jim70

My husband and I are going for the first--and maybe only--trip to the Caribbean next year. We are middle income and are looking for a memorable anniversary to pamper ourselves a bit, without going crazy with the money. We want to experience some local culture, some snorkeling, and a lot of relaxation. As we are leaving our 3 kids at home, we'd really like to go somewhere for adults only, but we're not into partying, lots of social activities, topless beaches, casinos, or anything but a lot of peace. I've posted before, but I'm greatly overwhelmed and now really focusing on the "no children". We've looked at Nevis, Antigua, St. John, Turks & Caicos, a little at St. Lucia and Tobago. Any suggestions????

blamona

Anguilla

caribedon

Hello Jim, many of my friends have highly recommended HEDONISMIII resort in Jamaica. It is an adult playground for married and unmarried couples and very safe with lots to do. Rooms are around $300 per night which is not bad for as good of a resort Ive heard it is. If you do go to Jamaica STAY OUT OF KINGSTON! Kingston is VERY dangerous and a cess pool anyway. But HedonismIII is on Negril beach and that is a great beach.

wantsomesun

www.runawayhill.com

fredman

I had the SAME question: I was going to ask where a place is like in the Corona beer commercials........ all we want to do is sleep (and whatever else) at night, wake up, eat, lay on the beach, read novels, drink, continue to lay on the beach, drink, read, eat a nice dinner, MAYBE wander the area a bit, and then sleep (or whatever).

I've been reading the Baja peninsula is some sort of a hidden jewel...... but I don't know.....

OT

How can anyone recommend a Hedonism resort to someone who is NOT into partying and topless beaches?

The only island I am familiar with is Anguilla. No adults only resort there, but if you go outside the school holidays you will not find many children, if any.

lizz

Hi, We went to Antigua this April stayed at the hotel Galley Bay. I believe they only accept Children under 16 at Christmas. It's right on the beach in a secluded spot only has about 70 rooms and would seem to meet your criteria on ALL counts. They have their own website which gives you more info. Not sure of the actual website address but i know that they're part of 'Elite Islands'

schmerl

We went to Secrets Excellence in Punta Cana last summer. There are also two Secrets resorts in Mexico. They are all adult only. The rooms at Secrets Excellence were HUGE with a jacuzzi tub for two in them. The pool wandered throughout the resort The beach was great and the food was good. There were acitivities if you choose to do them, but we spent most of our time just lounging in our chairs at the beach.

ccrosner

When are you going and how much can you spend? We all might help you narrow it down a bit then.

faithie

Hedonism !!! lol , that's funny !!! Obviously NOT a great sugestion in this case ....

KVR

Hedonism is not what you are looking for. Lots of parting and topless activities.

Look at Sandals resorts if you want no children, but they can be expensive.

There are a few adult only resorts on the Mayan Riveria in Mexico. We usually go somewhere in November and don't have a problem with children at any place we stay. We went to Grand Cayman in November 2003 and there were no children at our hotel.

Look at Cozumel, MX also if your looking for a Corona commercial. Very quite and laid back. No adult only hotels, but pick your timing right and you won't have to worry. Been 3 times and going back in next month. Very inexpensive (at least from Texas) of any Island we've been to.

eileen

Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos, Royal Hideaway, Playa Del Carmen, Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios, Hyatt Dorado, Puerto Rico -- very quiet, especially if you go in off season. These are some places with the fewest children. We go once a year without our children and are always looking for that peace and quiet. You might also look at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club. Avoid any Four Seasons, Ritz or Marriott Resorts, tons of children, most of the time.

christiegr

jim70,
If you go to Jamaica..I would go to Negril.For accomodations check out The Rockhouse or Idle Awhile.The first is on the cliffs with (what I have been told)has great snorkeling right off the cliffs.Idle Awhile is on 7 mile beach.

I have not been to Jamaica yet..but when I go..I will be staying at 1 of the 2 places that I mentioned.Good luck and Happy Anniversary!

Christie

miller20621

For our 10th anniversary, we went to Couples Negril in Jamaica- our 1st trip to the carribbean. We went there based on a cousin's recommendation and really enjoyed it. It was relaxing, had lots of water activities that we both enjoyed (little Hobie-cats, snorkeling), and didn't hit you over the head with manic social activities. I don't recall any gambling, except for maybe a round of bingo at the bar at night, and only a handfull of topless- although there is a section of the beach dedicated for nude sunbathing, its out of the way from the main traffic.

