Brandon and I have been thinking long and hard about our honeymoon. The longer and harder we think, the more options we come up with, making this a very hard decision! We've narrowed it down to a few options and I need some opinions from all of you!
We know we want to go to the Caribbean and we've pretty much decided on St. Lucia. This Caribbean island is home to the gorgeous Pitons, so we can hike, go zip-lining, visit waterfalls and swim in natural sulphur springs, etc. Being that we live on the SC coast and can be at the beach in five minutes, we want something different.
Our original thought was Ladera at St. Lucia.
The night we were going to put a deposit on a room, we suddenly decided it was a little too... well, rustic. It's absolutely breathtaking, but we read some reviews that we weren't exactly crazy over. Of course, we read a few bad reviews out of hundreds of amazing ones, but it was enough for us.
In an attempt to have the same ambiance, but at a fancier resort, we found Jade Mountain, our number one pick so far. They have a honeymoon package that is all inclusive of food, spa treatments, and activities.
The only other contender to Jade Mountain is Viceroy Anguilla. It's gorgeous. We would miss out on seeing the Piton mountains, but it might be worth it. The interiors were designed by Kelly Wearstler. I mean, come on.
This resort is NOT all inclusive and it's not a couples-only resort (Jade Mountain is). I really don't think we would mind children being around. I mean, it's not like it's a water park and kids would be running around everywhere. Looks awfully romantic to me.
....but Jade Mountain does too! How wonderful would it be to wake up each morning to the view of the Caribbean sea and the Pitons. Talk about a new experience.
Would we get bored laying by the pool/beach all day at Viceroy? Not that we would be bored of each other by any means, but would we be wishing that we were spending a day or two zip-lining swimming in the natural springs?
Which resort do you prefer? My thought is that Jade Mountain is the perfect "in-between" of Ladera and Viceroy. It combines rustic and luxury. Jade Mountain and Viceroy would end up being around the same price.
I need to know your thoughts!
Also...do any of you have any other amazing recommendations for us? We'd like to book something within the next week or two.
Xo-M
We went to the Sandals Grande St. Lucian last year, and it was fantastic. We loved St. Lucia! We visited Jade Mountain, and it's amazeballs! The open walls overlook the black sand beaches of Anse Chastenet. We snorkeled right off of that beach, and it was gorgeous. The Piton mountains are a fabulous view, too!
ReplyDeleteI can't say enough nice things about St. Lucia. The nicest people I've ever met lived there! I can't wait to go back.
I've done a few blog posts about our vacation experience there. My computer died before I could finish it, so I need to complete the rest of the trip. Check it out if you want some information on the Sandals Grande!
Ooooo - my vote is the Viceroy Anguilla :) When I was looking for places for my hubby and I to go this year on vacation, I was looking @ VA, and also came across this amazing place in Grenada called LaLuna:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.laluna.com/index.php
Highly recommend checking it out and have an amazing time planning (we would be heading here if we hadn't decided to go to Italy instead!)!!!
xxW
We went to Sandals in St Lucia for our honeymoon and loved it! The people are so nice and the beach is absolutely gorgeous. You'll definitely want to visit the Pitons and the sulfur springs was so-so. I wasn't really into getting all dirty and the water was so hot, but it was alot of fun! St. Lucia will definitely be a place we want to visit again.
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ReplyDeleteWe stayed at the Royal in Playa Del Carmen. A quaint little town an hour and half outside of cancun. but its the exact opposite of cancun. We had friends give us rave reviews and couldn't agree more about how wonderful it was. We've sent a few other couples there as well and they've loved it as well. BUT I do have friends that went to Jade Mtn. and said if you're going to St. Lucia- thats the place to be! I would have to agree as well! Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteSt. Lucia is by far the best island in the Carribbean. We stayed at Sandals - La Toc. The good thing about Sandals is that you can stay at one and travel to the other 2 on the island anytime. I think all inclusive and NO children is the way to go. We met alot of couples honeymooning from all over the world while there and it is nice to have adult time. I did a post about it a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading some TripAdvisor reviews, I would choose Jade Mountain. They are ranked #1 in Soufriere whereas the Viceroy is rated #2 in the West End. Considering JM is all inclusive, has more activities, and received a "Travlers Choice 2012" award it seems like an all-around better choice.
ReplyDeleteWe loved St. Lucia, but will not stay at a Sandals resort again... just didn't live up to our expectations. However, both of your options looks great: I would go with Jade for sure! We are planning on going to Anguilla for our 5 year anni - to Cap Juluca! Looks amazzzzing and friends who have gone have loved it! Enjoy where ever you go!!!
