Where would you go for honeymoon and why?
May 25th, 2003, 04:43 AM
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Where would you go for honeymoon and why?
I am in the process of looking for a very romantic honeymoon destination and hotel in the Caribbean and I need some ideas.
I would like to know where you would go for your honeymoon and why you chose that island/hotel. Also,for those who have already been on honeymoon, where did you go, why did you choose to go there and was it all or less than you expected?
I would be very intertested in responses from people who have been on honeymoon or who have thier "perfect" honeymoon spot already picked out.
Thanks all
I would like to know where you would go for your honeymoon and why you chose that island/hotel. Also,for those who have already been on honeymoon, where did you go, why did you choose to go there and was it all or less than you expected?
I would be very intertested in responses from people who have been on honeymoon or who have thier "perfect" honeymoon spot already picked out.
Thanks all
May 25th, 2003, 05:19 AM
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anonx,
You sound like me when I was looking. There are so many choices it can overwhelm you. Keep these things in mind...
The best deals in the Caribbean are in the summer with June/July/Aug being the safer,less hurricane prone months
Do you need to be on a beach or just have access to one?
Children - larger hotels typically mean more kids (not what most people look for on their honeymoon)
Do you want exeptional food?
Do you want a large "American Style" hotel or a smaller more intimate location.
Budget- how much do you have to spend?
I planned my honeymoon back in September '02 for my June '03 wedding. After much searching on Fodors (an excellent source by the way) I chose the island of ST Kitts and Ottley's Plantation.
ST Kitts itself is less developed than most of the other "Honeymoon Islands."
Ottleys is a small plantation inn with the cozy romantic atmosphere I was looking for. It has only about 24 rooms/suites and while not on the beach (not a priority for us)they can shuttle you to one if you desire. It has some of the best food around. There website is www.ottleys.com.
Use this website as it is an excellent resource for information gathering.
Congratulations!
You sound like me when I was looking. There are so many choices it can overwhelm you. Keep these things in mind...
The best deals in the Caribbean are in the summer with June/July/Aug being the safer,less hurricane prone months
Do you need to be on a beach or just have access to one?
Children - larger hotels typically mean more kids (not what most people look for on their honeymoon)
Do you want exeptional food?
Do you want a large "American Style" hotel or a smaller more intimate location.
Budget- how much do you have to spend?
I planned my honeymoon back in September '02 for my June '03 wedding. After much searching on Fodors (an excellent source by the way) I chose the island of ST Kitts and Ottley's Plantation.
ST Kitts itself is less developed than most of the other "Honeymoon Islands."
Ottleys is a small plantation inn with the cozy romantic atmosphere I was looking for. It has only about 24 rooms/suites and while not on the beach (not a priority for us)they can shuttle you to one if you desire. It has some of the best food around. There website is www.ottleys.com.
Use this website as it is an excellent resource for information gathering.
Congratulations!
May 25th, 2003, 06:38 AM
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Chris789 has given some great advice. You need to get with your fiance(e) and determine the most important factors for your honeymoon. Is privacy the main issue? Or would you like a crowd of couples to party with at night? Somewhere in between? Do you want traditional American ameneties? Or something that will feel more exotic, more Caribbean? Do you long for beautiful beaches? Rich, lush rain forest? Historical sites? Casinos? Great food? Each island has its strengths.
Next month I am getting married in Antigua at a small hotel with friend and family, and then my fiance and I will honeymoon on Guana Island in the BVI. It's a private island resort, with 15 cottages, hiking trails, beautiful beaches, good snorkeling, good food, and most importantly, LOTS of privacy. (It also happens to be a nature preserve, which I think is kinda cool.) But what I really like is that it is very low-key and laid back. I immediately feel comfortable when stepping ashore. (Unlike some places, where intially I feel like the staff is inspecting me and I need to mind my P's and Q's)
Ottley's is also a good choice, as previous poster said. It really all depends on what you're looking for.
A lot of folks here will tell you that Cap Juluca is THE place to honeymoon, and I can't argue with them. It's a gorgeous place on a stunning beach--very romantic. Hard to go wrong with Cap.
If you want something more exotic, I recommend Ladera Resort on St. Lucia. It's set on a mountain and the rooms have one wall completely open to the breezes and the view overlooking the Caribbean.
lots of folks like Biras Creek in the BVI. It's recently become a member of the prestigious Relais and Chateaux hotel group. It practically defines "Casual Elegance," a phrase you'll hear bandied about.
Tell us more about what you're looking for, and then we'll give you more information than you can possibly process. You should also be prepared for a Sandals war to ensue. There are staunch defenders and dedicated haters here of the Sandals chains and their ilk.
Next month I am getting married in Antigua at a small hotel with friend and family, and then my fiance and I will honeymoon on Guana Island in the BVI. It's a private island resort, with 15 cottages, hiking trails, beautiful beaches, good snorkeling, good food, and most importantly, LOTS of privacy. (It also happens to be a nature preserve, which I think is kinda cool.) But what I really like is that it is very low-key and laid back. I immediately feel comfortable when stepping ashore. (Unlike some places, where intially I feel like the staff is inspecting me and I need to mind my P's and Q's)
Ottley's is also a good choice, as previous poster said. It really all depends on what you're looking for.
