You don't have to spend a fortune to have fine accommodations. Some couples opt to spend their whole honeymoons close to home so that they can stay at a special hotel or inn. Many take advantage of money-saving packages or offseason rates. And some stay at condominiums or villas, which often offer far more space than comparably priced hotel rooms, with the additional cost-saving potential of being able to have snacks, drinks, and meals-if you feel like cooking-at supermarket rather than restaurant prices . Bed-and-breakfast inns may also be fairly inexpensive alternatives.

In addition to your room or suite, your lodgings may have other features that would help to make your trip special. At an all-inclusive resort, you can enjoy dining, sports, and entertainment without ever opening your wallet. Or you might opt for a private villa with a cook and a chauffeur on staff, a full-service resort, or a rental cottage.

You'll generally pay more for the best locations, luxurious service, spacious accommodations, in-room amenities, impressive lobbies, or swimming pools and other sports facilities. There are numerous rating systems, so you need to ask a lot of questions to understand what you're getting. For example, "first-class accommodations" may sound like the top of the line, but they're usually less luxurious than the deluxe variety, and the word luxury is often used indiscriminately. Similarly, the word hotel is used to refer to a wide range of prices and facilities. What best suits you? Below, you'll find a rundown of the most popular types of accommodations for honeymooners and what you can expect each.

Questions to Ask about Accommodations

Here are some basic questions to ask to be sure you're getting what you want:

Location: Is it in a special setting: on the beach, in the middle of the city, near sightseeing attractions, or in beautiful natural surroundings? What is the view from your room? (Get this confirmed in writing.)

Meals: What type of dining is available on-site? Is there a choice of casual and formal dining? Are other restaurants nearby?

Facilities: Which activities are available on the premises? Is there a full service spa and health club? An indoor pool? Can you expect all the facilities and restaurants to be open during your visit? Are they free to guests? Will there be construction during your stay that will affect your use of the facilities or your comfort?

Amenities: Are rooms equipped with air-conditioning? Minibar? Combination safe? Telephone? Radio? Television? VCR (usually with a rental library available)? Oversized whirlpool baths? Hair dryers? Fancy soaps and lotions?

Additional charges: Are tips for bellhops and maids included? Is a fixed percentage added to all restaurant and room service bills? (Unless you ask, you'll probably end up tipping and paying the charges on your bill.) What taxes are applicable? (These can add more than 20 percent to your bill.) Are there energy or other surcharges? Will you receive a written confirmation of your arrangements from the hotel, including the rate and what it pays for? (You should receive this as soon as you make your reservations.)

All-Inclusive Resorts

The modern concept of all-inclusive honeymoon resorts started in the Poconos during and just after World War II, when hotels began catering to returning soldiers and their brides by charging a single price for accommodations, meals, and use of whatever facilities they provided. Club Med popularized the concept in the 1960s, creating all-inclusive resorts in exotic destinations around the world, where the only extras were drinks and some sports. SuperClubs brought the concept to Jamaica in 1975, soon followed by another well-known Jamaican resort company, Sandals.

These days, all-inclusive resorts are popping up all over the Caribbean and the rest of the world, too. And many traditional hotels are offering all-inclusive packages. The nice thing about all-inclusives is that you'll be able to budget very accurately for your honeymoon, and you may find yourselves trying new sports and activities because you won't have to think about the cost. But all all-inclusive resorts are not the same.

Here are some questions to ask when making your selection:

Ambience: Does the resort cater to a particular group-couples only, singles, families-or everyone? Will there be many newlyweds? (If so, you'll have lots of couples with whom to share wedding stories and, maybe, begin lifetime friendships.)

Meals: Does the rate include three meals a day? Are snacks available around the clock? Is there a choice of restaurants? Are meals served sit-down or buffet style? Is there room service? During what hours? Are alcoholic beverages and wine included?

Tipping: Are tips included? (Many couples view this as a real advantage. Said one newlywed, "It's relaxing not to worry about tipping each time someone brings you a drink or opens a door for you." Other couples feel uncomfortable not tipping for good service.)