ReplyDeleteViceroy Anguilla is amazing! Totally and utterly to die for. My husband and I have been going to Anguilla since 2003 and the island is absolutely our favorite vacation spot (we've been 8 times!). The food in Anguilla is absolutely wonderful and should not be missed. We are not into all-inclusives and very much prefer to explore and drive all over the island for the best food. Some amazing restaurants are Blanchards, Veya, Straw Hat, Picante, etc. There is also Scilly Cay which is a private island that you take a boat out to and have live music and catch your own lobster for lunch.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Anguilla is VERY much a beach vacation. If you are not giong to be happy laying on the beach for 80-90% of your time I don't think I would go there. It's a very flat and arid type of landscape - no mountains, the flora is much "scrubbier", no hiking, no zip lining, very little shopping, etc. We literally just go to the beach and eat/drink our faces off and we personally love that but it's not for everyone.
The other thing I will say is that while the Viceroy is unbelievably beautiful and has a super fun bar area with music and is very much the "hot spot" on this tiny little quiet island, the beach is honestly not nearly as gorgeous there as some of the other beaches on the island. Shoal Bay East, Maundays, and others are really the best beaches on the island. Hope this helps, have a great trip!
Viceroy Anguilla is amazing! Totally and utterly to die for. My husband and I have been going to Anguilla since 2003 and the island is absolutely our favorite vacation spot (we've been 8 times!). The food in Anguilla is absolutely wonderful and should not be missed. We are not into all-inclusives and very much prefer to explore and drive all over the island for the best food. Some amazing restaurants are Blanchards, Veya, Straw Hat, Picante, etc. There is also Scilly Cay which is a private island that you take a boat out to and have live music and catch your own lobster for lunch.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Anguilla is VERY much a beach vacation. If you are not giong to be happy laying on the beach for 80-90% of your time I don't think I would go there. It's a very flat and arid type of landscape - no mountains, the flora is much "scrubbier", no hiking, no zip lining, very little shopping, etc. We literally just go to the beach and eat/drink our faces off and we personally love that but it's not for everyone.
The other thing I will say is that while the Viceroy is unbelievably beautiful and has a super fun bar area with music and is very much the "hot spot" on this tiny little quiet island, the beach is honestly not nearly as gorgeous there as some of the other beaches on the island. Shoal Bay East, Maundays, and others are really the best beaches on the island. Hope this helps, have a great trip!
We went to an adults only all-inclusive in Riviera Maya, Mexico and loved it! It's called the El Dorado Royale. You may think having kids around will be okay but I'd avoid it. You will have endless vacations with your eventual kids and probably very few adult only getaways. Take advantage of it now! I love my kids but they certainly change the ambience of a location. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI vote for Jade Mountain. It looks beautiful! We went with an all inclusive, adult only resort for our honeymoon and it was glorius. Believe me, you want adult only. Having been to both, adult only is the way to go. Have fun! :)
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Sara
www.SocialSara.net
I don't think you could go wrong with either spot but I understand wanting to find the one that better suits you and your fiance. While I've never been to either spot, a friend of mine has gone to Anguilla several times. She write reviews of her trip and is one of the most thorough reviewers I have ever read. I'll include a link to her most recent post but there are others on her blog for Anguilla as well. http://thereviewlady.blogspot.com/2012/06/anguilla-viceroy-june-2012.html
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I would def say the Jade Mountain resort. It just seems like a lap of luxury event. All inclusive are much easier on the pockets. Besides that you will able to do more activities without money on the brain. Spa's and food and drinks covered leave more room for other adventures. No children on your honeymoon! You guys need to feel as if you are in paradise and no one is there but you (and maybe some other equally gorgeous and in love duos)
ReplyDeletehttp://tailoredtoane.blogspot.com
After looking at all three, I'd definitely go with the Jade Mountain resort. I mean, look at that view!!! And all-inclusive AND couples only? You're going to love it there! So jealous :)
ReplyDeleteI, too, vote for Jade Mountain! We honeymooned in May of last year, and all-inclusive was absolutely the way to go. Our resort was also adult-only which drew a lot of fellow honeymooners, allowing us to make great friends. It looks like a perfect choice.
ReplyDeleteWe are looking into St. Lucia for our honeymoon too!! We aren't getting married until July so we still have sometime. Looking forward to seeing which one you choose! :)-Krista
ReplyDeleteI went to Antigua and loved the mix of beautiful ocean and mountains. For that same reason, I'd go with Jade Mountain!
