Tropical Resorts

[Big MAK]

I'm sure there's a thread on this somewhere, if so, please merge.

I started a thread awhile back about going to Italy/Europe for my upcoming honeymoon. Now, my soon to be wife is thinking she may rather do a beach resort... women, can never make up their mind

I've done a ton of research the past few days, mostly for all inclusive resorts. At first we were considering Sandals St. Lucia, but after looking around, there are quite a few all inclusive resorts that are rated better than Sandals and are cheaper. Plus, so many of our friends have done sandals in the past couple years that we'd like to do something different.

What we're looking for: We're foodies, so a place with very good food is a must. It doesn't have to be all inclusive, but it would be nice. We don't want super small resort (since from my research, most small resorts only have 1 restaurant), but at the same time something massive may take away from the serenity of it. We're planning on staying for about a week and would like to keep the trip (not including air or excursions) under 6.5k. Adults only would be nice, but not a must. I would love to visit some place like Fiji and the South Pacific. Problem is with alot of those places, unless you're willing to fork out 3k+ per plane ticket, it may take you nearly 2 days of flying and layovers to get there. Oh, and NO places in Mexico (her request)

A few places I've been looking at:
Mango Bay, Barbados
Coco Bay, Antigua
Excellence Punta Cana
Palm Island Resort, Grenadines
Iberostar Grand Bavaro Hotel, Punta Cana
Spice Island, Grenada

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[bobrek]

Best place I've ever been:

http://vallarta.grandvelas.com/

I know you said no places in Mexico, but this place is phenomenal.

[DonkeyMagic]

I'm looking for an excursion in Thailand for the honeymoon. You're right, the flight is a pain but once you're there the costs are more than reasonable. Phuket has some amazing looking places. As far as food goes, I'm sure you would have a chance to experience new things

[bigtexxx]

Hedonism. Jamaica. /close thread

best place for some strange

[DonkeyMagic]

Originally Posted by bigtexxx Hedonism. Jamaica. /close thread best place for some strange

Jamaica?! I thought you were a high roller

[bigtexxx]

Originally Posted by DonkeyMagic Jamaica?! I thought you were a high roller

When you say "high", are you speaking metaphorically?

because I may or may not agree with you if so

#thepartycomestomebrah

[DonkeyMagic]

Originally Posted by bigtexxx When you say "high", are you speaking metaphorically? because I may or may not agree with you if so #thepartycomestomebrah

Lulz. @whitetrashdestination

[s land balla]

I'm in Goa, India right now and it's fantastic.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by bigtexxx Hedonism. Jamaica. /close thread best place for some strange

Newt?

[bigtexxx]

Originally Posted by rimrocker Newt?

keep the politics to the D&D section. you should know that

[peleincubus]

Originally Posted by bigtexxx keep the politics to the D&D section. you should know that

Pretty sure he was talking about newts and geckos

[AroundTheWorld]

[Blake]

Caneel Bay in St. John is amazing. Built in a wildlife preserve with 6 private beaches. However, the inclusive plan sucks as the main restaurant is not great. However, a $10 cab ride (5 mins) gets you into town where there are multiple great restaurants. It's a very private resort and you have deer running around outside your room and a ton of great snorkeling right off the private beaches

[updawg]

I wouldnt go to st Lucia. It's beautiful and if you go stay at one of the resorts right near the pitons if you do. There's great diving near there but it's a pain getting around the island if you aren't set up. Ask for the park ranger ( I think his name was Peter or something like that to take you diving, you have to have someone guide you, so get him onviously)
I was lucky and staying on a friends $10 mil yacht so it was better than anything a normal person could pay for but I would choose other places if I was paying out of pocket

[Pole]

http://www.thepeninsulahouse.com

[firecat]

I've been to Excellence Punta Cana and it was truly a memorable trip. The only thing that keeps us from going back is that the travel time was much longer from Austin that to go to a similar resort in Mexico.

