Tag Archives: Jamaica

Bimini

Caribbean Hotels Offer Spring 2023 Deals

 

The spring breakers have returned home, and the summer rush is months away, now is the time to indulge in a quick getaway or a long lingering vacation. These Caribbean resorts are sure to provide you with a fix of stunning beaches, warm sunshine, and deep blue sea. By the way, they are offering extra perks.

Resorts World Bimini, Bahamas

Bimini, the closest Bahamian island to the U.S. is home to an incredible oceanfront complex with a spa, casino, marina, and a new private white sand beach. Resorts World Bimini offers guests two hotel pools: the ground- floor lagoon pool or the adults-only rooftop infinity pool, both with poolside bars serving cocktails and local bites. Bimini Beach is a 4.5-acre private beach and lounge with beachfront cabanas, two pools, shaded hammocks along with daily live entertainment. This spring the resort is offering two deals starting at $449 including roundtrip transportation and a two- or three-night stay. Limited days apply; offer valid until April 16, 2023. To book: https://rwbimini.com/event/spring-break/

Bimini Resorts World

The beach club at Resorts World Bimini offers 360- degree views of Bimini’s white sand and turquoise sea. Pools, food, and drinks are close by. Photo: Resorts World Bimini

Caribe Hilton, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Ideally situated between Condado and Old San Juan, you’re never out of range for restaurants, shops, and nighttime activities in San Juan. An easy getaway from most U.S. cities, Puerto Rico is perfect for a long weekend escape and a stay at the iconic Caribe Hilton fits the bill. The hotel sits on a slice of sand that is private and secluded where oceanfront pools are set up for basking in the sun. Head for the shade to one of the seaside hammocks or the spa for head-to-toe treatments. Dining options serve everything from local to international cuisine. This spring, travelers who book the ‘Make My Stay’ package at Caribe will receive a $150 resort credit. Book at: www.caribehilton.com/offers/

Caribe Puerto Rico

The Caribe Hilton sits on a peninsular with a quiet cove; the pools have direct views of the ocean. Photo: Caribe Hilton

Sailrock, South Caicos, Turks & Caicos

Finding natural beauty and an escape from the outside world is easy when you book into Sailrock, on the island of South Caicos in the Turks & Caicos. The island is remote, small enough to explore with just 8.2 miles of low hills. Explore the pristine beaches and salt flats or just lull off to sleep on your seaside patio or float in your private pool. Soak in the island life and save up to 30% this spring. Book a suite or villa, and receive a $40 breakfast credit per person per day and a $300 resort credit for staying 5 nights. The package has a minimum of 4 nights and is valid for travel until January 1, 2025. Plan now to save in the next couple of years. For more info: https://sailrocksouthcaicos.com/resort/

Sailrock Turks and Caicos

Sailrock’s Pool

Casa de Campo, Dominica Republic

This resort, in operation for 50 years, is more like a small town covering 7,000 acres of beaches, golf courses, and residential areas. The first luxury resort to open its doors on the island back in 1974, today offers 247 guest rooms and 50 private villas. Here you’ll enjoy a variety of sports from horseback riding, archery, tennis, fishing, snorkeling, sailing, and of course, golf. There are three golf courses designed to challenge the beginner to expert that fringing the ocean and winding through the grounds. Dining includes Mexican, Italian, Spanish, and French along with plenty of local seafood. Book your group in one of the villas and save 50% on selected dates plus a $250,00 resort credit. Offer good for travel through December 20, 2023. For info: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/

Casa De Campo

Casa de Campo offers a selection of villas that include three to ten bedrooms with garden and ocean views. Photo: Casa de Campo

Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

This small, secluded spot along the coast of Ocho Rios is ideal for a getaway from the boisterous crowds you might find on the island. The spot opened back in the 1950s and has been hosting movie stars and discerning guests to its British Colonial-style inn with personalized attention layered in timeless charm. All 55 rooms come with sea views, no phones, or TV for distractions, just the sound of the tropics. Have a relaxing dinner on the terrace restaurant with water views or indulge in a spa treatment where water views add to the level of relaxation. This is the ideal spot to disconnect. Book the Spring Fling valid until April 30, 2023. The savings is 15% off daily rates and a three-night minimum stay is required. To book: https://jamaicainn.com/

Jamaica Inn

Suites at Jamaica Inn have direct sea views with easy access to one of the finest beaches on the island. Photo: Jamaica Inn

Condado Vanderbilt, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Glamorous and stunning with its pink marble lobby and wrought iron spiral staircase and a storied past, the oldest luxury property on the island has been restored to its original grandeur of 1919. Today’s guests are treated like celebrities as the hotel delivers exquisite luxury where the service shines. Guests have 4 pools and a spa, known is as the best on the island. Dining features the works of Chef Juan José Cueva is admired by San Juan’s foodies. Seaside dining serving Puerto Rican cuisine and tacos round out the offerings. The Sweet Suite Spring deal offers 10% off on suite accommodations and a $75.00 resort credit and includes a breakfast buffet for two. Book through May 30, 2023, for travel from April 1 to June 30, 2023. For more information: https://www.condadovanderbilt.com/

