Hi all,

My fiancee and I are trying to plan our honeymoon for June 2008. I have been scouring these boards for hours and hours to the point he is starting to think I am crazy. But I am just in search of the right honeymoon place for us!

For starters, we are caribbean virgins....sort of. I have been to Aruba once and I also went to cancun many years ago. Both islands had beautiful beaches! With that being said like most honeymooners here is what we are looking for:

Beautiful blue waters/soft,white sand
All Inclusive--ONLY BECAUSE we are scared of sticker shock with food prices and especially alcohol. We will definitely have quite a few cocktails daily and would prefer to know its included in the budget price.
Watersports
Couples Massage

My dream honeymoon is Bora Bora but we are looking at over $10k to do that and just think that is too much. From there, I read on these boards that T&C and Anguilla have the "prettiest beaches" but other than Beaches and Club Med on T&C, neither island offers AI. I would love to stay at Cap Juluca but are scared of blowing budget on food/alcohol.

So, if we have to knock those islands out of the option where should we stay? I was thinking Sandals Antigua....I know most people are down on the Sandals but it seemed to have good reviews on Trip Advisor.

We also thought of island hopping. Is it possible to do Antigua/Anguilla...?

We are looking at 8 days/7 nights and have a TOTAL budget of approximately $6,000. Being around other honeymooners would be great as we are social people!

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!!

Check out Jamaica Inn or Jumby Bay on the AI package. Jamaica Inn you can add on the AI package and it is a great value in the summer. Jumby Bay I believe everything is included in the price.

hard to island hop between Antigua/Anguilla-while not impossible, probably need to spend a night.

For $6000 you can stay at Beaches T&C-but it is families. You can probably stay at other places and still stay in your budget at T&C-but you'd have to keep track. Some packages include the massage, some dinners, some wine with dinners, some excursions. Check out specials at The Regent Palms-ultra luxury, and may have some packages. Also try Turks and Caicos Club for packages. While not AI's, you'll get ultra luxury and probably stay in your budget. (After all your eating and drinking)

You may want to check out some AI's in St. Martin, with day trips to Anguilla. But WARNING: it's a travesty to get AI in St. Martin, when they have some of the most incredible restaurants.

For 6K? We stayed in St Lucia and spent no where near that figure for everything, with great personal service. Based on my recent experience $4.2k with flight included cam get you a villa with private pool, personal service and more in St Lucia.

You might check out Spice Island Beach Resort on Grenada. I have not been there, but researched it quite a bit and would like to go in the future. It appears to have a nice AI as well as being on a beautiful long beach. There are others who write into this Board who are frequent visitors to the island and could advise you as to June weather trends. (La Luna also appealed to me though I like a longer beach for walking.)

It sounds like you have already reached the same conclusion that I did: the islands with the best beaches in the Caribbean are not really good places to go for nice, adult AI vacations. So, your choices are:

1) Consider non-AI properties in order to be able to experience the most beautiful beaches/water (I loved Provo and also have Anguilla, as well as the Bahama out islands, and Grand Cayman, on my list for future trips based on great beaches).

2) Compromise on the best beaches in order to go somewhere with AI options. In addition to some of the other suggestions made above, I would add Barbados (there are a lot of nice restuarants there, so a lot of people would not choose AI there either), the Domincan Republic (choose one of the more upscale/adults-only resorts in Punta Cana or La Romana (no adults only yet in La Romana but I think one is being built)), or Playa del Carmen (if you are willing to consider Mexico, I have read a lot of good things about the Royal there). I'm assuming you don't want to go back to Cancun or Aruba, but those locations also have options for AI with good beaches. Bermuda has beautiful beaches, but I'm not sure about the availability of AI resorts there.

Some people will try to convince you that option 1 is better and is very viable within your budget, but if not choosing an AI will cause you stress, you should stick with AI. I've never been to a Sandals property and have read mixed reviews about them too, but I think that if you pick a good one (read lots of reviews), it might be a good option for you because you are more likely to meet other honeymooners, and it can be easier to meet others for a casual drink when the drinks are included.

I do love Caribbean AIs -- maybe another Mexican destination, like Cozumel or Playa del Carmen?

