jpniner

August 8th, plan is to go to fly into MB on August 9th and then go straight to Royal Plantation. 7 days there, followed by 3 more at Sandals Royal Carribean in MB before going home.

I'm not worried about Jamaica on a high end resort so much. worried about a Hurricane more so, which i have insurance. If one is coming, or I come accross some awesome deal to make it worth it, I may cancel.

After researching, I preferred a nice AI in Jamaica or Mexico....in Aruba, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Barbados...all these places I don't think AI is way to go, want to get out and see the place.

I wouldn't worry about Aruba over Natalie Holloway, maybe if you are planning on getting very drunk and meeting a little dutch Jerk who will sell you into sex slavery or worse afterwards...which it being your honeymoon I don't think you have much to worry about.


If you want Jamaica, I'd go for either:

Royal Plantation
Couples(the one that just re-opened, Tower Isle I think)
Jamaica Inn
Sandals Dunns River

that is Ochio Rios, as far as Negril I'd check out one of the COuples there from my research or one of the boutique style mentioned.

jpniner

check it out, unless you are wanting to stay up late partying with other couples I think this place sounds ideal for a honeymoon, especially if you can swing one of the honeymoon suites.

http://www.royalplantation.com/specials.cfm

all of the rooms have Butlers though and they have Beach Butlers, food is suppose to be excellent. anyway, basically a real 5-star resort.

jpniner

one other thing, several people told me that for August, Bermuda would be better ideally to go to. No AI's though and very expensive island. However, if a deal like the SouthHampton for 99/night comes up again I'd consider it, that is a steal.

just make sure you get the cancel for any reason insurance when you book.

jenjay68

I saw something about the 99/nt rate? Actually my dates were going to be 129.00. I checked.. Are you familiar with it? AI? I live in the midwest and I believe air would be a hassle.

eileen

Chiming in about Curacao -- take a look at the Kura Hulanda Beach Club & Lodge -- very reasonably priced, looks romantic and Curacao is more interesting than Aruba, but also away from prime hurricane action. We stayed at the Marriott which we liked very much but I would try Kura Hulanda next time.

jenjay68

eileen- tell me about curacao? what is there..? The place looks wonderful!

KVR

We are headed to Curacao in 3 weeks. Curacao is the Island next to Aruba. It's main attraction is the great shore snorkeling and diving. There is a Sea Aquarium. Things to see and do include jeep safaris, caves, snorkeling, diving, beach hopping, shopping in the downtown area, museums.

There are not many great AI hotels there. There are two Kurla Hulanda resorts. One is in town and one on the very far West side. You'll need a car to get anywhere. Other AI's include Sunset Waters. It's also on the West Side and far away from anything. Then Superclub Breezes, which get horrid reviews and is very family friendly. They allow locals and cruise shippers weekend passes. It's a very low quality AI. The most recommended hotel is the Mariott and they offer an AI plan also. Not sure it's honeymoon quaility as it is also family friendly.

We chose the Lions Dive. Sits directly on a great beach. A new resort has just opened down the way called the Kon Tiki. It sits on Kon Tiki Beach. There is also a new resort in town called the Reniassance. It has a man made beach. After our expereince in Aruba, we chose not to go AI in Curacao.

We've already book our tours and plan on beach hopping, night tour with beach dinner, intro scuba at the Sea Aquarium, jet ski tour with snorkeling, full Island tour, shopping downtown and checking out many of the restaurants and bars.

jenjay68

wow KVR I am envious of all your travel knowledge. I talked to a travel agent this morning re : a promo I had recvd an email on for Sandals WHitehouse in Jamaica. Familiar with it... my fiance really wants a jacuzzi tub or a private pool. We are getting 6 nites in the GrandLuxe Beachfront Concierge Suite, 6th nt free for $3800. A little more than I wanted to spend... My fiance says " GO FOR IT"... what do you think ? THe room has concierge service... sounds wonderful! IDeas? Comments.. : )

KVR

I am not a big Sandals fan. We've been to the Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas and Sandals Grande St. Lucia with a day trip to the Regency. I just don't think they are worth the money and are overrated/over priced. I also don't care for the concierge service, room service or butler service no matter what hotel. We would never use it and don't want to pay for it. Also, many hotels in Mexico include those services in their base price if it's really important to you. Be aware many of the plunge/private pools are not heated and therefore too cold to actually enjoy.

Sandals Whitehouse sits several miles outside of Negril. The airport in Montego Bay is about an 1 1/2 hour ride to Negril, so the Whitehouse will be even farther. Since it's in the middle of nowhere, you'll have to have transportation to get to anything in Negril. I believe Sandals will offer transportation for a fee. If you chose this hotel, do not spend all of your time just sitting there. Jamaica is very beautiful and must be explored. Go to the YS and Mayfield Falls, Appleton Rum Factory, Pelican Bar, Black River, and explore Negril. Since all Sandals properties are not created equal, I would at least try the Sandals Dunn River in Ocho Rios, if I could ever get a decent rate. So far it hasn't happened.

I think jpniner looked at the Whitehouse and chose Royal Plantation instead. Royal Plantation is a very nice upscale hotel, but a liitle too pretentious and pricey for our taste.