ReplyDeleteHey girl! So funny - my fiance and I (we are getting married NEXT WEEKEND! woohoo!) were between St. Lucia and St. Bart's for our honeymoon. We actually were totally set on the Jade Mountain Resort in St. Lucia, but after a little bit of research, we found out that since we are going in low season, apparently it's totally dead right now. We are both kind of antsy people and thought we may go crazy without having a "town" to go to at our honeymoon locay, so we are renting a villa in St. Bart's instead. However, one of my good friends sails around the Caribbean every year, and he said that Jade Mountain is hands down the most amazing, most romantic and most bada$$ resort in the Caribbean. So we will definitely be visiting in the future :) Let me know what you decide!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and i went to little dix bay in the BVIs for our honeymoon and it was awesome. For our 2 year anniversary we went to anguilla an stayed at cap juluca and it was also SO awesome!! Cap has hands down the prettiest beach and water ever. From what i hear viceroy is more of a pool scene. To us, the beach was more important.... U can go to a pool anywhere. When we were there victorias secret was doing their swimsuit shoot on our beach at cap, if that tells u anything about the beach :) anguilla has fabulous restaurants, delish!! They dont have ziplining and stuff but u can go sailing, snorkeling, trips to different beaces on the island, other islands etc. i def reccomend cap!!! Email me if u want more info LDT0331@gmail.com. I can send u pics too :)
ReplyDeleteI dont know if my earlier comment went through or not bc im on my iphone. My husband and i went to anguilla and stayed at cap juluca and it was amazing. By far the prettiest beach and water. They were doing a victorias secret swimsuit shoot on our beach! Viceroy is more of a pool scene i think. I would rather have a better beach bc u can go to a pool anywhere!! Anguilla has fabulous restaurants too. U cant go ziplining but there is stuff to do. Email if u want more details or pics, i highly reccomend cap!!! (that was for our 2 yr anniversary. We went to little dix bay, also amazing, for our moon) LDT0331@gmail.com best of luck!!
ReplyDeleteJade Mountain! Ugh, I am so jealous. I wish I had the dilemma of which amazing place I should spend time at! I think Jade Mountain looks so unique and gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteian ziering and his wife stayed at jade mountain for their honeymoon! the photos were gorgeous from her fb page! if its good enough for a celebrity id go with jade! good luck deciding!
ReplyDeleteCheck out Jalousie in St. Lucia. So gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteCheck out Jalousie in St. Lucia. So gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThose photos of Jade Mountain take my breath away! I'd go all-inclusive and adults only if I were you -- although we honeymooned in Ireland, so I have no experience with resorts like this.
ReplyDeleteI am going to St. Lucia for my honeymoon in November. We looked at the Ladera too, but it was too remote/rustic. We went with the Sandals option and upgraded and got a butler and the whole works. I am beyond pumped! I have heard sooo many great things about Sandals La Toc. Worth a shot. Jade Mountain looks amazing too!!!!
ReplyDeleteI vote Jade Mountain!! I wish we had done adults only for our honeymoon! We went to Aruba and stayed at a big all inclusive, the kids weren't awful but when you're trying to relax after your wedding week the screaming and them running around splashing can get annoying. It's your honeymoon you want it to be special and romantic, go with Jade Mountain!
ReplyDeleteJade Mountain! I am dying to visit St. Lucia but since our wedding is in August (3 more days actually) it wasn't really an option for our honeymoon. I've heard so many wonderful things about St. Lucia and you can be there in 6-8 hours from the Carolinas. That resort is perfect and it's great that it's couples only - you'll meet other honeymooning couples and young couples on vacation and be able to completely relax!
ReplyDeleteJade Mountain for sure!
ReplyDeleteJade Mountain for sure!
ReplyDeleteHere is some posts I read recently about a honeymoon in Anguilla at the Viceroy:
ReplyDeletehttp://lindsaywidle.blogspot.com/2012/06/honeymoon-part-1-viceroy.html
http://lindsaywidle.blogspot.com/2012/06/honeymoon-part-2-anguilla-day-new.html
Hope they help make a decision
Jade Mountain looks gorg. I am going in the fall to St. Lucia and Staying at Cap Maison, another couples only resort with about 50 rooms...some having private infinity pools.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this!! These are some of our picks for our honeymoon. I emailed my fiance this link, so hopefully he has read the comments too!! Let us know what you choose!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you blogged about this! My fiance and I are currently debating over honeymoon locations as well. I'm looking forward to reading all the feedback shared here.
ReplyDeleteWe went to Saint Lucia (a LOBG time ago) and loved it. It is a perfect honeymoon place. I doubt kids would be around unless it were during a school break anyway. Our resort was a couples all inclusive one though.
ReplyDeleteI am praying you are going to Jade Mountain. I went to St. Lucia last year. By far the best place I have ever been! I heard all about how wonderful Jade Mountain is. This is my DREAM honeymoon!
ReplyDelete- Christy
Definitely Jade Mountain!
ReplyDeleteIf you do any excursions, I highly recommend the zip-line tour in the rainforest and the Joe Knows speed boat/land tour. They take you snorkling between the piton peaks, to a mineral mud bath (feat. on the Bachelor.), waterfall, and a local creole lunch. The tour guides were awesome and they give you some delicious rum punch. :)
Hi! Not sure if you've already booked your trip, but we just got back from our honeymoon in Antigua. We stayed at Hermitage Bay and LOVED it. We were very close to booking at Jade Mountain but at the last minute decided to do Hermitage. IT WAS AMAZING!! Great food (all inclusive)... Private villas...Stunning sights... couples only... paradise! Happy to answer any questions if you have them!
ReplyDeleteWe just got back from our honeymoon at Hermitage Bay in Antigua and absolutely loved it! We were very close to booking at Jade Mountain but at the last minute decided to go to HB instead. It was INCREDIBLE! All inclusive (amazing food)... couples only... private villas with infinity pools... and stunning grounds. I can't say enough about it. Let me know if you have any questions!
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