Need Help Choosing a destination!
 

Hi all!

I've been obsessing over this site for the last couple of weeks, reading all I can about different destinations and I still can't make a decision. I got married in mexico last year and so it was sort of a wedding/honeymoon in one. This year me and my husband would like to take a "second" honeymoon but I am undecided between Aruba, Jamaica and Anguilla. I am looking for beautiful beaches with really calm, clear water (I don't really swim), with some night life and a little bit of a romantic feeling to the resort. I know that Aruba hasn't really been described as "romantic" or "beautiful" but my travel agent is pushing it as the best island to visit because it is so safe and there is so much to do at night, etc...I would really like to go to jamaica because I've heard how beautiful it is plus there is a lot to do but then some people tell me you can't leave your resort there. I think it's basically down to Bucuti Resort in Aruba or couples swept away in jamaica. I also love the look of the water in anguilla but it seems like it may be a little too slow for us. Any suggestions would be soooo appreciated!

I have been to Aruba twice and Jamaica 28 times so I guess that tells you my preference.

Aurba was all high rises and windy beaches, with casinos and shopping mixed in. Not my thing.

Negril, Jamaica has a beautiful beach, xome lovely hotels and resorts and I much enjoy Jamaica overall. I have not been uncomfortable when roaming around alone and use the same precautions as I would anywhere. The sea is tranquil and it is an island lush with foliage and has great local fruits and vegetables.

I have not been to Anguilla and hope to get there but I know it does not have the lushness of Jamaica.

St. Maarten and Orient Beach also fit your description.

I can only tell you about Aruba. Bucuti will be a quieter hotel if you are looking for action. The Hyatt, Radisson and Marriott will have more action during the day and at night. The three big hotels are located on Palm beach which has all of the watersports activities. It has very calm water and it is a very beautiful green color. These resorts are all very lushly landscaped and you would never know you were on an island with little rain. At night there are great restaurants and casinos you can go to. There are party buses that take you barhopping etc... We did feel very comfortable walking around at night in Aruba. We walked down the beach at the Marriott at night and did not feel that we had walked too far or anything. It is a very touristy and friendly island. I have heard very good things about Bucuti, but it will be quieter there. Jamaica has it's lovers and haters on this board. Jamaica would not be a destination I would choose. Anguilla has some resorts that I would love to go to. It is also a quick ferry over to St. Marten.

I stayed at Bucuti (Tara Suites) last year and loved it. The room was great with a fantastic view of the beach. The beach is beautiful white sand and the ocean so many shades of blue. The bar on the beach is nice with a good happy hour, but for any other type of nightlife you will need to go somewhere else on the island. There are plenty of good restaurants. No, Aruba is definitly not lush - but like a previous poster said the resorts are lush.

Thanks for everyone's quick replys! sks, is the water calm at the bucuti? I know that it is quieter than the resorts on Palm Beach which is why I'm considering it. Do you know how the regular rooms in the bucuti are? I know the Tara Suites is supposed to be great but they are booked for the week I want to go....Also, while I would like some sort of nightlife, I also want to be able to have some quiet, romantic time also and figured this way I could have the best of both by staying at the bucuti and taking a cab or bus over to the high rise area or downtown. As for Jamaica, has anyone actually stayed at couples swept away that could tell me how they felt about that resort...tks again for your input!

HI rubia, a couple years ago I got married at Couples Swept Away. It was fantastic. There's something in the air that gives the place the "Oh My God, I cant keep my hands off you, I love you so much!" feel. Since then we have probably been to 6 or 7 All Inclusives and Couples was by far the best! The Selection, Taste and Quantity. My husband and I are not big eaters but, we were there. I'm not kidding, it was a 5 pound trip! I don't want to scare you, just be careful, I wasn't. Anyway, there's so much to do there. There's this place there that has lots of foliage and it's so beautiful with these hidden 2 person outdoor hot tubs. And Secluded they are! NO KIDS and All Couples, no one has a worry in the world. There is a beautiful island a short distance from the hotel that you have to go check out, everyone is curious so everyone does. Not for us but makes for interesting conversation. The grounds are lovely. Many different places to choose from when you get hungry. Everyone has a smile on their face because they're "Gettin Lots of Luvin". I hope you choose this place. I've been to Aruba several times, It's nice, but flat, no mountains. Anguilla looks beautiful but also looks real pricey. I'll make it there someday!

