Earn cash as you plan. Get a $20 gift card for every 200 points with The Knot Rewards
Honeymoon Discussions
Grenada, Aruba, Turks, St Croix, Bermuda
I am really struggling with deciding on our honeymoon. I have been to Royal Hideaway in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and it was fabulous. It was all inclusive and we received the royal treatment. I'm really looking for something like that, but in a country that we've never been to.
We just got back from Majestic Elegance in the Dominican Republic and wasn't impressed.
Our honeymoon budget is 7-10,000. In doing my research I like Grenada, Aruba, Turks, St Croix and Bermuda. Has anyone been to a FABULOUS resort in one of these countries?
We just got back from Majestic Elegance in the Dominican Republic and wasn't impressed.
Our honeymoon budget is 7-10,000. In doing my research I like Grenada, Aruba, Turks, St Croix and Bermuda. Has anyone been to a FABULOUS resort in one of these countries?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Grenada, Aruba, Turks, St Croix, Bermuda
RSVP Deadline: 4/6/13
4/26/13 March Siggy Challenge: Bridesmaid Dresses
RSVP Deadline: 4/6/13
4/26/13 March Siggy Challenge: Bridesmaid Dresses
I stayed at the Marriott Stelaris Casino and had an AMAZING time. It was the last resort on the island with plenty of beach left to roam around. There were so many thigns to do so if you and your FH are active you'll never run out of activities.
The food was really good and you could eat at the neighboring hotel. From what I remember it was part of the resort.
My only complaint was that people left their towels on chairs early in the morning and it was difficult at times to get an umbrella chair throughout the day, especially right on the beach.
Start looking elsewhere around the globe such as Greece, Italy, the Maldives, Fiji, Bora Bora, Hawaii, South Africa, etc.. which are doable with your budget.
We honeymooned at Qamea Resort & Spa in Fiji and it was definitely a very different and more luxurious experience compared to the resorts we've been to in the Caribbean and it was MUCH more private since they only accomodate up to 36 people at a time and everyone has their own private beach front bure.
http://www.south-seas-adventures.com/
Green Fashionista Blog Updated 2/25
Planning bio with lots of DIY
Married Bio with For Sale
Um, classiest, most awesome place I have ever been to in my life. It's expensive, but within your budget. Check out their website - it is everything it advertises. I also have some pictures in my married bio (link in siggy). I literally have not one complaint about the place. If this matters to you - we saw only one child there the entire time, the rest were all adults.
[QUOTE]I agree with PP..I would not choose St. Croix. I wouldn't go with Bermuda either. With your budget, I would suggest either Grenada or Turks. I know many people are suggesting looking elsewhere around the world with your budget, but also keep in mind the type of ammenities you want<strong>. You may be able to get an awesome hotel but a lower level room.</strong> Do you really want that? We spent a little over $10,000 on our HM as well but chose St. Lucia because we were able to get the highest level accommodations available. If I were you, I wouldn't want to spend 10k and end up in a normal or lower level room.
Posted by Amanda1443994[/QUOTE]
That's not entirely true. You can get a beachfront bure in Fiji that is not connected to any other room and just steps from the water. In Tahiti, depending on the islands you choose, you can stay in an overwater bungalow. Maybe not for $7K, but $10K it's doable. I don't think a beachfront bure or overwater bungalow are lower level rooms. Yes, it might be nice to stay closer to home and stay in the top room category at the resort, but if the OP doesn't know her budget can get her to these other places, they may opt for something a little harder to get to and more exotic since the Caribbean is easier to get to for anniversaries or family vacations.
It's very hard to research pricing when you are considering more than 2-3 destinations, so I recommend that the OP choose what best suits their needs and then start looking at pricing on Expedia, Travelocity, etc. Fiji and Tahiti trips would probably require a TA's assistance to ensure all parts of the trip are pulled together.
[QUOTE]I agree with PP..I would not choose St. Croix. I wouldn't go with Bermuda either. With your budget, I would suggest either Grenada or Turks. I know many people are suggesting looking elsewhere around the world with your budget, but also keep in mind the type of ammenities you want. <strong>You may be able to get an awesome hotel but a lower level room. Do you really want that? </strong> We spent a little over $10,000 on our HM as well but chose St. Lucia because we were able to get the highest level accommodations available. If I were you, I wouldn't want to spend 10k and end up in a normal or lower level room.
Posted by Amanda1443994[/QUOTE]
The bolded part above is definitely not true. In other places around the world such as French Polynesia, you aren't in a big crowded hotel. You have your own private bure (villa) and we had a private courtyard with outdoor rock shower and hot tub. We spent $2k less than our friends who honeymooned at Sandals in St. Lucia which is absolutely crazy to us!
My biggest advice is to do a lot of research before making a final decision. With your budget you can go to some pretty exotic and luxurious places around the world or go all out in the Caribbean or Mexico and save the rest of the $$ towards a down payment on a house or another fabulous trip later in the year. HTH!
Green Fashionista Blog Updated 2/25
Planning bio with lots of DIY
Married Bio with For Sale
[QUOTE]I agree with PP..I would not choose St. Croix. <strong>I wouldn't go with Bermuda eithe</strong>r. With your budget, I would suggest either Grenada or Turks. I know many people are suggesting looking elsewhere around the world with your budget, but also keep in mind the type of ammenities you want. You may be able to get an awesome hotel but a lower level room. Do you really want that? We spent a little over $10,000 on our HM as well but chose St. Lucia because we were able to get the highest level accommodations available. If I were you, I wouldn't want to spend 10k and end up in a normal or lower level room.
