jpniner

I'm planning a Honeymoon between August 9 - 16th, any suggestions on where to go? We are fairly laid back and I'm sure we'll want a lot of time to relax at resort on beach, but maybe 30% of our time doing some activities, exploring island(wherever, etc)...Will be traveling from Charlotte, NC airport and would prefer not to have too long of a trip.

Right now I have it down to the following, any suggestions on location and then resorts is appreciated:

1) Barbados
2) Bermuda
3) Nassau (Sandals Resort probably)
4)Costa Rica/Puerto Rico/Jamiaca or Mexico(Riveria or Cabo)

Keep hearing great things about Bermuda followed with the BUT of 'everything cost too much'. Barbados sounds nice and interesting place, both of these are safe as well.

Not sure I want to just go to bahamas for honeymoon but not oppossed and would be open to British Virgin Islands.

Anyway, suggestions for August? Obviously hurricane is possibility and it will be hot. Partly why I was thinking Southern Carribean(barbados or Aruba) or Bermuda

jpniner

also throw in the Turks as I keep reading they have the best water

xkenx

Bermuda is very nice, manicured, not in the Caribbean. You will think you are in a tropical England. Aruba is very arid, with American-style hotels. Barbados is wonderful--lovely people, a wide variety of hotels, beaches, sightseeing, nitelife. Vibrant Caribbean culture with a British flair. A great hotel for a honeymoon is Coral Reef Club, the class act on the island. Low-rise, charming, plantation-style on gorgeous grounds; family owned for 50+ years, and it shows.
See www.coralreefbarbados.com and www.barbados.org

KVR

Consider in the factor that August is prime hurricane season when choosing a destination. We went to Nassau and stayed at the Sandals Royal Bahamaian the first week of Sept, 2003. Hurricane Fabian was on the way and barely missed us. During the night it made a strong turn and hit Bermuda instead. The Mayan Riveria and Jamaica has been plagued with bad weather for years during hurricane season. We stopped going to that area during that time period. Best to go about the second week of November instead. Since it is so hard to predict the weather, if you chose any of those destinations buy the trip insurance that specifies you can cancel for any reason and not just if your flight is canceled or your hotel closes up.

We've been to most of the areas you listed. I would go with an Island that is mostly out of the hurricane belt like Aruba, Curacao, Barbados or St. Lucia. If you have the time/funds you can Island hop from Barbados to St. Vincent, Grenada, Tobago Cays and St. Lucia. From St. Lucia you can hop to Martinque and St. Vincent.

StanKase

I would agree with August being an issue in terms of hurricanes or tropical depressions with a lot of rain for 1-2 days. That said we have gone in July and Aug. probably 8-9 times and only once has a 2 day wash-out.
To be dafer Barbados and Curacau reduce the possibility. They are so very different so you should read up on them through the threads on each here and the Fodor's Guide book.

Knowing

Barbados - Been there a couple of times. Beautiful beaches, great weather, lots of shopping and all kinds of activities. Lots to explore and no real worry about hurricanes.
Bermuda - We were there for our tenth anniversary. We were thrilled to be there. I am certain you would discover much and have some great adventures.
Bahama's - This island (and this particular Sandals) falls way down on our list. Nothing five star here and we won't go back. The people were not warm. One thing that was nice is that Sandals has the private island and it allows you to explore up close when you are snorkeling right from the beach.
Although I think Jamaica is a very distinctive island, I don't think I would go there in August.

Lura

Harbour Island, Bahamas...stunning Pink Sand Beach- very wide. Quiet, only Golf Carts- several great restaurants. Several great resorts right on the beach. Direct flight from CLT to Nassau...usually under $300. Will take a small ferry over to Harbour Island from Nassau- 15min max. Fabulous trip without breaking the bank. Recommended resort: Runaway Hill, Coral Sands

jpniner

thanks, met with a travel agent today and she sold us hard on the El Dorado Royale or its sister resorts the Cancun area. For the money, its hard to beat for what you get. I was wanting to go to an island(and somewhere different than most of my friends) but its hard to pass up these deals. Cost for the El Dorado Royale with swim up pool and OV was about 3800 which included honeymoon package.

everything on one of these islands would be alot more than that, though I'm still thinking about Barbados or Caicos/Turks.

Bermuda is out(cost), though I'd love to go sometime.

KVR

We've been to that resort back in 2001 before it was re-done. It's located in the Mayan Riviera area about 30 minutes outside of Playa del Carmen.

I agree you will get more bang for your buck in Mexico. We personally didn't like the location as we didn't like being so isolated, but that may be what you are looking for.

If your wanting that area I suggest looking at the Iberostar Grand Pariso, The Royal Playa del Carmen, Secrets Capri, Secrects Maroma or Secrets Silversands before making a decision.

Again, buy the hurriance/trip insurance. That area gets hits every year, which is why we stopped going until November.

jpniner

thanks, will look at those. Riveria Maya is a draw for a honeymoon, the El Dorado Royale includes the honeymoon package with couples massage with package. TA was selling it hard, her 'favorite'....kinda wonder though if she gets more of a kickback from them than other resorts?

We got quotes to the Somerset in Grace Bay, Caicos and it looks nice.

problem with Barbados is little longer for us to get there from CLT and I think its a place to explore and see some sites which I'm not sure we want to spend alot of time doing that on a honeymoon. I was looking at The Crane resort there and a couple others.

1) Some all-inclusive in Riveria Maya
2) tie between Barbados and Caicos
3) Jamaica is wildcard

On one hand Barbados makes most sense for that time of year but on other for a honeymoon we may get more of what we want in Cancun(or Jamaica, especially for the funds).

