Sandals or Couples
Feb 17th, 2005, 09:13 AM
#41
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Aaron, what time of year is your honeymoon? (That will make a BIG difference in how far your $$ will go and where I'd suggest.)
If diving is important, look at the Intercontinental Presidente on Cozumel - they also have a new Spa and a gorgeous beach. Boat and catamaran snorkeling trips abound. You can go to Playa del Carmen for a day trip on the ferry.
Also look at the BVI's/USVI's. Good diving and snorkeling. Zillions of boat day trip possibilities, easy to get to.
Check out Provo in the Turks and Caicos. Amazing pristine diving, stunning beach.
The Caves is very nice, but the diving on JA is not the greatest - we didn't even take our equip.
If diving is important, look at the Intercontinental Presidente on Cozumel - they also have a new Spa and a gorgeous beach. Boat and catamaran snorkeling trips abound. You can go to Playa del Carmen for a day trip on the ferry.
Also look at the BVI's/USVI's. Good diving and snorkeling. Zillions of boat day trip possibilities, easy to get to.
Check out Provo in the Turks and Caicos. Amazing pristine diving, stunning beach.
The Caves is very nice, but the diving on JA is not the greatest - we didn't even take our equip.
Feb 17th, 2005, 10:29 AM
#42
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Diana you are quick!! We're planning to do our honeymoon the first week in August - it's the only free time we have. I would imagine that August would qualify as low season for much of the Caribbean? I'm going to check out all the places you suggested. Thanks a ton!!
Feb 17th, 2005, 12:02 PM
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Yes, that is very low season, so you can get a lot of bang for your buck that time of year. 30 to 50% off on airfare and room rates.
Also look at Caneel Bay on St John, Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda, Ladera and Anse Chastanet and Jalousie Hilton on St Lucia.
Congratulations!
Also look at Caneel Bay on St John, Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda, Ladera and Anse Chastanet and Jalousie Hilton on St Lucia.
Congratulations!
Feb 20th, 2005, 09:26 AM
#45
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Hi, Eric. Just thought I'd chime in one more time about a place that may suit you and still come out ahead of your Sandals Whitehouse package. It's called the Siboney Beach Club on Antigua. www.siboneybeachclub.com is the website. It's located on DIckenson Bay, which is the active beach on Antigua, within walking distance of various restaurants and beach bars. Their premier room is an ocean front suite with balcony for $180/night. They also offer a weeklong honeymoon package that includes extras like a bottle of champagne and a full day sail, but I bet if you email them directly you could get an even better rate. The hotel is small, so you would have plenty of privacy and intimacy, but you're in a very easy distance of the most happening places in Antigua if you want to go out dancing or hear live music.
The owner is an Aussie who one time posted on this Fodor's site in response to a bad review that he would personally guarantee a guest's good stay, or something to that effect. It generally does receive positive reviews, but it seems like a good offer of customer service to me.
Now, I've never stayed here myself, but I've seen the gardens which are beautiful and I've eaten at the restaurant on site. It's called the Coconut Grove and it is very good. The food is good, but really it's the ambience that makes the occasion.
Antigua is a wonderful place that is small enough to get around easily but large enough to provide a variety of activities and even landscapes. It's very hilly and lush on the south and west coast, with more of an arid landscape on the east. Beautiful lightsand beaches of all lengths with varying numbers of facilities (watersports, beach bars, etc.) and craggy coastlines on the Atlantic. Good hiking. Nice historical sites like the cathedral downtown and Nelson's Dockyard. Cultural sites like Harmony Hall and the museum. Pretty good shopping, both of the local and the tourist/cruise ship varieties.
To borrow somebody else's rating system, it's a solid B to B+ island. Some lushness, but not like Nevis or St. Vincent. Lovely beaches, but not as nice as Anguilla's. Some good shopping, but not like St. Thomas. Nice "islandy" feel, but not as islandy as St. Lucia. Some good snorkeling, but not as good as the BVI or GC.
The owner is an Aussie who one time posted on this Fodor's site in response to a bad review that he would personally guarantee a guest's good stay, or something to that effect. It generally does receive positive reviews, but it seems like a good offer of customer service to me.
Now, I've never stayed here myself, but I've seen the gardens which are beautiful and I've eaten at the restaurant on site. It's called the Coconut Grove and it is very good. The food is good, but really it's the ambience that makes the occasion.
Antigua is a wonderful place that is small enough to get around easily but large enough to provide a variety of activities and even landscapes. It's very hilly and lush on the south and west coast, with more of an arid landscape on the east. Beautiful lightsand beaches of all lengths with varying numbers of facilities (watersports, beach bars, etc.) and craggy coastlines on the Atlantic. Good hiking. Nice historical sites like the cathedral downtown and Nelson's Dockyard. Cultural sites like Harmony Hall and the museum. Pretty good shopping, both of the local and the tourist/cruise ship varieties.
To borrow somebody else's rating system, it's a solid B to B+ island. Some lushness, but not like Nevis or St. Vincent. Lovely beaches, but not as nice as Anguilla's. Some good shopping, but not like St. Thomas. Nice "islandy" feel, but not as islandy as St. Lucia. Some good snorkeling, but not as good as the BVI or GC.
