Beachside on a Budget

Ten Luxuriously Affordable Seaside Escapes

By: Celine Todd
Published February 28, 2010

Growing weary of the winter weather? If you can’t wait another moment to feel sunshine on your shoulders and sand beneath your feet, a seaside escape this spring might be just what you need.

Is now a good time to travel? If you want to book a bargain, then absolutely! Although airfare to many destinations has risen as compared with last year, it’s still relatively low when compared to average ticket prices in spring of 2008. But the real value for travelers this spring and summer lies in the lodging. Overall, both domestic and international hotel rates are lower than last year. And with hotel owners eager to earn your tourism dollars, there are plenty of promotions to be found, including free nights, free room upgrades, and resort credits. Don’t hesitate to ask how they can make your travel dollar go further!

Whether you want to get away next weekend, or are looking ahead to the summer or fall, read on to discover beautiful beach lodging that’s comfortably priced between $70 and $190 nightly. All of these hotels are highly recommended by the reviewers on TripAdvisor.com, as well as by Travel + Leisure and Budget Travel magazines.

Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa
Aruba
(From $169/night)
Friendly staff, comfortable accommodations, and a lovely beachfront spa are just a few of the niceties that make guests of The Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa come back again and again. But what really makes visitors rave is the unbeatable location of this serenely simple retreat. Nestled on the sands of one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, Manchebo’s location can’t be beat. Palapas, cool cocktails on the beach, and crystal blue waters are just steps from your room, making this affordable beach resort a barefoot haven in beautiful Aruba.
To learn more about this budget beachside escape, visit www.manchebo.com.

Hotel Les Mouettes
St. Barths
(From $122/night)
Though known as a tropical haven for the rich and fabulous during the winter months, St. Barths is equally fabulous, and yet far more affordable, from April to December. Take advantage of the off-season prices at the beautiful blue-and-white bungalows of Hotel Les Mouettes. Each spacious unit has a terrace from which you can literally step onto the warm sands of Lorient Beach, with aqua swimming waters protected by a colorful coral reef. Each bungalow is also equipped with a kitchenette and barbecue grill, and with a market just across the street, you may find it convenient (and affordable) to eat-in on occasion. Still, you may find it hard to resist the aroma of fresh chocolate croissants from the nearby bakery each morning.
To learn more about this budget beachside escape, visit www.st-barths.com/hotel-les-mouettes/mouettes_contact.html.

Neptune’s Treasure
Anegada, British Virgin Islands
(From $95/night)
Considered to be the best value in the British Virgin Islands, Neptune’s Treasure is truly a tropical gem. The accommodations are simple – but most guests describe the rooms as simply serene, the food as simply scrumptious, and the views of surrounding islands, magnificent sunsets, and pink flamingos as simply sublime. The guest rooms at Neptune’s Treasure are located just 150 feet from the beach, so you’re just steps away from swimming, snorkeling, sea kayaking, or beachcombing. The island of Anegada also supports a variety of birds and wildlife, so you’ll want to bring your binoculars along. And if you’re a fan of fishing, Anegada boasts some of the finest shallow water, deep sea, and fly fishing in the world, with a wide variety of fish to be caught. Then again, you may just want to spend your days laying in a hammock and basking in the sun of the British Virgin Islands.
To learn more about this budget beachside escape, visit www.neptunestreasure.com.

Calibishie Cove
Dominica
(From $135/night)
Calibishie Cove is a colonial-style hotel on the island of Dominica. The four rooms of this small but special hotel offer breathtaking views of Dominica’s lush, natural beauty. Each room has solid tropical hardwood floors, luxurious stone finishes, original Dominican art, large shuttered windows, and a private patio overlooking the Caribbean Sea. One TripAdvisor guest described his arrival at Calibishie Cove as, “so much more than we expected. Although the pictures online are impressive, they don't even touch the expanse, the view, the breeze, the sound of the surf, the calmness of the surroundings.” If you’re feeling adventurous, you can borrow snorkeling equipment from the hotel (free of charge) and swim with the colorful fish in the warm waters off the beach. Or, rent one of the hotel’s kayaks and enjoy a 10-minute trip to nearby Treasure Island.
To learn more about this budget beachside escape, visit www.calibishiecove.com.

Xanadu Island Resort
Belize
(from $190/night)
On Ambergris Cay, a 25-mile long island off the northeastern coast of Belize, Xanadu Island Resort is a luxurious beachside retreat. Set along a pristine stretch of white sand meeting crystal clear Caribbean water, Xanadu consists of six thatched-roof casitas surrounding a coconut palm-flanked pool. Guests can choose from one-, two-, or three-bedroom suites, each nicely appointed with plush sofas, fully equipped kitchens, and private, shaded balconies. The friendly staff will be happy to arrange a snorkeling excursion to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, where you’ll get up close and personal with rainbow parrotfish, loggerhead turtles, and octopuses.
To learn more about this budget beachside escape, visit www.xanaduresort-belize.com.


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