Honeymoon Location Help!!!!

[Shere_Khan]

I am trying to plan a honeymoon destination but am finding it to be extremely difficult. There are SO many options and it is difficult to know which places are nice and which may not be. I thought if anyone could tell me different resorts they have been to in the locations I am considering and any reviews would be extremely helpful.
This is what I am looking for:

-It can't be Disney (UNFORTUNATELY!!!) My fiance is not a fan of Disney and rather then torturing him I am going along with it. He wants to sit on a beach somewhere for a week and do nothing.
-Am hoping to spend less then 3 grand for the both of us for a week, somewhere between 5-7 days
-Looking for something all inclusive where you pay up front and then meals and drinks are provided throughout the stay
-Looking for a carribbean location or Mexico. Some of the places I was thinking were Aruba, Antiquia, St. Lucia, etc, Am definately open to suggestions.

I guess I am just afraid I will pick something that is less expensive and we'll get there and it will be a dump or scary location.
If people could just tell me where they have gone for a decent price and if it was nice that would be very helpful. I am not looking for something extremely ritzy. Just clean, nice, and good location.

I appreciate it!!

 

[mousefan1972]

Hmmm, let's see. I've been to a few places like that. Aruba, Mexico (Mayan Riviera), Punta Cana, and Jamaica. Pretty much all of those locations will offer all inclusive packages. Sometimes, you will be glad to stay at your resort the whole time b/c it is dangerous to leave it. I've been to Aruba the most (Mom has a time share there) and it is beautiful, clean, safe, and also pretty expensive. It is also out of the hurricane belt, if you are going during hurricane season. Aruba would be the least likely place that you would end up in a dump. There are very nice resorts in Mexico and Jamaica, but there are also icky ones. Do you have a travel agent? Your best bet would be to use a big agency (like AAA) where the TA's have personally visited the resorts, so they know which ones to steer you towards. And just importantly, which ones to avoid. Good luck!

 

[WDWFREAK53]

We just got back from Hawaii last week (our honeymoon) and it was AMAZING!

(Maui and Kauai)... Maui was the better of the two. Simply amazing. Everywhere you go is like you're looking at a postcard. We're making it our 5 year ritual.

 

[TiggerBW]

We just got back from Hawaii last week (our honeymoon) and it was AMAZING!

(Maui and Kauai)... Maui was the better of the two. Simply amazing. Everywhere you go is like you're looking at a postcard. We're making it our 5 year ritual.

I disagree! Kauai is a better island to me! Went there for our honeymoon too!

Anyway..........I took a vacation this summer to a wonderful place that was all inclusive. It's the Iberostar resort - playa paradiso - in Riviera Maya Mexico. (near cancun and cozemel) It was WONDERFUL! There are 5 hotels there that you can stay at. We stayed at the best one - The Grand - but we had booked the Lindo (middle one). When we got there to check in, we told them it was our anniversary and they upgraded us for free to the Grand. It was an all-inclusive adults only hotel. SO FANCY! WE had our own personalized BUTLER! Marble floors everywhere.........great pools, activities, shows at night to go see, etc. We stayed on the resort property most of the time (at the beach or pools) but also went to see Mayan Ruins and Xel-HA (a waterpark that is all natural and outside - snorkeling was great here and they have TONS to do.) It was a fantastic vacation!!!! Restaurants were great! Beach was nice too! Check them out:
http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Riviera-Maya-hotels/Iberostar-Grand-Hotel-Paraiso_3_117.html
Also check out trip advisor for Iberostar. I wrote a review on it and you can see what others have to say about the location too. Hope that helps!

Another great place would be Atlantis in the Bahamas. Lots to do, great hotel, beautiful beaches, etc. But it depends on when you are going. They get hit often with hurricanes.

 

[Shere_Khan]

Hmmm, let's see. I've been to a few places like that. Aruba, Mexico (Mayan Riviera), Punta Cana, and Jamaica. Pretty much all of those locations will offer all inclusive packages. Sometimes, you will be glad to stay at your resort the whole time b/c it is dangerous to leave it. I've been to Aruba the most (Mom has a time share there) and it is beautiful, clean, safe, and also pretty expensive. It is also out of the hurricane belt, if you are going during hurricane season. Aruba would be the least likely place that you would end up in a dump. There are very nice resorts in Mexico and Jamaica, but there are also icky ones. Do you have a travel agent? Your best bet would be to use a big agency (like AAA) where the TA's have personally visited the resorts, so they know which ones to steer you towards. And just importantly, which ones to avoid. Good luck!

Do you remember any of the names of the resorts you stayed at in Aruba?
I don't have a travel agent as of now. I used Mouse Ear Vacations for our trip to Disney but they unfortunately only do Disney vacations. So I will have to look for someone else I suppose.

We just got back from Hawaii last week (our honeymoon) and it was AMAZING!

(Maui and Kauai)... Maui was the better of the two. Simply amazing. Everywhere you go is like you're looking at a postcard. We're making it our 5 year ritual.