Puerto Rico Condado

An ideal spot for a romantic dinner is Ola at Condado Vanderbilt where a quiet nook overlooks the sea. Photo: Condado Vanderbilt

Jake's

The Caribbean’s Most Colorful Hotels

 

The Caribbean is full of color: the teals, aquamarines, and cobalt blues of the ocean; sands that vary from white, pink, and silver to volcanic black; hillsides swathed in deep greens and structures painted in a range of brilliant colors more often seen in Easter baskets. And then there are the people, who are warm by nature and love any excuse to dress in vivid costumes for celebrations such as Carnival, Jump Up, and Junkanoo. So, the next time you plan a Caribbean vacation, make sure your walls are pink, the staircase is turquoise, the pillows are orange and your hammock is lime green. You’ll be sure to go home with a new attitude.

A Private Paradise: Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, Aruba

When you enter the turquoise-walled lobby, you’ll most likely be welcomed by one of the Rooijakkers sisters, the Aruban-born, Belgium-educated owners of this smart little hotel. Hidden behind a slew of coconut palms, palmetto and tropicals are a private garden and a collection of 46 cottages and casita suites, displaying a kaleidoscope of tropical tones. Each of these well-equipped casitas (kitchen, barbecue, hammock, and private deck) is unique and filled with color. Set against a background canvas of angular white are hot pink accent walls, turquoise shutters, and green, orange, and yellow pillows, all designed to stimulate the senses without overwhelming. Local artwork provides an additional element of visual interest and connects the property to its past life as a coconut plantation. Secluded from the outside world, the ambiance is peaceful, isolated, and where you want to be, whether that’s chilling by the pool, reading a book under the communal palapa, or swinging in a hammock that just happens to be turquoise.

Aruba Boardwalk Hotel

The private landscaped grounds of the Boardwalk insulate guests from the outside world, but island attractions and beaches are just a short distance away. Photo: Corey Weiner/Boardwalk

The enclave is sheltered from the larger resorts that line Palm Beach and the traffic of the main drag, L.G. Smith Blvd., but remains close enough to the action for convenience when you need some beach time or a serving of nightlife. Your hosts can send you off to the ocean with towels, beach chairs, coolers, and snorkeling gear, and they are a font of advice on island explorations and activities they know personally. The most happening stretch of sand on Aruba, Palm Beach, is just a three- minute walk, and Fisherman’s Huts, the center for kiteboarding and windsurfing, is a slight bit longer. Should you get the urge to ride the winds, the sisters can hook you up with instructors and gear, as they are avid boarders themselves. The less ambitious can have breakfast delivered to their patio and start their day with a relaxing dose of color therapy.

Aruba Boardwalk Hotel

Some guests at the Boardwalk prefer to hang by one of the two pools for the day, napping, swimming, and sipping Caribbean cocktails. Photo: Corey Weiner/Boardwalk

Bohemian Hideaway: Jakes, Treasure Beach, Jamaica

The funky décor starts with stained glass windows paired with driftwood doors, colored bottles worked into walls, and conch shells that frame an outdoor shower. Toss in an eclectic assortment of design elements from Mexico, Morocco, and India and you begin to get the picture of why Jakes is known as one of the most original and whimsical properties in the Caribbean. Every one of the 30 cottages, villas, and single-bedroom units scattered across the six-acre grounds is cleverly designed, and each shows the influence of Sally Henzell. The mother of owner Jake Henzell, drew on her talents as an artist, seamstress, photographer, and collector of the unusual to develop a theme that celebrates the Jamaican homeland and its many divergent influences. Rasta colors and photos of Bob Marley grace the walls, and notions of artists like Antoni Gaudí and Cuba’s José Fuster are evident.

Jamaica Jake's

Oceanfront bungalows and cottages at Jakes have outdoor space to take in the mesmerizing sea views. Many have outdoor showers framed in colorful glass and tile. Photo: Jakes

You’ll find plenty of mosaic tiles on the walls as well as around the pool, which becomes the center for much of the activity in this village-like atmosphere. All of these elements work together to create a low-key and playful environment that encourages you to lull in the sun, stretch out for a snooze in the shade or pull up a seat in the Adirondack chairs facing the sea. The truly endearing qualities of Jakes resonate not only from the trinkets and kitschy design elements but also from the people. Here, you’ll find true Jamaican hospitality. The Henzells and staff seem like extended family and an integral part of the Treasure Beach community. Indeed, it’s quite common for local fishermen and farmers to stop by with offerings for the kitchen, plucked fresh from land or sea.

