Hey all, I've been reading up on all the great comments and it seems like this is the place to be for travel info. I'm looking for some good input on resorts for our honeymoon. We're going the second week of april and are looking to spend no more than 4500 total.

I've though about Coral Sands on harbor Island, KU on Anguilla, Nisbet plantation, Ti Kaye in St. Lucia, but am really open to anything. we're looking for somewhere that has a great beach and good snorkeling off of it, some one to bring us drinks while we're layin on the beach, good food, romantic seclusion and of cousre a nice comfy bed!!

thanks for all you input!
Bill

Nisbet Plantation is a wonderful romantic inn on a beautiful island but it will not have the snorkeling you desire. I can't comment on the other three resorts.

Let me offer two suggestions you might wish to consider. First, the Coral Gardens Resort on Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos (http://www.coralgardens.com/the_resort/index.php) has everything you're looking for and probably within your price range depending upon whether your maximum includes airfare. Not having been to every island in the Caribbean, I can't say that the beach and snorkeling at Coral Gardens is the absolute best you'll ever find, but, if it's not, then those other places must be absolutely amazing.

Second, you might like the Bucuti Resort in Aruba (http://www.bucuti.com/en/). The Bucuti is located on Aruba's best beach (a beautiful, wide, white powdery sand beach), and it's much less crowded than the more popular Palm Beach where most of Aruba's large hotels are located. I believe that Bucuti is also a little less expensive than Coral Gardens. Bucuti offers the beachside service you want and you can snorkel right off the beach. The snorkeling at Bucuti is not in the same league with Coral Gardens but it's decent enough. If you go to Bucuti, be sure to stay in the more modern and spacious Tara Suites section.

Check out the honeymoon packages offered by these resorts. They are both very nice.

Thanks Laby!

I'll definitly check out the Coral Gardens and see what they have to offer as well as Bucuti. I think Aruba might be a little too long of a flight (fiance is not a good flyer) but I've really liked what I've seen in about the Turks and Caicos!

My pleasure! Good luck to you.

Here's the link to the Coral Gardens' honeymoon package. It sure sounds delightful. http://www.coralgardens.com/the_reso...on_package.php

I am heading to Ti Kaye next week - I will post my thoughts after that - hoping for a great time from everything that I have read - but we shall see - they have a lot to live up to!

I'd love to hear what you think about Ti Kaye, tuffysinclair. if you post a trip report let me know!

Laby, have you been to the Coral gardens? I'm looking at that all inclusive package and was currious to know how the food is at the beach cafe since that's the only restaurant where you can eat (aside from one night at their nice restaurant).

Bill

We stayed at the Coral Gardens last August and I would say the Beach Bar food at lunchtime is casual dining. The usual Burgers and fries, pizza, seafood etc but they will make you dishes that are not on the menu.

Except the time my son wanted a bacon sandwich, which they were happy to make, we didn't eat there in the evenings.

The link that Laby posted looks like a good deal but you need to check the prices for this year 2006 not 2005.

A quick search shows that room rate is $545 a night for your time frame and the honeymoon rate includes daily car hire, food and drinks.

Be aware however while planning your trip that most of the other amenities are included in the $545 price, for example: airport transfers, welcome cocktail (we were served this in the taxi) also daily breakfast.

The link also shows an amazing pool - it's not that big, whoever took that photo must have been lying down It's just a backyard pool size. I know we had the room behind the big bush

Let us know what you decide.

Nashvillebill,

We went on our honeymoon to Turks and Caicos in the middle of May 2005. We looked seriously at Coral Sands on Harbor Island, too, for the pink beach.

My only comment about Turks and Caicos is that we didn't find it to be very romantic. I'm sure others would disagree, but the popularity of it as a family destination conflicted with the vibe you're hoping to get from a honeymoon destination.

Also, others have noted how Provo lacks a Caribbean feel. I completely agree and was disappointed by that. Don't get me wrong, the beaches are out of this world and there are many good restaurants. Snorkeling is very good as well.

However, many have talked about Anguilla's wonderful beach and it seems to have more of a Caribbean feel to it than Provo.

I think things may have been different if we stayed at the Coral Gardens side of the island. We stayed at the Sands due to cost constraints of just completing law school. Based on our brief exploration, Coral Gardens seemed to be much quieter than the Sands, RWI, et al.

Coral Gardens runs really good package deals on Luxury Link. It's a website that hosts auctions. I've been looking at it a lot lately because I can't get over how inexpensive some of the packages end up.

Here is a link to a 5 night Coral Gardens package that includes 1 bdr. oceanfront suite, dining every night, two spa treatments each, a boat trip, and other things. It seems like a good value and no one has bid on it yet- the base price is $2553.

http://www.luxurylink.com/auctions/a...048&save=1


Even if you're not ready to make your decision, I recommend you bookmark LL and look at it. Even if the length of package is too small (in this case 5 nights), you could always add 2 nights at the hotel rate and come out ahead significantly.

Thanks again to all for your input. I did check out LL and it has some really good deals on there.

Right now I'm really intersted in Coral Sands but I'm really woried about spending money on food and drinks. Which on a honeymoon we're not gonna want to worry about that.

has anyone ever stayed at Rendezvous on St. Lucia? how are their prices and resort?

Well after discussing it with my fiance we have decided on Harbour Island. mainly Coral Sands. I'm also looking into Pink Sands or Dunmore Beach Club. Anyone stay at any of those? Also if there is someone on here that is an expert on Harbour Island, what are the best retaurants and what kind of money am I looking to spend?

THanks!
Bill

We looked at Coral Sands too. Make sure you get a room that isn't in the building with the dining room. I read that was noisy.

You might want to look at the Landing. It gets good reviews and their website looks great.

I think wantsomesun is a big Harbor Island expert so why don't you start a new thread on Harbor Island.

What I know of Harbor Island is through research I did last year. I do know that Pink Sands is much more expensive then Coral Sands. It's on the same beach too (fyi, luxury link has pink sands in their portfolio which may end up being cheaper over booking with the hotel directly).