Help!! Need something for our honeymoon!!!
 

I have researched this to death and quite frankly, now I need the help of you wonderful people here on Fodors.

We are planning our honeymoon for next year, (May 2-9, 2006) so it is NOT hurricane season nor spring break or school kids around.

My top 2 choices are sadly sold out. (Ti-Kaye Village in St. Lucia and Coral Reef Club in Barbados) We were also close to booking Secrets Excellence in Riviera Maya, but with the hurricane and both of us having been to the area before, that's out.

Is there anything similar to the hotels I mentioned with a beautiful beach with watersports options and nightlife that we can go to? As for hotels, FH and I are in disagreement, so this is the biggest challenge!! I prefer get away from it all, no TV, no outside annoyances just relax and unwind option, he wants modern, all amenities, casinos or something to do at night other than dinner options.

A lot of people have suggested Aruba, but we are not wowed with any of the hotels there, and everyone either really hates it or really loves it!! Puerto Rico I have been to a dozen times.

Does such a thing exist??

Hi Misjanna - The weather in Aruba in May is usually great. It is not usually crowded because the kids are still in school in the States.
You might want to check out Marriott's
Ocean Club or Surf Club - these are Villas and really nice.
Congratulations and enjoy
Muffy

How about Secrets in Punta Cana? It has everything you are looking for. If you don't have to have a casino, I would recommend Couples Swept Away Negril. The resort is a full service all inclusive, althought the rooms are bungalow style. For a lot of nightlife you may need to taxi down to Jake's or Margaritaville. In St. Lucia, you could check out one of the three Sandals resorts.

The Sandals Resortin St.Lucia are great,they get my vote.....Will back to Sandals Regency for 2 weeks in Feb.

Sandals is sadly out of our price range, and near the bottom of my choices.

Punta Cana I understand the beach there is not that great at Secrets Excellence, and I was told by a TA that venturing off the resort is not advised, which is disappointing.

I should mention we are not leaning towards any all inclusive for the reason that neither of us are big drinkers. We also don't want to stay at a large resort, looking for something more intimate, which is what the sold out hotels I mentioned were.

I have scratched off Aruba for the time being.

Forgot to mention, our price range for the hotel is not to exceed $450 per night.

Damn, and here I was about to recommend Bucuti Beach on Aruba especially the Tara Suites.

His wish list? modern amenities, casino, nightlife.

Your wish list? watersports, beautiful beach, relax and unwind.

Ah well, never mind. We went June 2004 for my 40th and our 22nd anniversary, it really is a wonderful hotel. :-)

Ah, good then!!

I did tell FH if we do end up in Aruba that is where we will go. Especially the Tara Suites!!! However, our one concern was reviews have said there isn't much to do by the hotel, that you have to go where the high rise hotels are for the action. Is this true?

Hey! I thought you wanted 'relax and unwind'?

There are restaurants within easy reach - we liked Le Dome (10 minute walk) and The French Steakhouse next door, one is expensive the other reasonable. There was a watersport booth outside Costa Linda next door and the hotel will arrange trips, with all the ones we did transport to and from the hotel was provided, The casino is a 2 minute walk.

Traveling to the high-rise area or into town really isn't an issue cabs are cheap and I can't recommend the buses enough, we met so many nice people on them - locals and tourists!

The only other thing I would say is we had the ground floor room and it was so nice to be able to walk directly out onto the sand. There is nothing in front of the Tara Suites so no-one walks past your room other than the chap who rakes the beach. I loved the flags that you stick in the sand and the barstaff comes to take your order.

As I said on a previous post, I wouldn't visit Aruba if I couldn't stay at the Bucuti Beach!

Good luck in your search.

I do want relax and unwind, but I am willing to compromise with the FH. :-)

Good to know about the buses!!! I relied on them in Cancun, so I am not afraid of public transport!

missjanna,
The Renaissance in Oranjestad,Aruba..might be a great location for you and FH.It is in town and has a 24 hr casino onsite.The hotel sits within a nice shopping mall.