Jake's Interior Jamaica

Hints of Morocco and the East Indies are blended into the singular architecture and décor of Jakes, where no two rooms are the same, and each is charming in its own right. Photo: Jakes

Seduced by fragrance: Mount Cinnamon Resort and Beach Club, Grenada

Nestled on a hillside overlooking Grand Anse Beach, the stark white buildings and red roofs of the Mount Cinnamon Resort complete a primary color palette that begins with the blues of sea and sky and works through earthy ochers and the greens of Grenada’s natural vegetation. In summer months the flamboyant trees fill with yellow and red blooms, and fragrant breezes remind you that you are on the Spice Island. Each spacious suite offers a sitting room, bar, full kitchen and a private balcony. In the evening pour a glass of wine and watch the mesmerizing twinkling of the distant harbor lights of St. George’s framed through arched pillars. Some interiors are dressed in citrus tones, others take on hues of the 1960s: pink, purple, and blue. Furnishings also push the envelope towards the eclectic; your space might have a vintage painted wooden table in lime green paired with sleek Italian- styled chairs, a pink shag rug in one bedroom, and a purple and yellow theme in another. You may bathe in a pink swirl of a plaster shower, and your morning muffin will pop out of an orange toaster.

Grenada Mount Cinnamon Resort

The creation of visionary hotelier Peter de Savary, Mount Cinnamon Resort is perched hillside above Grand Anse Beach; its white walls provide a backdrop for splashes of color. Photo: Mount Cinnamon

Dining at the elevated terrace at Savvy’s Restaurant is equally colorful, as the setting mates the panoramic vistas of Grand Anse Beach with island flavors. Breakfast may be a platter of fresh fruit and dinner a fish dish with West Indian influences, but count on freshness as fruits and vegetables come from the farm of sister property Mount Edgecombe and the fresh catch of the day is always on the menu. The Mount Cinnamon Beach Club is just across the street and has a quiet stretch of sand on Grand Anse. Settle in for the day with a chaise under a yellow umbrella, and when it’s time for lunch retreat to the red-roofed restaurant. Late afternoon calls for a massage beachside, relaxing with warm breezes and the sounds of nature.

Grenada Mount Cinnamon Pool

Poolside at Mount Cinnamon is ideal for sunbathing and when hunger strikes, Savvy, the open-air restaurant is right through the arches. Photo: Mount Cinnamon

Musical Colors: Compass Point, Nassau

From the air, the resort looks like a village built of Legos: red, blue, and yellow blocks joined together in a riotous celebration of colors, textures, and levels. The property is the creation of recording mogul Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records. His goal was to re-create the village atmosphere he knew growing up in his native Jamaica. He also wanted to pay homage to the colors and patterns of the Bahamian celebrations of Junkanoo, the annual street parties turned parades that take place on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day each year and are an integral part of Bahamian culture. At the time of its opening in 1995, Compass Point quickly became a haven for musical artists. Today, the property is still steeped in that culture, and you can peruse the list of performers that have stayed there over the years and listen to their music, as each cottage is equipped with a selection of CDs.

Compass Point Cottage

The cottages at Compass Point Resort orient to the water to capture the sounds of lapping waves and allow sea breezes to flow through louvered windows. Photo: Debbie Snow

Hidden behind palms and green foliage, the resort’s wildly painted collection of 18 cottages, studios, and two-bedroom units are set right at the water’s edge. Every room has a balcony with sea views, where the soundtrack comes from nature. And although air conditioning is available, you’ve got the opportunity to open the windows and sleep to the sound of the sea crashing on the rocks and shoreline below. The two-bedroom units are set up on stilts, giving the upper levels panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. When it’s time for that picturesque sunset, head to the pier that extends 120 feet into the Atlantic Ocean to capture every shade from orange to indigo as the sun sinks below the waves.

Compass Point Bahamas

Guests at Compass Point can don a mask and snorkel and explore the reefs off Love’s Beach or just unwind on the white sands. Photo: Compass Point Resort

 

Kingston Jamaica Food And Drink Festival Vintage

Culinary Getaways in the Caribbean

 

Combine your love of good food and travel at a delicious gastronomic event in one of these three Caribbean islands. Join award-winning chefs in Aruba, top locals chefs in Jamaica and Michelin-starred French chefs in St. Barth for specially prepared menus, wine pairings and a twist of island flair.

Aruba

Boston’s award-winning chefs Christopher Coombs and Adrienne Wright will be at Divi Aruba to offer guests a first-class dining experience for two nights October 25 and 26, 2019. Rates start at $199 per person and include the cooking demonstration and room for one night. Chef Coombs has become one of Boston’s top chefs and restaurateurs overseeing culinary teams at his Boston Urban Hospitality restaurants: Deuxave, Boston Chops and dbar. Executive chef Adrienne Wright works closely with Coombs at each location. The chefs will create an Aruban inspired 4-course dinner with 2 amuses and wine pairing. Guests will dine on items such as yellowtail and hamachi crudo, spiced Long Island duck breast and black quinoa with native beans and green papaya.

