Hi. <BR> <BR>I am planning my honeymoon for June 2001. I would like to find a hotel that resembles the Grand Wailea in Maui, Hawaii in the Caribbean. Any suggestions? <BR> <BR>I have never been to the Caribbean before. I am deciding on going to Aruba or the Bahamas. I was looking into staying at the Atlantis but I definitely don't want a Disneyworld environment. I am an adventurous person, who like to snorkel and other outdoor activites. <BR> <BR>Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

If you are an adventurous person who likes outdoor activities, then the Out Islands of the Bahamas are worth considering. Especially since you are planning a June honeymoon, since winter weather can be cool and unsettled. <BR> <BR>I suggest you look into the Abacos, a chain of tiny cays in the northern part of the Bahamas. Once you get there and choose a cay to be your home base (my personal favorite: Elbow Cay), the preferred mode of transport from island to island is by rented motorboat; land transportation is via electric golf cart, as the roads are narrow and gasoline can be hard to come by. You can also island-hop by ferry, or do as I did on my last visit -- live aboard a catamaran. <BR> <BR>Lots of outdoor activities: spectacular beaches, snorkelling, boating, fishing, swimming, etc. The small towns are picturesque -- candy-colored houses, narrow lanes, friendly islanders, and even a small striped lighthouse in Hopetown on Elbow Cay. The mood is decidedly laid-back. <BR> <BR>Lodging ranges from minimalist inns, to oceanfront resorts (none taller than the highest palm tree, and none housing more than a few dozen guests), to luxurious villas. None of it, however, is super-luxurious like the Ritz Carlton; nevertheless, the personal attention is warm and not-hovering, and you will go away feeling like you've made friends for life. <BR> <BR>I've been to the islands over 15 times, and the Abacos keep calling me back. E-mail me directly if you would like more information, or visit my website for a report of my last visit in April, 2000 (www.homestead.com/islandtime/MainPage1.html). For more information, visit www.oii.net. <BR> <BR>Congratulations! <BR> <BR> <BR>

Look for information on this board about the follwing hotels/islands: <BR> <BR>Jalouise hilton and spa on St. Lucia (suppose to be the "Hawaii" of the caribbean...very lush) <BR> <BR>Caneel Bay on St. John <BR> <BR>Wyndham Sugar Bay, The ritz or Mariott on St. thomas <BR> <BR>Hyatt or Mariott on Grand Cayman <BR> <BR>I think there is a hyatt and mariott on Aruba, too. These should be comparable in quality to the Grand Wailea. <BR> <BR>On the bahamas, the most luxurious hotel is the ocean club...it is small and intimate but very nice. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

If you're looking for a place as lush as Hawaii do NOT go to Aruba, Aruba is great and has wonderful beaches and water, but it is a barren, desert island. <BR>The Atlantis is not like Disney World. It is beautiful and VERY large. The aquariums and Dig are fantastic. You can do as much or as little as you want there. I find it very relaxing.

If you are looking for Hawaii in the Caribb, you might be out of luck ... but there are many beautiful resorts on lush green islands. Aruba is not one of them! It is arid, desert-like with a constant "breeze" that I found was really a wind that whipped sand into your face! It is also elbow to elbow highrises with timeshares all tucked in between along one stretch of lovely beach. Altho many people enjoy it, I found it very Americanized and much like a Miami Beach atmosphere or a suburb of any huge American city with American hotels and fast food chains that happens to have a lovely beach! There are so many lovely low key Caribb islands and beaches that might be, imo, more pristine and more condusive for a honeymoon!

I have been to the Bahamas twice and would not go there for a honeymoon. Without going into a lot of negative detail, I just don't feel the Bahamas delivers good value for the money. <BR> <BR>I haven't been to Aruba (yet), but I can recommend Negril, Jamaica. Better yet, if you have the time, go to the South Pacific. The cost is about the same, you just need more time to get there and back. <BR>

You will NOT find anything in the Caribbean to equal the Grand Wailea, hotel-wise and certainly NOT standard of living-wise!!! Go back to Hawaii and stay at the Manele Bay Resort and SKIP the Caribbean altogether!!!!

<BR> <BR> <BR>The Radisson Hotel in Aruba seems to be the choice for you. It is currently the most talked about hotel in Aruba and the Caribbean. This hotel has went through a 50 million dollar renovation process and it is now upgraded to Aruba's third 5 star hotel together with the Hyatt and the Mariott. <BR> <BR>There is no island in the Caribbean that resembles Hawaii however you have only asked for accomodation resemblants and not country resemblants. <BR> <BR>Aruba is not I repeat not a desert island in a desert it does not rain and Aruba receives an average of 14 inches of rain a year. The island has arid landscapes which are unique to the Caribbean. The entire island of Aruba is not Americanized..their are fast food chains and a few American hotel chains, but even Hawaii has that..If you travel to the country side of the island you will note and see the real Aruba. Many visitors only stay at the beach area or Oranjestad and they will claim to you that Aruba is this and that whitout exploring the island thoroughly. Make sure you do so if you come and paint that real Aruba picture which many have failed to discover!

