So, I just got back from a travel agent. We're looking at Sandals Royal Bahamian for 7 nights. Here's what's included:
6 nights (7th free) Butler level room - includes Rolls or Benz airport transportation 24-hour room service (not offered at lower level room), 24-hour butler service (to be at your beck-and-call anytime you need him - like he'll draw you a bath when you're on the beach or unpack your suitcase for you, or get up early and reserve a spot for you on the beach!), wet bar in room, exclusive dining privileges at certain restaurant, PLUS all the other perks the resort has to offer.
Price is all-inclusive except for spa treatments.
It's going to cost $5150
It this outrageous? How the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks do you pay for this? I mean, we don't have a pot to pee in, and we definitely can't come up with 5k in 3 months. WHAT TO DO??? Any advice???
PLEASE HELP!!!
P.S. I REALLLLY WANT TO GO THERE!
THANKS!
MsPotterhead
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
For the service you are talking about, that is the right price. Do you really need a butler? 24 hour room service? Maybe if you didn't get that package, but got a lesser one you'd be able to go there. I just got back from la Isla Mujeres, where everything is sooo cheap and soo beautiful. We stayed at the Avalon Reef Club for a week. You could probably stay for two weeks there at the price you are paying for sandals. Its not fancy at all, but amazing and beautiful and authentic. Good luck.
teachcrowley
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
I would shop around for something similar. Vacations are not top priority for a lot of people so it seems like a lot of spots are lowering their prices.
I don't think this sounds crazy because I have looked and found similar stuff. I was shocked at the prices too!
Did you book with a travel agent? Sometimes they are good!
Also try kayak.com for good vacation deals! Kayak.com is good for everything including cheap flights!
Also, what time of year are you going?
dedecakes
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
We are planning on going to hawaii for 10 days. I know when FH tells me the cost my head is going to spin!
Anyway, getting back to you...5150 does seem high for the Bahamas for 6 nights. I would think it would be maybe 1500 less. But maybe you are staying in a presidential suite?
VickiR510
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
for teh bahama's it maybe a bit more then i would expect. But teh butler service etc probably made the cost jack up.
Why dont you stay there for one night and then go to a less expensive place the other nights...or a less expensive room in the same hotel.
I have gone to those all inclusive resorts and have heard about the butlers reserving a spot for you at the beach...I never saw that happen and we never really had a problem finding a spot. If you want a bungalow to yourself, though...that's hard to get.
I dont know about everyone else, but I dont think it is that hard to draw a bath. What does it require two steps? Turn the knob and pour bubbles in, lol. Sorry, JMO. I know it's all about the pampering, but you have to think that if you are paying extra for that...JMO, it's not worth it. I'll draw the bath myself.
mosh424
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
That does seem high butthen again I think Royal Bahamian Sandals is there more expenasive resort, not sure why but it is. I think it is worth it because it is your HM and you should go all out but if you really don't have the money then look at a lower grade room or look into other sandals resort that have a large discount during their sale.
shanny200
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
NO! That is not too much, actually, that is a pretty good price! $2500/person is the norm for a place like that. My sister and her hubby paid 7K for a resort in Anguilla....now that's nuts!
misswitty
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
I was thinking that the butler service was jacking up the price, but it's only 300 more pp. It might be nice to be pampered... My friend has booked Hawaii for two weeks and hotel alone is costing 5k - they still have to pay for meals, drinks, activities, etc. Hmmm....
KPetekie
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
I am cheap when it comes to traveling but I find ways to make my money go along way. I'm staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Oahu for 1,400 for 7 nights using my triple A discount. I got a garden room. It would have been nice to have ocean view but for 200 more a night than the garden room, not worth it. I can go outside when I want to see the ocean. For airfare, I stalked the internet until the prices dropped on Kayak.com and I got the flight for 535 each so for Fh and myself to fly its 1070 round trip. For a rental car, I am getting the economy budget car (and making a friend who works for the rental company give me his discount!). I don't need the largest/hottest car around, I just need to get from place to place. As far as eating out is concerned, I'd rather go to real local places than super expensive tourist joints. I don't anticipate my honeymoon costing what yours does. HTH.