Aruba Divi

The all-inclusive Divi Aruba sits on beautiful Druif Beach, with a shopping arcade and the Alhambra Casino nearby. Photo: Divi Aruba

Jamaica

Now in its fifth year the Jamaica Food & Drink Festival takes place in Kingston from October 26 to November 3, 2019. During the 10-day event, Jamaica’s cultural capital invites over 50 of the island’s best chefs along with wine and spirit experts to tantalize guests with Jamaican culinary legacies. Seven events featuring a variety of outlets and restaurants will offer delectable local cuisines. For a stay at a peaceful mountain hideaway, those attending the event can book rooms at Strawberry Hill. This 26-acre hillside retreat overlooks Kingston and the Blue Mountains is offering 20% off the best rate during the festival. Visit: https://www.strawberryhillhotel.com/

Strawberry Hill Jamaica

From the veranda, the cool crisp air at 3,100 feet above sea level makes Strawberry Hill a refreshing getaway. Photo: Strawberry Hill

St. Barth

The Christopher, sits on Pointe Milou with a view of St. Jean, providing one of the best places to watch the sunset on St. Barth. The new Christo restaurant focuses on organic meat and farm- fresh vegetables where Chef Nicolas Tissier positions ingredients at the heart of his nouvelle cuisine. The hotel will host visiting chefs during the Sixth Annual St. Barth Gourmet Festival.  The festival’s patron chef, Arnaud Faye, Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) and two-star chef at Château de la Chèvre d’Or in Eze will be on island for the event November 6 to 10, 2019. Seven top French chefs, each working at a restaurant and creating special multi-course meals during the festival will join him.

St Bart The Christopher

Mango Beach Club offers casual poolside fare overlooking the bay. Villas at the 5-star Christopher offer views of the Caribbean Sea and nearby islands. Photo: The Christopher

Dining Caribbean In The Sand

Dining on the Sand in the Caribbean

 

We’ve rounded up seven of the best beach dining experiences in the Caribbean. At these resorts, you can wiggle your toes in the sand, gaze at the sun setting over the horizon and dine like a gourmand.

 

 

Divi Trees Aruba

Caribbean Volunteer Vacations

 

If checking in to a Caribbean beach resort seems a bit self-indulgent, you might want to check out some of the ways you can give back while traveling to the islands. There are a number of organizations that promote and coordinate volunteer programs that let you add a philanthropic mission to your time in the sun.

Tidy Up

Aruba is known as one happy island. And one thing that makes the locals happy is having a clean island. Visitors can help by participating in the Aruba Reef Care Project, which is the island’s largest single volunteer environmental initiative. Locals are joined by divers and snorkelers from around the globe, who sweep the shores to remove glass, plastics and other debris from a number of popular reefs and beaches. The annual event draws more than 800 participants. As an alternative, visitors who prefer to stay dry while doing good can volunteer at the Donkey Sanctuary, to help with the daily chores of feeding and caring for the animals. http://www.aruba.com/aruba-vacations/volunteer-vacations

Aruba Snorkeling

During the annual beach and coastal cleanup, volunteers scour the sands of Aruba’s beaches, some also don mask and snorkel or dive gear to hunt for submerged litter. Photo: iStock

Pooches in Paradise

Go beyond the beach resorts to discover the real Jamaica, and make some new canine friends in the process. Volunteers with the Animal Care Project spend time at an island shelter for abandoned dogs, assisting with everything from feeding, bathing and brushing the animals to walking them and providing love and play time. Participants typically spend mornings working with the rescued dogs, and have afternoons and weekends free to explore beaches, waterfalls and area villages. The shelter is located in St. Mary Parish, near the resort town of Ocho Rios. Volunteers stay in simple, comfortable dormitory-style accommodations, or have the option of staying with a local family. In addition to animal care, the program organizers also coordinate teaching, sports, and community development programs. www.volunteerhq.org

Jamaica Dogs

Headquartered near Ocho Rios, Jamaica’s Animal Care Project provides volunteers with a unique opportunity to combine an island vacation with a chance to work with rescued dogs. Photo: Lori Newman/Flickr

Restore the Shore

Even if cruise ships aren’t normally your thing, you might want to consider signing up for a sailing with the Fathom organization, which organizes cruises with cultural and philanthropic elements to destinations across the Caribbean. Most recently, Fathom has partnered with Princess Cruises to visit islands hard-hit by the 2017 hurricanes. Participants on these seven-day trips will come ashore to work with locals to rebuild in the storm-ravaged communities. In addition to special disaster relief trips, Fathom offers a broad range of cultural programs in Cuba and the Dominican Republic, and is currently working to expand to more islands. www.fathom.org

Cruising Caribbean

After the 2017 hurricanes, the Fathom volunteer organization created a number of special itineraries with Princess cruise lines, giving passengers a chance to participate in island rebuilding. Photo: Steve Hughes/Flickr