Hi again rubia, my husband and I have been to 6 or 7 AI's since we've been together and we always compare back to Couples. We will be back for a special anniversary when the time comes. As far as nightlife goes, something is always happening in the hotel. But we played and ate so much, we were tired early. Just a thought, I know you said you got married in Mexico, have you ever looked at the Las Brisas, Acapulco website? Hubby and I were there 7/05 for 2 weeks with a private pool and the most BEAUTIFUL VIEW IN THE WORLD. Acapulco Bay is breathtaking, we never got bored, met tons of people, lots to do and the nightlife is crazy! If you go off season you save lots of $$. We did and got the Brisas Beach Club upgrade. If not this trip, maybe another. Good Luck!

I have stayed at Swept Away four times over the past ten years and loved it each time. It is romantic, quiet, lush with a great beach. the rooms are very islandy with huge balconies.

For AIs in Jamaica, it's my top choice. Grand Lido Negril is also very nice.

OMG! oops, I was as Couples Ocho Rios. I'm sorry.

I have been to Swept Away twice and loved it. It is very lush and more than a little bit romantic and has some low key entertainment at night. It is certainly safe to venture outside of Swept Away. You just walk out to the beach, turn left and keep walking - all day if you like. You can check out some of the smaller hotels closer to Negril where you can spend your next trip. Or you can take a cab to the cliffs. You can snorkel a couple of times a day, take a hobie out, and stay as busy (or not) as you like. The beach is lovely - the water is clear and calm. You can just float around for hours. The pools are not fancy swim up type of things because the ocean is so nice there most people hang out there. There is plenty of shade. You can go to www.couples.com and get more info on the message board. The biggest decision there seems to be whether to stay in the older units for more island atmosphere or the newer units where there is a television. There are also some very recent reviews on www.tripadvisor.com I read the first one and it pretty much sums it up.

I have been to Jamaica and Anguilla. I'll start with Swept AWay, where I have stayed twice and recommend. It is very lush and more than a little bit romantic and has some low key entertainment at night. It is certainly safe to venture outside of Swept Away. You just walk out to the beach, turn left and keep walking - all day if you like. You can check out some of the smaller hotels closer to Negril where you can spend your next trip. Or you can take a cab to the cliffs. You can snorkel a couple of times a day, take a hobie out, and stay as busy (or not) as you like. The beach is lovely - the water is clear and calm. You can just float around for hours. The pools are not fancy swim up type of things because the ocean is so nice there most people hang out there. There is plenty of shade. You can go to www.couples.com and get more info on the message board. The biggest decision there seems to be whether to stay in the older units for more island atmosphere or the newer units where there is a television. There are also some very recent reviews on www.tripadvisor.com I read the first one and it pretty much sums it up.

I also enjoyed Anguilla but it just didn't have that special feel for me like Jamaica does. AI is not really an option on Anguilla, nor is it recommended. Restaurants are great, but expensive. The beaches are beautiful and you can go to a different one every day. We happened to be there for a windy week and Rendezvous Bay was difficult to enjoy, but I was told that was unusual. We danced at Johnno's and there are some great galleries. You will want to rent a car and explore. I prefer the lushness of Jamaica and the like.

Wow, thanks to all for all your advice! I think you guys have sold me on couples swept away in jamaica! Now I just have to convince my husband. Let me ask you all one more thing - how is the ride from the airport to the resort? I hear that it takes about 2 hours to get there by bus, is this true? Is it a terrible ride? Also, did any of you venture out of the resort and go to Ricks? I heard that Ricks is popular for it's sunsets and just wanted some feedback on the type of place this is. Also, is it safe to take cabs around the island? I don't know why I'm worried, I'm from New York..lol..but I've just heard so many stories about how you should never leave your resort in jamaica, so you never know if you should believe them or not. Anyways, thanks again for all your help!

