Honeymoon for Buffettbride and groom...

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » June 29, 2004 12:47 pm

OK. I need recommendations. I have NEVER seen the ocean and want to go someplace warm and beachy. Probably Florida or anywhere in the Carribbean. I think we are looking for something less-commercial and bungalo-ish with a good nite life and fantastic beach.

Any suggestions?

citcat · Post by **citcat** » June 29, 2004 12:51 pm

St. John's in the US Virgin Islands.....most of the island is a protected park! And you can take a boat over to St. Thomas to shop and party! I can't wait to see other's posts here. I'd like to know some other places to go on vacation like you describe!

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » June 29, 2004 12:52 pm

citcat wrote:St. John's in the US Virgin Islands.....most of the island is a protected park! And you can take a boat over to St. Thomas to shop and party! I can't wait to see other's posts here. I'd like to know some other places to go on vacation like you describe!

Me too! And I should probably add that we will be going in January...the week after New Years.

djtommyt · Post by **djtommyt** » June 29, 2004 12:52 pm

citcat wrote:St. John's in the US Virgin Islands.....most of the island is a protected park! And you can take a boat over to St. Thomas to shop and party! I can't wait to see other's posts here. I'd like to know some other places to go on vacation like you describe!

Have to agree with St. John. My wife and I honeymooned there and feel in love with the island. So much, we go 2 times a year. This thread might help too.

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23716

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » June 29, 2004 12:55 pm

djtommyt wrote:
citcat wrote:St. John's in the US Virgin Islands.....most of the island is a protected park! And you can take a boat over to St. Thomas to shop and party! I can't wait to see other's posts here. I'd like to know some other places to go on vacation like you describe!
Have to agree with St. John. My wife and I honeymooned there and feel in love with the island. So much, we go 2 times a year. This thread might help too.

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23716

Oooh. Thanks. I've been browsing through there.

SmartWomaninShortSkirt · Post by **SmartWomaninShortSkirt** » June 29, 2004 1:00 pm

British Virgin Islands

THE BEST for a Buffett-like experience. I would stay at the Sandcastle on Jost Van Dyke, also home to the famous Soggy Dollar Bar. The rooms are fairly cheap, and there are only about 6 of them.

http://www.sandcastle-bvi.com/

Or for something a little more remote, you might want to go to Anegada and stay at the Anegada Reef Hotel.

http://www.anegadareef.com

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » June 29, 2004 1:17 pm

The only thing you should keep in mind is that January is Peak season for the islands. Rates go up considerably compared to Summer.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » June 29, 2004 1:20 pm

land_shark3 wrote:The only thing you should keep in mind is that January is Peak season for the islands. Rates go up considerably compared to Summer.

Yep. And we're prepared for that. I will love to leave snowy Colorado for someplace warm, no matter how much I gotta pay.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » June 29, 2004 1:20 pm

SmartWomaninShortSkirt wrote:British Virgin Islands

THE BEST for a Buffett-like experience. I would stay at the Sandcastle on Jost Van Dyke, also home to the famous Soggy Dollar Bar. The rooms are fairly cheap, and there are only about 6 of them.

http://www.sandcastle-bvi.com/

Or for something a little more remote, you might want to go to Anegada and stay at the Anegada Reef Hotel.

http://www.anegadareef.com

Thank you soooooooo much!

McGee · Post by **McGee** » June 29, 2004 3:23 pm

The future Mrs. Mcgee and I are planning our honeymoon vacation too and I highly recommend a book called "Caribbean Hideaways" by Ian Keown.

The book reviews only the best of the carribean resorts including some of the ones already mentioned in this thread. It rates the resorts based on atmosphere, dining, sports and rates. I've found it HUGELY helpful.

If the budget holds up, our preliminary plans is five nights in Antigua at galley bay, then 4 nights in St. John at Caneel Bay and 4 nights in the BVI at a resort yet to be determined possibly little dix bay or biras creek.--or possibly a villa to wrap things up with a bang (so to speak!)

If you have an island preference, PM me and i'll send you the resorts listed for that island and their web sites.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » June 29, 2004 3:30 pm

McGee wrote:The future Mrs. Mcgee and I are planning our honeymoon vacation too and I highly recommend a book called "Caribbean Hideaways" by Ian Keown.

The book reviews only the best of the carribean resorts including some of the ones already mentioned in this thread. It rates the resorts based on atmosphere, dining, sports and rates. I've found it HUGELY helpful.

If the budget holds up, our preliminary plans is five nights in Antigua at galley bay, then 4 nights in St. John at Caneel Bay and 4 nights in the BVI at a resort yet to be determined possibly little dix bay or biras creek.--or possibly a villa to wrap things up with a bang (so to speak!)

If you have an island preference, PM me and i'll send you the resorts listed for that island and their web sites.

Thanks for your help. I'll let you know what I come up with and send you a PM.

