ehouston3

Hello all,
I've been bouncing around here and TripAdvisor trying to plan my upcoming honeymoon in July, early August. I initially wanted to do a nice resort but, we've decided that we want privacy. Ideal situation:

Budget including airefare: $5,000 - $5500
Caribbean or Mexican Caribbean (will post in Mexican forums as well)
Leaving from Chicago, IL USA

Private pool
Private beach
Near enough to grocery store to stock up for a few cooked meals
Snorkeling or other activities if we like
Able to walk around in the "buff" and enjoy the sun if the urge strikes
Living space has kitchen, hot-tub, shower, A/C

I'm not sure how realistic this is but that's the idea, we want to be able to forget the stresses of wedding planning and enjoy 7-10 days (including travel) of warm sunny bliss. We don't want to be in a touristy area

I saw some listing on VRBO but, am leary about that as a first time Caribbean trip and it being our honeymoon, not opposed though.

Thanks in advance

EH

Tamsentm

We've booked a villa on Eleuthera through VRBO (as well as Virgin Gorda, Bermuda and many US locations) and have never had a problem. Just check the reviews (or ask for references from the owner) and trust your gut . . . if it looks too amazing for the price, pass. (Our one VRBO disappointment was on Nantucket . . . our cottage was MUSH more shabby than chic! Should have known that with the lower than everything else price)

There are plenty of Bahamian islands that offer privacy, beautiful beaches and some amenities . . . Eleuthera, Green Turtle, Exumas. You'll be traveling in Hurricane season though so make sure to get trip insurance. The Abaco Forum could help ypu out. Virgin Gorda is beautiful (BVI) and there are lots of small villas to rent and some decent restaurants and deserted beaches and great snorkeling.

Wherever you go ... you're on your honeymoon so it'll be fantastic! Good luck.

qwovadis

luxurylink.com will have your best deals

if your budget is per person have a look at

jademountain.com or other similars in St Lucia

out of the storm belt but insuremytrip.com always wise.

if your budget is total bookit.com packages

maybe Las Brisas or similar in Mexico

they are offering excellent values due to unrest/crime issues

still very safe for me in tourist enclaves.

qwovadis

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ews-Las_Brisas...

AWESOME romantic have stayed there personally

50% off right now...

ejcrowe

Most beaches in the Caribbean are open to the public, including private islands. So a private beach is probably not going to happen, but if by private you actually just mean secluded, or without many people on it, that should be easy enough to find. However, asking for relatively luxurious items like a private pool AND a hot tub may mean a stay of only 5 nights if you want to keep to your budget.

Unless you hit upon a great airfare sale, plan to spend at least $750-800 per person on your plane tickets. Prices are unfortunately sky high right now for bookings and will likely continue to be.

VRBO isn't necessarily a bad place to start. ONce you find a listing there that looks good, do searches here and on Trip Advisor to ask people on the forums what they think of the place.

Grenada isn't one of the islands that you mentioned, but you did mention Dominica, which has a similar topography and culture. Grenada is one of those islands that costs more to get there but is fairly reasonable once you're there. Take a look at www.spiceislevillas.com for a trustworthy source. I've rented from them multiple times, staying in Tradewinds and Turtleback villas. Many of them have private pools and have enough privacy that you can walk around au naturel.

While Anguilla has better restaurants and better beaches than Grenada, your money won't go as far there, but since you mention it, I wanted to address it. I've stayed in only one property on Anguilla where you wouldn't have to get dressed if you didn't want to, and that was the two-villa complex called Bayberry & Chinaberry. No pool, though. If you want that kind of privacy AND a pool, it may be beyond your budget, even in July/August.

And FYI: many islands host their own Carnival during August, which can both increase tourist traffic to the island AND raise prices, so if you're looking for seclusion, avoid those islands in August. Or at least during their Carnival week.

ejcrowe

P. S. I'm also a fan of luxurylink.com, as is qwovadis above me. But it seems to offer mostly hotels/resort and not villas. If you find something there that suits you, you can have confidence in their reputation.

ehouston3

Thanks for the replies I will look into some of these links. To clarify the date range we are looking at is: July 26- August 2... Overall we are looking for good sun, good food, privacy, a little luxury (A/C...pool, kitchen) and romance. Thanks again, I'll keep checkin'

sid_vic

Try Blue Water Resort (http://bluegreenrentals.com/landing/...r/default.aspx. I've never been there, but a couple I know just returned and said it was fantastic. They stayed in a villa. COuld be worth checking out.

blamona

Keep in mind some islands it's against the law to be in the "buff"-especially the British islands.

For that criteria alone you should stick to St. Martin, and there's a beach in Antigua and places in Jamaica.

For your budget and what you want (AC, hot tub, private beach, close to grocery) I think Anguilla is out. It's actually one of the British islands anyway so "buff" is also out there.

I do agree with everybody else, I think a villa will work best. I think for your criteria you should really look into St. Martin.

ehouston3

Thank you everyone for all the recommendations and advice. I have booked a villa in the Grenadines at St. David's Parish.