jewalsac

My Fiance and I are looking at honeymooning in the Carribean. The problem is that our wedding is on December 31, so all of the prices are extremely high. We are looking for a relaxing vacation with great beaches. At least a 7 days, but no more than 14.

Ideally I would like to spend a portion of the time relaxing on a secluded island, and the rest in a high energy, night-life place. I am scared he will get bored if the entire vacation was secluded.


Also it is important to us that it is adults only or minimal children. But I thought no matter where we would go there won't be many kids because of school. I guess I could be wrong about that though.

All inclusive is very attractive also, but I know sometimes the food isn't good with those packages.

Any help and/or island suggestions would be extremely helpful.

girlonthego

One suggestion is to start your honeymoon on Jan 2nd. Most kids will go back to school and you will have prices drop a little.

lauren27

We are going on our honeymoon in late October. We're spending the first part of it at Peter Island--it's in the BVI's and the only thing on the island is the resort. We are using this part of the honeymoon as our relaxation/seclusion time. Then we are spending a week in St. John and renting a villa. St. John is known for it's gorgeous beaches and wonderful snorkeling. We plan to be more adventurous and spend lots of time doing watersports and exploring the island. From my research, there isn't a lot of nightlife to speak of on St. John, but there is a little. St. Thomas might be a better fit for you because it's supposed to have great shopping and nightlife. We're only spending one night there because we weren't really looking for nightlife.

Alot of people combine the BVI's and USVI's for their honeymoon because it's easy to travel between them. You might also want to check out Little Dix Bay or Biras Creek on Virgin Gorda or the hotels on Tortola.

On St. John check out Caneel Bay, Gallows Point and Estate Lindholm. (I have friends who have stayed at each of these, and they all loved them.) You could also look into renting a villa-we are renting a 3 bedroom villa that is right on a pebble beach, we have our own pool, jacuzzi, outdoor garden showers, and there are only a few other houses on the beach!

You could even split your time between St. Thomas and St. John--get your relaxation on St. John and nightlife on St. Thomas. Just don't stay at the Westin in St. John, I have heard there are lots of children, and there would probably be a lot since it is a holiday.

Another option would be St. Martin for nightlife and adventure, and then ferry over to Anguilla or St. Barts for your seclusion. I have friends who have stayed at the Carl Gustav and Guanahani on St. Barts and both loved them. Popular resorts on Anguilla are Cap Juluca, Malliouhana, and Cuisinart. I have never been to Anguilla, but considered it for our honeymoon--it's on my high list of places to visit! I went to St. Martin and St. Barts on a cruise and loved them both, but especially liked St. Barts. The food is great (and expensive) and there are lots of pretty beaches.

Another suggestion would be to look into Mexico. There are tons of all inclusives in Playa Del Carmen. From what I have read, many of the resorts are big, but they never seem crowded. I think there is some nightlife too. Or you could spend some time in Cancun to get the nightlife. I have heard great reviews Playa Del Carmen resorts such as Aventura Spa Palace, Royal Hideaway, and others on theknot.com honeymoon message board. I am addicted to that message board, and the girls on there are very helpful.

Sorry this is so long, but I LOVE travel planning!

J62

One of the things to be careful about at New Years on USVI or BVI is air/water temperature. Yes, it will be warm, as you are in the tropics, but the water temperature will be a bit cooler than further south or during summer. You will be able to go in, but if you are the type who only goes swimming in pools that are 85 deg or warmer you may be disappointed.

I was there in March and for snorkeling I wish I'd brought a short sleeved wet suit shirt for longer stays in the water.

Kimberly

Try Belize...very romantic and super beaches.

jewalsac

Thanks everyone for the help....we are still trying to narrow things down, and it's kind of hard since we can't nail down exact prices. Apparrently 2006 prices are not ready yet. What we are looking at is Bermuda, Anguilla, St. Martin, and Punta Cana. I don't still don't know what the best option for us will be, but I am sure whatever we choose it will be great. If anyone has any tips about these places, comments would help!

blamona

Bermuda too cold in Jan! Split it between Anguilla and St. Martin, they are a 20 min ferry ride from each other. Anguilla is quiet, relaxing, best beaches in caribbean, St. Martin has shopping, casinos, activities on beach. That way you get the best of both worlds.