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » June 29, 2004 4:08 pm

My family went to Montego Bay last Summer. The beach was so-so, but we rented a house complete with maid, cook, butler, gardener, and driver.

That is certainly the way to go if you don't want to lift a finger. Caution: You may never be able to return to the real world.

As for the price, it was actually a little cheaper than an all-inclusive resort.

Our own personal pool.

Living Room

And of course....

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » June 29, 2004 4:10 pm

land_shark3 wrote:My family went to Montego Bay last Summer. The beach was so-so, but we rented a house complete with maid, cook, butler, gardener, and driver.

That is certainly the way to go if you don't want to lift a finger. Caution: You may never be able to return to the real world.

As for the price, it was actually a little cheaper than an all-inclusive resort.

Since it's just the two of us, we probably wouldn't go all out with the extra services but we are more likely to rent a condo or townhome than stay at a hotel but I still don't know for sure. I think we just want to get the best bang for our buck.

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » June 29, 2004 4:17 pm

buffettbride wrote: Since it's just the two of us, we probably wouldn't go all out with the extra services but we are more likely to rent a condo or townhome than stay at a hotel but I still don't know for sure. I think we just want to get the best bang for our buck.

This post reminds me of the tattoo post. Everyone has their own preferences so its a little difficult to ask for advice.

I just wish you both have a wonderful time where ever the wind blows you!!!!

SmartWomaninShortSkirt · Post by **SmartWomaninShortSkirt** » June 29, 2004 6:58 pm

McGee wrote:
If the budget holds up, our preliminary plans is five nights in Antigua at galley bay, then 4 nights in St. John at Caneel Bay and 4 nights in the BVI at a resort yet to be determined possibly little dix bay or biras creek.--or possibly a villa to wrap things up with a bang (so to speak!)

I spent 2 weeks at Biras in early May and absolutely loved it. I highly recommend it. It would be great for a honeymoom. More intimate than Little Dix. Since you're doing Caneel Bay anyway, you might want to change it up for the BVI.

I am SO jealous!!

McGee · Post by **McGee** » June 29, 2004 8:30 pm

SmartWomaninShortSkirt wrote:
McGee wrote:
If the budget holds up, our preliminary plans is five nights in Antigua at galley bay, then 4 nights in St. John at Caneel Bay and 4 nights in the BVI at a resort yet to be determined possibly little dix bay or biras creek.--or possibly a villa to wrap things up with a bang (so to speak!)

I spent 2 weeks at Biras in early May and absolutely loved it. I highly recommend it. It would be great for a honeymoom. More intimate than Little Dix. Since you're doing Caneel Bay anyway, you might want to change it up for the BVI.

I am SO jealous!!

Thanks for the advice. I've sent for the brochures and am anxiously awaiting them. If I have any questions I'll be sure to PM you.

MY first choice was for the sandcastle on Jost Van Dyke that you mentioned futher up the thread but as soon as the future Mrs. found out hot water was not a given, that it was warmed up by the sun, the sandcastle went right out the window!! However, we compromised by saying we'll go there with some other couples within the next three years. Hopefully they won't build a Westin resort next door before then...

Sidew13 · Post by **Sidew13** » June 29, 2004 8:35 pm

Island or Mainland?
Quiet & layed back or Busy & Fast Pace?

The Lost Manatee · Post by **The Lost Manatee** » June 30, 2004 2:39 pm

A couple of quick thoughts, Belize and Costa Rica both offer great locations with a wide range of activities and options. Air fare from Denver shouldn't be too bad, even though it's high season. Also I recall seeing that Frontier has started service to Cancun so you can easily fly there and head for the Mayan Rivera. There are lots of resorts, condos, etc. that are outside of Cancun.

If you want a truly off the beaten path destination you might want to consider Puerto Escandio in Mexico. It's not over run with American tourist yet, it's got daily air service and the lodging is very affordable for what you get. It's still a fishing village that is just starting to develop into a tourist destination.

If you are going to the Virgin Islands keep in mind that you will get two different experiences when you visit the USVI and then the BVIs. Personally I prefer the British Virgin Islands because they are more laidback and less developed. In my experience the locals are friendly and happy to see you whereas in the USVI the locals tend to be surly.

As I've suggested to others, a good idea is to contact a travel agent who specializes in honeymoons. A good agent will take care of so much of your stress and strain and can help you find the right place to go.

Regardless of where you decide to go, you will always have the memories.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » June 30, 2004 5:21 pm

Sidew13 wrote:Island or Mainland?
Quiet & layed back or Busy & Fast Pace?

Ya know...I'm not sure we've decided. I think we definitely want a few days to "do nothing" but we'll want to enjoy nite life as well. We're planning to be gone for 10 days and I'll bet that after 2-3 days we'll want some action.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » June 30, 2004 5:22 pm

The Lost Manatee wrote:
Regardless of where you decide to go, you will always have the memories.

Thank you so much! I hadn't even thought of Central America. I've heard great things about Belize.