If you are looking for some R&R..the hotel has a private island..a boat comes into the lobby of the hotel to take you to the island which is only a 5 to 10 minute boad ride.Renaissance island has a family beach and a adult only beach so you could relax on the adult beach and watch the flamingos which are on the island.They also have hammocks all around on the island and are fully equipped to spend the whole day on the island (a restaurant,gym,and bathrooms).Not to mention that the staff at the Renaissance is wonderful.

Check it out..its a great location..close to the bus station.

Good luck!:)
Christie

Have you done any research on Nevis and St. Kitts? It's been a few yrs since I visited but I know there has been an increase in the popularity of these islands. I would think there are many more options available now.

We did, but it was out of our price range. A lot of the hotels were $500 a night and up, or the flight times were not conducive to spend enough time.

I had also asked my TA about the Sandpiper in Barbados, but that too is sold out. I'm batting 100 here!! :-(

The Coral Reef is a beautiful hotel , I have been back four times now. The food and service are top notch . There are quality restaurants and more laid back places nearby fitting any budget.Though not secluded , the property itself is spread out so you don't feel penned in and you can walk the beach both north and south up the coast for a couple of miles and wander into all the other hotels and bars . Sandy Lane and The Lonestar being favourite lunchspots for me .It had a major refurb maybe four years ago and the rooms feel light and elegant. I would definitely consider this hotel for a honeymoon.

Sorry about that I misread the part where you said Coral Reef was Bookad . What about The Royal Pavillion that is on an incredible strech of beach and only 100 m from my favourite restaurant The Lonestar. The Royal Pavillion rooms are all ocean front and has a similar ambience to tha Coral Reef and the same miles of beaches to wander.

Have you looked into The House in Barbados? I am certain that the rack rates are much higher than your budget, but if you got a package deal you could be within your range. I know that we definitely did NOT pay their rack rates. It might be worth checking into. We had a lovely suite there. It tends to get some mixed reviews......but I would definitely go back.

Lizzie , I rate The House too, the rooms are very cool and the Butler/Ambassador Service makes getting reservations and bookings for golf or restaurants easy, they really spoil you. But...... I don't like the beachfront . You are steps from the Tamarind Cove crowd and you feel sardined onto the beach. I wish they could pick up The House and drop it into The Royal Pavillions setting.

We went in late September/early October and there were no crowds whatsoever. I guess it could be vastly different during high season. May might not be too bad, however. The beachfront, granted, does not compare to Sandy Lane......but neither do the prices.

Lizzie, the beach was heaving but it was january.The Tamarind were running their watersports right next to us and the loud and lovely 10 strong crew from our Virgin flight were 20ft away and having a ball on expenses. I say love The House but not the beach .

I'd doubt that Coral Reef Club is booked solid that far out. You might try calling the hotel directly if you previously used an agent.

I contacted the Coral Reef Club directly, and that is how I found out they are sold out.

We checked out The House, and even as a package deal is out of our budget. (I had the TA price that out last week as well as The Crane.)

I found out we can actually afford Cap Juluca in Anguilla, just afraid of everything else being extremely expensive.

Was also debating on the Marriott in Curacao, but I hear the water there is not conducive for water sports?

Royal Pavilion is on my short list right now.

Thanks so far, and keep the help coming! :-)

missjanna

Don't you hate it that everything looks so good and sounds wonderful?

I suppose that's why we're here to help other vacation planners find the 'right' place.

Too many islands - too little time/money :-D

It looks as though you might be narrowing down to your ideal honeymoon - but I think that's the problem, It's your honeymoon and you want it to be perfect.

Good luck, but remember it's not the best part of the wedding - the best part is that you have both decided that this is the person for you!

Don't stress, I wish you the best I've been married for 23 years, we didn't have a honeymoon because we were renovating a house, basically we hid out for a week and worked on the house. It's all about being together!

I know, this is partially why at this point I don't even care where we go, as long as we get to relax. Neither one of us has taken any real vacation in years. So I think my FH and I have earned it, and there's no one I would rather spend that time with!!

Right now it's either the Royal Pavilion in Barbados, the Bucuti in Aruba (unless he likes the Marriott better which he does) or the Marriott in Curacao, unless I hear about the beaches.....

Bucuti, Bucuti, Bucuti!!