Carola22

Anguilla and St. Martin are indeed an excellent combination; it's what we've been doing for the last three years!
St. Martin for nightlife, shopping, etc.., and Anguilla for peace and seclusion and beautiful beaches. A big plus here is that it's very easy to get to Anguilla from St. Martin, just a 20-minute ferry ride.

kfusto

Another vote for Anguilla and St. Maarten (French Side). They offer a perfect contrast and just what you are looking for.

jewalsac

Anyone know of a good hotel in St. Martin? I thing for Anguilla it will be between Cap Jaluca and Cuisinart. I have heard really good things about both of them.

annikany

Hi,
My husband and I were married at Sonesta Beach, Bermuda in 2002 and honeymooned at the Pompano Beach Club in Bermuda. The Sonesta took a real bad hit from the 2004 hurrican season. I'm sure other hotels did as well. The Pompano Beach Club weathered it well and they send me info on their yearly improvements. This place was absolutely fabulous and the food was excellent . Dinners were inlcuded in our package there so we dined there every night. The outside dining room terrace is beautiful. Private and romantic. You won't believe the desert table. The beach was amazing (pink sand) and the room views are too. The Bermudians are sooooo nice and welcoming. The weather isn't real hot like the other Caribbean islands so if you like hot this might not be for you. The water is still warm though. We also loved the peepers (frogs) at night . Romantic. We live a very busy lifestyle at home and we found Bermuda very relaxing and secluded -perfect for a honeymoon of 5 nights. I'm not sure if it has much of a nightlife really but on your honeymoon you probably won't need it anyway. I don't think there are alot of families vacationing here. The Pompano has a good web site - check it out- pompanobeachclub.com
Congratulations and good luck!

annikany

Hi again,
I just checked my latest info from Pompano. They are closing for 3 months following the 2005 Thanksgiving holiday. Bermuda is great but it's not hot in Dec/Jan.
Good Luck

Carola22

Regarding St. Maarten, I would advise you to stay in ST. Martin rather than St. Maarten. Much more civilised and French. Although we are Dutch ourselves, and initially stayed in St. Maarten, these last years we have avoided the Dutch side - full of timeshare peddlers and highrise hotels...
We particularly like the little village of Grand Case, with its wonderful gourmet restaurants on the ocean, and little French-style bakeries and cafes. We will be staying in Grand Case this summer for the first time (before we used to stay on Oyster Pond, and drive over there), at the Grand Case Besch Club. Other (reputedly wonderful) hotels in Grand Case are l'Esplanade, Le Petit Hotel and Chez Martine. Hope this helps!

allietoo

ABC islands are reliably warm at this time though airfaire can be outrageous.
Curacao has the most personality between Aruba and C. but we love the beaches and variety of nice restaurants in Aruba. Bucuti is particularly romantic and quiet but if you don't mind the crowds, many prefer Hyatt, Marriot, Radisson Palm Beach hotels.

Knowing

Curacao isn't always the easiest to reach, but I can guarantee you that you will be able to relax and easily take a 7 - 14 day vacation. You can take a taxi into downtown at night. You are right that as long as school vacation is going on, there will be kids. Eating later helps in the restaurants. The Marriott offers an AI plan and the food is very good. They have a very nice bar down by the water that offers a guitar player or karaoke many nights. Curacao is an unforgettable trip.

tivertonhouse

Just returned from island, we have 6 new properties soon up on jamaicaescapes.com (20 already on site)
of which a quiet, relaxing, romantic spa week for 2 at OASIS SPA on Jamaica's South Coast at regular,non-premium rates during the high-price Christmas, followed by a week an hour away in high-energy Negril (recommend Idle-A-While or The Caves) might be of interest. Oasis has a private beach, good swimming, gourmet chef, romantic four=poster a/c bedroom with private bath and jacuzzi, plus a private pool in gated grounds 1 hour equidistant from Montego Bay Negril. Up to 12 customized spa services for couples can be included in the package. Contact [email protected]

Carola22

This last post sounds a lot like advertising - and I thought that was banned on this site...?