We are honeymooning in Sept 2000. I want to spend $250 a night or less on a hotel room. Prefer a resort that is upscale, but do not want a snobby crowd, nor do I want to be around singles. Need to be on the beach, have watersports, hiking and walking to local attractions a plus. As many suggestions as possible please!

If you mean $250 for a room before the 10% service and 7 or 8% tax added that is one thing. If you mean it less three meals a day that is another. Considering all you have asked for, I am not certain that you are going to find it in the Caribbean. You want an up scale resort. The only thing in your favor is that you want to go in the peak of the hurricane season when the rates are the lowest and you can get a good package price. You might best consider Hawaii, or Key West if you want to keep the total budget down with the maximum options. In the better resorts in the Caribbean there is not a snobby crowd. They don't have that many rooms to have a crowd and most go there to get away from the pressures of civilization. At some places, unless you are a lover of nature, peace and tranquility, a lot of people will find it dull. This is little to walk to in the way of action or night life. At upscale resorts there are few youngsters or singles as there is little to interest youngsters and there is little action for singles. Thus you need not worry about that. Here I am talking about the Caribbean on small islands such as BVI that I am familiar with. Puerto Rico and the larger islands are different. The place I am familiar with that best meets your indicated requirements on the beach, with lots of watersports around, hiking and walking to local attractions if you mean nature is Biras Creek on Virgin Gorda. The only problem here is that the 7 day summer rates including meals and tea are around $321/night for two plus 17%. I don't know what you allowed for food but I think that this might be above you budget. When you say upscale, I think you might have to half your sights in the Caribbean or consider less expensive destinations. Also you should factor in air fare in your total costs. There are also lovely places to spend a honeymoon right near home or in the USA.

If you mean $250 for a room before the 10% service and 7 or 8% tax added that is one thing. If you mean it less three meals a day that is another. Considering all you have asked for, I am not certain that you are going to find it in the Caribbean. You want an up scale resort. The only thing in your favor is that you want to go in the peak of the hurricane season when the rates are the lowest and you can get a good package price. You might best consider Hawaii, or Key West if you want to keep the total budget down with the maximum options. In the better resorts in the Caribbean there is not a snobby crowd. They don't have that many rooms to have a crowd and most go there to get away from the pressures of civilization. At some places, unless you are a lover of nature, peace and tranquility, a lot of people will find it dull. This is little to walk to in the way of action or night life. At upscale resorts there are few youngsters or singles as there is little to interest youngsters and there is little action for singles. Thus you need not worry about that. Here I am talking about the Caribbean on small islands such as BVI that I am familiar with. Puerto Rico and the larger islands are different. The place I am familiar with that best meets your indicated requirements on the beach, with lots of watersports around, hiking and walking to local attractions if you mean nature is Biras Creek on Virgin Gorda. The only problem here is that the 7 day summer rates including meals and tea are around $321/night for two plus 17%. I don't know what you allowed for food but I think that this might be above you budget. When you say upscale, I think you might have to half your sights in the Caribbean or consider less expensive destinations. Also you should factor in air fare in your total costs. There are also lovely places to spend a honeymoon right near home or in the USA. I should add that Biras Creek is in Virgin Gorda and you can learn more at http://www.biras.com

The Dominican Republic is supposed to have the best values for luxury resorts. <BR> <BR>

Louis, <BR>You seem to have misunderstood. I meant it just like I said it. Hotel only- around 250 or less a night. I know it will cost more for food and taxes. Do you really think that a way to keep costs down would be for us to go to Hawaii??!! I will take a look at Biras Creek. I had my eye on Four Seasons Nevis, Caneel Bay etc. When I said a snobby crowd I didn't mean large group of people, I meant clientelle. Thanks for your help.

<BR>My boss has vacationed at a lot of resorts and he still says the most beautiful place he has stayed with the best first class treatment was Caneel Bay.

Thank you Leta, <BR>Caneel Bay is one of my final choices. Just a few more resorts to investigate.