A lot of folks here will tell you that Cap Juluca is THE place to honeymoon, and I can't argue with them. It's a gorgeous place on a stunning beach--very romantic. Hard to go wrong with Cap.
If you want something more exotic, I recommend Ladera Resort on St. Lucia. It's set on a mountain and the rooms have one wall completely open to the breezes and the view overlooking the Caribbean.
lots of folks like Biras Creek in the BVI. It's recently become a member of the prestigious Relais and Chateaux hotel group. It practically defines "Casual Elegance," a phrase you'll hear bandied about.
Tell us more about what you're looking for, and then we'll give you more information than you can possibly process. You should also be prepared for a Sandals war to ensue. There are staunch defenders and dedicated haters here of the Sandals chains and their ilk.
May 25th, 2003, 06:52 AM
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ej - congrats and have a great time on Guana.
anonx - also check out luxurylink.com. This is a great way to see some of the higher-end properties out there without spending months looking for individual web sites. If nothing else it is a great way to do in depth research on your honeymoon adventure. They even have the links to individual resorts built in. Between fodors and luxurylink you really don't need to go any further for research!
anonx - also check out luxurylink.com. This is a great way to see some of the higher-end properties out there without spending months looking for individual web sites. If nothing else it is a great way to do in depth research on your honeymoon adventure. They even have the links to individual resorts built in. Between fodors and luxurylink you really don't need to go any further for research!
May 25th, 2003, 07:35 AM
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Thanks for the great advice so far, and to ansnwer your questions;
Do you need to be on a beach or just have access to one? - We would definitely prefer being ON the beach and it should be a spectacular beach as well..we are both beach people, and nothing beats waking up in the morning with a view to die for.
Children - Kids I don't mind on vacation, but for my honeymoon I would like a resort that caters to adults.
Do you want exeptional food? - Food exceptional yes, and with very romantic dining options..on the beach, overlooking a cliff etc.
Do you want a large "American Style" hotel or a smaller more intimate location - We want a smaller, unique, charming hotel/resort that is very intimate but with top notch facilites,luxurious rooms and a wide range of amentities.
Budget- Price is no object, it is our honeymoon and we want it to be as memorable as the wedding.
I might add that we are also looking at exotic hotels that are off the beaten path such as Ti Kaye on St.Lucia and La Luna on Grenada.
We both like exploring during the day, aside from lying on the beach, so an island with daytime activites would be great but we do not care for too much nightlife.
Do you need to be on a beach or just have access to one? - We would definitely prefer being ON the beach and it should be a spectacular beach as well..we are both beach people, and nothing beats waking up in the morning with a view to die for.
Children - Kids I don't mind on vacation, but for my honeymoon I would like a resort that caters to adults.
Do you want exeptional food? - Food exceptional yes, and with very romantic dining options..on the beach, overlooking a cliff etc.
Do you want a large "American Style" hotel or a smaller more intimate location - We want a smaller, unique, charming hotel/resort that is very intimate but with top notch facilites,luxurious rooms and a wide range of amentities.
Budget- Price is no object, it is our honeymoon and we want it to be as memorable as the wedding.
I might add that we are also looking at exotic hotels that are off the beaten path such as Ti Kaye on St.Lucia and La Luna on Grenada.
We both like exploring during the day, aside from lying on the beach, so an island with daytime activites would be great but we do not care for too much nightlife.
May 25th, 2003, 09:22 AM
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I agree about luxurylink. It's a good resource for getting a great deal on a resort that might otherwise be out of one's price range. And even though money is no object, there's nothing wrong with saving some, right? 
One drawback, though, is most auctions are offered for same-year bidding only. I.e. you can't bid now for a vacation next summer.
My friend honeymooned at La Luna last year and loved it. He loved Grenada, the very intimate atmosphere of LaLuna, the terrific hideaway feel to the cottages, etc. He thought the beach was a little on the small side, though, so if beach is a main priority...then again, there are other beaches in Grenada for exploring...
Young Island also comes to mind. It's just off st. Vincent, so it gives a sense of seclusion without being too far off the beaten path. The beach is small, but the rooms are nice, a handful have plunge pools, and you have the whole island of St. Vincent to explore each day. They also offer a sailaway option--stay five nights at Young Island, spend 2 nights sailing through the Grenadines in their private yacht.
ScubaMom has some great reviews of many of the top small resorts in the Caribbean--with in depth coverage and lots of photos. She ranks several for their romance quotient--www.scubamom.com
The place I would most like to visit is Petit St. Vincent, but since we only had 5 nights for our honeymoon it was impractical. I've never been there, but it sounds like heaven to me. www.psvresort.com Have fun with your research and let us know your thoughts--what you discover, which places you eliminate, etc.
One drawback, though, is most auctions are offered for same-year bidding only. I.e. you can't bid now for a vacation next summer.My friend honeymooned at La Luna last year and loved it. He loved Grenada, the very intimate atmosphere of LaLuna, the terrific hideaway feel to the cottages, etc. He thought the beach was a little on the small side, though, so if beach is a main priority...then again, there are other beaches in Grenada for exploring...
