12 Things to Look for When Picking a Honeymoon Resort
Photo by salimfadhley
Chances are you have never been to the resorts that you are considering for your honeymoon and so how do you tell if you will be happy there and if it will give you everything you are looking for? With some careful planning and by asking yourself a few key questions, you will be able to decide what is going to be the perfect honeymoon resort for you. Below are the top twelve things to look for.
1. Different Types of Resorts
You first need to decide what type of resort you want. There will probably be at least a few resorts at the destination where you will be staying but they will all offer different services. Do you want a small, intimate resort or a large one with lots of amenities and where you’ll be able to meet new people? Do you want an all-couples resort or an adults-only resort? Deciding on what you want will help you narrow down the playing field.
2. Price
Chances are that you budgeted for your honeymoon just as much as you budgeted for your wedding. You probably know to the cent how much you have to spend before you go. Even if you received cash from some of your guests as a wedding present, you don’t want to spend all of this on your honeymoon. It’s extremely helpful to come home to a little bit of money to start your lives off together! Don’t let price be the total factor in the resort you choose but do give it careful consideration.
3. Location
You don’t want to be so far away that you are going to need to travel for an hour before you start to see other civilization but you might not also want to be so close that you are kept awake listening to noise all night long. Choose somewhere that allows you to walk or drive to nearby sites very easily but where you will still be somewhat secluded.
4. Amenities
Most resorts will offer amenities such as a twenty-four hour front desk, in case you need something at 3:00 am, Jacuzzis, saunas, steam room, fitness centers, swimming pools, and internet access. Having amenities available to you on the resort will make your stay there much more enjoyable and much more convenient. Resorts will generally list their amenities on their brochures but if they don’t be sure to ask. The more amenities they offer, the better time you will have!
5. Food
You will probably eat at the resort a lot on your honeymoon. When you are booking, find out what kind of food they provide and see if it sounds like something you would like. It would be a shame to visit a resort in the Bahamas for example only to find out when you got there that they mainly offer seafood and you have an allergy.
6. Package Deals
A lot of resorts will offer inclusive package deals that will make your honeymoon so much easier and carefree! These packages often include the price of the room, at least one meal a day for both of you, and quite often, discounts on the areas attractions. Package deals are great for honeymoons when you don’t really want to be worrying about money and want to focus on spending time with your new husband!
7. Dollar Value
Even if you get a package deal, you won’t be able to spend your entire honeymoon without dipping into your pocket change a little bit. Make sure that you are going somewhere that will give you a fair return on your dollar. This may not seem like such a huge deal when you are sitting at home excited about booking your honeymoon but when you take your currency in to be exchanged, you don’t want to be shocked at how little you get back.
8. Activities
Many resorts are tailored to certain activities, such as golf resorts. If you are both golf enthusiasts, this type of resort would be perfect for the two of you but even if you aren’t, the resort should offer some sort of activity that you can participate in without having to leave the resort. Tennis courts, basketball courts, game rooms, and media rooms are all often available on many resorts and these will provide a nice way to relax and unwind after a day of touring the sites.
9. Weather
What will the weather be like when you are going? You don’t need to know the forecast for the exact days you will be there but do have an idea of what the weather in that month is generally like. You don’t want to go to a beach resort only to end up staying in your room because its rainy season and you don’t want to go to a ski resort only to find that there’s no snow on the mountains.
10. Security
Most resorts nowadays are gated communities that require a guest or a visitor of a guest to identify themselves through an intercom or by passing a guard at the gate. This type of security can be very important, especially when you are staying in a city that is known for its crime.
11. Friendly Staff
You will be able to tell just by talking to the staff on the phone whether they are going to be trying to make your stay as pleasant as possible or whether you are just one guest out of many. If they seem annoyed or hurried, think about staying at another resort where the staff will be friendlier and help you make your honeymoon all it can be!
12. Medical Services
It’s sad but true that something could happen to one of you while you are vacationing. Because you will probably be out of the country, you may have to pay huge bills if you go to a local clinic or hospital and you may not get the treatment that you need. Some resorts have basic medical care that is very comparable to that of the United States and the services can usually be charged to your health insurance company.
