Honeymoon help!!!!!!!
 

Our honeymoon will start October 29, (2001) We are 37-42 age range. We are from Sacramento CA, does it matter, <BR>? maybe. Prior experience:I went on a 7 day cruise to Mexico and loved the food. Got bored after 4 days. But, all in all I was with a great group of people and that was all I needed. He has been to Maui and had a ball, He was SINGlE, then.lol...Anyway, all he desires is a room very close to the beach,a beach chair,a drink in a pineapple with someone to bring it to him, and a "swim-up" bar. I am looking for a beautiful beach, palm trees preferred, with good swimming (snorkeling a plus), a charming LARGE room with french doors(I can compromise on this one) and a great view, friendly people, I like to talk, can you tell? good/great food (does not have to be gourmet) and really good "cheesy touristie" tours (eco/culture/marine, can cheesy and good be synonymous?), we are easy to please but not too athletic. All, hopefully, available thru the "front desk". Now, I got all the Sandals stuff and have heard many horror stories ie dirty sheets, bad food, rain forest tour closed due to rain?, etc. Now with all that in mind give me your best opinions and vote: best all inclusive?/best Sandals?/best beach on an all inclusive? or forget inclusive all together and go MAP. Maybe Sandals Negril? Grand Lido better? Swept away? I heard harbor island is a dream, but okay in November? And last, if not least the best all inclusive for that time of year with the best beach and service or.... the best beach hotel w/MAP that basically fits our wants. We have a $6000 budget give or take $500. Help me please and sorry for the long letter. Did I leave anything out. I bet you wish I did!!! <BR> <BR>Ramona & Adam

Check out Ciboney Resort in Ocho Rios Jamaica. A truly magical place. We chose as our off property trip a horse back ride through a sugar plantation and then rode down to the beach and galloped through the ocean. It is a lovely place. A lot of faux and sponge painting and stenciling in the room, on the furniture and throughout the resort which was very charming (and yes our room had french doors looking out over the lawn to the ocean). It is also a spa and I had a wonderful massage. Huge platters of fruit and drinks were offered on the beach and the swim up bars were great! Everything was available from champagne to beer to those wonderful umbrella drinks. The staff was very personable and friendly (we especially enjoyed the head waiter who saw us every morning and was very charming and funny!) It's not a wild disco or casino place, but very romantic and special. It is also adults only. I would check out their website for honeymoon information. I believe they have a honeymoon package with different spa things included as well as a chef who comes to your bungolo and cooks just for you honeymooners. You can truly be as lazy or active as you want but it really is a first class place.

If you are looking for an amazing honeymoon, albeit a longer trip than you might be looking for now, try Bali (Indonesia). Conde Nast Traveler magazine rated resorts there the best in the world, and they are, in our opinion, simply wonderful. Do some surfing yourself and compare. FYI, once you get to Bali, the accomodations are much less expensive than the Caribbean ($300 per night for the best rooms at the best places on the island - Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton). Since Indonesia has lots of natural resources, they do not need to import all thier food and the prices are MUCH cheaper. <BR> <BR>good luck!

Ciboney is closed, and will reopen later this year as an adults-only Beaches resort, run by the Sandals organization. <BR> <BR>Folks, what you want is Couples Negril. We are 45 and went last year, and loved it. It's right on the beach, and with your budget, you could book a deluxe beachfront suite with a bathroom to die for and a hammock on your patio. The beach is beautiful, white sand, western exposure, also with hammocks, and yes, there is beach service. The drink won't be IN a pineapple, but it'll be MADE WITH pineapple. And you can enjoy a cappuccino on the deck overlooking the beach any time. The food is great, too. <BR> <BR>Check out the Web site: http://www.couples.com <BR> <BR>Or E-mail me with specific questions. I have found the Couples resorts to be FAR SUPERIOR to the Disneyland-like, cookie-cutter Sandals vacation experience. <BR> <BR>But to each his own.

You can't go wrong with Sandals. About 6 locations in Jamaica. The one in Negril is great (fantastic beach) but most I've spoken to, even my wife, find Dunn's River the favorite on that island. <BR>There is also Antiqua, which we love, but the most favorite for honeymooners seems to be Sandals St. Lucia. Everyone of all ages have just spoken raves about the place, especially if you get a suite, which is must. <BR>Sandals (couples only - male/female) seems to be the best all-enclusive (top drinks, scuba diving, etc.) in the Caribbean. Check out Sandals with your travel agent or their web site (nice pictures). <BR>By the way, we're in our mid. fifties, but a bit younger at heart. <BR>Good luck. <BR>

I would heartily recommend Sandal's Negril. Fabulous beach with snokelling and scuba included in the price. If you want a trip report, let me know and I will email it to you.

Check out French Polynesia. Although it is pricey, it is paradise. We used Tahiti Legends to book our trip and they have a many packages in your price range. Check out www.tahiti-explorer.com for a message board, packages and general info. Weather is great year round

I second Jill's recommendation of Couples' Negril. The beach is simply one of the most exquisite you will ever want to see. Take a daytrip to Black River and YS Falls. Of people I know who've been to both Sandals and Couples, Couples wins hands down. Be sure to do the little plane from Montego Bay to Negril. Well worth it because you're there much sooner. Plus you'll have a more relaxed and enjoyable tour of "inland" and how Jamaica lives with a day trip later in the week.

Thank you all so much for all of your wonderful advice. I still have much to consider, but, your suggestions are sincerely appreciated! Happy traveling to you all!

I concur w/ Jill and Diane. For an AI Couples Negril is the best. (been twice btw) <BR>Just to confuse you some more, Have you considered renting a villa in the USVI? (St John or St Croix)W/ your budget you can rent a fabulous home w/ private pool. <BR>My favorite resorts in the USVI are, Caneel Bay on St John and Carambola on St Croix. Btw, I used to live on St Croix. 89-94