Honeymoon
 

Hi all, I need help planning a honeymoon. It will be late-June, early-July, and we'd like to go somewhere in the Caribbean (not Mexico), ideally an all-inclusive. I want a nice room, with an outdoor area (patio or balcony, plunge pool would be nice), nice beach (clear blue water), preferably more adult oriented. We mainly just want to relax and lay on the beach on this vacation, but we'd like at least a few activities available, lest we get bored. I don't think I want one of the big crowded chains (Sandals, etc.). I don't really have a real budget, but I am typically a budget traveler, so the really expensive places make me cringe, although I'd be willing to splurge a bit if it was good value for the money.

We've looked at many places, but none seem quite right. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Thge majority of AI resorts are in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. You've already excluded Mexico, which is the best destination that offers what you are looking for.

Look at Coco Palm in St. Lucia and the Springs Resort in Costa Rica. Neither are going to have the clear blue water, but will have the plunge pools.

Other hotels with plunge pools or swim up pool rooms include:

Sandals, Secrets in Mexico, El Dorado resorts in Mexico, La Tortuga in Mexico, The Royal in Cancun, Valentin Imperial Maya in Mexico, Azul Sensatori in Mexico, Ladara in St. Lucia (not AI though).

If you exclude the plunge pool, you might find more options to your liking.

Here is a list of the AI resorts in the Caribbean:

http://www.caribbeanallinclusive.com...ve_resorts.cfm

How about this?

http://www.galleybayresort.com/

I'm more concerned about the beach than the plunge pool.

Galley Bay is on my list of places I'm considering. It's pretty pricey though, and the rooms just look mediocre in pics, so I'm not sure it's worth it. Have you been there wliwl?

Other places I've looked at are Cocos Hotel, Cocobay, Keyonna Beach and Hermitage Bay, all in Antigua (I am not targeting Antigua, but most of the places I like seem to be there, I think because it has AIs and nice beaches), and Jade Mountain in St. Lucia and Peter's Island in BVI. If anyone has input on any of those, that would be helpful as well.

Of those, Hermitage Bay is probably the closest to what I want, but very expensive. I'm really intrigued by the rooms at Jade Mountain, but it is also very expensive, I don't think its AI, and the beach doesn't look that nice. The rooms look incredible though.

You said you "don't have a real budget but are typically a budget traveller" but you "are willing to splurge" HOWEVER you keep saying the resorts that responders have recommended and/or the ones you've looks at seem "expensive". Those are mixed signals. What do you want to spend??? Let us know, that way, people trying to help you won't waste their and your time recommending places you don't want to consider.

Consider going non-AI - from my experience you don't save any appreciable money by going AI and you limit the places you can go and you certainly limit your dining options. FYI - some non-AI resorts do offer food plans if that concerns you.

If you go non-AI check out resorts in the BVI's - you'll find resorts in all price ranges. the BVI's have beautiful beaches, wonderful islands, plenty of activities, good night life, etc. In short, a honeymooner's paradise.

What I meant was - I am willing to splurge, however, because I normally go budget, I know you can find perfectly nice places that are inexpensive, so if I'm spending $[x] more, I want to be sure its $[x] better, if that makes sense. The places I'm referring to as expensive may well be worth it, and I'm not counting them out, I'm just not sure. That's why I'd like input.

jamaica.bookit.com lots of HM worthy AIs
Couples.com Swept Away Negril gets high marks.

The cheapest AIs are the LifeStyle resorts properties
in Puerto Plata travelzoo.com Top 20 for great deals.

LuxryLink.com great sales on Excellence in puntacana.com

Spirit.com usually gets me a big front first class seat
for the price of coach down from the US.

Congrats!

I don't think anyone can speak for anyone else about if a certain price level might "well be worth it" or not to you.

I think the Mayan Riviera of Mexico has the most options for what you're seeking, so it's too bad you've eliminated that, for whatever reason.

I know nice places in Negril Jamaica, which is gorgeous and I think would be very romantic, but the smaller more intimante ones here are not All-Inclusives.

Punta Cana in the DR has the most mid-range AIs of anywhere, but it's not a place I'd be real excited about going honestly. (It's one of those "fake" vacation destinations built from nothing only for tourists, like Cancun).

Look at Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios. Not sure if it's going to be in your price range though.

The AI resorts in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico will have more lux accomendations, with more included amenities at a better price than most any other AI resorts in the Caribbean. One of the main reasons we have been going there for the past 10 years.

I so agree with Suze on her description of the DR.

Turks and Caicos ( airport code PLS) Check out the New Veranda, AI and has plunge pools, beautiful 12 mile beach. Great resort and excellent food/drinks!

Thanks all. I'll check out these suggestions. If anyone has more (or has input on the ones I already mentioned), keep them coming.

My single best suggestion to get more bang for your buck would be to consider the Caribbean side of Mexico.

Another vote for Mexico. I know you said you didn't want Mexico, but look at LIVE AQUA in Cancun. We've stayed there a couple times, most recently in January. Check out the pricing in the summer months for the AQUA SUITE, which is a 646 square foot room with a hot tub inside, and a huge wraparound deck that is almost over the water. The hotel has just gone AI, has seven pools spa, health club,, a large stretch of beach, and food that is edible to very good. It would be hard to match the quality of this place elsewhere. Very luxurious and reasonable. Good luck!

OK, I was convinced to reconsider Mexico. I think I've settled on Blue Diamond in Playa Del Carmen. It used to be the Mandarin Oriental, but it just reopened under new management. Now I'm just deciding if I want to stay for a week or 10 days(or somewhere in between).