Be a Sport

If you love team sports, the Amigos de las Americanas program is a great way to give back while also engaging in your favorite pastimes. Participants sign up for immersive programs in the Dominican Republic, working with local community members to develop a youth sports league. Prior coaching experiences is a good thing, but not mandatory, as there are many skill sets needed to organize and run a league, both on and off the field. This four- week program was developed with the partner agency, Plan Dominican Republic, which helps place participants with a local host family. In addition to working with young athletes, the rewards include a chance to experience the country like a local, and opportunities to improve your Spanish through authentic cultural immersion. www.gooverseas.com

Dominican Republic Pargue Colon

Volunteers can participate in a number of educational and civic programs in the Dominican Republic, and immerse themselves in the nation’s rich culture and history. Photo: Getty Images

Monitor a Manatee

The coastal wetlands of Belize are one of the last unspoiled habitats for the West Indian Manatee. You can help ensure the survival of these large, gentle sea cows by joining a Wildlife Volunteer Adventure with Discover Corps. You’ll join marine biologists working to save the country’s endangered manatees, monitoring the health of the animals, taking environmental measurements and census counts. The program exposes participants to three different marine environments, including coastal mangrove lagoons, the Caribbean Sea and jungle rivers. Monitoring and counting activities take place in the mornings, leaving free time each afternoon to relax on white sand beaches, snorkel on coral reefs or explore the natural wonders of Belize. A highlight of each weeklong trip is a chance to visit the pristine ecosystems of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. www.discovercorps.com

Belize Manatees

A group of manatees glide through shallow sea grass beds in the coastal waters of Belize. Though threatened elsewhere, these gentle mammals thrive in Belize’s marine preserves. Photo: David Harvey/Hamanasi Resort

St Lucia Anse Chastanet

Romantic Caribbean Resort Getaways

 

Add some heat to February’s winter chills by escaping to the Caribbean for a romantic interlude. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day treat for old flames, or a destination wedding for new couples, there are a select number of resorts that provide special romance packages for the month of February and beyond.

Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia

With its lush landscapes, sparkling waters and pristine beaches, St. Lucia is the ultimate setting for a memorable romantic escape. And there is no place better to stage this escape than Anse Chastanet resort, which nestles in the shadows of the iconic Pitons, and faces the island’s finest coral reef. Romance-minded couples and honeymooners can take in the Lover’s Early Bird Special, which offers a 7th night free for weeklong stays. This “total romance” package pairs accommodations with an all- inclusive meal plan that includes afternoon tea and most alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Also included are airport transfers, a welcoming bottle of champagne and a one-hour Swedish massage per person. For activities outside the room, there are tours to the island’s volcano, sulphur springs, and Diamond Mineral Baths, escorted walks of the Old French Colonial Plantation, guided boat snorkel trips, a resort scuba diving course for beginners, or 2 dives per person for certified divers, half-day jungle biking in Anse Mamin Valley and half-day sailing on the Serenity. As an added thank, you, the resort provides a $500 credit to be used on a return trip. Rates per couple start at $6,876.To book call 800-223- 1108; visit www.ansechastanet.com.

St. Lucia Anse Chastane

A guest room at St. Lucia’s Anse Chastanet resort perches on a slope high above the Caribbean Sea. The room offers views of the ocean and the Piton Peaks. Photo: Anse Chastanet

Couples Tower Isle, Jamaica

Named one of the top ten most romantic getaways in the world, Tower Isle is a place couples can unwind and reconnect in an intimate beachfront setting. From breakfast in bed to a candlelit beach dinner, every guest experience is tailored to create a memorable stay. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, the Romance Package is offered for stays of 4 nights or more. Couples are met with candles, rose petals, chocolates and a bottle of sparkling wine when they arrive. The package includes a romantic private dinner overlooking the beach, and a 50-minute spa treatment. Options and add-ons include the One Love package for bride, groom and up to four guests, with ceremonies documented by a photographer and videographer. The Vow Renewal package adds in a private beachfront dinner for bride and groom plus four guests. Rates start at $250 per person per night. For this getaway offer, you’ll need to travel by February 18, 2018. For details visit www.couples.com or call 877-793-1913.

Jamaica Ochos Rios

Twilight falls as couples enjoy happy hour libations at Couples Tower Isle in Jamaica. This adult-centric resort is an Ocho Rios landmark that benefits from a sweeping renovation. Photo: Couples

