Melinda Ward

For our honeymoon last Feb., my husband and I took an NCL cruise to the S. Caribbean. We were VERY impressed with Tortola, in the BVIs. There is an all-inclusive there called the Long Bay Beach Club which looks great. The bonus here is a great non-tacky beach (Cane Garden) and close proximity to other islands via water-taxi. (Example: Virgin Gorda, St. John...)

Also, did you consider a cruise which visits islands you haven't seen yet? Check out NCL's Windward itinerary.
Good luck!

Sheila

2/16/97
Have you considered a cruise? We were married in
the month of Sept. also and lucked out with the weather.
We went to Bermuda and stayed at Sonesta Beach and
Resort. We just checked this out (we're going back for
our 10th anniversary--it ran us about $2,800 for 4 nights.
For $3,000 we're taking a cruise for 7 days- all
inclusive to Bermuda. It might be worth looking into.
The $2,800 at Sonesta included breakfast and dinner
and it is a beautiful resort. Good luck honeymoon shopping!

Annabella Hutton

Have you thought of the Ladera hotel on St Lucia, or
Pink Sands on Harbour Island,Bahamas. Both of these are unique places and very beautiful.

Rhonda Kardos

You can't beat Sandals Resorts - how about either St. Lucia or Antigua? Sandals have resorts on both islands, so you'd have a top notch resort, with an island that you haven't been to before! I think that each would be around $4300 for 7 nights, so they should be within your price range. Congratulations and have a wonderful trip!

mark leinwetter

Go to 2 different web sites for your evaluation!!

http://www.cpscaribnet.com - lists destinations,
accomodations and honeymoons

http://www.caribtourism.com - helpful

BEst wishes !! ML

Ron K.

Although not on the Caribbean, Acapulco offers what you seek as to private pool, etc. Another choice, very layed back, is Cabo San Lucas on the Baja peninsula.

Marilyn

Consider chartering a CREWED yacht for your Caribbean honeymoon. Perfect combination of relaxation and activity and privacy when you want it! Check out http://yachts.pave.net

Lisa

Have you looked into the St Lucia? Sandals & Windjammer
Landing have private plunge pools. (I don't know the
cost - check with a travel agent) In Acapulco there
is a resort called Las Brias that also has private
pool in your "villa"
If your worried about hurricane season, Aruba really is
your best bet. The island is surrounded by the most
beautiful water and they do have "all-inclusives".
It is definately worth investigating. Good Luck with
your up-coming marriage

Eugene Higley

I agree with Ron about Acapulco meeting your cost and hotel / pool requirements in your request for suggestions. Las Brezes hotel overlooks all of the harbour at ACA and each room has a private pool and balcony; there's no TV. You can use the pink striped jeeps to go to town and there's a shuttle to the hotel's private beach where there's a bar and restaurant. Congrats and good luck!

Mary Boley

Dear Folks: My husband and I went to Bermuda in March of 1993 and stayed at the Sonesta Beach & Spa Hotel. It was wonderful! A five day, four night trip cost $1199 for both of us and that included air and hotel. Bermuda can be expensive but well worth the $. If you decide to go there, purchase Fodor's Bermuda travel guide in advance. It was a lifesaver. Congratulations and felicitation! Hope you have a wonderful time where ever you choose to go!

Stan Orel

People keep recommending St. Lucia, and their right! It's a fabulous island. We attended a wedding at Jalousie Plantation, an all-inclusive located between the Gros Pitons. Spent six days there and we had our own private cottage, with private plunge pool, well-stocked wet bar, TV, etc. It has spa facilities (great massages), a Nautilus-equipped gym, tennis courts, 3-hole golf course, Jacuzzis, a large pool, grey sand beach, all water sports,four restaurants, four open bars. Everything about the place is outstanding, including the price, which can run as high as $500 per day per couple, but it was worth it.

Allison

I would be a bit careful about where you pick in the caribbean for a September honeymoon. It is prime hurricane season. Although you mentioned that you didn't want Aruba, it is probably less likely for a hurricane to hit there then some of the other islands. Grand Cayman is also a good choice because it is farther west and could more easily miss being hit by a hurricane. I had a cousin who spent almost 2 full weeks on her honeymoon in Barbados in September in the room because of terrible weather. Last September, some friends had to cancel a trip to St. Croix at the last minute because of storms. We visited Grand Cayman last September and had a wonderful time. I'm not sure that there is a property that meets your private pool requirements there, though. We stayed at the Westin which is quite new and on the beach. Because September is low-season, it was uncrowded and much less expensive than during the high season. Several friends have gone to Bermuda during September and had great weather and a great time. Two were there on honeymoons. That's probably a good choice also.

