalow on the sand. Anyone care to share their secret spot?

What we are looking for:
An affordable flight from RDU
Very easy beach access and private sunbathing
Around $1000/wk or less
Safe area, but private
A shower/steam room or hot tub would be an extra treat!

I'm picturing a thatched roof bungalow on a tropical island in my head Not sure how practical that is. I previously worked on a cruise ship for 6 months and my favorite stops were Bermuda, St.Thomas, Aruba, Cozumel, St.Lucia, Curacao, St.Maarten, San Juan, and Grand Cayman.

I really appreciate any help!

virginia

this page lists several thatch roof cabana hotels on the beach near tulum http://www.hotelstulum.com/beach-hotels.htm
air tran will fly you i think.

Hllywdbrit

Thanks for the quick reply! I may spend the whole day investigating So far I have found some really affordable places in Dominica

virginia

i know nothing about dominica so can't help with that but someplace else you could look at to find nice secluded beaches on a budget would be vieques. fly to san juan (you could spend a night or two there at the beginning or end of your trip), air or land to fajardo then ferry to vieques (or culebra). no thatch roofs. you'd need a jeep rental to explore the beaches. 8-)

Hllywdbrit

These places in Tulum are so neat. Have you been there? I have heard so many horror stories about tourists in parts of Mexico, sometimes I get a little nervous. (I think I watched too many movies like Touristas...) I did really enjoy my stays in Cozumel tho....

I'll check out Vieques next.

virginia

i rented a house w/ 2 other ladies called casa cavu on tankah bay beach about 15 mins north of tulum. we felt quite safe & this is not the part of mex where all the drug wars are anyway. we drove down to check out the cabana zone. looked fun. lots of younger ppl (20-40). a bunch of these hotels are in walking distance of each other. ana y jose is the most well known, but we just had a drink. we had an outstanding lunch at le mezzanine - a few mins north of cabana zone.
take a look at www.locogringo.com and if this really interests you move your question over to the mexico part of central america & mexico board as some foderites have stayed there in the cabana hotels. i recall someone mentioning los liros as someplace they'd enjoyed. you can also check for current reviews by entering a specific hotel name on tripadvisor.com

qwovadis

maho.org

runawayhill.com PERFECT 3 mile pink sand beach.

yandupisland.com very remote exotic cheap over water bungalows

my top 3... Doninica nice mountains but beaches snorkel suck

Congrats!

qwovadis

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...-Yandup_Island

xkenx

Try Sandcastle on Jost Van Dyle in the BVI

Hllywdbrit

Thank you everyone, have been spending (way too much!) time looking over every link and suggestion.

I think we are leaning towards staying in a villa or hut as opposed to a hotel, now we are seeking a place that has bungalows that aren't right on top of each other. We only get one Honeymoon, want it to be perfect

Thanks again and keep them comin!

cmcfong

This might work for you should you choose Bermuda.

Grape Bay Cottages
AddressGrape Bay Dr, Hamilton, Southampton Parish, HM BX
32.278848-64.77094
LocationGrape Bay Dr., off Middle RdPhone800/637-4116 in the US; 441/236-2515

also look at the cottages available on www.bermudarentals.com and www.bermudagetaway.com

BellaClaire

How does one get to Yandup Island - that looks fantastic!

virginia

bella, on the site it says fly to panama city. then small plane then resort ferry to the island. i think it looks fantastic too!!

CuracaoSunshine

Dominica is beautiful... really romantic! Curacao (my home) does not really have the cottages on the beach like you're describing...