Honeymoon Help?

<p>^^I forgot to say: teriwtt gets credit and multiple thanks for her CC post with the recommendation of the Bahia resort! :)</p>

<p>Justamom, we went to Cayman for our 25th also. We loved it. Such a great place. We didn’t stay out where you are but I know where that is and you are going to have a great time. </p>

<p>I can’t say to other places but the grocery stores in Cayman are just like ones here. Twice as expensive but exactly the same. We stayed in a condo which we prefer to a hotel room and bought cereal and yogurt and fruit. I brought Starbucks Via packets and used those so I wouldn’t have to worry about coffee. We bought some stuff for sandwiches but weren’t around so that was a waste but one day we bought fresh fish and grilled that. It was nice not to have to go out all the time but that’s us. </p>

<p>We did 10 days in Cayman for the budget you are looking at. Airfare was less than $500/per. We are in Michigan but didn’t fly out of DTW but other family members do and other than spring break are able to do it in that price range. May is out of season for much of the Caribbean so it could be cheaper. Than spring break that is. High season in the Caribbean is Jan February March and April. And Christmas.</p>

<p>You had me until “not directly on the beach.” How long is the shuttle ride? My parents spoiled me, I’ve never not stayed in a beachfront condo. But the other resorts in that family have great reviews, too, I wonder if one of them is on the beach… they are quoting me less than 3k AI for 10 nights… that is nuts!</p>

<p>From the midwest I’d definitely go to the Caribbean and not Hawaii. I miss going to the Caribbean. Now it’s easier and cheaper to go to HI. Anyway, we’ve been to lots of places in the Caribbean-- USVI (StT and StJ–multiple times), BVI, Grand Cayman, St Lucia, T&C (multiple times), Anguilla, St. Martin, Bahamas (well, Atlantis, which is kind of a world on its own, twice), Bermuda (not really C). </p>

<p>We went to an all-inclusive in St Lucia for our honeymoon (a long time ago!). I actually really liked it, because the way dinner was set up, you met other people. So it would be wonderful or awful depending on how you feel about that. I really liked it; many guests in St L are English and also were on their honeymoons and we met some very fun people. But it’s harder to get to and so can be pricier. </p>

<p>Agree that the most sumptious beaches I’ve ever seen are on T&C. Hands down (and I’ve been to Bora Bora, too!). But a little off the beaten track (though all the time becoming less so) and so right now still pricier. </p>

<p>You’re going to find the best prices where it’s easier and more popular-- but if you look you can find out of the way wonderful places on St John, St Thomas, Caymans. That’s where I’d start. </p>

<p>I don’t love Mexico but it used to be really easy and cheap to go to Cancun or the Mexican Riviera, but I have also heard some sad stories about thefts, etc. I’d probably avoid. </p>

<p>Have a great trip! pm me if you have any questions! I used to be an expert re the Caribbean… not so much anymore. :frowning: [whispering]: I don’t like Hawaii as much as I should!</p>

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<p>^^^^I don’t travel to beach locales very often. Therefore when I do, I will not stay anywhere without a major ocean view. In the USVI, most villas are not beachfront, but they have spectacular views from the hills. That I can do, but no ocean view, no can do.</p>

<p>Ema, Detroit is a Delta hub, so there should be plenty of flight choices to Cancun or Hawaii. </p>

<p>We are not drinkers, but we found that all-inclusive prices were still cheaper than paying for hotel and all meals separately, plus the choice of food was amazing. And to have an option to have a glass of mimosa with breakfast was nice. :)</p>

<p>The shuttle ride is about 10 minutes tops, and these shuttles run every 5-10 minutes. It is more like an open golf cart ride than a van ride. We ate our breakfasts in the buffet restaurant by the lobby, got on the shuttle and enjoyed the beach, which is located close to the other property, Tulum. If we were too lazy to go back, we ate lunch at Tulum and continued lounging on the beach. :slight_smile: I thought that not having the beach by our door would be a problem, but in the end it was a nice trade off for not having to deal with messy kids sticking their fingers into the buffet food or snorting into the pools (btw, the pools are gorgeous).</p>

<p>I am not too bummed about Hawaii, it has always been my mother’s dream to go to Hawaii and I’d like to take her someday later on… I’d feel guilty going without her now! XD So I will focus my search on the Caribbean and Mexico-- it is a relief to narrow it down some.</p>

<p>My fiance found this place in St Lucia and is really excited about it, he sent them an email: [Villa</a> Beach Cottages - Welcome to Villa Beach Cottages](<a href=“http://villabeachcottages.com%5DVilla”>http://villabeachcottages.com). It does look very nice-- we picked our wedding date because I wanted to get in and out of the caribbean before hurricane season and I wanted St. Lucia. Does this place look good to you more seasoned travelers? I have no idea what I am doing. </p>

<p>With all of my research, I think there is nearly a consensus that Turks & Caicos has the best beaches. I looked at the link upthread but that place has a hold on it at present for my week… might keep an eye on that. I am doing a lot of looking in the USVI and Caymans now, too, per your suggestions… I AM SO APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR ADVICE!!!</p>