Young Island also comes to mind. It's just off st. Vincent, so it gives a sense of seclusion without being too far off the beaten path. The beach is small, but the rooms are nice, a handful have plunge pools, and you have the whole island of St. Vincent to explore each day. They also offer a sailaway option--stay five nights at Young Island, spend 2 nights sailing through the Grenadines in their private yacht.
ScubaMom has some great reviews of many of the top small resorts in the Caribbean--with in depth coverage and lots of photos. She ranks several for their romance quotient--www.scubamom.com
The place I would most like to visit is Petit St. Vincent, but since we only had 5 nights for our honeymoon it was impractical. I've never been there, but it sounds like heaven to me. www.psvresort.com Have fun with your research and let us know your thoughts--what you discover, which places you eliminate, etc.
May 25th, 2003, 09:30 AM
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I suggest Cap Juluca in Anguilla. We were not there for our honeymoon, but it is the perfect spot for one. The resort is very intimate on a magnificent beach and service is A+++. The food (at the resort and on the island) is also A+++ and 90% of the restaurants are on the beach. The island itself is not lush, but the beaches make up for it.....33 of them, and the people are wonderful. Check out www.capjuluca.com and www.news.ai. Congratulations and enjoy!
May 25th, 2003, 09:59 AM
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Just one question, does it have to be the Caribbean? I know you posted the question on this site but some resorts in Fiji definitely have what you are looking for; small,exotic,top notch food & atmosphere, I personally feel more so than anything I have found in the Carib. Whatever you chose, good luck with your plans!
May 25th, 2003, 12:39 PM
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Hi,
the Caribbean is ideal as we have limited vacation time and do not want to spend much of it in the air. If we were able to take more than a week off for the honeymoon, my ideal destination would be Bora Bora
the Caribbean is ideal as we have limited vacation time and do not want to spend much of it in the air. If we were able to take more than a week off for the honeymoon, my ideal destination would be Bora Bora
May 26th, 2003, 01:53 PM
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Hi Chris!
Have you used Luxury Link? My husband is suspicious! No problems with "lost" reservations or not honoring included extras? Is it really lower than a travel agent could do? It sounds great to me, but I'd love to hear anybody's review of the website with previous experience. Thanks!
Have you used Luxury Link? My husband is suspicious!
No problems with "lost" reservations or not honoring included extras? Is it really lower than a travel agent could do? It sounds great to me, but I'd love to hear anybody's review of the website with previous experience. Thanks!
May 26th, 2003, 03:05 PM
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The 'best buy' offers on LuxuryLink rarely turn out to be a real deal at the very nice places I've checked.
The auctions, however, CAN turn out to be a deal depending on how many people bid and how aggressively they bid.
To use LL wisely, you need to know what price point would make the auction a good deal, then stay below it.
There's no hidden agenda at LL. It's all above board, but you must read the rules carefully.
Most importantly you need to know IN ADVANCE that the dates you'll need for your trip (if specific dates are required) are open at the hotel or airline or whatever you're bidding on. You must call the proerty in advance to see that they'll honor the LL package on the dates you want. Otherwise you could win the auction and the hotel could be full on the dates you need. Hotels do not have to honor the LL package if they're already at capacity.
The auctions, however, CAN turn out to be a deal depending on how many people bid and how aggressively they bid.
To use LL wisely, you need to know what price point would make the auction a good deal, then stay below it.
There's no hidden agenda at LL. It's all above board, but you must read the rules carefully.
Most importantly you need to know IN ADVANCE that the dates you'll need for your trip (if specific dates are required) are open at the hotel or airline or whatever you're bidding on. You must call the proerty in advance to see that they'll honor the LL package on the dates you want. Otherwise you could win the auction and the hotel could be full on the dates you need. Hotels do not have to honor the LL package if they're already at capacity.
May 27th, 2003, 03:34 PM
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Another vote of confidence here for Luxury Link.
We have used them twice for vacations and have never had a problem with any step of the process. (the Caves in Jamaica and Young Island, St. Vincent)
follow gplimpton's advice - it'll be worth a shot.
ps, congrats on your upcoming marraige.
We have used them twice for vacations and have never had a problem with any step of the process. (the Caves in Jamaica and Young Island, St. Vincent)
follow gplimpton's advice - it'll be worth a shot.
ps, congrats on your upcoming marraige.
May 28th, 2003, 01:02 PM
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We just returned from a week long honeymoon in Ambergris Caye (an island off the coast of Belize, in the Caribbean ocean). We had an amazing time, and we chose to go there just from browsing through this site, and chatting with people who were familiar with the island. I was just like you when I started looking--I wanted somewhere in the Caribbean, but the most exotic place that I could find. What I loved most about Ambergris Caye was that it wasn't a "typical" honeymoon spot; it was more rustic and laid-back than other islands I've been to. The people are wonderful, the food is fantastic, and there is more than enough to do if you choose to be adventurous. If you want to check out the island, go to www.ambergriscaye.com. We stayed at the Xanadu hotel, and loved it. We will most defintely be making frequent returns to the island. Good luck in your search!