Judy Stern

For privacy, gorgeous beach, service and total relaxation, Pine Cay off Turks and Caicos is your answer. No restaurants to try to find just total attention because there are so few guests and such attention to detail. talk to a travel agent.

Shawn

Two reccomendation:

1) As stated in other message, the Sandals resorts onSt. Lucia are fantastic and should be within your price range.
2) My wife and I spent our honneymoon on Grand Cayman at the Grand Hyatt (seen in the movie "The Firm"). The Hotel was great, the service friendly, the beach beautiful. The island is safe and very friendly. We rented a car and drove everywhere possible. The island is expensive (its easy to spend over $100 on dinner) but we also found some cheap restaurants with very good food, but as a whole, is definately within your budget.

Bob Janson

My recommendation for a perfect honeymoon location in the Carribean would be either:
1) St. Barts - Incredible beaches (many topless/nude), secluded and private, many hotels have private plunge pools (Carl Gustaff, Le Toiny (Relais & Chateau property), excellent food. COST COULD BE AN ISSUE THOUGH!!
2)Nevis - Four Seasons Hotel- no private plunge pools but incredible service, even chilled EVIAN spray on your face at the pool by hotel staff. Best of luck on your marriage!

STORMY

BARBADOS IS ONE BEAUTIFUL PLACE. ANY OUT THERE AGREE?
PEOPLE RETURN OVER AND OVER. ALMOND BEACH RESORT
CLUB, CASARINA, & SANDY LANE. CHECK THEM OUT AND
GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS.

Jean E. Bowers

I have visited many many islands,and there is something good to be said about all of them. Have you considered renting a house? After you pick an island go on line and fine out if there are any with the amenities you require. I have read about homes with pool,car,cook etc. September can be rough weather wise, but it is still low season and costs are quite reasonable. I used to live on St. Croix and know that they have some beautiful properties. May I offer my best wishes to you both.

J.D. Wallach

As noted above, Barbados is a beautiful island. I just returned from a eight night honeymoon there between April 7 and April 15. My wife and I stayed at the Almond Beach Club, an all-inclusive resort that allowed me to have as many Pina Coladas as I could stomach between the hours of about 9:00 AM and 2:00 AM and to go waterskiing, tubing, snorkeling, etc. to my heart's content. It was great not having to worry about whether I could afford the next drink I ordered. There are a couple things, however, that you should know regarding our experience.
First, we made our reservations in about September 1996 and when we arrived the Club informed us that our efficiency oceanview room was not available immediately and that they wanted to put us in a larger room not on the ocean for the first two nights. After some negotiating, the Club provided a larger room for the first night and agreed to upgrade us to a one-bedroom oceanfront room for the rest of our stay. The one-bedroom oceanfront was fantastic and well worth the initial night stay away from the ocean. We stayed in Room 171 and we could walk out our porch door and 15-20 feet away was the ocean/bay. Thus, if you decide to visit the Club be sure they understand that you do not want to arrive and find your room unavailable.
Second, the food service was slow. We are not sure whether this problem is particular to the Almond Beach resorts or simply a difference between American and Barbadian culture. The wait staff at the Club and its sister resort the Almond Beach Village was by American standards turtle-like. (There were a few exceptions, i.e. Pedro at the Village's Italian restaurant and some of the hosts/hostesses at the Club.) By the end of our stay, we were getting ourselves refills on coffee and tea.
Other than these minor inconveniences our stay was fantastic and the total cost was around $4,500 including the airfare and transport to and from the resort. The food at the Club and at the Village was excellent and the weather was great. We definitely intend to return to the Club. As others have noted, however, some research should be conducted regarding hurricane experiences.

Ramona Pearce

Check out this web page (http://www.travelsource.com/exotic/youngisland.html) My fiance and I are going to Young Island off the coast of St. Vincent for our honeymoon. For two of the days that you are there you sail with only one other couple (only if they want to go) and the captain and a cook. The island only has 30 cottages and is all-inclusive and extremely private. Depending upon the type of room you get, you can come in well under your $5,000 budget. It's also below the hurricane belt so the likelihood of a hurricane is less. Have fun!

Paula Contini

Hi

I also am getting married this September and have written Fodor's looking for a honeymoon destination. If you are not already aware of September being hurricane season in the Carribbean, I thought you may want to know this.

Aruba seemed to be the only destination that was not affected by the Hurricanes, but we heard that it was nice, but very hot and not a pretty destination.

Have you considered Hawaii? It seems as though this will be our destinatioin.

Good Luck in finding the perfect place!