Gattuso

My wife and I are planning a honeymoon for next spring as our schedules can't handle a week now. Really she has delegated me to pick the spot because I am usually good at finding some hidden gems, but I am actually having some trouble deciding what to do for our honeymoon. I have used this forum in the past for reference so I thought I might as well sign up and see what some of the experts have to say.

Thanks in advance for your help in making me look like a booking genius in front of my new wife.

- We are planning on traveling in February or March for a week
- Wife wants an all-inclusive for convenience. I could maybe change her mind for the right place
- We would both like something a bit quieter where we could have a cold drink on the beach without a college spring break feel
- We both consider ourselves foodies, so good food is important to us.
- Want a location that has a direct flight from Chicago. We’ve been to Jamaica twice so that isn’t an option
- Believe that would include
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Belize
- Cancun
- Grand Cayman
- Puerto Rico
- St Thomas
- St. Lucia
- Our budget is 500- 750 a night. Again, might go a bit over for the right place.

RoamsAround

Maybe this will help narrow your focus:

1) Regarding flights - I'm guessing you really want a"non-stop" not a "direct flight" which in airline parlance means a flight that makes one or more intermediate stops before reaching the final destination but it retains the same flight and you remain on the same aircraft. I say this because if, when booking, you tell the ticketing agent you want a "direct flight" that's what you'll get.

2) No all Inclusives in Puerto Rico, and few, if any in Aruba, Grand Cayman and St. Thomas. The islands in the Bahamas that you can reach non-stop from Chicago will be the larger islands (Grand Bahama, Nassau and maybe one other) are pretty far north and may be "cool" in February and will probably have only a limited number of All Inclusives.

3) Cancun is a popular "Spring Break" destination so you might want to rule that out. Aruba, Grand Cayman, parts of Puerto Rico (especially the areas around San Juan), St. Thomas and the bigger islands in the Bahamas probably won't meet your definition of "something a bit quieter". That pretty much crosses everything off list except St. Lucia and Belize.

4) Your $500 to $700/night budget is doable but because you are going during the peak of High Season you are looking at mid-range hotels/resorts. All Inclusives in that price range are noted for having lots of food but not necessarily "good food". If you are true foodies you'll have to choose carefully.

Bassguy66

True foodies = NON all inclusive. If food is that important, you need to rethink the AI idea. I don't care how good of an AI it is, most have average food at best....that's just reality for anyone who really knows good food.

I would opt for a nice condo on 7MB in Grand Cayman. Go to the grocery store for the easy stuff for breakfasts and lunches....and dine out for dinner. Grand Cayman has some of the best restaurants around. They are pricey, but if you want some gourmet food, you won't be disappointed.

Check out www.caymanvacations.com for plenty of condo choices that fit your budget. If you pick something towards the north end of Seven Mile Beach, you will find the quiet you are looking for, along with some of the prettiest water anywhere.

suze

"Foodie" & all-inclusive don't typically go together.

mnag

Secrets Maroma. Couples resort. All inclusive with pretty good food. Good beach and great service.

lipoxi

Have you looked into the Crane Resort, Barbados? My wife and I vacationed here 2 years ago and we loved it. Our first time in the Carribean.

Also, there are direct flights from Chicago.

http://thecrane.com/