I'm guessing Caicos gets hit often with Storms that time of year as well.

poollizzard

Sounds like the TA was concerned about her commission and not you all.
Think it's a condo-type resort and not a real resort.

Would splurge on a real resort and AMEX offers great packages and the best insurance coverage.

Do some more research.

Aruba tends to not get hit as much in hurricane season.

Good luck!

jpniner

Sandals Whitehouse seems to have some really good prices right now, so I'm wondering if I shouldn't go that route. You can get the high-end suites w/butler, etc. for this week at between 4500 to 5500 range(its 65% off).

Can anyone tell me if the food is good at this Sandals? I've had friends go to the El Dorado Royale recently and they claim the food was excellent. the Casita's swimup suites there are $5500 this time of year

KVR

Sandals Whitehouse is outside of Negril in the middle of nowhere. If you want to explore Negril you'll have to hire a taxi from the resort. I've been to two Sandals; Sandals Royal Bahamian and Sandals Grande St. Lucia. Not all Sandals are created equal. They are overpriced for what you get. The Mexico resorts I named offer services and amenties that Sandals charges for. ie, oceanviews, liquor/frig in the room, room service, upgraded bedding and rooms. We did enjoy the Sandals in Nassau, but not St. Lucia. The only other Sandals resort I would consider is Dunn's River in Ocho Rios and only if I got a really good deal. I still haven't been there.

We stayed at the Sibonne in Turks and Caicos. It's a small, quite hotel with 26 rooms and sits on one of the best sections of Grace Bay Beach. Though we really enjoyed our trip, we found Provo a little on the boring side. Hardly any nightlife or shopping. We did several water related excursions as it's all about the water and beaches there.

Aruba has become one of our favorite destinations. We love the numerous resturants, bars and shopping complexes. We're headed to Curacao in May, but will eventually get back to Aruba. Either of those Isands are a safe bet for hurricane season.

We actually honeymooned in Cozumel. We've been back 2 other times and it's still our favorite destination. We were married in a July, which now I regret. We usually celebrate in November instead. We are planning on Barbados for our 10th wedding aniiversry next year, but we'll see. I think the gutting and re-do of our kitchen may come first.

Any other time of year I would vote Mexico whole heartedly, but since you're considering going in hurricane season, I would go for Barbados, Aruba or Curacao. We've been to Mexico 9 times and will never go again between June and the 2 week of November. You will grit your teeth to see if a tropical storm or hurricane is going to wipe out your vacation and it if hits before you go then you have to deal with the destruction of the beaches and water.

I agree that it looks like your TA is more concerned with their commission then helping you with a honeymoon.

jpniner

I was told by TA that Sandals Whitehouse, which is new, is one of the best Sandals and is good if you want to stay on the resort alot vs. explore island. the prices at the moment sound great, I just want to know the food is great as well as service and amenities.

It being august is of course still an issue I guess, it would be awful with hurricane. I keep telling myself that early August is more unlikely and to chance it(w/insurance of course).

Barbados sounds great, was looking at The Crane and then maybe a few days rent a car and see the island and eat off property. Just not sure we would get pampered as much there.

jpniner

poollizard: What do you mean by "real resort"....some examples?

KVR

I have not stayed at that Sandals so can not provide info on food or service. Try this forum for everyting Sandals:

http://www.tropictravelonline.com/ub...s.php/ubb/cfrm


It would be a shame to go to Negril and sit on the resort. Jamaica is a beautiful Island and should be explored.

The El Dorado is a real AI resort. It's not a condo unit.

jpniner

Thanks KVR,

I Know your not a Sandals person, but if you were choosing between these nice all-inclusives in Riveria Maya vs. one of the highest end Sandals rooms at Whitehouse or Dunns River, for basically the same money ($5k to 6k range) which would you choose?

I'm trying to gauge just how good a deal Sandals is right now, but they have rooms where you get a Butler for same ball park as the AI in Riveria Maya.

I want best deal for the money, with requirements being stocked rooms, good food, great beaches(now looking at Maroma area resorts for beach)....anyway, with El Dorado you get alot included in price, so I'm wondering if the high end Sandals rooms for same money are better or if you still get short changed and have to buy the extra things once you are there.

i will check out that site for some of those answers of course. Also, I think this time of year the Temp is little better in Jamaica over Cancun area.

KVR

That's a hard question, but after going to Mexico 9 times and Jamaica once and Sandals twice. I still think you get more for you're money in Mexico. I know we did get better tasting food and better service at the resorts in Mexico, but we are Mexican food lovers and not to keen on the Caribbean stuff, so that makes a difference. Loved the jerk chicken in Jamaica, but that was about it.

Maroma Beach is nicer and the water is clearer than Negril, Jamaica. We are very active on vacation and not all that interested in such room amenties. Mexico has more things to see and do and easier to get around. The weather in Mexico in August will be very hot and humid. I would think more so than Jamaica.

To determine if your getting the most for the money, compare all the amenities that are offered with each resort and then the final price of each. You can get that info by looking at each resorts personal web-site. Good luck I know it's a very hard decision. Looking back now, we paid a total of $1,200 for our honeymoon in Cozumel at a decent AI (nothing like what Mexico and Sandals offers now) and thought that was expensive, but we loved it.

jpniner

good to know about the Maroma beach, I was under impression the Negril beach is one of best in world. Sounds like Maroma is the beach to go to in Riveria.

since its our honeymoon, I doubt we will be overly active as far as trying to site see and what not. We will need some down time to relax.

jpniner

btw, is there anything in Cozumel we should consider that is on par with these in Maroma or Tulum areas?