Beach and Island Resorts

Beach and Island Resorts

Near the top of the popularity charts for honeymoons, second honeymoons, and romantic trips in general are beach resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, and South Florida.

Keep these three points in mind when planning a beach resort vacation.

Be Fair-Weather Friends

You'll generally find the best weather during the summer in Hawaii and during the winter in the Caribbean, Mexico, and South Florida. Understandably, the threat of hurricanes or other bad weather will put a damper on your romantic vacation. However, do remember that you'll also encounter higher prices and bigger crowds at these times.

Avoid the Crowds

To avoid some of the crowds, you might visit during the "shoulder" seasons for these regions, which are spring and fall. At these times, though the weather might not be ideal, you should be able to find lower airfares and hotel rates, along with more room on the beach to call your own.

Remember that beach and island resorts are always popular with students on spring break. Nothing will disrupt a tender moment more quickly than a horde of partying teenagers or young adults. If you're planning a romantic getaway, consider these sun-and-sand playgrounds to be off-limits from early March through mid-April. The only exception is if you're planning to confine your entire stay to an expensive resort that's well beyond the price range of spring breakers.

Get in the Mood for Love

Beach and island resorts are legendary for their couples-oriented accommodations: being surrounded by other romantic couples, without the distraction of singles or children, will help you and your mate focus on each other. Some couples' resorts will even help you arrange special events to celebrate your love, such as weddings, vow renewals, receptions, or even just intimate dinners for the two of you served in your own room. Do bear in mind that some all-inclusive resorts, such as the popular Sandals resorts in the Caribbean, only cater to heterosexual couples. Other couples' resorts, such as those owned by Superclubs, also accept same-sex partners.