As many of you know, I was lucky enough to venture off to the beautiful islands of St. Barths & Anguilla last week with the wonderful Summer Watkins of Grey Likes Weddings and my assistant Lindsey and we had just about the best time ever! None of us had visited either island before, and boy were we in for a treat! So for this, I am super excited to share all of our adventures on St. Barths and then next week I will spill all the fun details of the island of Anguilla.
St. Barthelemy, better known as St. Barths (or St. Barts) is an island collectivity of France, nestled a midst the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean known as the French West Indies. Unlike the surrounding Caribbean islands, St. Barths is a little piece of Europe in the Atlantic Ocean, and when I say little, I mean a mere 8 square miles little.
Being in the Honeymoon business, I always have clients wanting the glamorous European getaway without the hellish long travel time, and St. Barths is the solution to this problem! The native language of the island is French, but English is widely spoken. The feel is relaxed, sophisticated elegance; French Riviera with a laid back Caribbean touch. The hillside is dotted with red-roofed villas, lush green landscape, and picturesque waters, and the people are just as beautiful as the island’s breathtaking beaches. Our photos are proof that even during hurricane season, St. Barths is truly an island paradise.
If you’re looking for European elegance and a luxurious island hideaway that isn’t spoiled by towering casino hotels or mega resorts, St. Barths is the destination for you. From snorkeling and surfing, to shopping and exquisite cuisine, St. Barths is more than just lounging on the beach; there is something for everyone, and the natives are overjoyed to share it!
I am so excited about this week and everything we have to share with you about St. Barths! Check back tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday for inside looks at the best hotels on the island and on Friday we will give all the details on where to eat, what beaches to visit, and what to bring for your St. Barths getaway!
Interested in visiting St. Barths? Contact us! hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com
Many hotels are redefining what it means to be an all inclusive property. With five-star restaurants, pristine beaches, and impeccable service, these resorts are most certainly worthy of their luxury reputation. This being said, all inclusive hotels aren’t perfect for every couple. It all comes down to the destination and the type of experience you are wanting.Here are some things to consider when you are deciding whether to stay at an all inclusive resort:
-Budget: Are you wanting to know ahead of time exactly how much you will be spending on meals and drinks during your honeymoon? Then an all inclusive hotel would definitely be great for you. This way everything is pre-paid: food, drinks, taxes, gratuities, and usually some activities.
-The Experience: Do you see your honeymoon spent mostly at your hotel, enjoying their beaches and restaurants? Or do you see your days spent visiting the local towns and doing adventurous activities outside of your hotel? It only makes sense to stay at an all inclusive hotel if you plan to spend a vast majority of your time there.
-Destination: Not every destination in the world has all inclusive hotels. There are plenty in Mexico, the Caribbean and Costa Rica. In Fiji many resorts include meals but not beverages. In destinations like Hawaii and Europe all inclusive hotels are not an option.
While most people think all inclusive hotels are just large mega resorts, there are also small boutique properties. So don’t be deterred from staying at an all inclusive hotel just because you want to stay at a smaller resort.
I hope this helps with deciding whether to stay at an all inclusive hotel for your honeymoon. Contact us at hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com if you would like help finding the right hotel!
Images courtesy of Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita – Riviera Maya, Coco’s Hotel – Antigua, & Namale Resort & Spa – Fiji
BIG NEWS! Not only are we near the launch of our NEW website and blog, but the Ever After Honeymoons team is heading to the Caribbean! That’s right, in two weeks, the girls of Ever After Honeymoons, along with the wonderful Summer Watkins of Grey Likes Weddings will be off on an adventure to the islands of St. Barths & Anguilla. So for today, our Styled Travels post is “In the Spirit of St. Barths,” and I hope you all enjoy!
More fun St. Barths & Anguilla goodies to come, so stay tuned!
Interested in planning your honeymoon to St. Barths or Anguilla? Contact us! hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com
Today I am so excited to feature Kent & Emily’s incredible honeymoon to the British Virgin Islands. They stayed at Little Dix Bay Resort for 2 nights and then spent 5 nights at Peter Island Resort. They absolutely loved both of these resorts! Kent and Emily said, “We really enjoyed the intimate feel that both resorts had to offer. We felt like we were the only ones there for a good portion of the time.”
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| The Newlyweds, Kent & Emily |
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| Birds eye view of Little Dix Bay |
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| Birds eye view of Peter Island |
So beautiful, right?! Kent & Emily had a trip to remember. They loved both resorts and because the two were so different from one another, they felt like they went on two honeymoons! Word to the wise from Kent & Emily, make sure to pack sunscreen because the hotels charge a premium for it and also, if you plan to drink, buy your beverages at the duty free shops in the airport on the way to your hotel to avoid overpriced fruity drinks.
Interested in going to the British Virgin Islands for your honeymoon? Contact us! hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com
Happy Friday everyone! Today, I want to spill some secrets to taking full advantage of all-inclusive resorts. Now when I say “all-inclusive,” I’m not talking the ginormous resorts that offers all-inclusive packages for college spring breakers. I am referring to the more high-end all inclusive properties, consisting of only a small number of rooms (usually under 100), excellent food and drinks, and with outstanding service. Some of my personal favorites include Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita in Riviera Maya and Hermitage Bay located in Antigua.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you are staying at an all-inclusive paradise:
- Dress Code
- Always check the hotel’s dress codes for their restaurants before you leave home.
- For example, I know most guys when traveling to a beach resort typically pack a total of two pairs of shoes: flip-flops and tennis shoes. However, some of the restaurants in your hotel may require closed toe dress shoes for guys.
- Plan Ahead
- When you arrive, check to see if any restaurants require reservations. Also sometimes restaurants are only open on certain nights, so ask to see a schedule.
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| Be sure to order the Coco Loco at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita! |
- Ask for what you want
- Don’t assume that because it is an all-inclusive, you only get cheap alcohol. With most all-inclusive resorts, you can ask for specific brands of alcohol and it will be included.
- Take advantage of room service
- Most people write off room service when traveling because it is known to be so pricey, but it is included at most all-inclusive resorts. So take advantage of breakfast in bed, dessert in your suite or an afternoon order of margaritas and guacamole!
- Gratuities
- Almost every all-inclusive resort will include gratuities. But if someone goes out of their way to provide excellent service it is nice to tip them.
- Be sure to travel with small bills for those times you want to slip a helpful staff member a tip. Nothing is worse than scrambling through your wallet in search of a little tip and finding only plastic or big bills.
I hope these tips were helpful! Do you have any advice I left out? Where is your favorite all-inclusive resort? If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check back soon for our post on the pros and cons of all-inclusive resorts!