Mango Bay Hotel, Barbados

Whether you are looking to tie the knot for the first time, or are ready to renew your vows, this boutique-style, all-inclusive beachfront property has a package to fit. Mango Bay offers several “Say I do in Paradise” options that allow lovebirds to stage a fairytale wedding in a tropical oasis highlighted by warm breezes, delightful Caribbean sunshine and picturesque beaches. Hotel rates start at US$515 per room, per night, based on double occupancy. For wedding add-ons, a dedicated team of wedding specialists work with couples to personalize and coordinate all the details for a seamless and stress free celebration. The Standard Wedding Package is priced at $1,125 and includes the personalized services of a wedding coordinator, officiating clergyman, marriage license fees, round trip transfers to obtain the marriage license, decorated wedding gazebo, bridal wedding bouquet, bottle of sparkling wine and a 12” cake. The Ultimate Wedding Package is priced at $1,910 and adds champagne, a steel pan soloist for one hour, a couples half-hour massage at Elements Spa, breakfast in bed on the morning after the wedding and a one-hour sunset cruise. A Mango Bay vacation includes all meals, afternoon tea, local and brand name drinks, wine with dinner, use of the on-site gym; nightly entertainment; watersports include waterskiing, paddle boarding, kayaking, Hobie Cat sailing, pedal boating and snorkeling; complimentary scuba diving lessons, and off-property sightseeing excursions including a glass-bottom boat trip and a catamaran sail. For more information call 246- 626- 1384 or visit www.mangobaybarbados.com.

Barbados Mango Bay

The pool at Mango Bay. This small-scale all-inclusive resort offers 76 rooms set on a pristine beach, within minutes of boutiques, restaurants, and bars in Barbados’s historic Holetown. Photo: Mango Bay

The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort, Panama

This Valentine’s Day, this newly named Autograph Collection Hotel is offering a special package that mixes romance with recreation. Couples are sequestered in the romantic ambiance of this exclusive beach and golf community, where they can enjoy a championship Jack Nicklaus design golf course, go horseback riding, or take advantage of full access to a sports club complex and water sports. The 118-key Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort provides guests with nine restaurants and bars, the Corotu Spa, seven swimming pools, personal plunge pools, kids and teen club and the Buenaventura Zoo. The romance experience promotion includes a welcome cocktail, daily breakfast for two, and a romantic dinner at any one of the resort’s fine dining restaurants. The special offer is valid through February 28, 2018. The package starts at $324 per night per couple, with a two-night minimum stay. To book visit www.buenaventurahotel.com or call 507-908- 3318.

Panama Buenaventura Golf Beach Resort

The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort is one of Panama’s premier beachfront destinations, offering elegant accommodations and suites set in lush gardens and a lagoon on the Pacific Ocean. Photo: Buenaventura Resort

Capella Marigot Bay Resort & Marina, St. Lucia

Love is in the air at Marigot Bay. This picturesque upscale resort overlooks the palm tree-lined bay, and a marina filled with gleaming yachts. Rooms feature an elegant yet welcoming West Indian-inspired décor, while pampering amenities such as hot tubs, on-call personal assistants and private balconies with water views set the tone for relaxation and romance. Five-star service and gourmet dining with farm-to-table offerings are signatures of the resort, which remains a favorite with honeymooners. The Valentine’s package includes, a bottle of Prosecco delivered to your room upon arrival, full breakfast each day, a 3-course dinner at The Grill, couples massage at The Auriga Spa, rose petal turndown and taxes and service charges. This experience is priced from $580 per person for a two-night stay and is available throughout the month of February. Use rate code VAL18 to book, visit www.marigotbay.com or call 877-384-8037.

Marigot Bay St. Lucia

A pool suite at St. Lucia’s Marigot Bay Resort & Marina is set within lush island landscaping. Views from room and balcony take in one of the island’s most picturesque bays. Photo: Marigot Bay

Jamaica Half Moon Spa

Superior Soaks: Amazing Resort Bathtubs in Tropical Garden Settings

 

Whether it’s a cleansing dip after a day of adventures in rainforest and reef, or a relaxing immersion in preparation for a private candlelight dinner on the beach, a bathtub can become more than just a way to get clean. Here’s a sampling of amazing bathing experiences from around the world. So sink in and relax. A marble tub is the perfect place to refresh with a flower and herb scented bath after a massage at the award-winning Fern Tree Spa at Jamaica’s Half Moon resort.

Belize Biancaneaux Lodge Outdoor Shower

Outdoor Showers: 15 Top Resorts with Amazing Private Open-air Cascades

 

There’s nothing like standing under the cool, cleansing flow of an outdoor shower set amid natural surroundings. While lathering up in bubbles, you might hear the songs of birds, monkeys chattering in the trees or the sea rolling ashore. Bringing you closer to nature and pictured here is a close up of a private courtyard outdoor shower at the Blancaneuax Lodge in Belize.

Jamaica Strawberry Hill

10 Unexpected Caribbean Activities

 

Once you’ve had your fill of sun, beach and water, it’s time to try something different. And at resorts all across the Caribbean, you can do just that. Young and old alike will find activities that entertain, educate or encourage engagement. Here are ten experiences that go beyond the ordinary resort experience.

1  Visit a Mountain Village:  Strawberry Hill, Jamaica

Lace up your walking shoes and ask the concierge for directions and a map. From the Strawberry Hill resort, the path to Redlight village winds through the wooded hillsides of the Blue Mountains, passing streams and a waterfall along the way. It’s an easy 20-minute walk, and once there, you can tour the historic St. Mark’s Chapel, which was built by the British in the early 1800s. To make a day of it, have the resort’s kitchen staff prepare a picnic lunch to bring along.

