Honeymoon Spots in the U.S.

[usedcarguy]

One nice thing about st pete/clearwater is that you can get a direct flight thru Allegiant. Lots of stuff to do at both St. Pete Beach and Clearwater, although things seem more close together along Clearwater. Lots beach bars along St. Pete. We stayed at the Sirata on St. Pete Beach and it was nice.

South Florida is nice, have stayed in Ft. Lauderdale beach several times, and much cleaner than Miami. They have a water taxi that takes you along the intercostal. It's a mock tour boat, and you can even bring a cooler on board. We use it to go bar hopping. They also have a daily shuttle to South Beach.

Key West is a blast as well, but a little more money and effort to get to.

For Cancun, the Palace Resorts are tough to beat. The one we stayed at (Moon Palace?) is a ways from the strip, ($25 cab ride) but for an all inclusive place, you have everything you need, and it is VERY nice.

Bang for the buck, I've had the best time in Lauderdale. But a lot of it depends on what you like to do. For wreckless drunkeness, Key West and Palace Resorts would be my first choice. That's romantic, isn't it?

 

[MelMel]

Hawaii would be the best, but with the extreme long flights you might not have enough time to take full advantage of what you will spend and your time available. I say just go out of the country to Cabo. Eli Manning, Chris Martin & Gwyneth and that stupid Jonas Brother all went to the linked resort on their honeymooons. It not cheap, but there are plenty of cheap resorts in the area. Cabo is way better than S. Florida IMO. Its only like three more hours to fly there. Also if you get bored just head up the coast to Tiajuana, you can see a "show" to set the mood for the honeymoon!


Palmilla Resort in Mexico - One & Only Palmilla Resort

Las Ventanas al Paraiso - Ventanas Los Cabos Mexico - Ventanas Picture

 

[tec71]

I'd recommend Maui and 1 night in Honolulu before you go home. Maui is WAY more relaxing, more cultural, and less of a tourist trap than Honolulu. We took our honeymoon and did this and agreed 1 night in Honolulu was more than enough to see everything you probably would want to see there.

This is spot on. We did 10 days in Maui (which ironically might be a few too many). We actually did two days/one night in Honolulu right in the middle but since we had a package deal we left most of our stuff in Maui. Flew over and did Pearl Harbor etc. It's hard to beat Maui (outside of the cost). It's relaxing and the weather is fabulous.

 

[clonehenge]

Puerto Rico...it's awesome.

A US territory and easy to fly to...and you still get the Carribbean atmosphere...and they have the best beer in the world...Medalla Light.

 

[MelMel]

This is spot on. We did 10 days in Maui (which ironically might be a few too many). We actually did two days/one night in Honolulu right in the middle but since we had a package deal we left most of our stuff in Maui. Flew over and did Pearl Harbor etc. It's hard to beat Maui (outside of the cost). It's relaxing and the weather is fabulous.

Did you read the thread? He only has 5 days, maui would mean 30% of his trip would be traveling.

 

[ISU_Alum_2000]

I can't believe you haven't seen that video. Classic!!

And I can't believe you still haven't fixed the

Intesity
in your signature. I kid cuz I love, Chizit. :wink:

My wife and I spent a week in Akumal a few years ago (just south of Playa del Carmen), but seriously would not go to Mexico right now. I know the Mayan Riviera is not in the current "hot zone", but the violence is out of control right now. I live in SoCal, and it's pretty common knowledge that nobody should be going down there right now unless there is a very good reason to do so.

Here are some examples of what's been going on (in grand scale) over the last couple years:

Drug violence spins Mexico toward 'civil war' - CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/02/10/mexico.chief.arrested/index.html

And here's a story that just happened:

California school administrator among victims of Mexican violence - CNN.com

Do yourself and your bride a favor... don't go to Mexico right now.

 

[CycoCyclone]

My now wife, told me explicitly "no beaches" for our honeymoon and so we went to Estes Park Colorado. We were there the first week of May and it was amazing. No tourists to speak of, so we had rocky mountain national park to ourselves, we stayed in our own cabin at our resort (we were the only people there) and got amazing service. We relaxed, spent endless hours just relaxing in the hot tub or walking through amazingly beautiful country. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[isu200023]

I prefer US because we plan to leave on a Monday and have to be back by Saturday. Just don't have a ton of time.

This is silly reasoning. Hawaii but not Mexico? You can get a flight around 6:00 or 7:00 am and with one connect be in Puerto Vallarta by 1:00 or 2:00. Try Hotwire. You can get an all-inclusive w/ round-trip air from DSM for around $1k to $1200 pp. Hotwire allows you to see the airline, flight time, and hotel name on international pkgs.

The flight time to Hawaii would prolly be double and the cost would be more than double.

Don't waste your time in Miami. It's a dump.

 

[isu200023]

And I can't believe you still haven't fixed the

Intesity
in your signature. I kid cuz I love, Chizit. :wink:

My wife and I spent a week in Akumal a few years ago (just south of Playa del Carmen), but seriously would not go to Mexico right now. I know the Mayan Riviera is not in the current "hot zone", but the violence is out of control right now. I live in SoCal, and it's pretty common knowledge that nobody should be going down there right now unless there is a very good reason to do so.

Here are some examples of what's been going on (in grand scale) over the last couple years:

Drug violence spins Mexico toward 'civil war' - CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/02/10/mexico.chief.arrested/index.html

And here's a story that just happened:

California school administrator among victims of Mexican violence - CNN.com

Do yourself and your bride a favor... don't go to Mexico right now.

This is an exxageration. Keep your nose clean and you'll be fine. Most all-inclusive resorts give you little reason to even leave the resort. Besides, nobody is suggesting he vacation in Durango. That's like telling recommending he stay in Harlem, Baltimore, South Chicago, or parts of Memphis. Remember, you're reading what the media wants you to read. It's silly really.

