ahadden09

I am looking for the perfect honeymoon location in the Caribbean and have been feeling overwhelmed with all of the information and accommodations out there. I am hoping I could get some help from the experts. Here's what we am looking for:

*An island or location which offers many beautiful and secluded beaches (no crowds)
*A resort or hotel which offers a detached cottage/villa/bungalow (ocean view is not necessary but a plus)
*The less expensive the better (as long as it's clean!), I'm thinking $150 - $350 per night.
*Ideally, room should have a kitchenette and fridge so we can cut food costs.
*A hot tub, grill, and private beach would be nice but not a deal-breaker, especially if we can easily get to a nice, secluded beach at another location.
*I'm open to any country (Including Mexico & Belize) as long as it is a safe area, but the lower the travel costs, the better.
*All-inclusives are an option, but our total budget cannot exceed $4000 for everything (travel, accommodations, food/drink)

Clearly, our two chief concerns are privacy and cost, so please don't recommend places like PSV ($$$) or Atlantis (too many people). The place doesn't have to be completely remote and secluded, we just want to feel like it is. I guess this may be accomplished at a larger resort, I just don't know.

Something like the Sky Beach Club (http://www.skybeachclub.com) looks about right, but it's at the top of our price range, doesn't have a kitchenette/fridge, and I'd like to see what other options are out there.

We'd like to stay 7 nights, but would be willing to drop it to 5 or so if we find someplace amazing at the top of our price range.

Please let me know your suggestions!

Thanks in advance!

blamona

Sounds like you need a villa rental. At your price you won't find a detached bungalow that belongs to a resort.

Usually the detached bungalows that belong to. A resort cost more than regular rooms at it.

AI and private are contradictions, so what's your daily allowance for food?

At your budget you'll find closer to what you're looking for at Roatan Honduras, Mexico, and lesser beaches but what you're looking for in Belize.

KVR

The first option that came to mind was the Lion's Dive in Curacao.

They have 2 bedroom/2 bath condo units with full kitchens, free shuttle to the grocery store, 3 restaurants on site, several more within walking distance and bar-b-cue grills on property. No hot tubs, but 2 pools and a nice beach area. We went in a May and it was not crowded.

Curacao has several cove/inlet beaches on the West side of the Island. We did a beach hopping tour and there was hardly anyone there when we were. You really need to rent a car there to get around. From Texas, we paid $2,700 for air and hotel for 7 nights. We flew Continental to Aruba and then Insel Air to Curacao.

There are other condo types units in Curacao also.

mnag

I think Eleuthera will be a great choice based on your criteria. I agree w/blamona...you may want to consider a villa on the beach on the same island. Another suggestion is Cape Santa Maria on Long island (very similar in feel to Eleu) and its located on a fantastic beach. There are some basic rooms on the beach and more upscale condo units as well. Very quiet. I think it may be cheaper than Skybeach but not sure about airfare.

ahadden09

blamona, our food budget is $100 per day if we have a kitchenette. This should give us a decent dinner out if we make breakfast and lunch on our own. I'm still researching prices so let me know if this is way too low. If we can't get a kitchen, how much would you suggest I budget for food costs?

Villa rentals are appearing to be the most likely option at this point. What are some good options/websites for villa rentals?

Also, in regards to privacy at a resort, we don't require complete privacy and seclusion, more so we are looking for the *feeling* of privacy. I'm not sure how to explain this, but a separate cottage would likely provide what we are looking for.

ishkribbl

Forgive me if I was a careless reader but did you say WHEN you want to go- it can matter a great deal.

Jimmie

We went to Virgin Gorda for a "babymoon" and had an amazing time. The island has many fans on this forum. Amazing beaches, uncrowded -- for now!-- not much nightlife or fine dining. It's not so easy or cheap to get to, but there are two decent budget oriented places to stay, especially low season. Guavaberry Spring Bay and Mango Bay. Not super luxurious, but in great settings and relatively secluded. Check them out online and Trip Advisor.

ahadden09

ishkribble, we don't have a specific date set, but it will likely be in the winter, Dec - March sometime.

Jimmie, those 2 options look quite good! Let me know if you can think of any others like that, maybe in the Bahamas or the Cayman Islands (cheaper flights)

KVR

Personally, I would not consider the Bahamas during that time frame. It's just to cold to enjoy the beach/water. May to September is a better choice weather wise.