2  Swim with a Mermaid: Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, St. Bart

She might join you in the pool, or make a surprise visit during a snorkel trip. Amarylis is St. Bart’s resident mermaid, delighting imaginations of all ages at the Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France resort. This upscale boutique property overlooks the stunning beach at Baie des Flamands, where crystal- clear waters are ideal for young snorkelers. In keeping with its family- friendly atmosphere, the Isle de France often hosts Amaryllis, who poses for photos, and shares stories of her home in the sea.

St Barth Mermaid

Amarylis the mermaid photographed while diving beneath a breaking wave. She makes regular beach and pool appearances at Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France. Photo: Amarylis

3  Spot a Monkey: Four Seasons Nevis

End your day with a private sunset tour of the Four Seasons’ Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course. As you wander the hillside fairways, you’ll learn about the native flora and enjoy sweeping views of the resort, the Caribbean Sea and the nearby island of St. Kitts. And be sure to scan the trees and hillsides for a glimpse of the island’s famous green vervet monkeys. First brought to Nevis in the 1800s as pets, they now roam free across the island.

Nevis Monkey

The green vervet monkeys of Nevis are often sighted on the grounds of the Four Seasons Resort. These monkeys communicate using an elaborate series of calls. Photo: David Danzig/Flickr

4  Blend Your Own: Nayara Springs, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for its fine coffees, and you can sample some of the best blends at Mi Cafecito, which is Nayara Springs’ in-house expresso bar. The flavors are created by resident coffee connoisseur Ken Palmer, who learned his craft training with Alfred Peet of Peet’s Coffee. Palmer will also guide guests through the steps of creating their own personal blends. The results are delicious, as novice blenders work with high-quality beans from the country’s premier Tarrazu region.

5  Mix a Dirty Banana: Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios

Rum is the Caribbean’s signature spirit. Guests of the Jamaica Inn can get into this spirit of the islands during a Rumology class held each Thursday morning at Teddy’s Beach Bar. In addition to mingling with other rum enthusiasts, participants learn to create a number of signature drinks such as Teddy’s signature planter’s punch, the dark and stormy, dirty banana and the piña colada. The session is hosted by the knowledgeable bar team, who also recounts the history of popular rum mixes, share stories of the rich Jamaican heritage of rum, and describe mixing techniques.

Jamaica Inn Drinks

Sun and Rum. All the elements come together at Teddy’s Beach Bar, where guests of the Jamaica Inn can learn to mix some of the Caribbean’s most iconic rum drinks. Photo: David Massey/Jamaica Inn

6  Art Walk:  Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, Bermuda

The recent hundred-million-dollar upgrading of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club included the addition of an extensive collection of contemporary art. Today as your walk through the lobby and public spaces these art works are juxtaposed against the hotel’s historic architectural details such as crown molding and oriental rugs. The collection includes works from Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Nelson Mandela, Banksy, and Philippe Decrauzat among others. You can walk through the collection on your own or join a guided tour, which is offered every Saturday morning.

7  Pick Tomatoes Off the Vine: CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, Anguilla

To provide the kitchen with the freshest and finest possible ingredients, this upscale beach resort maintains an 18,000-square foot greenhouse, which supplies much of the produce used in the restaurants. Crops include vine- ripened tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuces and micro-greens and herbs. The chefs delight in being able to pick fresh dill, basil and parsley on a daily basis, and in creating dishes featuring guava and pumpkin grown on the property. Guests can tour the greenhouse, help with the harvest and even take a seat at a hands-on cooking class.

Anguilla Greenhouse

Food doesn’t get more local that this. The on-site greenhouse at the CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa supplies the kitchen with an abundance of fresh produce. Photo: Joe Rahim/CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa

8  Immerse in the Culture of Curacao: Sonesta Kura Hulanda Village & Spa, Curacao

Spread over an eight-block compound in the center of Willemstad, Kura Hulanda village is a collection of meticulously restored historic buildings that now house boutique lodgings and the anthropological museum of Kura Hulanda. The museum focuses on the predominant cultures of Curacao, taking visitors on a journey that ranges from the origin of man to West African empires, a chronicle of the African slave trade, pre-Columbian gold, Mesopotamian relics and Antillean art. Visitors can conduct self-guided visits or join an interpretive tour.

9  Explore an Ecological Park: Tortuga Bay Puntacana Resort & Club, Punta Cana, DR

Guests of Tortuga Bay are invited to take a complimentary self-guided tour of the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve. This 1,500-acre nature reserve provides a habitat for indigenous birds, reptiles, insects and native plants. A series of interpretive trails cover the natural and cultural history of the island, and include a sugar cane exhibit, a fruit tree garden and an iguana habitat. Pack a swimsuit, because trails also lead to 12 freshwater lagoons where you can take a dip.