Check out this forum for everything regarding Sandals and other destinations. There were many Sandals fans and Jamaica lovers until they started branching out to Mexico and many were turned as you will get more for your money in Mexico and the resorts they have there. (can you tell I'm baised

http://www.tropictravelonline.com/ub...s.php/ubb/cfrm

jpniner

right now you can get the lowest end(still high end) room at Royal Plantation for a week at about the price plus Air.
I started to go for Whitehouse but steered away because its a very large resort, I wanted something smaller.


never been to Bermuda but want to go. Suppose to be really nice. Flight might not be too bad, regular flights out of Charlotte to it for few hundred round trip. about like Jamaica or cancun. No AI there though, but at $99 a night for the resort mentioned it was a steal

jpniner

we came down to Jamaica or Cancun area for the basic reason that you get the most bang for your buck at either. Just two different places, Jamaica has more of a Tropical Island vibe to it, which we decided would be cool for a honeymoon. We'll do Playa Del Carmen on a future AI trip.

plus Ocho Rios looks like a cool area to do some excursions.

jpniner

oh, re: my fiance really wants a jacuzzi tub or a private pool

you aren't going to get that at Sandals unless you get a real expensive room. not a Jamaica thing for some reason, more common in Mexico. Some have Jacuzzi's but will be tight fit for two

jenjay68

ahhhhhh .. this honeymoon planning is stressing me out... I just discovered I could have a water/plumbing problem at my house-- So I may be going to the local river for my honeymoon : ( I have done the Disney cruise and loved it... I took my 3 daughters after I was divorced. I would be very happy doing a cruise because we could see different places. However my fiance doesnt want to do a cruise... want to just relax and chill. My travel agent told me that the Sandals WHitehouse's rooms are steps from the beach.. That is important to us too.. Close to the water..... The Sunset at the Palms in Negril sounded perfect except it is across from teh beach... I hope some deal comes my way soon...

jenjay68

Yes , re the in room jacuzzi... talked to travel agent today re the WhiteHouse and she gave me rate of 3800 for a GrandLuxe Beachfront Concierge Suite and it did have the in room jacuzzi.. I just didnt want to spend that much. My fiance says go for it.. my frugal consertive self wants to find something for less $$$. Money is too tight these days....

kmb1116

try bidding on skyauction.com or luxurylink.com. someone here (ejcrowe- thank you!) recommended skyauction to me, and my husband and i just booked our first anniversary trip to grenada. we're staying at laluna for 9 nights and saving $3000 over their rack rates. they have private plunge pools.

jpniner

it may have a Jacuzzi, but not sure its big enough for 2 was my point. many of the Mexican AI's have plenty of room for 2 in theirs, some have the Jacuzzi in the bedroom.

if do Whitehouse, I think you want to stay in either the Dutch or French Village, cant' remember but find out. One village is better beach location and not a hike to get to food places. This is a problem with some large resorts.

If beach is your main thing, I'd stay there or Negril.

mnag

Check out Majestic Elegance in DR. Looks like a good resort, new, and rooms have jacuzzi. May be a lot cheaper than the Sandals. Very good deals through cheapcaribbean.com

GoTravel

All Inclusives I've Done:

Cozumel:

Cozumel Palace

Turks and Caicos:

Beaches

Jamaica:

Half Moon
Ritz Carlton
Grand Lido Braco
Wyndham Rose Hall
Breezes Runaway Bay

Cancun:

Royal Solaris
Moon Palace
Beach Palace
Cancun Palace
Omni
Ritz Carlton

Bahamas:

Atlantis Resort

Aruba:

Occidental

The reason I'm not a fan of Aruba is because there are so many other islands out there that are so much nicer. I'm a big fan of the desert and some of my favorite places are Palm Springs/Desert and Phoenix, but Aruba didn't do it for me.

Aruba is so Americanized that it is really hard to find the true culture of the island.

I'd much rather go to:

BVIs
St.Martin
St.Barths
Anguilla

Anguilla would be a stunning honeymoon location. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Look at CuisinArt for an unforgettable honeymoon.

GoTravel

Forgot to add, in Mexico AIs everything tastes the same. Every time we fly home from Mexico, Cabo and Acapulco included, I'm jonesing for a eheeseburger, fries and coke.

Not so with the Jamaican AIs.

Agree Bermuda would be a good choice in August but Bermuda is REALLY expensive and I don't remember any AIs.

I think $3800 if it includes airfare is a pretty fare deal.

Did you check Mexico? Cozumel, Playa del Carman, Puerto Moreles, and Isla Mujeres? Cancun also but it is more of a party atmosphere.

GoTravel

One last thing, my most favorite hotel that is very romantic and a fabulous deal, while not all inclusive, is the Hotel Los Flamingos on the highest cliff in Acapulco!

It is an old hotel built in the 1930s that was a hangout for John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, and the old Hollywood crowd. Johnny Weissmuler (original Tarzan) lived there until his death.

You'll not find a more stunning view of the Pacific Coast anywhere on the West coast.

www.HotelLosFlamingos.com