Getting frustrated finding a hotel for wedding/big family group to accomodate
Apr 28th, 2005, 08:38 PM
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Getting frustrated finding a hotel for wedding/big family group to accomodate
I have spent so many hours on TripAdvisor and other sites, my head is spinning. Please help.
My mom wants to be married in the Caribbean in mid-February, 2006. The dates are not flexible since she is a teacher and we'll be going over their mid-winter break. Group may consist of 40 people or more, ranging from young families to middle-aged with money who are going to want good restaurants and spas to go to. Here are our most important criteria:
1. NO MEGA-RESORTS. No Club Med, Sandals, Beaches, etc. Preferably no Marriott or Hilton-esque either. We want "real caribbean," not too formal or Americanized. Mom would love to be in a beachfront cottage/villa style place where she can hear the waves at night.
2. Hotel must have a beach or be within a very short walking distance. Preferably not "in town" unless town is quiet.
3. Warm water and hot days. Bermuda and the Bahamas are out for this reason, and I'm thinking the Turks and Caicos are too much of a gamble in mid-Feb. as well. 74 degrees and windy is not "lay on the beach" weather to us.
4. At least 12 rooms, but preferably less than 100. I guess it would depend on how it's laid out and if there are other places close by.
5. Must allow children and have water that can accomodate them (calmer waters, no reef right up to the shore that doesn't allow swimming).
6. Kitchenettes would be a plus.
7. Must have rooms available for under $275/night (or good group rates we could negotiate). Some of us would be willing to pay upwards of $350-375; a good range would be helpful.
8. Decent snorkeling and scuba diving nearby. Turtles are a plus!
As a benchmark, the hotel that looked like it would have been absolutely perfect, if it weren't completely sold out already, is the Rendezvous Bay in Anguilla. Quaint place, beautiful beachfront villas with kitchens for those who could afford them, inexpensive garden rooms for others, and an incredible beach. I also really liked the sound of TiKaye in St. Lucia, but mom didn't want to do 200+ stairs to the beach. I don't think they accepted children anyway.
WHAT WE DO NOT NEED
*a casino
*a pool (although it might be nice for the kids)
*tons of activities (we'll make our own!)
*marina/yacht club
*wedding "facilities" like a gazebo or reception rooms. It's going to be very informal.
Islands that appeal to us: Anguilla, St. Lucia, St. John & St. Croix, Caymans? (too expensive?), T&C (too cool that time of year?), Nevis. BUT WE'RE OPEN to others! We don't know much about places like St. Barts, St. Kitts, Martinique, Grenada, or Aruba, other than it sounds too developed. If there are places on Jamaica where we wouldn't be smothered by the Sandals crowd or street peddlers, I'd love to hear about them.
THANKS IN ADVANCE.
My mom wants to be married in the Caribbean in mid-February, 2006. The dates are not flexible since she is a teacher and we'll be going over their mid-winter break. Group may consist of 40 people or more, ranging from young families to middle-aged with money who are going to want good restaurants and spas to go to. Here are our most important criteria:
1. NO MEGA-RESORTS. No Club Med, Sandals, Beaches, etc. Preferably no Marriott or Hilton-esque either. We want "real caribbean," not too formal or Americanized. Mom would love to be in a beachfront cottage/villa style place where she can hear the waves at night.
2. Hotel must have a beach or be within a very short walking distance. Preferably not "in town" unless town is quiet.
3. Warm water and hot days. Bermuda and the Bahamas are out for this reason, and I'm thinking the Turks and Caicos are too much of a gamble in mid-Feb. as well. 74 degrees and windy is not "lay on the beach" weather to us.
4. At least 12 rooms, but preferably less than 100. I guess it would depend on how it's laid out and if there are other places close by.
5. Must allow children and have water that can accomodate them (calmer waters, no reef right up to the shore that doesn't allow swimming).
6. Kitchenettes would be a plus.
7. Must have rooms available for under $275/night (or good group rates we could negotiate). Some of us would be willing to pay upwards of $350-375; a good range would be helpful.
8. Decent snorkeling and scuba diving nearby. Turtles are a plus!
As a benchmark, the hotel that looked like it would have been absolutely perfect, if it weren't completely sold out already, is the Rendezvous Bay in Anguilla. Quaint place, beautiful beachfront villas with kitchens for those who could afford them, inexpensive garden rooms for others, and an incredible beach. I also really liked the sound of TiKaye in St. Lucia, but mom didn't want to do 200+ stairs to the beach. I don't think they accepted children anyway.