Last year we went to the Royal Playa del Carmen and though I really enjoyed that resort, I don't feel that I made the same connection to the staff that I did in Punta Cana.

Here is our youtube video of our trip to Punta Cana, maybe it will help.

[Mr. Brightside]

Originally Posted by Big MAK A few places I've been looking at: Mango Bay, Barbados Coco Bay, Antigua Excellence Punta Cana Palm Island Resort, Grenadines Iberostar Grand Bavaro Hotel, Punta Cana Spice Island, Grenada Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I live in Antigua for 2/3 of the year and the other portion I live 30 miles southwest at Montserrat. Antigua is a great little island with a population of 80K. We have 365 beaches and more sun than you can imagine. Antigua has clear water, but not as clear as some of the other islands. If you want jungle and rainforest you won't find it in Antigua, but in places like Montserrat and Grenada. But there is a lot to do over here like snorkeling, zip lining, horse back riding, deep sea fishing, kayaking, sting ray diving and other beach activities. We also have modern amenities like movie theatres and grocery stores open 7 days a week.

I've been to Coco Bay Resort once just to visit some friends who were staying there and they seemed to enjoy it. I personally like a lot of other resorts much better like Galley Bay, Jolly Beach and Jumbay Bay. The Jumbay Bay is rather expensive and that is where people like Oprah have their homes. My favorite overall is Galley Bay though. Might be pricier than Coco Bay as Coco is an much older resort.

The majority of tourists we get here tend to be European (England, Wales, Scotland, French) or Canadians. Don't run into many Yanks as much.

Food wise, there is a plethora of seafood and nice catches of fish that they get from the Caribbean Sea. You don't really have to eat at a resort to try the island's best food. If it were up to me and I was only staying for 7 days, I would skip the hotel food and venture out of the resort and eat at some of the nicer restaurants on the island. There are some really memorable places I can name if you are interested.

Don't stay at Sandals whatever you do. The area of the island it's on isn't the best. But a lot of the celebs like to stay over there. Over the past year or so I've run into or my friends have run into people like Usher, Jay Sean, Kelly Pickler and some of the Entourage guys as well.

I saw some deals on something like LivingSocial or Groupon a few months back which had some really sweet deals on resort packages to this place, so you might want to look into that.

Airfare to Antigua will run you about 600-750 USD roundtrip on Continental or US Airways if coming from stateside.

Anyways, Antigua is a great place. Montserrat not so much for touristy attractions. I just like the gardens and volcano in Montserrat and living in almost complete isolation.

Let me know if you need any more info.

[leroy]

Just got back from 5 wonderful days at Excellence Punta Cana. Well, with travel, it was more like 4 days.

The entire experience was fantastic. The service and the rooms were fantastic. They really go the extra mile there to make you feel at home and as comfortable as possible. The food probably could be a bit better but it wasn't bad enough that it bothered me. The drinks were great. The shows were very good (especially the Michael Jackson show). The pool was awesome.

If I could think of one complaint, it was the sports bar. Because it was behind the buildings and trees, it got none of the breeze you got from being on the other side of the resort. It was extremely hot and humid in there. One game of pool left me drenched in sweat.

We got back late Sunday. I would have liked 1 more day. Actually, considering the crap at work I came back to, I'm debating moving there permanently. I'm going to open a Cosco. They already have a "Wal Mart", "Target", "Sears Outlet", and a "Kohls" outside of the resort. All they're missing is a Cosco.



I really want someone to bring me a Presidente and a cool towel right now.

[Big MAK]

Forgot about this thread...

I ended up staying at Caneel Bay, St John. Wasn't cheap, but it was pretty awesome. If anyone goes to St John, I recommend taking the Calypso Bad Kitty tour. It's a booze cruise that you visit a few different islands, bars, and sites. http://www.calypsovi.com/baths.html

[RocketMan Tex]

Originally Posted by bigtexxx TC's Showbar. Montrose. Happy Hour with Michael Berry. /close thread best place for some strange

Fixed it for ya....