Lau0614
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
we are going to aruba for 10 nights for 5000 all inclusive, however we do not have the butler service. i've been to a sandals before and honestly they still treat you like gold without a butler package. and we stayed in a regular room and it was still beautiful. honestly to me i dont care what kind of room i stay in...i care about the pool, the bar and the restaurants haha. so if you really want to go there but are concerned about cost i would just downgrade
JACK808
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
Honestly, if you're saying you don't have the money for it, then yes it is too much to spend. Sandals all-inclusives are pricier than others, why not look into other alternatives? Also, Jamaica and the DR might be less expensive than the Bahamas. I'd shop around more, there are less expensive options out there. Of course you want your honeymoon to be special, but going into debt for it, especially in this economy, is not worth it. JMO.
AFutureBride
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
It depends on your budget and what you can afford. If you cannot come up with that amount of money why don't you go to a lower room category. It will be much more affordable and still an okay room. Book one of the rooms right under concierge level.
The price you got quoted is good for Sandals butler level room.
BTW, Does this price include airfare?
** check out cancun it's very affordable
caligirl87
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
We are staying at sandals resort in ocho rios with concierge level and a butler that does all of those things and it's about $2880 - $3000 for 7 nights without airfare in June. I'm not sure if your quote included airfare or not, but we found it was cheaper to find our own flight.
geegee827
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
Honestly, if you're questioning whether it's too expensive, then you're not totally comfortable with the price.
Plus, summertime in the caribbean is considered 'off peak' so that does sound expensive to me.
2009Bride2Be
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
Posted by misswitty
I was thinking that the butler service was jacking up the price, but it's only 300 more pp. It might be nice to be pampered... My friend has booked Hawaii for two weeks and hotel alone is costing 5k - they still have to pay for meals, drinks, activities, etc. Hmmm....
\
Well Hawaii is known for being a VERY expensive vacation. Every single person I know comes back from there and has spent 10 grand and tell me that honestly it wasnt even worth it. Its completely over priced...
And this is NOT meant to be offensive, but to say its ONLY $300 more pp, thats $600 and you dont have a pot to piss in? YET you dont know what to do to still stay at that hotel? I mean really is the butler service necessary? Thats $600 out the window for a stranger to go into your room when your not there unpack your suitcase, and run a bath for you? Im sorry but those type of services are completely unnecessary. I mean do you really need a benz to take you to and from the airport? If your concerned about $$ then spending $5150 is unreasonable, but what do you expect when you want all those added perks? Your not going to book a $2000 HM when you want those type of services. And that could be $600 in your pocket and bring the cost down.
Personally I cant see spending that much if you dont have a pot to piss in =/ But thats just me. Yes its your honeymoon but it doesnt mean just throw money out the window =/ Sorry
Why not choose a lower level service if you want to go there?
Angel06
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
The price sounds right three of my friend each went there for there honeymoons and love it. I think if you both really want to go then you should. However with that being said maybe save it for your 1 year wedding anniversary, and do a less expensive honeymoon. Vegas is great and cheap. You can always look at maybe cutting out limos, video or something from your orginal budget to fit it in.Good luck@
Angel06
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
MikeandJess
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
if you're that stressed about paying for it then it might be too much for you. Maybe you can find a cheaper alternative and take this trip in a year, after you've paid off the wedding and all that fun stuff.
MrsInglima
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Re: Is this too much to spend for a HM?
We went to Grand Antigua for about 2K less and got the cheapest room. We ended up getting upgraded 2 levels, and I didn't miss the butler service at all. You get free transportation no matter what, you'll just have to be in a van with 3 or 4 other couples. And 24 hour room service in a place like Sandals is kind of a joke. You're eating and drinking constantly for the 12 hours you're awake, plus you have a bar in your room, do you really need food at 3am? Will you even be awake at 3am?
Bottom line, you can definitely downgrade and still get a lot of stuff and have a great time. There's temptation to get more because it's your HM and special, but it will be special no matter how much money you spend.