Posted by Amanda1443994[/QUOTE]
Any particular reason? According to her OP, she just wants a classy hotel with lots of pampering. That is easily accessible in Bermuda. Without knowing what else she is looking for, I'm not sure why you'd dismiss Bermuda so easily. Or perhaps I'm biased since I find the island to be beautiful and full of all the regular beach-y activities plus a zoo, crystal caves, and biking.
EDIT: I do agree that the OP should look into more far-flung locations than the Carribbean, though. If you have the budget, then definitely go all out!
Photographer - Steve Belner, of Photovisions
Check out my cooking blog, SERIF & SPICE!
Our wedding has been featured on a wedding blog!
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Grenada, Aruba, Turks, St Croix, Bermuda : Any particular reason? According to her OP, she just wants a classy hotel with lots of pampering. That is easily accessible in Bermuda. Without knowing what else she is looking for, I'm not sure why you'd dismiss Bermuda so easily. Or perhaps I'm biased since I find the island to be beautiful and full of all the regular beach-y activities plus a zoo, crystal caves, and biking. EDIT: I do agree that the OP should look into more far-flung locations than the Carribbean, though. If you have the budget, then definitely go all out!
Posted by Joy2611[/QUOTE]
I definitely agree with Joy. We went to Bermuda for our honeymoon, and it was very high class, with plenty of spas and high end treatment. Not sure why you don't think Bermuda is a nice place to go to. We stayed at Newstead Belmont Hills, and would absolutely stay there again. We had a room in a cottage, on the harbor with stunning views. Bermuda beaches are beautiful too!
Turks and Caicos. We stayed at the Somerset (http://www.thesomerset.com/) and loved it. Once we go to all of our other fantasy islands, we'll definitely return!
St. Croix. I went there 20 years ago and stayed at the Cormorant Beach Club. It is not the same now as it was then. Sadly, a hurricane several years ago washed the original resort out to sea. The re-built property is now a GBLT resort, I think.
Not on your list, but for serious consideration ... Have you thought about Anguilla? You might enjoy Cap Juluca. The resort has been fully renovated and, supposedly, caters to couples. We have not been there, but my cousin and his wife RAVE about it!
[QUOTE]I agree with PP..I would not choose St. Croix. I wouldn't go with Bermuda either. With your budget, I would suggest either Grenada or Turks. I know many people are suggesting looking elsewhere around the world with your budget, but also keep in mind the type of ammenities you want. You may be able to get an awesome hotel but a lower level room. Do you really want that? <strong>We spent a little over $10,000 on our HM as well but chose St. Lucia because we were able to get the highest level accommodations available</strong>. If I were you, I wouldn't want to spend 10k and end up in a normal or lower level room.
Posted by Amanda1443994[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>For $3500 total I have the highest level room, including deck, hammock and private plunge pool at our resort in St Lucia.. I looked at Bora Bora on orbitz and found we could stay there at a high end room for about $6000 total. Don't believe me, stalk the travel sites yourself. Travel agents don't always give the best deals, in fact sometimes they're horrible.
</div>
RSVP Deadline: 4/6/13
4/26/13 March Siggy Challenge: Bridesmaid Dresses
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Grenada, Aruba, Turks, St Croix, Bermuda : For $3500 total I have the highest level room, including deck, hammock and private plunge pool at our resort in St Lucia.. I looked at Bora Bora on orbitz and found we could stay there at a high end room for about $6000 total. Don't believe me, stalk the travel sites yourself. Travel agents don't always give the best deals, in fact sometimes they're horrible.
Posted by allychase[/QUOTE]
I'd assume the poster who paid $10k for St. Lucia went to Sandals (which is where our friends went who paid $2k more to go there than we did to go to Fiji). I say it on here all the time that Sandals is EXTREMEMLY overpriced/overadvertised and a lot of travel agents are sponsered by them so they push Sandals hardcore and a lot of people think they're getting a great deal and don't bother to research other resorts or areas. It saddens me because people could take that money and go on 2 great trips or make the trip they're already taking much more luxurious and/or longer.
Green Fashionista Blog Updated 2/25
Planning bio with lots of DIY
Married Bio with For Sale
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Grenada, Aruba, Turks, St Croix, Bermuda : I'd assume the poster who paid $10k for St. Lucia went to Sandals (which is where our friends went who paid $2k more to go there than we did to go to Fiji). I say it on here all the time that Sandals is EXTREMEMLY overpriced/overadvertised and a lot of travel agents are sponsered by them so they push Sandals hardcore and a lot of people think they're getting a great deal and don't bother to research other resorts or areas. It saddens me because people could take that money and go on 2 great trips or make the trip they're already taking much more luxurious and/or longer.
Posted by SuMmErKuTiE[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I totally agree. Sandals seems like the biggest ripoff. It's built to be tourist-y. I personally like to explore the islands and get a better feel for different cultures, not to mention I like saving my money and getting more bang for my buck. 10k on a trip to St Lucia makes me feel bad for that poster, considering there are deals all the time where you can fly to places in Europe, or Australia, for less than that.
</div>
RSVP Deadline: 4/6/13
4/26/13 March Siggy Challenge: Bridesmaid Dresses
RSVP Deadline: 4/6/13
4/26/13 March Siggy Challenge: Bridesmaid Dresses