Punta Cana Lagoon

Visitors can cool off in one of the numerous freshwater lagoons that are scattered through the grounds of the Dominican Republic’s Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve. Photo: Ecological Park

10  Salute the Sun: W Retreat & Spa, Vieques, Puerto Rico

It’s a great way to begin or end your day. Join other guests in the W Retreat’s Living Room, an eclectic, neo-Bohemian relaxation space, where you can hang out and mingle before heading out to the deck for a mind, body and breath workout. Sunrise and sunset yoga sessions meet daily. Private yoga sessions available through the AWAY Spa, featuring Detox Yoga, Art of Meditation, and Introduction to Breath. If you are feeling more energetic and awake a bit earlier, join the kayak tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.

St Croix Buccaneer Yoga

Yoga Retreats in the Caribbean

 

The search for balance and inner peace becomes a lot easier in the right setting. Especially if that setting is a Caribbean beach. You can begin your personal path to enlightenment with a yoga and wellness retreat offered at several of the Caribbean’s premier beachfront resorts. Here’s what to expect.

Cleanse Retreat, The Buccaneer Resort, St. Croix

Think of it as a tune up for both body and soul. During the week of July 17 to 24, holistic fitness coach Stacey Stone and board- certified health coach Karin Del Maestro host a Cleanse Retreat at St. Croix’s Buccaneer resort that will leave you detoxed, refreshed and vibrant. Each day, participants will learn new ways to build a healthy body and develop a long-term vibrant healthy state. Karin will lead daily cleanse and wellness workshops, while Stacey provides one or two daily movement, yoga and meditation classes. Participants will also enjoy a special daily meal plan based on seasonal foods that will help cleanse body and mind.

St Croix Buccaneer

The Buccaneer’s Mermaid Beach is the perfect place to relax after daily yoga sessions. Guests seeking solitude can also visit secluded Whistle Beach or sail to the wildlife refuge at Buck Island. Photo: Buccaneer

In addition to daily coaching support, yoga, movement and mediation sessions, participants can enjoy all the recreational amenities of the Buccaneer, including the use of snorkeling gear, paddleboards, kayaks, and exclusive access to the resort’s three spectacular beaches. Two packages are offered. A four-night session is $2742 single and $2117 double per person. Or plan to take in the entire week for the seven-night package with rates of $3951 single and $2858 double, per person. The package includes room and tax, daily cleanse and wellness workshops, movement classes, all meals and more. Both Karin and Stacey are available for additional one-on-one sessions for an additional fee. www.TheBuccaneer.com

Yoga and Tai Chi Weeks, Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa, Jamaica

Whether you are new to yoga and energy work, or an avid devotee looking to enhance your practice, these Jamaican retreats are for you. On the shores of the Caribbean Sea, you will join celebrated yoga teachers and holistic nutritional lectures for a week of restorative activities and a full slate of classes. The program includes multiple daily yoga sessions, with offerings for those new to yoga, along with total-immersion programs such as Yoga for Life or Yin Yoga for those looking to enhance their practice. Classes range from guidance in align and flow to cooking classes and mediation sessions, along with movement-based programs in Pilates, dance, spinning, aquacize and nature and power walks.

Jamaica Runaway Bay

Jamaica’s Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort is an ideal setting for a sunset session of yoga on the beach. This all-inclusive property places an emphasis on health and fitness. Photo: Jewel Paradise Cove

The Paradise Cove Beach Resort is chic adults-only resort located on the shores of Runaway Bay, and in addition to yoga and wellness activities, guests can enjoy a wide range of resort perks that include all meals and snacks at seven on-site restaurants, access to a state-of-the-art fitness center, and daily activities such as boat tours and snorkel trips. Yoga weeks are offered on August 13-19, 2017 and December 10-16, 2017. Rates start at $150 per person, per night, based on double occupancy. Visit www.jewelresorts.com/yogajournal or call 888-310-6182.

Yoga Month at Body Holiday, St. Lucia

Each fall, the Body Holiday dedicates October to yoga. During the month-long program known as Octoba Yoga, the resort becomes the ultimate yoga retreat, with sessions from sunrise to sunset that include Hatha, Ashtanga, Shanthi and Katti yoga and meditation classes. These programs are created to accommodate everyone from beginners to the more advanced, and are led by the resort’s resident Yogi, Natascha and Kestin, who will be joined by Yogi Master Doug Swenson who’s unique approach to yoga has evolved into a holistic presentation that includes enhanced nutrition and cross training.

St Lucia Body Holiday

The Body Holiday blends the amenities of a luxury beach resort with a range of active sports and wellness programs designed to rejuvenate both body and soul. Photo: Debbie Snow

In support of Octoba Yoga, the resort will offer a dedicated menu of yogic foods and teas served at restaurants throughout the property, as well as an array of special massage and therapeutic treatments at The Wellness Centre. In addition to yoga, guests can partake in a full range of water sports and other resort activities and sports as part of Body Holiday’s all-inclusive plan. Rates vary according to room type and location. www.thebodyholiday.com/theme-months/themes/octoba-yoga