Unfortunately I think Hawaii may be out of our price range. At least I have heard it is more expensive then most places. I will have to look into it though. What was the name of the hotel you were at?

I disagree! Kauai is a better island to me! Went there for our honeymoon too!

Anyway..........I took a vacation this summer to a wonderful place that was all inclusive. It's the Iberostar resort - playa paradiso - in Riviera Maya Mexico. (near cancun and cozemel) It was WONDERFUL! There are 5 hotels there that you can stay at. We stayed at the best one - The Grand - but we had booked the Lindo (middle one). When we got there to check in, we told them it was our anniversary and they upgraded us for free to the Grand. It was an all-inclusive adults only hotel. SO FANCY! WE had our own personalized BUTLER! Marble floors everywhere.........great pools, activities, shows at night to go see, etc. We stayed on the resort property most of the time (at the beach or pools) but also went to see Mayan Ruins and Xel-HA (a waterpark that is all natural and outside - snorkeling was great here and they have TONS to do.) It was a fantastic vacation!!!! Restaurants were great! Beach was nice too! Check them out:
http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Riviera-Maya-hotels/Iberostar-Grand-Hotel-Paraiso_3_117.html
Also check out trip advisor for Iberostar. I wrote a review on it and you can see what others have to say about the location too. Hope that helps!

Another great place would be Atlantis in the Bahamas. Lots to do, great hotel, beautiful beaches, etc. But it depends on when you are going. They get hit often with hurricanes.

Thanks for the review! I am on my way to check out that place. I have heard Riveira Maya from another person but they did not remember the resort name.

 

[mousefan1972]

The resort I've stayed at in Aruba used to be called the Allegro. Now it is something with Occidental in the name. Occidental Grand, maybe? It is really nice, and it's on Palm Beach, which is the nicest of the beaches the resorts are on.

In Mexico I stayed at the Allegro (Occidental) Playacar, south of Playa Del Carmen. It was beautiful! And the location is great. There is a ferry to Cozumel, you can go shopping in town, and the resort itself offers tons of things to do. The reason I suggested using a TA is b/c all of those places you are considering have tons of resorts, and of course they are all going to make themselves sound great. :lol: And I would hate for you to have the bad luck of choosing one that looks great in pictures, but is really a dump.

 

[goofyfan13]

My fiance and I will be taking a southern Caribbean cruise with Royal Caribbean out of San Juan, PR next year. All together the trip is going to be a little over 3,000 bucks with airfare and a hotel room on the first night(we're flying in the day before). The cruise is 7 days and stops at Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Croix, and St. Maarten. Something like that sounds like what you may be looking for. :wave:

 

[EmOhYouEssE]

I disagree! Kauai is a better island to me! Went there for our honeymoon too!

Anyway..........I took a vacation this summer to a wonderful place that was all inclusive. It's the Iberostar resort - playa paradiso - in Riviera Maya Mexico. (near cancun and cozemel) It was WONDERFUL! There are 5 hotels there that you can stay at. We stayed at the best one - The Grand - but we had booked the Lindo (middle one). When we got there to check in, we told them it was our anniversary and they upgraded us for free to the Grand. It was an all-inclusive adults only hotel. SO FANCY! WE had our own personalized BUTLER! Marble floors everywhere.........great pools, activities, shows at night to go see, etc. We stayed on the resort property most of the time (at the beach or pools) but also went to see Mayan Ruins and Xel-HA (a waterpark that is all natural and outside - snorkeling was great here and they have TONS to do.) It was a fantastic vacation!!!! Restaurants were great! Beach was nice too! Check them out:
http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Riviera-Maya-hotels/Iberostar-Grand-Hotel-Paraiso_3_117.html
Also check out trip advisor for Iberostar. I wrote a review on it and you can see what others have to say about the location too. Hope that helps!

Another great place would be Atlantis in the Bahamas. Lots to do, great hotel, beautiful beaches, etc. But it depends on when you are going. They get hit often with hurricanes.

Do you mind if i PM you some questions about this resort complex? We have looked into it via various websites and a book we got from a travel agent (I think she booked through Apple Vacations for the Iberostars), but the travel agent hadn't been in years and couldn't answer most of the questions we had. I'd be happy to send you a commission, lol.

Em

 

[EmOhYouEssE]

I am trying to plan a honeymoon destination but am finding it to be extremely difficult. There are SO many options and it is difficult to know which places are nice and which may not be. I thought if anyone could tell me different resorts they have been to in the locations I am considering and any reviews would be extremely helpful.
This is what I am looking for:

-It can't be Disney (UNFORTUNATELY!!!) My fiance is not a fan of Disney and rather then torturing him I am going along with it. He wants to sit on a beach somewhere for a week and do nothing.
-Am hoping to spend less then 3 grand for the both of us for a week, somewhere between 5-7 days
-Looking for something all inclusive where you pay up front and then meals and drinks are provided throughout the stay
-Looking for a carribbean location or Mexico. Some of the places I was thinking were Aruba, Antiquia, St. Lucia, etc, Am definately open to suggestions.

