Honeymoon?

Blueyed228

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

We really want a room that has its own plunge pool.  I do not want to go to Jamaica or Mexico.  The only place I have found so far is Sandals St Lucia, but the rooms we are looking for are 14K for 10 days!  Wtf.  I am NOT paying that much.

Any suggestions?

KocurFineArt

Hey Blue!

FI and I were looking for the same thing, basically...I think the one we found was the St. Lucia one. And yeah. reeee-diculous on the price. I you find anything, share share share!!!

AllAboutTheBenjamin

I wish I had better suggestions but we aren't doing a really lavish honeymoon just because it's so freaking expensive We will be able to take trips in a few years after we're established, just not now.

Ben's folks own two houses in Arizona (thanks to the low prices from the recession).  They rent one out, and the other one they furnished and just keep for themselves.  They go down there for work, or go with other family for a quick getaway.  They've offered us the house for our honeymoon - which would be fantastic.  Arizona isn't really my idea of an exotic honeymoon location (I'm a HUGE beach girl) but really, all we need is a trip where we can get away for a bit and be alone.  And that place would be perfect.

I don't blame you for not wanting to go to Mexico though - I think it's pretty good prices but it's just so scary down there right now.

And now that I've posted something completely pointless... I'll wish you luck!

npasquale16

It's funny you mentioned Sandals in St.Lucia--we were planning on taking our vacation there originally, but decided on San Fran instead.

 One of my good friends went there for his honeymoon and absolutely loved it, which is why we wanted to do it just for a regular vacation. He said the staff was amazing and it's all-inclusive, which is great for a honeymoon. I don't know anything about the plunging pools, though.

I'm going to follow this thread for suggestions, also.  FI is in charge of picking our honeymoon/planning it, so I have no idea what we'll end up doing, but I'm sure he'll need suggestions.

PetraStonegirl

We're heading out to a tour of the Kootenay Rockies in BC. Lots of photography (our trip includes Canadian Glacier, Banff, US Glacier, Yellowstone, and Jackson) and vineyards, but what sparked the idea was hot springs. We've found many hot springs to visit and/or stay at. A few of those have private hot tubs available in some of the rooms. Not sure if you were set on tropical, but I have more info if you want it. The prices were much more reasonable than heading to the tropics.

aprovencher21

We're going to the new Sandals resort in the Bahamas called Emerald Bay.  I liked the idea of a plunge pool but was sold on the new Sandals having full time butler service. 

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:a9b863e0-65be-4f04-91d3-a6cb57b9a9bbPost:859d29ea-abab-41a3-8e81-0dccf71309b9">Re: Honeymoon?</a>:
[QUOTE]We're going to the new Sandals resort in the Bahamas called Emerald Bay.  I liked the idea of a plunge pool but was sold on the new Sandals having full time butler service. 
Posted by aprovencher21[/QUOTE]

Im pretty sure all the Sandals have butler service?

The ones we looked at in St. Lucia have it and FI's cousin went to the one in Jamaica and they had it too.

I am thinking of just calling them and seeing if they have any deals themselves. We tried a travel agent and it was more than the resorts website.

aprovencher21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:a9b863e0-65be-4f04-91d3-a6cb57b9a9bbPost:c1af23d4-6485-4cf8-bc1f-24af11c6cabd">Re: Honeymoon?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Honeymoon? : Im pretty sure all the Sandals have butler service? The ones we looked at in St. Lucia have it and FI's cousin went to the one in Jamaica and they had it too. I am thinking of just calling them and seeing if they have any deals themselves. We tried a travel agent and it was more than the resorts website.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

All of the Sandals have the higher end rooms with butler service.  This is every room with butler service so its a bit different.  Its rated as their most luxurious due to having 2 full time butlers on call (you have a cell phone to call them for anything).  The food and alcohol are also upgraded.  Beringer wines only, etc.

ETA:  Apparently they serve beringer at all of the resorts but select types are for Emerald Bay.  I cannot wait for my honeymoon and I'm dying for spa treatments!

aprovencher21

The Sandals Antigua resort has private pools......

MarinoRabeno

Zoetry Agua in P*nta Cana. They have a 2000sqft two room suite with a private garden and plunge pool. Less than $6k for a week.

ricksang

We went to Italy. I have some pictures up on my FB. We went to Florence, Venice, and Rome 7days/8000 dollars or so. It was the best ever!

