[The Chaddening]

Trying to decide where to book the honeymoon in June, anyone have any recommendations?

Right now I'm looking at St. John and Hawaii (though not excited about that long ass flight). Not feeling Mexico with the cartels and what not.

[MightyMouseTech]

Wife and I did an EU delivery for our Honeymoon.

[jlstyle]

What's your priority?
By looking at your choices, I'm assuming you guys are looking for tropical setting.
In that case, Hawaii offers much more options (well rounded too) than St. John.
Hawaii can deliver extraordinary nature/resorts/beach (somewhat) IMO and being part of US makes easier to going in and out.
But if you want more exclusive experience, French Polynesia offers much better memory. Crystal clear water, abundant marine life, over-water bungalows and endless lagoons really sets the tone for the honeymoon.

[Joekerr]

Or if you want a shorter flight, Curacao was quite good too. Good food for the Caribbean, very clear water (once you get past the rock breaker wall if there is one on the beach you go to), lots of activities.

St Maarten is pretty good too, though I didn't think the water was as clear.

[The Chaddening]

Originally Posted by jlstyle

What's your priority?
By looking at your choices, I'm assuming you guys are looking for tropical setting.
In that case, Hawaii offers much more options (well rounded too) than St. John.
Hawaii can deliver extraordinary nature/resorts/beach (somewhat) IMO and being part of US makes easier to going in and out.
But if you want more exclusive experience, French Polynesia offers much better memory. Crystal clear water, abundant marine life, over-water bungalows and endless lagoons really sets the tone for the honeymoon.

French Polynesia looks incredible, but for sure out of our price range.

We are looking for somewhere quiet (not a lot of kids farting around) with great snorkeling and easy access to the beach. Hiking and fishing are a big plus. Nature > tourist attractions for sure.

Can't spend an arm and a leg though, we are trying to save money to move this summer.

[Alfisti]

St Marten. Half French, half Dutch, safe enough, nice enough, different enough.

Done.

[The Chaddening]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

St Marten. Half French, half Dutch, safe enough, nice enough, different enough.

Done.

Checking it out now!

I've been there once as a kid but I don't remember much.

[csu87]

Dominican Republic gets my vote. We went a few years back and keep going. Always stay at all inclusive, adults only resorts. Great prices, flights are usually pretty good, and doesnt feel as touristy as Mexico. And the Rum. Did I mention the Rum?

[Alfisti]

Look for kid free resorts. Fuck knows you will look back fondly one day. i'd kill for a week away from my lads.

[gonzo]

Congrats fella.

St Croix has great snorkeling and more night life than St Johns. Left lane there...

Check into Turks and Caicos. I don't know your budget but it's fairly close and I believe the new Ritz-Carlton at Grace Bay is open. Big Ritz fan. Super service and the most hospitable staffs in the business.

Hawaii is great but the flight ruins it for me unless it's a long stay.

Good luck!

Edit:
If your thinking of day in a jeep going exploring...not turks. Provo is all about the water. Flat as a board.
You might see Keith Richards or Bruce Willis hanging out. Both have homes and are there quite often.

[C1Boston]

Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic or Aruba.

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by GirthBrooks

Checking it out now!

I've been there once as a kid but I don't remember much.

It is good (as I said in my post), but the water isn't as clear IMO. So depends what you want. If snorkeling is your thing, you should check out Curacao too. Go to little Curacao on a day trip on a cataraman which is totally isolated, really neat experience. Drink rum on the way over, waters are unbelievably clear.

[VRG_135]

Originally Posted by GirthBrooks

Trying to decide where to book the honeymoon in June, anyone have any recommendations?

Right now I'm looking at St. John and Hawaii (though not excited about that long ass flight). Not feeling Mexico with the cartels and what not.

We had a great time on St. Thomas.....

[sygazelle]

First, congratulations.

Hawaii is a great choice. I know all the islands pretty well and I'd recommend Maui and more specifically Kaanapali Beach.

If you are on a budget, the Kaanapali Beach Hotel is great. Its a throwback to the 1950s but the rooms are updated and the position on the beach is a 10. Best yet, the price is more affordable than the new resorts. Check it out on google maps and you will see its location is perfect, close to Black Rock and shopping and dining without having to get in your car and drive.

In June from Tenn you can get a week there with flight, car, and hotel for about $1900 each through Expedia. There are other hotels in the area like the Westin and the Sheraton at Black Rock if you want to spend a little more money.

https://www.expedia.com/Maui-Island-...P63Oe9Rb7Ld0Uo

You cannot miss. Just do it.

[backhill]

Turks and Caicos Beaches all inclusive was nice. Cayman Islands were pretty legit too.

[The Chaddening]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Congrats fella.

St Croix has great snorkeling and more night life than St Johns. Left lane there...

Check into Turks and Caicos. I don't know your budget but it's fairly close and I believe the new Ritz-Carlton at Grace Bay is open. Big Ritz fan. Super service and the most hospitable staffs in the business.

Hawaii is great but the flight ruins it for me unless it's a long stay.

Good luck!

Edit:
If your thinking of day in a jeep going exploring...not turks. Provo is all about the water. Flat as a board.
You might see Keith Richards or Bruce Willis hanging out. Both have homes and are there quite often.

My parents swear by Turks and Caicos, for sure on my list! Thanks

[Steeler]

Costa Rica, especially at the edge of the rain forest.
Lots of "eco lodges" in the southern areas.

Not on the beaches but only about an hour away.

[Mr Tonka]

There is a clothing optional beach on St. Croix and 2 rum factories. If you get my drift....

[Alfisti]

Americans complaining about long flights, christ hawaii is HALF FUCKING way for me.

[Arthurrs]

When I got married almost 26 years ago, I really wanted to go to Hawaii for our honeymoon, but we went to Jamaica instead to save money (I was halfway through graduate school at the time).

Last spring we celebrated our 25th anniversary in Hawaii, our 3rd trip there (first two with our kids in previous years). We stayed at the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island, what an awesome hotel, a real gem of a place to stay, never felt crowded or overrun with kids (although it is very kid friendly), they have very nice pool and a small lagoon/beach with some amazing snorkeling to be found there. Staff and service was fantastic, and being a Fairmont Premier member I got an upgrade to an oceanfront suite using my certs! If you're an AMEX platinum, you should be able to get status with Fairmont properties as well. Yes, it was spendy, but absolutely well worth it, having been to a half dozen other high end properties in Hawaii, it was by far the best. Liked it so much that we rearranged our flights and stayed an extra night (they found another oceanfront suite for us for the extra night).

Attached are some pics that I took, one at our sunset oceanside anniversary dinner at Browns, and then the spectacular view from the two suites we stayed in. Not to mention that there is so much to do and see on the Big Island, we're already planning a 3rd trip to the island, and of course a 2nd visit to the Orchid.

http://www.fairmont.com/orchid-hawaii/

[HXS]

Originally Posted by GirthBrooks

We are looking for somewhere quiet (not a lot of kids farting around) with great snorkeling and easy access to the beach. Hiking and fishing are a big plus. Nature > tourist attractions for sure.

That sounds like Kauai. Give it a look.

[VRG_135]

If y'all have lead an active lifestyle, Kauai, the smallest main Hawaiian island, is outstanding. I've been there twice and we loved it. Good beaches, great hiking, great driving. Also has a lot of great places to eat. And sailing the Na Pali coast, and hiking and Na Pali trail are unforgettable moments in your life. And the greatest sunsets in the world are at the lighthouse restaurant.