Need help/advice...
 

Hello...I have loved reading the boards to narrow my search and get ideas, but I thought I would ask for specific help/advice. My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon for August 2004. We are not into the "party/nightlife" scene, so would like to stay away from that. We would like to find a very luxurious destination that has beautiful beaches or scenery; and maybe some pampering. We enjoy food, so good restaurants/dining would be a plus. We are open to inclusive or non-inclusive resorts. We would rather not have to fill our days with "sight-seeing" (but don't want to grow "bored" necessarily either). We enjoy lounging on the beaches, taking walks, etc. (Would love to snorkel, though neither of us have before.) We would prefer to stay someplace that isn't swarming with crowds and children (we would be happy with some children around, just not everywhere). Any ideas?

Other specific questions:
When is the best time to book an August trip?
Any tips on finding a good travel agent?
Any opinions on what is the best length of a trip to relax, unwind, and start off married life (5 days, 7, etc...is 10 too many?)

Thanks in advance for your help!! :)

I just returned fron the turks and caicos club on provdenciales this would be a great honeymoon destination I can tell you there were no children at this hotel it is private and the beach is gorgeous it is expensive though in aug i think it is 480.00usd a night there is not much to do at night here nice restaurants at the turtle marina thr turks and caicos clubmay be the way to go the staff is great and this hotel has only21 rooms and they are beautiful it hads a full kithchen and the grocery store is nearby so stock your fridge and make dinner one or two nightsand haveit on your terrace or porch the beach is quiet you may see a few people but we had the beach to ourselves most of the time good luck

Take a look at the Couple resorts in Jamaica, they have what you appear to be looking for. A week's stay would probably be about right.

Hi there .. my husband and I honeymooned at Royal Hideaway in Playacar Mexico. Very top end hotel with 5 a la carte restaurants, spa, and the added attention to pampering that lacks in some of the lesser properties. Only around 200 rooms but large property so you don't have that feeling of being crowded. It's adult only and definitely not a 'party' place for 20 somethings. Nice thing it's only 5 minutes from Playa Del Carmen so if you want a fun night out you can head there.

Here's the hotel link:
http://www.royalhideaway.com

Don't know where you are, but we're in Toronto and the carrier for it is Signature Vacations:
http://www.signaturevacations.com/sv...p;ProductId=49


Keep in mind that August is the hurricane season throughout the Caribbean, so you run the risk. It was September when we were there and we were lucky with the weather and a fantastic time. When we researched destinations before we went, it appeared that Aruba was a good choice if you wanted to try and avoid hurricanes as they've had very few there.

Good luck.

August 04'

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding:) My husband and I recently spent 10 days on the Turks & Caicos Islands and can't say enough about it... we've been to several caribbean islands but I would cast my votes for T&C and Anguilla... which we truly loved too...
Both T&C and Anguilla have the incredible blue water and both have fantastic restaurant choices. Not alot of nightlife ... Anguilla actually has a few bars with live bands that are really alot of fun... great way to meet the locals. We enjoyed snorkeling on both. You can find things to do but not so much that you feel like you "have" to keep to a schedule or you'll miss something. IMHO both islands are extremely romantic. I would say go for 9/10 days if you can swing it... 7 days isn't long enough when you take off a day on either end for travel... My apologies for any TA's
on the board but when I was booking this last trip in August... several Hotels told me that they would either give me 10% off their best rates or give it to my travel agent... Depending if you want to get this decision behind you go ahead and book it all, but I kept checking on air prices and I got very lucky by waiting until April to book my August trip. Good Luck... Doing the research was so much fun.
ML

Check out the island of St Barths. Very quite and laid back with nice beaches and great places to dine. This is an easy island to get around even though the roads are steep and curvy. Also look at the Hilton Jalousie on the island of St Lucia. This is a great resort and spa but isolated. The villas are very romantic and most have private plunge pools.
Congratulations!!

ps Also look at La Samanna on the island of St Martin.

We're thinking about Young Island Resort off the coast of St. Vincent for our honeymoon. It sounds like you're looking for the same thing as we are in a honeymoon. Right now we're planning to stay 7-9 days.

www.youngisland.com

Congrats! You've got time before you need to book. That is off season in most beach destinations. There are many good options in the Caribbean that fit your description, including the Four Season in Nevis (I'm actually planning a trip there myself). You must be careful as August is hurrican season (although prime hurricane time is in September, still a chance of getting hit in August). If want to go to Caribbean and take no chances with weather, Aruba is the answer. Aruba is out of hurricane belt (too far south) and weather is perfect year round. I've been there that time of year, nothing to worry about. Radisson and Hyatt are the 2 best in Aruba.
As for time, we took 10 days (went to Maui and Kauai) and it was great. Hawaii is a great option for honeymoon, it is beautiful. We stayed at FS in Maui and Hyatt in Kauai, and loved both. (We also are not into party/nightlife scene, and enjoy the same things you describe, just so you know our point of view).