Lenore2010

I think we may have a vows renewal at the Sandals in Antigua, but that would be a 5th anniversary thing. I am pretty sure you can do better there price wise than 14K, even for a plunge pool from the prices I have seen.

I know you don't want to do Jamaica, but you sure can do much better there for price. We are going to Jamaica next year and so far are looking at maybe 5K in costs with a 12000 sq foot suite.

Our honeymoon was a week up North in June (Lake Superior near the Canadian Border). After the wedding we felt it was better to not spend a load and just replace our reserves over the next year. Sometimes I wish we had done less mini-platinum wedding and more honeymoon.

[Deleted User]

We had our own pool. The resort was absolutely amazing, but it was in Mexico at Excellence Playa Mujeres.

Steph0871

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:a9b863e0-65be-4f04-91d3-a6cb57b9a9bbPost:7385d24c-f41a-45e1-8bdd-19f35cd6e9fb">Re: Honeymoon?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Honeymoon? :  The food and alcohol are also<strong> upgraded.  Beringer wines only</strong>, etc. ETA:  Apparently they serve beringer at all of the resorts but select types are for Emerald Bay. 
Posted by aprovencher21[/QUOTE]

Since when is Beringer an upgrade wine?

We went to Dominican on a family trip this past winter, and it was wonderful.  I'm not sure about the pool, but the food and drinks were outstanding. We had full bar in our room, and the swim-up bars were fully stocked, too.  We only had wines with dinner, but they were really good (I think most were central and south American.)

We stayed with Palace Resorts (P*unta Cana), but they have a few locations.

raynes

I had to google plunge pools to find out what they were....

We went to Greece for 12 days ::points down to siggy::

lisalou402

Hey blue---my step sister went to the Sandals St. Lucia and was very disappointed.  They had a great time, but it wasn't as luxurious as they thought it would be.  I've gone down to Jamaica for work, and I agree.  My hotel was right next to the Sandals in Montego Bay.  Blah.

I have a friend who went to the Mexico at Excellence Playa Mujeres and LOVED it...we looked into going there for a long weekend, but decided to hold a vacation for a year so we could do Hawaii for the honeymoon.

Caribbean is also very subjective...who knows..it's your honeymoon you'll have a great time anywhere!

tonyscutieest09

We're cruising to the Bahamas so I'm afraid I don't know.

aprovencher21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:a9b863e0-65be-4f04-91d3-a6cb57b9a9bbPost:d2d12f4f-0327-4fb3-b4ed-b40343004abd">Re: Honeymoon?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Honeymoon? :<font color="#0000ff">Since when is Beringer an upgrade wine?</font>We went to Dominican on a family trip this past winter, and it was wonderful.  I'm not sure about the pool, but the food and drinks were outstanding. We had full bar in our room, and the swim-up bars were fully stocked, too.  We only had wines with dinner, but they were really good (I think most were central and south American.) We stayed with Palace Resorts (P*unta Cana), but they have a few locations.
Posted by Steph0871[/QUOTE]

There are numerous vintages by Beringer that have won awards and are pretty pricey.  Not exactly what you find in the liquor store.  Also, compared to what wine is usually offered at an all inclusive (as included in the price not an add-on charge) Beringer is lovely.  While we have the option to also drink local vintages I prefer Beringer unless other options are some lovely Italian Chiantis, etc.  Do you collect or study wines?  Go to wine tastings?

aprovencher21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:a9b863e0-65be-4f04-91d3-a6cb57b9a9bbPost:2301b107-2ea6-4e28-9294-31e4d824e266">Re: Honeymoon?</a>:
[QUOTE]I had to google plunge pools to find out what they were.... We went to Greece for 12 days <font color="#999999">::points down to siggy::
</font>Posted by raynes[/QUOTE]

Pretty picture!!

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Well, we are going to Napa and booked a B&B with our own private outdoor hot tub and skylights.

