Help us determine where to go for our 20th anniversary that is only 3 nights, and won't break our bank.

July 8, 2010 3:07 PM

We're celebrating our 20th anniversary (we're both 40) and we think we want to goto Jamaica. We are limited in time... our tentative dates are 10/1 - 10/4 (basically just a weekend). Help us find the right destination that gives us everything we want...

We want, in order of importance:
Economical. We can get to Ft. Lauderdale for nothing... after some brief homework, i've learned between airfare & hotel it'll cost us $1k. Can we get more value for less money?

Clean, safe place.... no cheap motels, no bad neighborhoods.

Seclusion ... we certainly would prefer someplace away from all the big resorts....

We do not have to have the 'package deal' of 'ALL INCLUSIVE' food/drinks... if so great, but it is not really that necessary.

We won't have too much time there & just want to spend quality time together.

Remember our timeframe, and our general budget.
btw - we are not 'married' to the Jamaica destination, it just seemed obvious.

Please don't hesitate to ask more questions if necessary... we have lots of time, but it is our 20th, and we want to make the most of it.

posted by foodybat to Travel & Transportation around New York, Jamaica (6 answers total)

Well, you could go on a cruise. Royal Caribbean has one leaving from Miami on the 1st that returns on the 4th, and you could get a very nice oceanview stateroom for the two of you for much less than $1K. Make sure that when you make your reservation you let them know you are celebrating your anniversary and they will bring out a cake, etc. at dinner during the cruise.
posted by misha at 4:09 PM on July 8, 2010

You could go north and get a cabin in the North GA mountains for the weekend. It'll be secluded, it'll be quiet, and you should be able to do it for well under $1000, whether you fly or drive. If you stay somewhere near Helen GA Octoberfest might in full swing, so you'll be able to go into the somewhat tacky yet still fun recreation of a Bavarian village for a dinner, drinks, and shopping.
posted by COD at 5:47 PM on July 8, 2010

Round Hill. In October you can probably do 2 nights for about $1k. Highly highly recommended.
posted by L'OM at 5:56 PM on July 8, 2010

Seconding the cruise idea. Wife and I just did a 3 night cruise to The Bahamas on NCL Sky and it cost a lot less then $1K for a nice oceanview room and shore stops at Nassau and a private island.
posted by brownpau at 8:33 PM on July 8, 2010

(Oh yeah, and the Sky sails from the Port of Miami, which isn't far at all from Ft. Lauderdale.)
posted by brownpau at 8:34 PM on July 8, 2010

I haven't been there in years, so take this with a grain of salt, but Negril may fit your bill. The North end of the beach has some all-inclusives, but the southern part and the rocks below still have a lot of small, inexpensive, non-chain hotels and resorts.
posted by rtimmel at 12:08 PM on July 9, 2010