Value: Are the sports, drinks, and activities you want included? If you're not drinkers and all you plan to do is lie on the beach, are you still getting good value?

Grand Resorts

Often boasting more than a thousand rooms, these resorts are like miniature cities. Like all-inclusives, grand resorts usually offer a wide array of activities. Although you'll probably pay as you go for meals and activities, most resorts offer packages that include specific options such as scuba diving, golf, tennis, or meals. The advantage: you can enjoy a wide array of dining, shopping, and sports options without leaving the resort and pay only for the facilities you use. You will probably also enjoy twenty-four-hour room service as well as nice touches such as twice-a-day maid service, chocolate mints on your pillow at night, and concierges ready to help with just about anything. Here are some questions to ask:

Ambience: How big is the property? Is it formal or informal? Grand or intimate? High-rise or low-rise? What percentage of the resort's guests come with business or civic groups at the time of the year you're planning to visit? (You probably won't want to be one of the few people not wearing a name tag.) Does the resort have a children's program? If so, are there separate pools and play areas for children? (If not, children may break the romantic mood wherever you go.)

Views: What will you see from your room? If you are at a beach hotel, will you have an oceanfront room? (This doesn't mean you 'll walk out your door to the ocean, but you should have an unobstructed view of the sea.) An ocean view room? (This might mean you have to crane your neck a bit to see the sea.) Or a garden or mountain view? (This is usually what it sounds like, but there may be a parking lot in between you and the view.)

Condominiums and Villas

If you want space, privacy, and the convenience of your own kitchen, this could before you. The prices are often comparable to those of hotels, and some condo and villa complexes offer comparable facilities. Room service meals are generally not available, and daily maid service may cost extra. However, some villas come complete with maid, chef, and chauffeur services for roughly the price of a hotel room. Here are some questions to ask:

Services: Is maid service included? Is it available? At what cost? What other services are included?

Meals and supplies: Is there a restaurant on the premises or nearby? Is room service available? Is there a grocery store?

Tipping: What kind of tips should we expect to give the (This is especially important in villas where you may have a large staff at your service.)

Inns and Bed-and-Breakfasts

These terms cover a wide range of accommodation styles. You might be renting a room in a farmhouse, a suburban home, a city apartment, or a historic landmark.

Generally, bed-and-breakfasts are private homes that rent a few rooms to visitors. Breakfast, included in the price of your room, will probably be the only meal available, and your hosts will probably make you feel like personal guests. These are generally the least expensive but also the least private. Hosts may share their living room with their guests, and you may not have your own bathroom.

Inns often offer more services and amenities (perhaps a tennis court or swimming pool). Many are known for their gourmet food as well as their personal service and hospitality. Because the terms inn and bed-and-breakfast are often used interchangeably, you'll want to ask lots of questions to be sure you get what you want:

Architecture and decor: Is the inn a historic building? Is it decorated with antiques? Will your room have a fireplace? A canopy bed?

Accommodations: Will your room have a private bathroom? Bath or shower? TV? Phone? How private is your room? What size and types of beds are available? Is it air-conditioned? If you want a firm mattress or a queen-size bed, be sure to ask.

Meals: When is breakfast served? Is it a full breakfast or simply rolls and coffee? Is room service available? Are other meals available? What about snacks and beverages?

Amenities: What extras are included? Some inns provide guests with bicycles, canoes, beach access, or tennis courts. Others offer musical soirees or theme weekends. Many hosts will also help you to arrange other activities in the area, such as hot-air ballooning, shopping, and so on.

Other considerations: Is smoking permitted? Are pets? Can you pay with a credit card or check, or will you need cash? Are there other house rules? Most inns require a nonrefundable deposit, and many have minimum-stay requirements.

How do you find an inn? Some inns can be booked through travel agents, but you'll find many more listed through local tourist information centers or chambers commerce. There are also many guidebooks, available in bookstores that provide detailed descriptions and booking information.

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