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The RIU is a decent, huge hotel...but you're right, you have to make reservations or wait in line for a not-so-great buffet meal. How long are you staying? Does the $3,500 include airfare, etc?
Just curious...obviously, I LOVE the place we stayed & got married in Montego Bay - the Coyaba. It's a short taxi ride from the airport, only 50 rooms (so no madness) & is entirely RELAXING. They have live music on the weekends, etc. for some entertainment, but mostly it is the perfect place for RE-LAXING!
Sigh...I want to go back! www.coyabaresortjamaica.com
I was totally just stalking your pictures, Quiche! Yes, $3,500 includes the airfare. We're pricing things out on Travelocity right now.
I hate the idea of having to make reservations for dinner. I don't like the idea of schedules on a vacation.
My parents kept saying Riu is a party place and kind of risque. I'm not sure we're into that scene. If we wanted Cancun, we'd go to Cancun =].
@Quiche, how did you book your trip? I've never not booked a whole package online. Did you use a travel agent? Was the food good?!?! =]
Ok i just looked it up. That resort is sold out on travelocity but available for separate bookings. I'm saving it though, it looks very tranquil. Was it all-inclusive?
I was looking at Couples Tower Isle too. Out of all the adult-only places it has been my favorite but I'm not sure Jamacia will work out for an August honeymoon (Hurricanes and all). I've heard mixed reviews of the Riu - I don't really think it's my ideal scene for a honeymoon.
My parents just spent an hour talking to me about Riu. I'm not sold. Something doesn't feel right about it.
We're booked for our honeymoon at Couples Tower Isle! It seems pretty great and many of the reviews I've read online seem positive. I know a few bees have also stayed there and said they've had great experiences. My BIL and SIL went to Couples Swept Away for their honeymoon and loved it, said it was absolutely amazing and wonderful. I'm thinking the since it's the same company it'll be fantastic! Let us know what you decide!
I am getting married at Moon Dance Cliffs, its a new resort. Take a look at them. Its is in Negril and beautiful.
Thanks, ladies
Yeah the whole "reservation for dinner at 7am" throws us off, plus it's more budget-friendly, allows kids, and is more of a party/tourist place. I'm not feeling that vibe. It's not us. And my dad is a buffet guy. We are not. Quality over quantity please
Couples is definitely winning in my opinion. The problem is that if we go to Riu, we only have to pay for half of our vacation. Not sure I want us to pay another $2,000 just to go where *we* want if we'll realistically enjoy both. I guess we could do Couples for anniversary? Hmm. I have a friend going there in June also and it is highly recommended by travel agents.
I'll go look up Moon Dance Cliffs, thanks!
We stayed at Sunset at the Palms which is a small exclusive resort and all inclusive. Its not on the beach but they have a private beach (with lunch and bar) on the beach for guests. Its in Negril. We paid less than $2K for four days with air fare from Miami I think. We really enjoyed it & especially the private bungalows that are your room.
Thanks, Ms. Guava-Tini! I might ahve to PM you later about it...it is only $3300 for 5 days versus $4100 for the two resorts I am comparing.
*sigh*
Either way it's so expensive but it's sort of a last shot to go. If we do the Riu, it's definitely only going to cost us $2,000 as it would be our holiday present. I keep telling myself that either way, $2,000 is a lot of money to fuss over for a vacation we'll likely still enjoy and that we can save our $2,000 for a really sweet anniverary vacay
No problem - let me know. We have been on cruises and stuff and other all niclusive resorts - and we felt the quality of food at this resort was really nice. It's a quiet place & the entire staff will know your name by the end of your trip & ask you when you are coming back. We plan to go back next time we decide to go to Jamaica. I thought it was really relaxing & romantic. We had a great time. Unless you want to crazy party or have so so quality food for maybe a cheaper price - I think they have a nice deal.
They also have like daily shuttle schedules ( cost money I think, like $15) to local attractions and what not. We were so relaxed at the hotel, we never left. So I cant really recommend any of those. I also got transport from the airport - which I can tell you what company, etc.
Oh, yeah and being that this is weddingbee - I have to mention most of the hotel was filled with a wedding party of about 30 people and we seriously hardly saw them - although its a small resort, its still nice and exclusive like that. We went over to the beach to see the ceremony but got there too late :( So cute.
I am totally bookmarking this place. I have a feeling we'll end up going on this vacation (are we stupid to pass up a 50% off vacatoin? haha) and it might even be more fun than we expect since it's NOT our honeymoon! But we do love our uber romantic quiet times. those bungalows lok fanastic.
The food on our honeymoon was a downer for us. My dad says that food at the Riu is fine for the average person and that I'm being snobby about my food. Sorry, DH got food poisoning and we TRULY didn't enjoy most of our meals as much as we would have liked to. His argument is "it's not all about the food" but for us, we DO look forward to it 3x/day! There's a reason we only go out to eat at NICE restaurants, not the $7/plate chinese place down the street.