But don't rule out your dream honeymoon to Bora Bora either! Just avoid travel agencies and "packages" which are usually pricier than piecemeal trips. If you hunt, you can probably find airfare under $1500/person, and you can get nice beachfront hotels there for $250/night. If you stayed 10 days, you're still only talking about $5500 plus an extra $1000 or so for food. That would only be slightly over your budget.

You might look into some of the resorts on Harbour Island in the Bahamas, like Romora Bay. You can get the food package and since you have your own villa, you can stop downtown and get whatever you want to make your own cocktails.

Try these websites.

www.romorabay.com
www.therockhousebahamas.com
www.myharbourisland.com

Have a GREAT time.

I loved Harbour Island and have stayed at Romora Bay several times and several other spots. A bit laid back, though.

I agree with an AI as costs can skyrocket costs.

Sandals Antigua is one of their nicer properties, IMO. You might also consider Halcyon in St. Lucia.

I really love Couples Swept Away in Negril and want to stay at Royal Hideaway in Ocho Rios as the reviews are wonderful. Grand Lido Negril has a spectacular beach and is quite luxurious for the Caribbean.

I would avoid Beaches resorts at all costs as these are family oriented.

Look at LeBlanc spa resort in Cancun and the new Blu property there. High end, all adult, AIs and good value.

A wedding produces enough stress, you don't need anymore. Having said that, your reasons for wanting to stay at an AI are valid. Plus, you deserve to be able to be somewhere that you can veg for awhile after the big day. Sandals Antigua is an ideal location. You will have a splendid experience and there are a variety of things to enjoy on the island when you do venture off the property. The rooms are a little small, but nice and the hospitality of the staff is attentive and friendly. I asked for a drink that they didn't know how to make (A Jellybean or something) and they invited me behind the bar to make it myself and teach them how. We were very comfortable there and relaxed.
BYW, I was just in Bora Bora in May. It was spectacular and out of the ordinary. Maybe you could save that for your ten year anniversary?

Thanks for all of your suggestions!

It's so interesting to see everyone's thoughts....I am now keeping a spreadsheet of all the different choices and will compare/contrast.

Any other ideas are definitely welcome!!

I can personally recommend both Sandals Antigua and Sandals St Lucia Halcyon. Five years ago we did a ten day trip going to Antigua first and then island hopped to St. Lucia the last five days. The total was $5500. Loved every minute of it, especially the adult only factor. We thought the food was great at both. The beaches aren't the most spectacular in the Carribean but pretty enough. There were tons of things to do and it also included free scuba diving if you are into that. Also, in St. Lucia there are three Sandals - there are shuttles that go between them and you can eat and drink at all three. The Halcyon was the more private, quieter and cozier of the three which we liked.

Two questions....were the beaches prettier in antigua than st lucia...I would assume this based on what I have read. Also, what means did you use to island hop?

Yes, I'd say Antigua probably was a little nicer. We took a small plane (about 20 seats) from Antigua to St. Lucia. I think the airline was LIAT - our travel agent set it all up for us.

IME, the beaches in Antigua are nicer. However, St. Lucia is spectacular overall and would be my first choice.

I stayed at LeSport there, an AI, and quite pricey. It was not in good repair and I could not recommend it.

Honeymoon for me would be Young Island in SVG or a property on Grenada or St. Lucia.

Like a previous poster suggested, maybe look into Playa Del Carmen area? We have stayed at the Royal Hideaway and it is an AI and you would never guess it. The food and service is well above and beyond a Sandals (we're stayed at the Sandals Halcyon). While the Sandals was nice, I've been to better so I wouldn't suggest it for your honeymoon. Another suggestion would Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands. It is not fully AI, but the price does include your room, taxes and food (not drinks). I have found that the Royal Hideaway and Peter Island Resort to be very romantic. Check it out - Susan

PS - another area just north of Playa Del Carmen that gets constantly good reviews is Maroma. My sister is headed to the resort next month. I will provide more info when she gets back!

www.maromahotel.com

Royal Hideaway has virtually no beach. For me, that is a dealbreaker.

Royal Hideaway indeed does have a gorgeous beach:

http://www.royalhideaway.com/html/gallery.html