I guess I am just afraid I will pick something that is less expensive and we'll get there and it will be a dump or scary location.
If people could just tell me where they have gone for a decent price and if it was nice that would be very helpful. I am not looking for something extremely ritzy. Just clean, nice, and good location.

I appreciate it!!

First off: It's your honeymoon. You will have a blast no matter where you go or how much you spend. We spent ours camping and white water rafting because we were so broke. Our first "meal" on the honeymoon was spaghettios, lays potato chips, and beer. We still do have that sometimes on our anniversary, well, just because, lol.

2nd: It sounds like an all inclusive may be a good fit for you. We have been looking at some too, and you can usually find great deals in Mexico (western side), but, be sure to check out trip advisor and other sites for reviews. Some reviews have been why we haven't booked one yet, hence why I am trying to get more info from TiggerBW.

Another option is maybe renting a time share from someone not able to use it on an island you are interested in. The upside, you have your own place to cook/eat, the downside, food is not included, nor is booze, so that could add up.

Cruises are always fun, but they can also feel rushed since you are going from place to place each day. Food is included, but not alcohol, and that can add up. Also, excursions aren't included, and depending on what you want to do, can be pricey.

From what you are describing, I would probably recommend an all inclusive (as many posters here have done). They include both food and alcohol and some water activities. I have found via researching them that some include more water activities than others, so check into that as well.

Whatever you decide, have a great honeymoon!

Em

 

[TiggerBW]

Do you mind if i PM you some questions about this resort complex? We have looked into it via various websites and a book we got from a travel agent (I think she booked through Apple Vacations for the Iberostars), but the travel agent hadn't been in years and couldn't answer most of the questions we had. I'd be happy to send you a commission, lol.

Em

Absolutely! I booked through Liberty Travel. They are great. I book all my vacations though them.

 

[JimboJones123]

We went to St. Thomas. After visiting St. John one night, we would have been much happier there. Much quieter. Much cleaner. Better beaches and snorkling. A pkg can run right around 3k. Best thing... NO PASSPORTS!!!! That will save you between nearly $200 and $300 depending on if you apply long enough in advance. All inclusive will make the price go up by as much as 25%. If you are 25, rent a car if you can. Unless you are in another country. Can't tell on that. But paying for travel between places on your trip can get expensive, and it isn't nice sometimes. If you do have the 3k limit, you may find yourself outpriced unless you go to like Cancun.

 

[Laura]

My fiance and I will be taking a southern Caribbean cruise with Royal Caribbean out of San Juan, PR next year. All together the trip is going to be a little over 3,000 bucks with airfare and a hotel room on the first night(we're flying in the day before). The cruise is 7 days and stops at Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Croix, and St. Maarten. Something like that sounds like what you may be looking for. :wave:

That would be my recommendation. I've done a couple Royal Carribean cruises to those locations and it's the perfect vacation. There's beaches if you want to be lazy, there's shore excursions if you want adventure. All food and entertainment are included. (Drinks are not included though)

The newer Royal Caribbean ships are out of this world....like the Oasis of the Seas. You should look into it!

 

[goofyfan13]

That would be my recommendation. I've done a couple Royal Carribean cruises to those locations and it's the perfect vacation. There's beaches if you want to be lazy, there's shore excursions if you want adventure. All food and entertainment are included. (Drinks are not included though)

The newer Royal Caribbean ships are out of this world....like the Oasis of the Seas. You should look into it!

We're definitely looking at the Oasis. May have to wait a little while to save up for it, but we definitely want to go on the Oasis when that comes out, and the new Disney ships when those role out.

Glad to hear you enjoyed those islands, we saw the itinerary and fell in love with this particular cruise. :wave:

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Unfortunately I think Hawaii may be out of our price range. At least I have heard it is more expensive then most places. I will have to look into it though. What was the name of the hotel you were at?

On Maui we stayed at the Hyatt (on Ka'anapali Beach)...and on Kauai we stayed at the Sheraton in Poipu. (Please excuse my bad spelling...I don't know the Hawaiian language that well :lol: )

I'd recommend the Hyatt in a heartbeat...the Sheraton wasn't bad...but it seemed like the service could've been better (and, for the price, which was higher than the Hyatt...it wasn't worth it.)

 

[TiggerBW]

On Maui we stayed at the Hyatt (on Ka'anapali Beach)...and on Kauai we stayed at the Sheraton in Poipu. (Please excuse my bad spelling...I don't know the Hawaiian language that well :lol: )

I'd recommend the Hyatt in a heartbeat...the Sheraton wasn't bad...but it seemed like the service could've been better (and, for the price, which was higher than the Hyatt...it wasn't worth it.)

I stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai and it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The grounds were so beautiful, great restaurants, close to poipu area, pools were awesome, beach too, etc. Just an amazingly beautiful resort!!!!!!!