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-   -   Decent Budget/Luxury Bound (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/decent-budget-luxury-bound-719407/)

beachykeen Jul 18th, 2007 09:34 AM

Regarding Anguilla- Cap, Cuisi and Malli all have summer rates and specials. When I was there last month, the biggest dinner bill was $250 for 2 people-and that included alcoholic beverages, appetizers, entrees and desserts for 2. You can eat cheaply or at the more expensive places, but don't think that a $400 dinner bill for 2 people is common. I ususally stay at Cap, although I have friends who are Cuisi loyalists and another couple who also love Cap went to Ku last year. They said if they had never been to Cap, Ku would have been great. Naroow down where you want to go, and see what deals a travel agent can get for you.

beachdreams3 Jul 18th, 2007 09:44 AM

FYI, all the condo resorts in T&C that I mentioned have daily maid service as long as you rent through the resort (if you rent through VRBO that is not necessarily the case), and nobody forces you to cook. I only mentioned the kitchen/kitchenette because it can be a convenience and significant cost savings to keep some snacks and drinks in your room, since the cost of food and drinks for a non AI resort was expressed as a concern in the initial post.

There are some very upscale condo resorts in T&C; the ones I mentioned are in the "moderate" range and all are on beautiful Grace Bay beach. BTW, there are too Ocean Club resorts; the older one is just called Ocean Club (sometimes OC East), and the newer one is called Ocean Club West. I was rushing to finish my post before and was not clear.

jonbon678 Jul 18th, 2007 10:05 AM

beachykeen--I would LOVE Cap or Cuisinart. As far as your recommendation for finding a travel agent...do you mean a person at a local travel store in my town or online travel agent? I have looked at expedia, travelocity and cheapcarribean.com and have not seen cap as an option yet.... ?
Can you offer any advice or can anyone offer advice on this?
Thanks!

jonbon678 Jul 18th, 2007 10:07 AM

Thanks for the added info on T&C condo resorts...I was a little concerned about renting a condo. I would want some service. Oceans Club West I have not looked into and will.....

Anguilla/T&C....juggling. :)

allietoo Jul 18th, 2007 12:42 PM

If high airfare is a consideration, how about Jamaica Inn?
Not quite the longgg beach of Provo, Anguilla,
Eleuthera or Grenada (or I would say-Pine Cay) but perhaps the right tone for a lovely beach honeymoon.

beachykeen Jul 18th, 2007 05:21 PM

By travel agent, I mean a person in a travel store. Often they are able to get extras not included online (like free breakfast or a dinner or a massage), and for an extra $10-20, the travel agent can get different options and prices for you to consider. If there are any problems, you can get in touch with the TA to put things right. By the way, I'm NOT in the travel business, but I do some research on what I want, let my travel agent know, then pick the best package she puts together or tell her I want something else. I'm busy and have alot of stress-it's worth the extra $ to have someone else run down the best options for air, connections and hotel. Planning a wedding is enough stress, have someone else help you. Also, whatever you decide, let the hotel know its your honeymoon- you will probably get a bottle of champagne and a fruit basket in oyur room on arrival.

beachbum2 Jul 18th, 2007 06:42 PM

Look at Hermitage Bay on Antigua too. It is a new resort that is getting great reviews and they have been offering many great deals on Luxurylink.com. It is on our short list. Don't put out Mexico as areas are quite different. I do not like Cancun at all, but loved Playa and would also consider Isla Mujeres (small island off Cancun or going south to Tulum or Akumal. Not the commercial tourist trap Cancun is. If you look at Jamaica...the caves is an amazing romantic place....I can't say enough good things and others can't either...check the ratings...romance all the way and workable in june with your budget.

jonbon678 Jul 19th, 2007 05:17 AM

I am just not hip on the idea of Jamaica. Even though the resorts sound amazing being bound there does not appeal to me. I have heard so many negative things about that.
However, Hermitage Bay looks amazing!!! I have done tons of research and have not come across that. WOW! Will def keep that in my top 10! It seems to offer that romantic look/feel of Bora Bora that I love so much. How is the island of Antigua if we leave the resort though? I want to be able to explore! Thanks for the post.

mymoosie Jul 19th, 2007 05:50 AM

Antigua has a lot of beaches that you can beach hop. We find it to be safe enough. Can't recall where Hermitage Bay is located but you'll definitely have to rent a car. If you want to experience local culture along with beaches, then Antigua would fit the bill. What I'm reading though is that the roads to Hermitage are not in the greatest shape. So prepare for rough driving, unless they pave it by the time you go.

I would choose Anguilla though for the beautiful beaches, or T&C. Even if you stay in a condo, just because there is a kitchen doesn't mean you have to cook!

I guess I'll be in the minority here, but you don't have to go over the top luxurious to have a wonderful honeymoon. It's the time that you spend together and the activities that you will do that will give you lasting memories.

jonbon678 Jul 24th, 2007 05:49 AM

So, unless a really good promotion pops up that steers me in another direction I think I have decided our honeymoon would consist of island hopping for 10 days. We would spent the first 5 days or so on Anguilla and then from there we could do St Martin, Saba or St Barths. So, my questions would be: How should we book this? And what is an easy itinerary for island hopping? Ie. what order and how many days etc.
Thanks for any input!!!

brenandg Jul 24th, 2007 05:59 PM

I can't help you with your itinerary, but I wouldn't try to do more than two islands, especially for a honeymoon. Unless, maybe one of them is a day trip. Otherwise you are going to spend way too much time getting from island to island instead of relaxing.

jonbon678 Jul 24th, 2007 06:29 PM

Yes, I agree. I found a website tonight that gave some great info on times/costs associated w/ island hopping. I think we will stay in Anguill for 5 nights and St Martin or St Barts (have not decided) for the other 4. And perhaps do one other island as a day trip only.
Should be a great way to see a lot of the Caribbean!! I'm so excited!

brenandg Jul 24th, 2007 07:11 PM

http://www.stbartsvilla.com/index.html I have to tell you, I know litle about St Barts, but we met someone on a flight who is a villa owner there. Looks like a great place and he had been on island doing some detail work. The rates are pretty reasonable too.

janheg Nov 13th, 2007 07:42 AM

I work for a Discount-All-Inclusive.com. The owner of the company got married in Jamaica last year at Couples Swept Away Resort and Spa,and loved it. She travels frequently for business and highly recommends this resort.

Anguillagirl Nov 13th, 2007 11:03 AM

I would not rule out Anguilla just because they don't have any AI's.
Yes, it is true Anguilla has some very expensive restaurants, but they also have plenty of inexpensive places you can eat too that are extremely good.
Anguilla's beauty would make the perfect back-drop for a honeymoon. I can't think of a more lovely place and we've been all over the Caribbean.


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