Travel VIP top locations for Honeymoons
There are more than 20 island nations in the Caribbean that tempt honeymoon couples and other romantics with natural beauty that includes extensive beaches, unlimited sun, tropical breezes, and exquisite sunsets. With a wealth of romantic and all-inclusive hotels, fascinating cultures, and adventures on land and sea, they offer a respite from the everyday. What’s the best Caribbean island for a honeymoon? Each country — and every couple — is different. To help you decide what’s right for you, discover what distinguishes the 10 most popular Caribbean islands.
Anse Chastanet. Anse Chastanet.
St. Lucia: Twin Peaks
One of the prettiest and less touristy islands in the Caribbean, St. Lucia is known for its majestic geographical feature, the Grand Piton mountains. Whether you hike them, swim in their shadow, photograph them, or simply admire them from your hotel room, Gros and Petit Piton give the island a magical, otherworldly aura.
~ Where to Stay in St. Lucia ~
Hotels for couples in St. Lucia range from popular all-inclusive along the beach such as Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort & Spa and Sandals Grande St. Lucian to luxury hotels including romantic Anse Chastanet and contemporary Jade Mountain, all adept in the art of pleasing couples.
Cove Atlantis. Cove Atlantis.
Bahamas: Nearby Neighbor
Fewer than 200 miles from Miami’s coastline, the Bahamas is an easy-to-reach destination that travelers can access by plane, cruise ship, even marine taxi. Several of the country’s 700 islands could be considered a best Caribbean island for a honeymoon. On the larger islands, Nassau and Freeport are the main shopping areas but the beaches and activities at its excellent resorts are an even bigger draw.
~ Where to Stay in the Bahamas ~
Atlantis’ big attractions include a huge waterpark, dolphin habitat, and the largest casino in the Caribbean. Cove Atlantis is a hotel within Atlantis that features an adults-only pool and a more sophisticated setting. The classy One & Only Ocean Club (pictured) is the most elegant spot in the Bahamas. And for those who appreciate all-inclusive pricing, Sandals Emerald Bay on the Out Island of Exuma is a 500-acre beachfront property that began life as a Four Seasons resort. Sandals Royal Bahamian is also right on the ocean.
Sandals Ohci
Jamaica: Island of All-Inclusive
Mountainous Jamaica, ringed by beaches, serenaded by the rhythms of reggae, and perfumed with the aroma of ganja, is home to more all-inclusive resorts than anywhere else in the Caribbean. When honeymooning couples and other romantic duos aren’t scarfing up all they can eat, drink, and frolic, they visit Dunn’s River Falls and the Dolphin Cove, explore the Blue Mountains, or take to the water for river rafting and calm-sea snorkeling.
~ Where to Stay in Jamaica ~
Jamaica is where Sandals got its start, and today the adults-only brand features a half-dozen resorts from Montego Bay and Negril to the country’s south coast, offering a “Stay at One, Play at Six” program. Couples Resorts, another well-established brand, offers discreet spots for nude sunning and swimming. On the high end, Half Moon Resort offers spacious accommodations and has so many swimming pools you may end up with one to yourselves.
Riviera Maya Mexico
PALAFITOS – OVERWATER BUNGALOWS
SURROUNDED BY THE TRANQUIL TURQUOISE WATERS OF RIVIERA MAYA’S MAROMA BEACH…
These elegant Overwater Bungalows offer breathtaking ocean views and unparalleled luxurious accommodations. Every Bungalow offers extraordinary views of spectacular sunrises and stunning sunsets uniquely situated just off the sugary white sands of Maroma Beach – Voted by Travel Channel as one of the top 10 beaches in the world.
Each Overwater Bungalow Features:
Glass bottom floors
Private infinity pool
Direct ladder access to the ocean
The romantic “Aguas del Amor” outdoor shower
Indoor jacuzzi for two
Oversized deck with wooden lounge chairs
~
Fairmont Hotels.
Bermuda: Pink Sand Beaches & Golf Galore
Although technically not part of the Caribbean, this small territory 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina is often lumped in with the region. With its gorgeous pink sands, warm turquoise waters, pretty flower-lined lanes, extensive golf greens, vacation vibe, and distinct British accent, it’s been one of the best and most popular islands for honeymoon couples and other romantics for generations.
~ Where to Stay in Bermuda ~
Couples who appreciate a full-service resort (and don’t mind vacationing amidst families with kids) have the Fairmont Southampton Hotel (pictured), which sprawls across 100 acres on Bermuda’s highest point. At the water’s edge, Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa accommodates guests in pink cottages and boasts four private beaches. Children under 16 are only permitted to visit at certain times and those under 5 are verboten. Historic (yet modernized) and romantic, Pink Beach Club & Cottages has private pink- sand beaches, too, and a traditional Bermudian moongate to kiss under (it’s good luck!).