Its adults only, all-inclusive. I'm not sure that we ate and drank our $$'s worth, but it was nice to order what you wanted and not have to worry about what it cost.

Another bonus was that it was a little more affordable to fly into Jamaica than T&C and some of the other destinations we researched- not sure if that's an issue for you or not.

As for local culture, we never left the resort. Never really wanted to, b/c of the beautiful beach!

ejcrowe

For nicer, more intimate hotels, inns and resorts on islands with a local culture quite different from the US, I would recommend the following:

Jamaica Inn--you'll find a bit of pampering here at this very gracious inn with throwbacks to the 1950s style of glamour. Excellent value for the money by all accounts, they offer a room only plan, a meal plan, and an AI plan.

Montpelier Inn on Nevis--intimate and well run former plantation inn set high on the hillside for beautiful views. Fantastic food, comp shuttle to a lovely section of beach for guests.

Nisbet on Nevis--also a former plantation inn, this one is set on the beach. Good food and a real sense of comraderie formed when longtime guests are there together. Not quite as nice as MOntpelier.

The island of Nevis is a great place for you. It's beautiful for starters, and the locals folks are overwhelmingly friendly and helpful. There are a variety of restaurants for all price ranges and appetites. Roads are good, and the island is small enough to get around quite easily. Very small charming town for walking about a bit and a ferry ride away from St. Kitts.

Ti Kaye Village on St. Lucia -- small hotel with nice views, set on a hillside over a beach. Each room is an individual cottage, handful of which offer plunge pools. Gets more positive reviews than anyplace else on St. Lucia. A bit more rustic than the top resorts on the island, the price nevertheless reflects a tremendous value.

Sugar Mill on Tortola, BVI -- small and charming hotel with beautiful views to Jost Van Dyke in the distance. Great island for exploring and lots of excellent snorkeling opportunities. Excellent food on site.

Most of these hotels are in the moderate to moderately high price range, but none in the stratosphere. I believe they all offer good value and the islands they're on will give you a good sense of West Indian culture.

If you travel in the low season you can save quite a bit on rates. May, the end of November, and the first 2 weeks of December are all lovely times in the Caribbean where you can take advantage of low season prices without the extra humidity and chance of hurricanes that late summer and early fall bring.

Carola22

Bucuti Beach on Aruba, while not completely 'adults-only, 'does not encourage children' - it's a very nice, quiet, low-key and friendly hotel right on a beautiful beach.

bgans

Coral Reef Club on Barbados. I went there for my honeymoon and it was wonderful. They permit children during certain times of the year, but do not encourage them (not allowed in the dining room during dinner, no day care facility, etc.) and I certainly wouldn't bring my daughter there (but I'd go back there with her father in about a minute).

CRC is a small, laid-back family owned and operated resort, with good snorkling off their beach. The staff is excellent and the facilities are beautiful.

Dr_Andrea

The Caves in Negril Jamaica. We went for four nights and really enjoyed it. This is not typical Jamaica!!! This is where the celebs go when they travel to Jamaica. the website is www.islandoutpost.com Then click on The CAves. We went in March last year.

jim70

We are probably going at the end of April or beginning of May--after spring break but before school is out. We would like to go for one week (6 or 7 nights). As for budget, we set our limit at $500/night; however, if we could pay less that would be GREAT! Someone mentioned Montpelier Inn. Is that so small that everyone would be expecting you to hang out, or would you still get plenty of privacy. We want a smaller resort for the service, but we still want privacy/relaxation for our anniversary. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Patty

The Jamaica Inn sounds like it might be a good fit. It's one of the most relaxing and peaceful resorts I've been to. Their low season rates go into effect on April 16 and would be within your budget. While their official policy is that children over the age of 10 are allowed in the low season, I've only ever seen one well behaved child there in 3 trips. It's not a place that would normally attract families with children. It's mostly couples of all ages and it's the type of place where you can feel comfortable being as social or as private as you like. It's just as easy to strike up a conversation or share drinks and dinner with other guests as it is to be completely left alone, whatever your preference. No one will expect you to hang out with them.

Good luck with your search!