Can't help you with your hotel decision (though I suggest you take a look at Idle Awhile in addition to the Couples resorts. www.idleawhile.com), but I have to say... telling someone never to leave their resort in Jamaica is not so different from telling someone not to leave their hotel when they visit New York. Sure, The PLaza has everything you need--gym, bar, restaurants--but if you want to really see New York, you need to get out and explore. Same thing in Jamaica.

From what I've read on this board, Rick's is closed for the time being due to hurricane damage. But there are plenty of other places on the cliffs to go to enjoy a sundowner or even to watch cliff diving if you want. Jamaica is a beautiful island and the Jamaicans I met there on my first trip a couple of months ago were among the most truly gracious and hospitable people I've met on my travels. I hope you go and enjoy yourselves as much as my husband and I did!

rubia, sorry for the delay in answering your question (looks like you 've decided on Jamaica anyway...) but yes - the water at Bucuti is warm and calm with very infrequent 'bigger' waves (but nothing that would make you get out of the water).

Ricks was destroyed in the hurricane but is being rebuilt.

Xtabi and Rockhouse have nice bars with views for a great sunset.

As for the drive, the new road from MoBay is open and the drive is more like one hour, fifteen minutes. It's actually a nice ride and the bus usually makes a pit stop.

I recommend the atrium room in the old section on the second floors. You want to be away from the road and the main activity hub.

Of course, if you can splurge on a beach front, that would be lovely!

They have a wonderful area of massage rooms and I would highly recommend one or two during your stay. Cherry is the best if she still happens to be there!

I am jealous!

hey ejcrowe, I checked out idle awhile -it looks gorgeous. It's also owned by couples resorts right? I just think that it may be a little too quiet there.....wow, I can't believe that Ricks was destroyed, I had read so many great things about that place. Can't mess with Mother Nature huh? Speaking of Mother nature does anyone know how much rain Jamaica gets during the first week of June? I know June is considered their hurricane season but do hurricanes or a lot of rain usually happen more toward september? This was another reason I was considering Aruba cuz I heard it hardly rains there so your pretty much guaranteed good weather....anyway, thanks for the room tip kfusto, I would definately love to get the beachfront room but I think it's a little too expensive when we'll be on the beach most the time anyway! With the money I save on the room I most definately will splurge for a massage! Tks!

Another question - sorry! - is the beach nicer (calmer, clear water) at couples negril or couples swept away? Are there big differences in these 2 resorts? Thanks for everyone's help!!

As to Idle Awhile, the hotel itself might be quiet but you would be just a stroll away from some great bars with live bands - no lack of nightlife along Negril beach. I usually recommend non AI, but I don't think Swept Away is a bad choice for your introduction to Jamaica. Walk down - or is it up - and take a look at Idle Awhile, Coco La Palm, NIrvana, Whistling Bird, Rondel Village, etc. and see what you like. As for SA, we were fine in the cheaper garden section of Swept Away. We were closer to the road but the noise didn't bother us - nothing could be heard over the tree frogs anyway. I thought Rick's was kind of a tourist trap anyway - expensive with more of its share of drunk tourists. Swept Away probably still has a cruise to someplace else on the cliffs. If they still have the Jamaican buffet night, I suggest you get a cab to Xtabi or Rockhouse for dinner at sunset and have some better Jamaican food. You cans spend the money you saved by foregoing the beachfront room. The beach at both Couples is nice but the one at CN is more isolated from 7 mile beach and I loved walking that beach. You will find just as many people who love each resort so just pick one and go with it.

Thanks so much for all your great advice! I'm getting really excited about Jamaica now. Much more so than I was about Aruba. You guys have helped me so much, thanks again to all!! :)