WHAT WE DO NOT NEED
*a casino
*a pool (although it might be nice for the kids)
*tons of activities (we'll make our own!)
*marina/yacht club
*wedding "facilities" like a gazebo or reception rooms. It's going to be very informal.
Islands that appeal to us: Anguilla, St. Lucia, St. John & St. Croix, Caymans? (too expensive?), T&C (too cool that time of year?), Nevis. BUT WE'RE OPEN to others! We don't know much about places like St. Barts, St. Kitts, Martinique, Grenada, or Aruba, other than it sounds too developed. If there are places on Jamaica where we wouldn't be smothered by the Sandals crowd or street peddlers, I'd love to hear about them.
THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Apr 29th, 2005, 02:23 AM
#2
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Though some may already be rented (it'll be high season peak mid-Feb),
there are 7 individual villas in Billy's Bay, Treasure Beach, the South Coast that share the same virtually private 3/4 mile beachfront.
Large wedding groups have rented out
The Buccaneer as wedding site since it has a huge rooftop sun/moon lounge that faces western sunsets and is right on the beach -- and is a Moroccan/Jamaican/African unique architectural one-of-a-kind. Additional wedding guests: La Casa Duna, Rainbow Tree, La Sirena, Hikaru, Rainbow Point and Sparkling Waters -- up to 50 guests could be accomodated within easy walk-on-the-beach distance from Buccaneer.
See treasurebeach.net for a sense of
the area first.
there are 7 individual villas in Billy's Bay, Treasure Beach, the South Coast that share the same virtually private 3/4 mile beachfront.
Large wedding groups have rented out
The Buccaneer as wedding site since it has a huge rooftop sun/moon lounge that faces western sunsets and is right on the beach -- and is a Moroccan/Jamaican/African unique architectural one-of-a-kind. Additional wedding guests: La Casa Duna, Rainbow Tree, La Sirena, Hikaru, Rainbow Point and Sparkling Waters -- up to 50 guests could be accomodated within easy walk-on-the-beach distance from Buccaneer.
See treasurebeach.net for a sense of
the area first.
Apr 29th, 2005, 03:47 AM
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Check out St John USVI...The Westin Resort may negotiate for you.St John is 2/3 rds a national park so it is not as developed as other places.Have heard it has great snorkeling,NO casinos,sounds perfect for your needs.
Apr 29th, 2005, 03:54 AM
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I think that Aruba would be too Americanized for you.
For villa rentals on St John we used www.vivacations.com..we got a villa for about 1350 for a week.
Also I see that turtles are a plus,have heard that St John has alot to see underwater starfish,turtles,seahorses and a variety of fish.I am going in June and will do a trip report.
Good luck!!
For villa rentals on St John we used www.vivacations.com..we got a villa for about 1350 for a week.
Also I see that turtles are a plus,have heard that St John has alot to see underwater starfish,turtles,seahorses and a variety of fish.I am going in June and will do a trip report.
Good luck!!
Apr 29th, 2005, 05:25 AM
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I currently have a wedding in the planning stages at Half Moon Club in Jamaica. It is a fabulous resort and it might work for your group. Take a look at their site...
http://www.halfmoon-resort.com/
http://www.halfmoon-resort.com/
Apr 29th, 2005, 06:39 AM
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What about Cap Juluca, also in Anguilla? More 'chic' (and expensive, of course!) than Rendezvous (which we love, been there last summer and going back in a couple months), but seems to meet all your criteria as well!
Apr 29th, 2005, 07:38 AM
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Check out the Reef Resort in Grand Cayman. It meets your criteria of quiet, great beach, all beachfront condo's with balconies, mid size, allows children, rooms in your price range w/ suites with kitchenettes & condo's w/full kitchens, excellent snorkeling right out front & a great dive shop on site. Here is the website: www.thereef.com.ky We were there last month and it is completely restored after hurricane Ivan. Nice restaurant & beach bar on site, but quiet resort, not a "party" atmohphere. Let me know if you have questions.
Apr 29th, 2005, 08:46 AM
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Sounds like you are describing St. Kitts. "the real caribbean"
Beautiful scenery, laid back, friendly locals.
Timothy Beach Resort is a small property located on the beach (caribbean side).
A web site that you might find helpful is www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com and www.myisland.myeyez.net
Beautiful scenery, laid back, friendly locals.
Timothy Beach Resort is a small property located on the beach (caribbean side).
A web site that you might find helpful is www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com and www.myisland.myeyez.net
Apr 29th, 2005, 08:49 AM
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Should be www.myislands.myeyez.net
