Ah, the honeymoon. Stereotypically, it's an indulgent, lavish affair that involves being waited on with endless supply of drinks and food and beaches and doing a whole lot of nothing. Warm weather trips remain popular, but at their essence, honeymoons are vacations, albeit ones that are imbued with a special meaning. Resorts, hotels, and other tourism operators go out of their way to make things even more special, but all that special treatment carries a price tag. We'll look at a variety of options, from the economical to the more indulgent, at the quintessential honeymoon destination: the beach. Here, we look at Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii.
If, however, you're not sure where you want to go, start with the big travel search engines, such as Expedia (tel. 800/397-3342; www.expedia.com), Travelocity (tel. 888/872-8356; www.travelocity.com) Orbitz (tel. 888/656-4546; www.orbitz.com), which all have romance and/or honeymoon travel sections (Orbitz has both) chockablock with suggestions for trips and cruises. Heck, Carnival has its own portal for this (www.carnivalhoneymoons.com). Or try smart online wedding guides such as The Knot (www.theknot.com), and search under the term honeymoon for some ideas, including a quiz to determine your ideal honeymoon. (Full disclosure: Mine came up as "culture vulture," so it's nothing if not accurate.)
About two hours south of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the eco-friendly Hotelito Desconocido (tel. 800/728-9098; www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com/hotelitodesconocido) offers a honeymoon package available that involves a four-night stay in something unique: a palafito, or bungalow on stilts. The package includes a welcome cocktail, candlelit dinner, wine, all meals (except for drinks), massage for two, and activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, windsurfing, bird watching, and transportation to and from the airport in Puerto Vallarta. Through October 29, it's priced at $2,253 for a palafito room; a suite costs $2,627. Through December 17, prices jump to $2,551 (room) and $3,001 suite. You have the option of adding additional nights, too. There's a focus on local, fresh seafood and organic produce whenever possible, and rooms have solar-powered ceiling fans and hot water, open-air showers.
If you like the location but want something truly secluded Majahuitas Resort (tel. 800/728-9098; www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com/majahuitas) has a romantic package for five days/four nights from $1,000 from June through September that includes accommodations in an ocean view casita, candlelit dinner for two served on the beach, a bottle of champagne, all meals (except beverages), boat transfers to and from the resort, as there are no roads to get you there. Activities such as hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, etc. are included. Your meals are served beachfront. In May and October it's priced at $1,260 and November through April, $1,500. It is a rustic but lovely situation -- rooms come with mosquito nets and do not have electrical outlets or telephone service, and candles and torches light the way at night. For both deals, book through Mexico Boutique Hotels (www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com).
If you're getting married in late summer or fall and want to travel somewhere tropical and be served umbrella drinks but you're worried about hurricanes, check out the Caribbean islands below the belt, such as Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago. For Aruba you can start your planning by visiting the island's tourism site (tel. 800/862-7822; www.aruba.com). Currently, there are a few deals designed for honeymooners. The Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa in Aruba (tel. 800/223-1108; www.manchebo.com) is offering a romantic getaway package, with an ocean view room with fresh tropical flowers and a bottle of champagne upon arrival. An "amore Mio" candlelit dinner and a couple's massage are included. Rates for the four-day/three-night package start at $829 per couple, based on availability, and valid October 1, 2006 through April 8, 2007. Additional nights start at $185. Also in Aruba is the palapa-heavy, green-loving Bucuti Beach Resort (tel. 888/428-2884; www.bucuti.com), an adults-only retreat. Its "Swept Away" package gives you four nights of accommodations with a balcony or terrace in the newly renovated Bucuti wing, a bottle of champagne, a sunrise breakfast buffet, candlelight dinner for two on the beach, and a daytime snorkeling or sunset sailing cruise, a gift basket, and all taxes and service charges, starting from $1,000 for a garden view room. The package is valid through December 22, 2006.
Sandals (tel. 888/726-3257; www.sandals.com) has made its mark with a dozen couples-only resorts in island locales, where most everything (except your airfare) is included. This is what I like to call an "automatic" vacation, where you don't have to think about anything, carry money to the restaurant, or do much planning, because everything is covered and taken care of already. After months of planning a wedding, maybe this sort of trip has an allure. You can also choose your resort depending on the amenities and activities you're interested in. For example, a three-night, all-inclusive trip from September 1-30, at the Sandals Inn at Montego Bay, Jamaica, starts at $338 per person. It's part of their classic collection and it's in an intimate location. Or, choose the Sandals Whitehouse European Village and Spa, priced from $540 per person for travel September 1-December 26. It's classified as a "Sandals Signature Collection" where every room has an ocean view and the resort itself includes a 500-acre reserve and two-mile long private beach. You can also choose from resorts in St. Lucia, Antigua and the Bahamas: they're all part of this 50 percent off special.
With Sandals resorts "all-inclusive" generally means everything except airfare and souvenirs: all meals, snacks, scuba diving, water sports, land sports, hotel taxes, airport transfers, hurricane guarantee, tips and gratuities are included. Currently, though, it's offering a fare special in conjunction with Air Jamaica, where your companion flies for $59, but you must book by November 22. Call for more details.
Starwood Resorts has just introduced its honeymoon collection (tel. 800/503-7800; www.starwoodhoneymoons.com), an easier way to search within its more than 100 romantic resorts worldwide. Packages are not at a fixed price but instead designed to bundle in amenities and pampering, or in the case of its Hawaiian resorts, discounts. Through December 25, 2006, Starwood Preferred Guests can receive 35 percent off at select Hawaiian resorts including discounts on restaurant dining, activities (such as golf and tennis) and car rentals. Starwood is also offering an all-inclusive special at its Westin Resort and Spa in Cancun. The honeymoon package includes two night minimum accommodations in a deluxe oceanview room, breakfast, lunch and dinner for two, and unlimited domestic beverages during specific hours and a bottle of sparkling wine upon arrival. Ask for rate HONEYAI when you book; a quick search in mid-October revealed availability and a rate of around $350 per day.
Speaking of Hawaii, if you're getting married this fall and planning on a Hawaiian honeymoon but haven't booked your flight, Orbitz (tel. 888/656-4546; www.orbitz.com) is running a fare sale with ATA for travel to and from Hawaii. You must book by August 28 for travel through December 15, 2006. Flights are as low as $289 round-trip from Los Angeles and Honolulu, Phoenix-Honolulu $309, Portland-Maui $450, etc. Restrictions include Monday through Thursday travel and at least a seven-day advance purchase; some blackout dates apply. Orbitz is also running a Hawaiian vacation sale it's calling "Aloha Hawaii" (you can link to it from the fare sale page or go here) offering up to $150 savings if you book by September 4 for travel through November 26. Choose a vacation package for five or more nights and save $150 with the code ALOHA150, or choose a shorter, 3-4 night package and save $75 with the code ALOHA75. Flights and three nights are priced from $438 for stays on the Big Island, based on flights from Los Angeles and three-star hotels. Or select flight from Los Angeles and three nights on Maui from $516 for Castle Kamaole Sands.
Where's your ideal honeymoon spot (and why)? Tell us on our Honeymoon Message Boards today.