I feel you on that. We went on a cruise, Royal Caribbean, and FH was like I would have paid more for a more lux cruise ( it was his first) he's pretty picky and really liked the place - the food was good, better than other all inclusives, however, I wouldnt say it's the Ritz or anything like that but for all inclusive best I have had. Look on tripadvisor too - they have great candid info and stuff.
Also, if you are interested in Mexico - we went to Playa Del Carmen - the couple we were with got engaged on that cruise. We stayed in a two story condo hotel with private roof top pool, super romantic since not too many people there. I can send you that too if you are interested. That was like 2K for the room with two bedrooms for almost a week. Pueblito Escondido in PLaya Del Carmen.
We're staying at The Caves and The Geejam in Jamaica. We're going for 2 weeks, so wanted to split it up. We've heard RAVE reviews about The Caves (Check out TripAdvisor) and it's all inclusive, but the whole resort is only 24 guests at full capacity. The food is home-made sit down dinner every night and breakfast is the same and everyone says how fantastic the food is too. It also includes drinks and they'll even let you jump behind the bar and make your own if you want. It's a little on the pricier side, but could be in your budget depending on how long you want to go. We got flights for $200 a piece and the room is $495 a night all inclusive. Good luck!
@sunflwra, I saw the caves! it looked really nice. Is it very bed and breakfast style? We stayed in a B&B once and DH didn't like having to "make nice" with all the other guests...we prefer to sit by ourselves i guess. it's hard to tell unless we've ever been to a place. but once we find "it", i doubt we'll change it up. Secrets Silversands in the riviera maya is on my list for a summery month.
I've never actually stayed here, but we visited Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay for a day when we went on a cruise, and it's absolutely amazing. It's all-inclusive and has a great waterslide, lazy river, several pools, and it's right on the beach. Not sure how much it is, but you should definitely look into it - it's gorgeous!
I did an all-inclusive vacation at Couples Swept Away in Negril a few years ago and it was amazing.
I did Sandals Ocho Rios and had a wonderful time! I think Sandals is totally the way to go because eveything is included and the service, food and activities are all amazing!!!
Have a great trip!
I'm resurrecting this thread hoping to hear from more bees who have honeymooned or vacationed in Jamaica! My husband and I didn't get to take a proper honeymoon after our wedding, and we'd really love to go away in March (the grey East Coast weather tends to get to both of us!).
Ideally for the two of us we'd like to be under $2500, for 5 nights and airfare, but I'm not sure how realistic that is -- all of the places that get fabulous reviews seem to cost $2500 just for the hotel! And I really don't want to end up someplace where the rooms aren't clean and the food is terrible, when a little bit more money could have gotten us a much better experience. What says the hive? Is our budget realistic? And what resorts should we be looking at?
We are getting married and staying at The Hilton Rose Hall resort in Montego Bay. It has 4 stars, EXCELLENT food (4 restaurants) and great service. My MIL goes ALL THE TIME and she raves about (she is the pickiest person i know). Def check it out.
Melissab, we are spending 5 nights at Couples Tower Isle in February and spending just about $2500 including airfare, taxes, transfers, etc. It's a little more than we wanted to spend, but it's peak season for travel to the Caribbean and I felt like you get a lot of value at Couples. They have rave reviews and really seem to care what their guests think - there are many people who go year after year. We're flying out of Florida so airfare is probably cheap for us, but depending on when you go you can probably get a better price on the rooms. We booked through cheapcaribbean.com.
I have been to Jamaica, several times and am getting married there in January.
Check out Super Clubs, they typically have great deals, and several options with regard to places on the island. I have stayed at Breezes Runaway Bay, and had booked at Grand Lido Negril for our wedding... long story...we are getting married at Rio Bueno (formerly Grand Lido Braco.) Their resorts are all inclusive, with several options for restaurants etc.
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Beekeeper
Ok we decided we're going on a Jamaica vacay post-Christmas now that the Army has held onto DH, we have a higher budget. Yay!
My parents are going with us. They want to do the Riu (which they did last year) but I don't like the idea of making reservations for restaurants or else eat buffet. Hmm. We want to avoid bad food; food on our honeymoon wasn't stellar.
I'm looking at the Couples Tower Isle--brand new and adult only!
Where's everyone going, what do you all think? The Sandals resorts are like 3K per person and out of our range. More like $3500/under for the two of us please! Lemme know any good/bad experiences you've had, particularly with any of the aforementioned resorts. Or if you have any stellar raves for us.
We like to read by the pool, drink, relax, be lazy, shows, GOOD food, no schedule (no reservations, i hate that idea) and no running amuck of the children.