Hotel Feature: Le Toiny St. Barths

Continuing on with our St. Barths week, I am thrilled to share the wonderful hotel we stayed at, Hotel Le Toiny. Located on 38 acres of luscious green hillside, Le Toiny consists of only 15 private villas, all overlooking the Bay of Toiny & the Caribbean Sea. The hotel is truly one of the most exclusive and private on the island of St. Barths and each villa is complete with its own gated entrance and private pool. 

Our private pool and breathtaking view.

We had an absolutely incredible stay at this hotel!  It felt like we were staying at our own private villa, but we still had great service just a phone call away.  This hotel is perfect for couples that want to feel really secluded.  Then just a short drive away you can reach the many restaurants, shops and beaches of St Barths.

Breakfast every morning was a real treat as well! You can either have breakfast in their restaurant or brought to your villa served pool side!  Love that!

Looking for more to do? The hotel staff is "entirely at [the guests] disposal to arrange any kind of activity," including everything from snorkeling and surfing to sail boat excursions and big game fishing. They put together a picnic for us to take to the gorgeous Gouverneur Beach, allowing us a full day of snorkeling and relaxing in the sun on one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The water was as clear as could be!! Check back in on Friday for more breathtaking beach details.

Right now there is a special offer for this hotel too! The package is for a 6 night stay in one of the hotel villas with an ocean view and includes a three course candlelight dinner, lunch, champagne and flowers upon arrival, breakfast served daily in the privacy of your villa suite, arrival and departure transportation from the airport or harbor, a 1/2 day with a professional photographer (photos provided on a CD and underwater pictures possible), a convertible Mini Cooper rental car and a 60 minute relaxing couples massage during your stay at Hotel Le Toiny.

Um, yes please! If you are interested in this special or have any questions, send us an email at hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com

Destination Spotlight: St. Barths

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.

Gustavia Harbor, St. Barths

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.

St. Barths, French West Indies

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

Travel 101: Is An All Inclusive Hotel Right For You?

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.

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita, Riviera Maya, Mexico

-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.

Coco's Hotel, Antigua

Coco's Hotel, Antigua

Coco's Hotel, Antigua

Coco's Hotel, Antigua

-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.

Namale Resort & Spa, Fiji

Namale Resort & Spa, Fiji

Namale Resort & Spa, Fiji

Namale Resort & Spa, Fiji

Namale Resort & Spa, Fiji

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!

Destination Spotlight: Ambergris Caye, Belize

Greetings from Anguilla! Today is our last day in paradise but we are excited to share all of our exciting adventures from St. Barths & Anguilla!

Recently we have had the opportunity to send a number of clients to the beautiful country of Belize and each and every couple has come back just raving about their trip. This is definitely a destination that must go on everyone's list of places to visit. Known as an Anglo-Mayan-Hispanic melting pot, to say Belize is unique is really an understatement.

Lighthouse Reef, Belize - Photographer: Greg Johnston

Haulover Creek, Belize City - Photographer: Anthony Plummer

Mayan Ruins - Photographer: Greg Johnston

Glover's Reef - Photographer: Mark Webster

Wooden Pier at Ambergris Caye - Photographer: Doug Mckinlay

Sunrise over New River - Photographer: John Elk III

Seine Bight - Photographer: Tim Rock

Belize Barrier Reef Aerial View - Greg Johnston

Known as the "Gateway to Belize" Ambergris Caye (pronounced "am-BER-gris" "key") is the largest island of Belize.  It is home to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and is one of the top dive destinations in the world.

Pier at Ambergris Caye - Tony Wheeler

Sailing Ambergris Caye - Doug Mckinlay

Nurse Sharks Feeding at Shark Ray Alley - Mark Webster

The Blue Hole - More than 1000' in diameter and 400' deep, the hole is the opening of what was a dry cave system during the Ice Age and is now world renowned for its marine life.

Just 10 minutes from the main city of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye is the secluded Victoria House Hotel. A hotel that prides itself on its impeccable staff and unpretentious luxury, the Victoria House gives guest a genuine taste of tropical island paradise. With only 42 tranquil lodgings, the hotel also has a private pier into Ambergris Caye where guests can kayak, dive, and snorkel at their leisure.

Victoria House

Victoria House

Victoria House

Victoria House

Victoria House

Victoria House

Isn't this place beautiful?! No wonder why our clients love it so much!

Interested in going to Belize for your honeymoon? Contact us! hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com