bridetobe2011

My fiance and I had a good discussion this past weekend about our honeymoon---I told him to describe the perfect honeymoon w/unlimited means...to him that is: the Bora Bora overwater hotel room featured in the movie ‘Couples Retreat’. He knows this is completely unrealistic but it gave me an idea that we both want something more over the top than a normal all-inclusive sort of vacation....

This is what I know: On May 31, we'd like to fly out of San Juan (we're not from there but will be there for another reason a few days before) and head to another island and stay for 5 nights.

We have our budget set around $4,000 which would include air from SJU to other island and 5 nights accommodations (tax, fees, etc.).

Our ideal honeyoon activities aside from the obvious would be someplace that has good snorkeling (we're not experts, we have done it a few times and loved it), good beaches for swimming, an island with some character to it to explore. I could care less about shopping.

The accomodations: we don't want a huge resort (no taller than 3 or 4 floors, not hundreds of rooms, maybe a private villa at a resort?). Something more intimate but not completely secluded - we'd like to still be able to get a few cocktails at night and not feel totally alone. We want an ocean view (not where you have to stick your head out of the window to look sideways at it either and not necessarily on the ocean but definitely able to see it in front of us). We want something over the top and really nice.

The islands/areas we can rule out are for various reasons are: Mexico, Jamaica, Punta Cana, and Antigua.

So, now that some of the Caribbean is open to us, what do you think? What island might fit us?

Thank you in advance for your knowledge and assistance!

sharona

For both over the top and good snorkeling I'd look at Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands. They are having a special right now where if you book before 15 March you get one free night plus an extra resort credit if you book at least 4 nights. That's an excellent deal.

http://www.peterisland.com/specials/special_offers

Both the British and the US Virgin Islands offer some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. And Peter Island is a very nice resort. You said you could care less about shopping. I assume you meant you could NOT care less about shopping? Peter Island Resort is about the only thing on the island so there wouldn't be much shopping there.

St. John in the USVI is another possibility. There are very nice villas all over the island and you should certainly be able to find a nice property in your price range, especially as you are going in the off season. You can snorkel right off the shore in several spots on the island. Plus Cruz Bay is a nice town with a little shopping and some good restaurants. Caneel Bay resort is on a gorgeous piece of property but, while it's a nice resort, it's not an over the top accommodation by any stretch and the food there is just so-so. The Westin is another possibility but it's on a less than stellar beach and in June will be overrun with kids -- maybe not what you're looking for in a honeymoon.

Turks & Caicos offers a stunning beach and a variety of very nice accommodations. I think it is better for diving but there is snorkeling off the beach in at least one location. There are a couple of Provo experts who post regularly on Fodors so maybe they will chime in with some suggestions (although you can search here for information on T & C and a wealth of information should pop up).

Grand Cayman is another possibility and again offers a stunning beach and good snorkeling. The most luxurious accommodation will be the newish Ritz but it's a huge resort so it might not be what you're looking for. There are lots of other accommodations that might fit the bill, both hotel and condo rentals. Snorkeling with the stingrays at Stingray City is a fun and must-do activity.

sharona

I hit "submit" too soon.

Also, take a look at Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda in the BVIs. It might be exactly what you're looking for.

http://www.littledixbay.com/

AlnReg

How about the Bahamas out islands. Check out the Staniel Cay Yacht Club . There you can have your own little villa/house on the waters edge. You will just love this place. St Francis Resort is also a diamond in the bahamas.Not a really large and noisey place. St.Francis is really something special as is the yacht club. On most of the out islands you can find what you are looking for.

floatpilot

Hi B2B,
It sounds like Virgin Gorda would be a perfect fit. It is easy to get to from San Juan and has a few great resorts but not much else. You would fly into VIJ directly or Tortola's airport (EIS) and take a quick ferry.

My fiance and I stayed at Villa LaVida back in December and it was incredible. I haven't had time to file a trip report but the villa is gorgeous and the setting is superb. We snorkelled and kayaked right from our front door. For a couple days of our trip there was a great swell coming in and we slept with the doors wide open to listen to the crashing surf but in May/June you are more likely to see calm seas.

The villa is on the secluded Nail Bay beach but only 10 or 15 minutes from Spanish Town and Little Dix Bay. Biras Creek and the Bitter End Yacht Club are a short drive and then a ferry ride away.

Check out www.villalavida.com. Their rates are higher than your budget but we were on a tight budget and we found the owners were really reasonable and nice to deal with.

Hope this helps. I'm now motivated to file my trip report, so keep an eye our for that.

bridetobe2011

Thank you all!!

@ floatpilot: You had to show me Villa LaVida! If only I could afford that----it looks AMAZING!!! Maybe I'll email the owners just to see....

@sharona - Yes, you are right...I'm not interested in shopping! Lol! BVI sounds like it might fit the bill. I'll look into Peters Island and Virgin Gordo. I think that Turks & Caicos will be too expensive unfortunately---nearly $1800 for us to fly there rt from SJU!! Yikes!

allisonjames

If you like the concept of overwater bungalows i.e. separate cottages and great views, take a look at Ti Kaye Village, Jalousie Plantation or Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia; LaLuna on Grenada; we love Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis -- separate bungalows on a historic plantation (the only beachfront plantation on Nevis), charming, great food and service and Nevis has a volcano and very green like Bora Bora. I also think St. Lucia is somewhat like Bora Bora with the Pitons and very lush and tropical so it may be your most similar choice in the Caribbean. I think all these I have suggested would be in your budget.

qwovadis

www.maho.org

www.spg.com the Westin

awesome views/values on St. John USVI

www.betterbidding.com free upgrades for SPG guests

www.jademountain.com awesom more $

Congrats!

yungnfun

I think my fiance and I are thinking along the exact same lines as you, and I just realized I posted a similar question before seeing yours. We'll have to watch eachother's post for anything that fits the bill.

RLFox184

I second AllisonJames' suggestion of Ti Kaye on St Lucia. Spent a week plus there in 2010 and had a great time! 32 cottages (they are side by side duplexes), beautiful views, excellent snorkeling right from the beach, good food, and the best service we have had anywhere.

From the moment we walked into the open air bar/entry area everyone knew our name. Everyone is gracious and guests really mingled and got to know each other. Of the 32 rooms, we really socialized with about ten couples (couples only).

The rooms are nice, really enjoyed the outdoor shower with out resident gecko, our front porch overlooking the water with hummingbirds buzzing by was a treat, always felt like we had our privacy, and the couples massage overlooking the ocean was outstanding!

The only downs is that you need to be willing to do stairs...lots of 'em, the other resorts/cruise lines bring snorkeling trips into the bay because it is an excellent snorkeling site, and the locals on the beach can be a little pushy trying to sell you local crafts.