HONEYMOON INSPIRATION: Great Getaway Deals

Whether you just recently got engaged or have already booked your venue and shopped for the dress, I’m guessing there’s a good chance you and your honey might still be tossing a few ideas around for your post-nuptial getaway, no? Because when it comes to that particular decision, there are always two hurdles you must clear together: What type of honeymoon do we want? (The tropical getaway, where you collapse on beach, umbrella-ed drink in hand, and barely change out of your bathing suit? A European touring, exploring, active vacation? And those are just two choices.) And, then, where shall we go?

To help get your getaway juices flowing, we thought we’d share with you just a few lovely getaway deals we here at Bridal Bulletin have heard about lately — this time around, from some tropical honeymoon locales:

•    If you honeymoon at St. Lucia’s new Calabash Cove before December 20, you can still get in on the summer rates (which start at $3,325) for their luxe honeymoon package (prices begin at $5,075 after that). You’ll get seven nights in a Waters Edge Cottage (featuring a private plunge pool, outdoor rain shower, Jacuzzi, and patio with a hammock — situated right on the beach, of course); champagne upon arrival; a romantic private dinner for two prepared by the resort’s chef, which can be served either on your cottage’s patio, the hotel’s Gazebo or the boardwalk overlooking the ocean; and a couple’s massage at the Ti Spa (which overlooks the infinity pool right at the bay’s edge and uses products packed with ingredients made from plants and fruits found on the island).

•    The “St. Maarten Seduction” package from Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino has just a three-night minimum (which is great if you’re planning an island-hopping honeymoon) at $199 per night. It gets you a bottle of champagne and Belgian chocolates upon your arrival; ocean view accommodations; one romantic dinner for two, including one glass of house wine per person; breakfast daily; turn-down service daily; and a $20 match bet at the resort’s Golden Casino. (If you want to stay additional nights, they’ll give them to you at $135 per night.)

•    Okay, so even though this one isn’t specifically a romance package, we felt like we just had to let you know about it anyway: There’s a brand new resort opening in early 2010 called Scrub Island, which is nestled on an island of the same name in the British Virgin Islands and was actually discovered by Christopher Columbus himself. To celebrate their grand opening, they’re offering a little Sneak Peek package for travel between January 3, 2010 and April 30, 2010, where rates (at $450/night for an ocean view room; $825/night for a one-bedroom ocean view suite; and $1,175/night for a two-bedroom ocean view suite) are going to be about half of what they’ll be starting in May. Besides getting to enjoy the gorgeous resort and its beaches, pools and water sports, they’ll throw in breakfast for two, daily.