If you have your heart set on Paradise Island I would highly recommend staying at the Ocean Club as opposed to Atlantis. They are sister resorts so you would be able to use all of the facilities at Atlantis, but still be able to escape to your own little space in heaven. My husband and I stayed and were married there in June of 1997 and the weather (and everything else) was outstanding! <BR> <BR>Now having said that, we spent our honeymoon in Aruba. We have been to Aruba 5 times and continue to return year after year. Although it is not lush and tropical like Hawaii (neither are the Bahamas IMHO) Aruba has many wonderful things to offer at a price much less expensive than Paradise Island. <BR> <BR>If you would like to get a feel for what the island looks like take a look at some of my photos at http://www.arubabound.com/photos/photosmain.htm <BR> <BR>Our last stay was at the Radisson, but there or the Hyatt Regency would be perfect for a honeymoon. We spent part of our honeymoon at the Hyatt, truly a lifetime's worth of memories. <BR> <BR>If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.

Hi K: <BR> <BR>I think the Bahamas are great for a short getaway, however, for a honeymoon I second Aruba. It's relatively safe, the people are friendly, minimal poverty, great, mile long beaches. Yes, its arid and resembles Arizona in some places. Yes, there are trade winds but its also a fun place with a wide range of accommodations from the Marriott at the end of Palm Beach to Bucuti Beach on Eagle Beach. <BR>If you have never been to the Caribbean before Aruba is great place to start.

Hello! <BR> <BR>We've been to Nassau many times and just returned from our first Aruba experience. No question - between those two, I'd go with Aruba! We stayed at the Marriott, which is at the end of the high rises on a beautiful beach. We were there for our 10-year anniversary, but met many couples on their honeymoon. <BR> <BR>We also loved St. Lucia - we stayed at Anse Chastanet, which is right around the Piton from Jalousie Hilton -- which looked lovely too! <BR> <BR>Good luck! <BR> <BR>Sooooz

Hi all, <BR> <BR>Thank you for your great advice. <BR> <BR>When do you advise me to book may package? Are there certain months where there are specials to Aruba and the Bahamas? <BR> <BR>thanks again! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Specials to Aruba are often in the summer months as it is the low season. You do not need to worry about Hurricanes as Aruba is outside the Hurricane belt. The tradewinds are also weak in the summer than in the winter months. Aruba is great and only you can decide if it is the island for you if you have visited it!!

I spent my honeymoon 14 years ago on Paradise Island (at the I think now defunct Holiday Inn) and we had a great time. I have also been to Aruba. I would recommend Ocean Club on Paradise Island or the Hyatt Regency in Aruba. The rooms at the Hyatt are ordinary but the pool, beach, landscaping and other areas are beautiful. We will definitely stay at the Hyatt if we go back. Ocean Club has a new website that just went online I think it is www.oceanclub.com, don't get it confused with ocean club in Turks and Caicos. Good luck!

Our last 3 trips to Aruba we booked through MCM Tours http://www.aruba4u.com They are highly reputable, sell only travel to Aruba and offer great service. Their prices are very good also

My husband and I honeymooned in the Bahamas in 1998. We had the most amazing time (and we are seasoned caribbean travelers). We stayed at the Radisson Resort on Cable Beach. I would highly recommend this resort to anyone (although the price can be quite high, it's definately worth the $$). <BR> <BR>Food, staff, rooms and overall atmosphere were fantastic - plenty to do and see. <BR> <BR>If you have any questions, e-mail me. I would be happy to help! <BR> <BR>Congratulations!

I went to Aruba last March with my boyfriend and we loved it. I think it is one of the most beautiful islands I have been too. Friendly, great weather, beautiful beaches and the water is crystal clear. They have all of the major resorts there like the Wyndahm and Marriot and Raddison and they are all gorgeous. I would give Aruba a chance, We loved it.

K, I would agree with several posters that some of the resorts on the Outer Islands or "Family Islands" of the Bahamas are perfect for a honeymoon. We stay on Harbour Island, and there are several nice places to stay there, lots to see and do, but mostly just relax. <BR> <BR>If you go to the www.where2stay.com board you can find pictures of lots of resorts and rates for both high and low seasons. June is off season and you should not have a problem with Hurricanes that early in the season. <BR> <BR>I would suggest looking into Pink Sands on Harbour Island, Compas Point on Nassau or Ocean Club on Paradise Island. <BR> <BR>To get to Harbour Island, you can fly into Nassau and take the Fast Ferry over, which is an amazing trip. <BR> <BR>If you need any more info on the Bahamas please let me know. <BR> <BR>Also you might want to check with Liberty Travel for package deals the site is www.libertytravel.com. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful time.

The Hyatt in Aruba is Incredible! It's not Hawaii but the gardens are beautiful, the food is excellent and the service is unmatched. We have been there in June and the weather is hot but the breeze keeps it comfortable.

Hey K, <BR> <BR>I agree with EVA . . . . we had our honeymoon in Abacos & it was wonderful. We flew into Miami, FL and spent a couple of days and then into Abacos. We decided on having a honeymoon that wasn't simply enjoying each other and not so focused on sightseeing. We stayed in a beautiful bungalow treehouse with kitchen, living room, etc. that was only reached by a footpath in through the hills & it overlooked the ocean - very secluded. There were lots of things as Eva mentioned to do & the best part was we were able to be alone a lot without crowded beaches & tons of tourists. It was relaxing & the Grouper is excellent! <BR> <BR>Congratulations and Good luck!