Renaissance Hotels.
Aruba & Curacao: Hurricane Free
Despite the presence of casinos, these islands are not for gamblers — at least not for twosomes willing to gamble on the weather. Aruba and Curacao lie in the southern Caribbean and outside of the “hurricane zone” to the north, which can trouble travelers between June and November. Dry as a desert, Aruba is adored for its wide, clean beaches. Curacao has a Dutch-accented personality. Its capital, Willemstad, is charming and colorful.
~ Where to Stay in Aruba ~
Aruba’s a particularly family-friendly destination, so romantic couples who’d rather not be surrounded by little darlings need to adopt evasive maneuvers. Bucuti Beach is Aruba’s one beach resort for adults only, and the cuisine is especially good. In the capital, Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino has two separate accommodations: the adults-only, cityside Marina Hotel and beachside family-friendly Ocean Suites. There’s also a shared private island, where adults can find some privacy.
~ Where to Stay in Curacao ~
The decision to make regarding Curacao is whether you want to be closer to the beach… or the action. Newish Renaissance Curacao in Willemstad has a bevy of shops, restaurants, and even a movie theater attached to it. On the edge of the city, historic Avila Hotel has two private beaches and adults-only suites. Opened 2010 as a a Hyatt Regency, the reflagged Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort as well as Lodge Kura Hulanda and Beach Club are both romantic and remote.
Crane Beach Hotel
Barbados: Fish that Fly
Afternoon tea, cricket, dress whites, and fish that practically jump out of the water and onto your plate make this traditional haven for British vacationers a favorite with North Americans as well. Post-Colonial with a calypso beat, sunny Barbados features a multitude of beach hotels along its sandy shores. Barbados is below the hurricane belt.
~ Where to Stay in Barbados ~
Iconic Crane Beach Hotel stands high on a cliff but the real draw is its vast pink sands below, named one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Fairmont Royal Pavilion may be the island’s most romantic, particularly at candle-lit tables in its open-air restaurant overlooking the ocean. If money is no object, book yourselves a suite at Sandy Lane and savor the good life.
Buccaneer Resort.
USVI: Shopping Mecca
Consisting of three beach-rimmed islands — St. Thomas (where the stores are), St. Croix (the biggest island), and St. John (the nature isle), the United States Virgin Islands is a U.S. territory, so citizens of the U.S. are not required to show a passport. What makes Charlotte Amalie — the capital of St. Thomas — fun to shop are the multitude of stores selling watches, precious gem jewelry, cameras, crystal, china and electronics and more at discount and the fact that there’s a $1,600 duty-free allowance per person (twice that of other Caribbean islands) and no sales tax.
~ Where to Stay in the USVI ~
Couples have plenty of options on the three islands. These are all worth considering. On St. Thomas: Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort is a full-service resort and a good place to use Marriott guest rewards you may have accumulated. On St. Croix: Buccaneer Resort is consistently named a top tropical resort. On St. John: Caneel Bay Resort is a laidback but luxe resort in a gorgeous natural setting.
Peter Island Resort.
BVI: Sailors’ Delight
The best way to experience the British Virgin Islands on a honeymoon is by chartering a boat to sail the Caribbean. Countless inlets and private coves will make you yearn to jump ship and swim in the turquoise waters. Since boats are not for couples who eschew unremitting sun, endless views of the water, confined spaces, or obviously, sailing, there are high-end resorts where affluent landlubbers will be happiest.
~ Where to Stay in the BVI ~
Along with a half-mile, crescent-shaped beach, Rosewood Little Dix Bay has perfected the art of pampering for half a century. On the largest, a privately owned island in the BVI, Peter Island Resort is deluxe yet unpretentious. Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina is the BVI’s newest property with its own Honeymoon Island, population: you two.
Iberostar Grand Bavaro
Dominican Republic: Beaches and Bargains
One of the poorer countries in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic (which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti) has increased its fortunes by turning its talcum-white sands into a haven for beach lovers on a budget. Huge all-inclusive, particularly in Punta Cana, aim to offer something for everyone — save privacy and serenity. Note: According to National Geographic Traveler: the Dominican Republic, 2nd Edition copyright 2011, “Laws meant to protect women against violence or sexual harassment are rarely enforced. Homophobia among men is pronounced.”
~ Where to Stay in the DR ~
Honeymoon couples can get the biggest bang for their buck at large all-inclusive resorts that welcome families with active kids. A worthy alternative, Iberostar Grand Bavaro gets rave reviews for its posh, sexy atmosphere. A vacation world unto itself, Casa de Campo sprawls across nearly 7,000 acres and has a vast range of vacation facilities in addition to a medieval-style arts village and a 5,000-seat entertainment amphitheater.
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