The first or second week of December is the best time price and crowd wise. We go somewhere every year at that time because of those reasons. Between Dec, 15 and January 1, the prices are at the highest and you probably need to book right this second to get anything. After the holidays to around May 1, is considered high season and the prices/crowds will steadily increase for college/school breaks, Spring break and Easter break. Most resorts, unless you choose adult's only or very secluded will be full of families.

We've been to Grand Cayman in a November and in an April. November had the better weather. April was quite cool and very windy. GC has tons of condo rentals with kitchenettes. I would not say 7 Mile Beach is secluded as there are several hotels lined up on that beach and cruise ship day trippers take advantage of it when ships are in. GC has one of the highest priced food/drink prices out there as the US dollar is not worth as much as it is in some other destinations. Based on your stated criteria, I do not think either of the those destination will work for you.

Jimmie

You are setting the bar higher by going in high season. I would look for cheap flights to various islands and then check out VRBO for those locations.

TravellingSimon

Hey. I have a lot of experience in Luxury Travel Vacations and I would highly recommend Casa De Campo Villas, or St. Martin Villas. I have been to both and had an unforgettable time!

I would check out www.preferredescapes.com

Hope you the best on your honeymoon!

ahadden09

KVR, thank you for the input, as I originally had the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands on the top of my list since the flights looked cheaper.

And thanks, TravelingSimon for the www.preferredescapes.com site. That looks like it might have a few options for me.

There is so much out there! It's starting to all run together, so I'm thinking about getting in contact with a local Travel Agent to see if they can help get me a better deal. What are your thoughts on using one? Can I get a better deal? Opinions seem to be 50/50 on whether I should use one or not.

KVR

Ive never gotten a better deal with a TA then on an online booking site. I have used them when i wanted to put a trip or cruise on layaway and pay it out. The issue i see is you are looking for accomendations with too small of a budget to get what you want. Villas,cottages and bungelows usually come at a premium price. You'll have to compromise somewhere.

ahadden09

Are relatively secluded beaches easy to find on most islands? I'm thinking we could skip the villa rental and go for an inexpensive hotel (hopefully still one with a kitchenette) and just spend our days commuting to a nice, lonely beach. Does that sounds like it could work?

Assuming I can't raise my budget, what do you suggest are some other ways we could compromise?

KVR

I still go with my previous suggestion of the Lions Dive on Curacao. Seems to have everything you are basically looking for and should be within your budget.

I am more of an AI person and have been to many. Look at Coco Bay in Antigua. Antigua has 365 beaches and you can day trip over to Barbuda is need even more seclusion.

Also, look at Turks & Cacios. We stayed at the Sibonne. It's a 26 room boutique hotel on one of the best sections of Grace Bay beach. They have an apt on site for rent if you have to have a kitchen. Our room had a fridge and that was all we needed. There are several condos units in T & C. A condo rental would be more cost efficient than a villa, cottage or bungalow. Rent a car so you can get to the many beaches in the area.

Jimmie

Again, I suggest VRBO.com for those on a budget. Just found this example on Barbados in two minutes on the site:

http://www.vrbo.com/431348ha?unitId=1076544

islandbookings1

Well, you could check out Jamaica and make it one of the islands of your choices.you may have some compromise here and there. You may get the villa setting and no beach, you may get the beach and no kitchen or kitchenette. There are two areas that comes to mind and they are Portland and Negril. The request for secluded beaches may be something i dont really recommend at all. Maybe some clarity on secluded beach is needed. There is one area that Villas are located on the beachside of the hotel. All villas feature an elegant, tastefully furnished, marble floor living room with modern French doors. Each villa has at least two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a private whirlpool spa (jacuzzi) enclosed in a Spanish courtyard, a DVD player and a flat screen TV in the living room and bedroom(s). Kitchens have a 4 burner stove with oven, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, blender, iron and ironing board. Kitchens are complete with maid service including cooking of one meal per day (you could purchase food).Each balcony also has a beautiful hammock.

RileyD

I highly recommend Virgin Gorda as well. And if you are planning to go in the low season you can usually get a great deal. Use VRBO so that you work with the owners directly. I've found that we get a much better deal when we ask for a discounted rate when working with the owners instead of a travel company.

I think this would be a good fit: http://www.vrbo.com/357635

But I am partial to nail bay in Virgin Gorda because we love being tucked away from it all, while knowing that food and shopping is 10 minutes away.

best of luck on finding the right fit and congratulations on getting married!