Majahuitas, just south of Puerto Vallarta, sounds like exactly what you are looking for. It's an all-inclusive with GREAT food (and I have been told that I am a very picky foodie). I have pictures if you are interested and for an in-depth look, see the pictures/descriptions on differentworld.com. No party/nightlife scene because it is only accessible by boat. The water is crystal clear and the beach is immaculate. It consists of six casitas nestled in the jungle, so the scenery is very lush and you will be pampered beyond belief. The first night we were there, we were the only couple on the island and we had a full staff, including maids, a bartender, and chefs, to ourselves. They have free snorkeling and kayaking equipment and you can do as little or as much as you want. Majahuitas is actually fantastic snorkeling destination in Puerto Vallarta and people pay good money to have boats bring them out there to go snorkeling. Sometimes there were boats further out in the cove with people snorkeling, but it wasn't bothersome at all. Most of the time, it felt like we were on our own private island (although the resort isn't on an island at all - it's in a cove). When you're at Majahuitas, you can just grab some snorkel equipment and swim out yourself, or they will kayak you out. One day that we were there, they kayaked us out to a secluded beach for the day, only returning twice: once to bring us lunch with silver platters and linen napkins and a second time to kayak us back. Absolutely fabulous! Differentworld.com helped us book our trip and served as great travel agents. We are using them again this Christmas for our trip to the Yucatan, and we are always pleased with their excellent service. They will offer you advice free of charge and help you book your rooms. Their travel consultants are some of the most knowledgeable people I have spoken with about Mexico. And, if they don't know the answer, they will find someone who does. We were there for five days and that was great for us, but there was another couple that was there for two weeks and spends every single Christmas there for two weeks. You can relax at Majahuitas in just a couple of days. It is famous in Mexico for its beach, pampering, and food. While we were there, a very famous Mexican architect came to relax from a project he had just designed. As he told us, "this is the place to do nada!"

beachgirl: great posting on Majahuitas! It is on my "list". What time of year did you go? I am a little concerned about the heat and no a-c. Was that a problem? How about bugs? Thanks.

If you can do without beaches, I have to suggest Saba. If you really like hiking and beautiful scenery, there are 18 very well maintained trails that go through various eco-systems including an elfin forest and rain forest atop a beautiful volcanic peak.

The diving and snorkling are akin to Bonnaire if that means anything to you.

If quiet, quaint and romantic is what you're seeking, it's Saba. If you want beaches, discos and noise Saba isn't the place. There are several nice honeymoon-suitable hotel/resorts.

I can give you more info as I've moved to Saba recently.

bquarre,

We went during Christmas and the lack of AC was no problem at all. Because all of the casitas are hidden in the jungle, you always have lots of shade and the all of the lush vegetation keeps them cool in the daytime. In the nighttime, it would cool down considerably - to the point where you needed a long sleeved shirt and pants, so it wasn't uncomfortable at all going to sleep. Absolutely no problems with bugs. I did not get one bite and mosquitoes love me. I have no complaints about Majahuitas. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Beach Girl...

SOLD... I will put Majuhuitas on the
top of my short list:) Thanks
for the great report.

ML

Congrats on your wedding plans. My wife and I have travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean. You already have some very good advice prior to this post. We would encourage you to do a little internet exploring about Ladera Resort on St. Lucia. It is a small property with only suites and villas. It sits 1000 feet above the Hilton Plantation, tucked into a mountainside. The wall of your suite that faces the Caribbean does not exist -- open to nature. Every suite has its own private plunge pool or swimming pool. The restaurant is award winning and the views stunning. Regular shuttle service between Ladera and the beach below runs all day long. Your "back door" is a set of doors that open to a balcony that overlooks the rain forest. Ladera ranks among the top spots on our list for romantic places. The towering twin Pitons, open air, sounds of the rain forest and stunning beauty will enhance the "spiritual bond" you bring with you from your wedding ceremony. This is one of Opra Winfrey's favorite places on earth to spend "quiet" time. The service is wonderful. Many sites are a short excursion away. We rented a 42 foot sailboat (with captain) for a day. We visited the botanical gardens. We ate at one of Mick Jager's favorite restaurants, swam in natural hot springs and hiked in the rain forest. If this place cannot "move" you, no place can. Good luck -- Ron and Laurie

I got back from the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica about a month ago. We actually got married right there on the beach. We stayed under the "Keys to Paradise" plan which was all-inclusive. We lounged by the pool almost every day (the beach was a bit rocky). I think I saw 4 kids the whole time I was there, which was 8 days. I've read other posts where it said you had to scope out lounge chairs early in the morning, but that was never the case when we went. We went off the resort property a couple of times, but if I went back, I wouldn't waste my time. It was the BEST place for rest and relaxation.
On how many days to start off married life?..... I'm still counting! Congratulations!

Topping for riazar.

For the ideal honeymoon destination consider Cap Jaluca on the island of Anguilla. It's on a gorgeous stretch of beach and you will be pampered to death. Wonderful snorkeling, spa etc. Few children. Breakfast delivered every morning to your own veranda. It doesn't get much better than this. If the prices are too much for your budget, Consider the Grace Bay Club on the island of Turks & Caicos.

St John, USVI. We got married on Trunk Bay, had a chef come to the villa we rented to cook after the ceremony. We much preferred renting a villa rather than staying at a resort. Very private, your own pool. It was wonderful.

If interested in St. John. go to: usvi online forum. I received wonderful and very helpful info from all the folks on that forum. They gave suggestions for the villa we rented and it exceeded all our expectations.

St. John has everything to offer and the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Have fun planning, your getting wonderful suggestions.

Peter Island BVI's,private island,no crime beggars,plenty of room ,gourmet meals,excellent beachfront rooms.Go for it