<p>ETA: Bunsen, that is good to know-- I would probably consider that.</p>

<p>ema, if you google Villa Beach Cottage St Lucia trip advisor, you will learn more than you want to know about them. I didn’t read the reviews, as I have to run, but I saw that it was the top ranked place in the town of Castries, so that’s got to be awfully good.</p>

<p>Ema, the cottages look like a great honeymoon place (there is a honeymoon package - within your price range for 7 nights) and TripAdvisor reviews are pretty good. It does not look like a place that could be crawling with drunks and unruly kids. :)</p>

<p>The cottages in St. Lucia look beautiful! Just make sure you check the transportation from UVF (the airport you will fly into from the U.S.) to your resort. I’ve read that the vehicle transportation takes well over an hour on winding roads. The airport that is closer to the resort only runs to other islands, and provides helicopter transportation to and from UVF.</p>

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<p>Another vote to go read reviews on Trip Advisor. Don’t let a couple of bad reviews throw you off from a place; I figure there are ■■■■■■ everywhere. But you can get a pretty good flavor for a place by reading through many reviews. Sort of like CC. :D</p>

<p>I’d second Vieques–my daughter and her husband just went there to attend a friend’s wedding. They loved it and it wasn’t that expensive. They stayed at The W–which is a fairly new resort hotel. Vieques is an island and part of Puerto Rico, so you don’t need to deal with passports and all that. Also, it wasn’t that expensive. There are direct flights to San Juan from many cities on the east coast. They’re living in Chapel Hill, so there wasn’t a direct flight.</p>

<p>“Another vote to go read reviews on Trip Advisor. Don’t let a couple of bad reviews throw you off from a place; I figure there are trolls everywhere. But you can get a pretty good flavor for a place by reading through many reviews.”</p>

<p>Totally agree. And even if somebody isn’t a ■■■■■, there are people who are just unhappy about any little thing. Like giving a hotel a one star rating because the sheets were wrinkled. Really. I mean, who even notices if the sheets have wrinkles? Sometimes I’ve thought I couldn’t find any decent hotel, because every single one I read about had some bad reviews. You have to ignore them if there’s only a few that are really poorly related. You’ll see that often it’s because there’s a service related issue at the front desk that bothered them, with a problem that probably wouldn’t happen to you. I’ve stayed at hundreds of hotels, and I can’t remember one single time that a front desk worker made me angry.</p>

<p>I had very good luck with Trip Advisor’s recommendations for Jordan. It didn’t steer me wrong once.</p>

<p>Mind you some of our 3 star hotels weren’t perfect, but that’s why they aren’t 5 star hotels. They were good enough for the price.</p>

<p>I may have missed this, but where are you flying from? From the east coast the carribean is a deal, and from the west coast, Hawaii. I imagine going to Mexico depends on where you are going. </p>

<p>And of course, the bargains are in the “shoulder” seasons, which are related to the weather. Check out when the hurricanes are hitting. Sounds like you will miss the hot and humid. </p>

<p>In any case, congrats and have fun!</p>

<p>You’ve gotten a lot of great advice. </p>

<p>I have been to St. Lucia and my recollection is that it was not sugary white sand beaches. </p>

<p>My favorite Caribbean island, which I picked due to its gorgeous beaches (white powdery), quiet/romantic, no crowds, not built up, no high rises, no gambling, no shopping, no “action,” but great places to stay and great dining…is ANGUILLA. There are a range of accommodations from high end to less and include villas/condo units if you prefer. I’ve gone there about 9 times including special anniversaries and think it is perfect for a relaxing romantic honeymoon. </p>

<p>I have also been to Turks and Caicos and agree that their beaches are beautiful too.</p>

<p>I would suggest doing a couple of destinations. Ten days is a long time in one place, even on your honeymoon!</p>

<p>… Or a place that works like a “base camp” for outings. Many places in Hawaii and Riviera Maya, in my personal experience, fit the criteria. The biggest drawback to moving to a new place is having to pack and unpack again, plus, if the move involves a flight, dealing with security, lines, etc.</p>

<p>^^Agree with Bunsen. It’s great to have a base camp, and a number of places to go to, instead of just one island, or having to constantly move. I hate packing/unpacking, though it is my life. A different hotel every day…a few weeks ago I did 26 bag drags in a six day period. Avoiding that is essential! Ten days could be a long time, especially if it’s just one small island, but if there are several nearby to explore, that could be fun. Can I come?</p>

<p>What about Bermuda? It is a beautiful, very clean and romantic destination for couples.
Like couple massages and a dinner prepared for you on the beach. A Romance Package here may be just bordering on your budget.
<a href=“Bermuda Resorts | Official Website | The Reefs Resort and Club”>Bermuda Resorts | Official Website | The Reefs Resort and Club;

<p>Its one of the prettiest island I’ve been to.</p>