I really like the look of this hotel:

https://booking.ihotelier.com/istay/istay.jsp?hotelid=6276&amp;languageid=1&__utma=1.607433857.1271876624.1271876624.1271876624.1&__utmb=1.3.10.1271876624&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1271876624.1.1.utmcsr=forums.theknot.com|utmccn=%28referral%29|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_luxury-hotels-santorini-mykonos&__utmv=-&__utmk=12953399

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:a9b863e0-65be-4f04-91d3-a6cb57b9a9bbPost:92d4b6a1-2b2f-4bb0-b012-5ec31bcdfd63">Re: Honeymoon?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Honeymoon? : There are numerous vintages by Beringer that have won awards and are pretty pricey.  Not exactly what you find in the liquor store.  Also, compared to what wine is usually offered at an all inclusive (as included in the price not an add-on charge) Beringer is lovely.  While we have the option to also drink local vintages I prefer Beringer unless other options are some lovely Italian Chiantis, etc.  Do you collect or study wines?  Go to wine tastings?
Posted by aprovencher21[/QUOTE]

Charles Shaw has won tasting awards too. Just saying.

goheels05

Try Stonefield Estate Villa and Spa in St. Lucia.  Their Premium Deluxe Villas have private plunge pools and start at $210 a night.  I don't think it's all-inclusive. 

ricksang

God you guys are snobs "sips Arbor Mist" :P

tonyscutieest09

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:a9b863e0-65be-4f04-91d3-a6cb57b9a9bbPost:bb331217-3ab6-4e6a-b4c7-c7b85665f8db">Re: Honeymoon?</a>:
[QUOTE]God you guys are snobs "sips Arbor Mist" :P
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]


I never realized how cheap I was about wine until I bought something other than Arbor Mist and FI said, " This tastes funny, like more alcohol" .

FI only likes Arbor Mist LOL

ricksang

LOL. I like any kind of wine if it's sweet.

Hey, the grocery stores here don't sell liquor (only beer and fake wines) and the liquor stores close at 10 and aren't open on Sunday so sometimes Arbor Mist or beer are your only options. I put it in a fancy wine glass and drink it with one pinky sticking out. That makes it classy :P

vegasgroom

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:a9b863e0-65be-4f04-91d3-a6cb57b9a9bbPost:5e3372e0-da5e-4c2f-aa47-e84a4c95593b">Re: Honeymoon?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Honeymoon? : Charles Shaw has won tasting awards too. Just saying.
Posted by msmerymac[/QUOTE]

Pabst Blue Ribbon has too, hence the name, but I won't be ordering a PBR when I go on my honeymoon LOL.

Steph0871

Apro- FI and I do wine tastings, actually.  My dad has recently become a huge wine snob so that's worn off a little on me.  I've always thought Beringer tasted like cheap kool-aid, though. ew.  I guess, if they have higher quality wines, that's different. But their normal stuff sucks.

Actually, I love Charles Shaw (yum yum Three Buck Chuck, Trader Joe's.)  Even that is better than Beringer... especially if you aerate it.

ETA: Maybe it's just the resorts we've gone to, but we've always had really good wine included?  We had a few Chilean wines that I found in the liquor store here for like $20/bottle. (Don't ask me which ones, I don't remember the name anymore- I just recognized the label!)

vegasgroom

On the topic of wine, has anyone tried a wine aerator?  My FI has a Vinturi http://www.vinturi.com/ and loves it; she generally drinks reds in the $10 to $15/bottle range and after a friend had one of those she has one too; it made a noticeable improvement in the taste.

On the topic of Sandals, does anyone know what champagne they serve?  I don't like wine, but I do like champagne quite a bit, and we're going to Sandals Antigua for part of our honeymoon so I'm curious now that this thread has come up.

Steph0871

Vegas- that's what we have too! It's normally like $45-50 I think, but we snagged one from woot.com for only $20.

Even my wine snob dad likes Charles Shaw after it's gone through the Vinturi twice... haha

Sorry about the threadjack, Blue!

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:a9b863e0-65be-4f04-91d3-a6cb57b9a9bbPost:dff83864-5885-4982-8410-a2f836468c7e">Re: Honeymoon?</a>:
[QUOTE]Vegas- that's what we have too! It's normally like $45-50 I think, but we snagged one from woot.com for only $20. Even my wine snob dad likes Charles Shaw after it's gone through the Vinturi twice... <strong><u>haha Sorry about the threadjack, Blue!
</u></strong>Posted by Steph0871[/QUOTE]

You are all snobs.  I dont even drink wine.  Pfft. :)

Heels I am going to check that place out!

lizr7313

So this doesn't actually answer your question, but if you are planning on spending a little more on your honeymoon I just stumbled upon Mauritius.  The pictures are absolutely beautiful and it seems very culturally diverse.  The downside is flight times. Now I just habe to work about 18 overtime shifts to afford it .... sigh ...