I wouldn't stay in the high-rise area of Aruba - you can visit there easily and realistically - It's a Marriott!

We walked thorough the high-rise resorts while wasting time between one tour and another. Don't get me wrong it's a nice resort but the volume was high and the beach is very narrow and crowded - even off season.

From what your saying, I'd look into Barbados or the Jamaica Inn:

Beautiful private beach - they bring a complimentary Rum Punch at 11ish, Watersport - well, not off the beach but they will book for you - think about it when you are lying on the beach- no watersport noise!

Lots to do in Ochos Rios but the food is so amazing at the Jamiaca Inn that although we didn't book the AI option, we did end up eating Dinner at the JI the meals were amazing - If you don't do AI the the Dinners are $60pp.

I don't know where you're from but the quality of food at the JI would be much more expensive in MA.

Stop stressing! do more research but no more that 2 hrs a night! Remember this is not the be-all and end-all of your relationship. :-)

Hi, I haven't been to Aruba or Curacao but I have been to Cap Juluca and my god it's gorgeous. But you are spot on about the cost. Eating out anywhere upscale on Anguilla is expensive , more so than the premium restaurants on Barbados.Me and my Hubby are in our mid thirties and we like a fabulous beach, not too many kids , peace , but the option to go out and eat and explore. Barbados has it all . Plus the local public transport makes it so easy. Have a fantastic honeymoon wherever you end up and post a trip report.

missjanna, We are going to the JI for the first time on Monday. I will post a trip report.

Alya, You make JI sound wonderful!! Can't wait. Owa

owa,

I do hope you enjoy yourselves. It's an experience, just think old British Colonial and you'll be fine.

One point though - tipping is included in your visit, We didn't know this until we'd read the letter they hand you when you book in, by this time we'd already tipped the porter and the chap who brought the drinks - he at least tried to reject the tip but DH insisted :-)

You will be welcomed by the Manager or one of her associates and you will be waved off as well.

What room have you booked?

I think you would be happily surprised with Cocoshotel.com in Antigua. A wonderful experience for my wife and I last year. I have been lookingat the same resorts you've mentioned --- quite pricy and well worth it I'm sure. Coco's is much more reasonable proced and "it feels like" you're paying the big bucks without having too! We're actually thinking of returning...good luck.

Alya, We have extremely fond memories of two old British Hotels in Rangoon and Singapore. Both had huge rooms.

Thanks for the tipping information.

I havn't asked for a specific room because I don't know what would be best. Any suggestions?

I looked earlier on sites about hurricane Beta. One site scared me. I e-mailed JI and they said they didn't anticipate any problems. They sure are great about answering e-mails.

Thanks, Alya

what about Westin or Caneel Bay on St John ? Lovely island, no gambling, but lots to do. Nice resorts. St Croix is large, with lots of activities and is undervisited -- my sister was married at sunset on a Catamaran off rainbow beach -- just lovely, and in June. Very slow there then.

I was just going to suggest Caneel Bay. The rates go down sometime in May and you can go to St. Thomas for the night life if you want.

owa,

We just stayed in a basic balcony room, it was more than adequate.

The evening meals were wonderful and although we didn't go AI we ate there every meal,

We only ate alone the first night the rest of the time we ate with people we got into conversation over the hors d'ouvres and wine.

On the first 2 nights we stayed there lobster was on the menu even though it was 'off season' I let it go the first night but queried it the second. The waiter just replied "is it?" but the next night when we sat down to eat he took our orders and then leant across and said "No more lobster" and smiled. It didn't appear on the menu again.:-)

There are mixed reviews on both the Westin and Caneel Bay, believe it or not. And Caneel Bay seemed to be sold out on every website except for one I've never heard of.

We would be traveling out of JFK. I would love to just book Curacao if I was sure about the beaches being good for water sports.

I have other small hotels on my list (Little Arches in Barbados) but have yet to hear back from them on availability.

Not sure what to do, but want to get this done before Thanksgiving!!

Why don't you look at Victoria House in Ambergris Caye (sp?), Belize. I've heard great things about it, and I've been stealing moments to look on their website. The tripadvisor reviews are excellent and I don't think it takes too long to get there.