 

[ISUFan22]

We went to Maui and Kauai for about 10 days, highly recommend. Since then, we have been back to Kauai, and to Kona/Big Island....

For your planned duration, choose 1 island, since there is so much to do on each.

Ours was similar, had 8 days and stayed on the island of Kauai, spent one day in Honolulu (flew over first thing and came back late). Worked very well, had a great time.

 

[Stormin]

We didn't have alot of cash or time when we got married, so we ended up on one of those timeshare promos. 4 nights in Orlando, 2 night Bermuda cruise, 2 nights in Miami.

I don't recommend it.

We did a vacation to Playa Del Carmen south of Cancun. I highly recommend that.

I have been to Playa many times. You will have a great honeymoon. In all my travels, this is my favorite location. Blue water and white sand. Tons of different activities. You can be as relaxed or as busy as you choose. One more thing, it is only about a 4 hour flight.

 

[Stormin]

And I can't believe you still haven't fixed the

Intesity
in your signature. I kid cuz I love, Chizit. :wink:

My wife and I spent a week in Akumal a few years ago (just south of Playa del Carmen), but seriously would not go to Mexico right now. I know the Mayan Riviera is not in the current "hot zone", but the violence is out of control right now. I live in SoCal, and it's pretty common knowledge that nobody should be going down there right now unless there is a very good reason to do so.

Here are some examples of what's been going on (in grand scale) over the last couple years:

Drug violence spins Mexico toward 'civil war' - CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/02/10/mexico.chief.arrested/index.html

And here's a story that just happened:

California school administrator among victims of Mexican violence - CNN.com

Do yourself and your bride a favor... don't go to Mexico right now.

Tell all the snowbirds to stay away from So. Cal, So. Arizona and the tip of Texas. That is where the drug wars are taking place.

Your advice, would be like telling someone to stay away from Ames, Iowa because of all the violence in New York City.

 

[dukeebear]

Go to Cancun. Four hour flight from KC or MSP, you won't waste as much time on a plane. It's three and a half to FLA. Same time zone, so your *** won't be dragging when you get back. Money will go a lot farther. Find somebody with a time share, or stay at one of the Palace resorts. You will spend about $1000 per person at those resorts for a week, but nothing compares to the food, drinks, and other things they give you for free. Hawaii is awesome, but it takes two days of travel, one on the way and one on the way back.

 

[getcloned]

I first read that as "Honeymoon Sports"... glad I read it again...

 

[CyTom]

Ours was similar, had 8 days and stayed on the island of Kauai, spent one day in Honolulu (flew over first thing and came back late). Worked very well, had a great time.

Kauai is also where we went and 5 days would be about perfect. I would stay in the Poipu Beach area on the south side of the island for half the trip and in Hanalei on the north side for half the trip. From Poipu you can venture west to Waimea Canyon. On the north side you can kayak around the caves. In between plenty of floral life and beautiful beaches. Best thing about Kauai for a honeymoon is that they don't get as many tourists as Oahu or Maui, thus the relaxation/romanticism increases. By Hanalei my wife and me shared a beach the size of 2 football fields with only 2 other people.

 

[jsb]

I'd recommend Maui and 1 night in Honolulu before you go home. Maui is WAY more relaxing, more cultural, and less of a tourist trap than Honolulu. We took our honeymoon and did this and agreed 1 night in Honolulu was more than enough to see everything you probably would want to see there.

My parents did a trip to Hawaii a year ago and did 3 nights in Kaui, 5 nights in Maui, and 1 night in Honolulu. Before the trip they were worried that they would want more time in Honolulu, but they didn't. Too touristy. They actually liked Kaui best and would probably switch that to 5 nights and Maui to 3 nights, if given the chance.

 

[CycloneYoda]

Kona Village on the Big Island. Sure, you could buy a new car for what you pay, but believe me, it is worth every cent.

 

[ddisu]

We went to the Westin in Puerto Rico. About 1 hour from San Juan. The place has 7 restaruants for dinner and other breakfast/lunch places. It has a nice pool and beach and 2 18 hole championship golf courses. Also, if you like, it has a casino which we enjoyed. Can do all sorts of activities from your hotel. If you want to go to San Juan you can do a 1/2 or full day tour (don't take the Baccardi Rum tour-very boring).

It is less than a four hour flight from Chicago.

 

[JRE1975]

Chris,

If you want a nice quiet place to enjoy time with just your new spouse in the U.S., then go to Sanibel Island or Captiva near Ft. Meyers. May is off season and less expensive, plenty of good restaurants, long beaches for long walks, and quiet. If you want the rowdy bar scene don't go to Sanibel.

Airfare is pretty cheap to Ft. Myers that time of year if you book enough ahead.

 

[Stormin]

Go to Cancun. Four hour flight from KC or MSP, you won't waste as much time on a plane. It's three and a half to FLA. Same time zone, so your *** won't be dragging when you get back. Money will go a lot farther. Find somebody with a time share, or stay at one of the Palace resorts. You will spend about $1000 per person at those resorts for a week, but nothing compares to the food, drinks, and other things they give you for free. Hawaii is awesome, but it takes two days of travel, one on the way and one on the way back.

Cancun is okay, but it is like Miami in Mexico. High rise hotels for miles. You will be pretty much landlocked at your resort. Believe me when I tell you that Playa del Carmen is a much different vibe. Fifth Avenue is awesome and the whole town has a quirky charm to it. Cancun is more of the "Drink till you Puke" "Spring Break" type of crowd. Playa is more like small Mom and Pop restaurants and bars and shops with cobblestone streets closed to motor vehicles. Cancun is really spread out and you will pretty much be taking bus or taxi to anything away from your resort. Playa is accessible by walking.