Romance Rules in the Caribbean

Posted on December 19, 2011 by admin

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

Whether you’re with an old flame, igniting sparks with a new one, celebrating Christmas, toasting the New Year or getting a jump on Valentine’s Day, a bouquet of allures tempt in the Caribbean.   Graced with sandy strands, mountain-coddled coves and tie-dyed sunsets, plenty of passion is just a flight away. “With cupid’s arrows pointing toward these islands in the sun,” smiles Hugh Riley, incurable romantic and secretary general of the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization, “the pressure on creativity is heating up with planners thinking of more innovative ways to satisfy the demands of couples from weddings underwater and in palm-fringed gazebos to the always romantic sunset backdrop by the soothing Caribbean Sea.”

From Curacao and Jamaica to St. Kitts and St. Lucia, the Caribbean is paradise found for brides and grooms saying their I Do’s on the beach, honeymooners in search of a hammock for two, anniversary celebrators, vow renewal takers and couples just wanting to get away from the nine-to-five.

Cuddle Up

Photo Courtesy of Marriott Resorts

St. Kitts Marriott is a good bet for couples who like to tempt lady luck in the casino, top off their tan on the candy sand, indulge in a revitalizing massage or a gourmet feast at the Blu Seafood restaurant or the inviting lobby bar. A taxi ride from a slew of funky beach bars, the resort is brand-reliable with air and hotel deals galore throughout the winter months including the ‘Super Sand Dollar’ package that tempts with rates as low as US$164.00, per room and three nights gratis when seven are booked. www.stkittsmarriott.com

Winter is on sale at the iconic Kura Hulanda hotels in Curacao with 40 percent off nightly rates through April 7.  At both the Hotel near Willemstad  and the Lodge on the beach, the ‘Spa Splendor’ package is relaxation-central for three nights and includes spa treatments, sun loungers and dips in the Jacuzzi. For larger groups, the thatched-roof Kalki Villas at the Lodge sleep six in two-storey comfort and come with espresso makers, gourmet kitchen, enormous patios and plunge pool. “Aesthetically stunning, the villas provide both the convenience of a private home and the advantages of a first-class resort,” said Peter Heinen, president, Kura Hulanda.   www.kurahulanda.com.

Something Blue

The only resort in St. Lucia to offer night snorkeling, Jalhousie Plantation entices with an array of romance packages and nocturnal underwater tours where couples use waterproof flashlights to swim with parrot fish as they weave their cocoons and octopus as they venture from their daylight hideaways. www.jalousieplantation.com

Sultry strolls on salmon-colored beaches are a daily ritual in Barbuda.  Sandy sister to Antigua, the sandy sliver boasts one five-star resort, 360 degree panoramic views from the Lighthouse Bay Bar and the largest frigate bird sanctuary in the world.  Welcoming couples (and everyone else), privacy is guaranteed at the plush nine-suite Lighthouse Bay Resort as the only access is via small plane or helicopter.   “Couples who venture to Barbuda, says Terrence Linton, general manager, “may want to stay here forever.” www.LightHouseBayResort.com

Take it to the Top

Photo Courtesy of Mystic Mountain

In Ocho Rios, sky-high weddings are taking off at Rainforest Adventures at Mystic Mountain where the “I Do at 700 Feet” ceremony dares couples to get hitched while flying through the treetops on the Sky Explorer chair lift or on the lawn atop Mystic Mountain. Packages include photographs of the high-octane ceremony and two witnesses if you forgot to bring them with you. www.rainforest-adventures.com.

The recipient of every award imaginable, Jade Mountain is a dramatic six-hundred foot spike above the sea with mesmerizing views of St. Lucia’s iconic Piton Mountains. The creative vision of architect Nick Troubetzkoy, rooms are without a fourth wall giving way to vistas that seem to reach for the sky. www.jademountain.com . At the next door Anse Chastanet resort, a $500.00 certificate for a return anniversary visit is given to couples who book one of several romance packages. www.ansechastanet.com

Wedding Customs in the Caribbean

The High Five

  • A shiny dime placed inside the bride’s shoe brings wealth and prosperity.
  • If the wedding bouquet falls on the ground, the groom will cheat.
  • A sliver of rum-soaked wedding cake kept under the pillow guarantees fertility.
  • Bridesmaids wearing white chase away evil spirits. (Kate’s sister Pippa was dressed in white for the Royal Wedding.)
  • Shoes tied to the back of a car show the father of the bride that the new husband is financially responsible for his daughter.

Courtesy:  www.marrycaribbean.com

Posted in Antigua, Bahamas, Caribbean, Curacao, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Paradise Found in the United States Virgin Islands:
Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort

Posted on December 1, 2011 by admin

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

Authentically American and uniquely Caribbean, USVI is a tropical playground of soft sands and disappearing waves. Radio stations play American oldies and Caribbean calypso, holidays are toasted with a shot of guava berry rum and a Chili Cook Off is as popular as a Caribbean Food Fair.

On the south shore of St. Thomas, the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef and adjacent Morning Star Beach Resort ooze romance around every turn. With 302 rooms and suites, the iconic resort is a stunning showpiece of architectural splendour with sweeping vistas of Charlotte Amalie, one of the Caribbean’s most majestic yacht harbors.  Next door, the beachfront Morning Star impresses with wedding ceremony locales galore and sea views to beat the band.

“For the last forty years,” said Rob Steigerwald, chief operating officer, southern regional Americas, Marriott International, “the resort has been the place to be,  the place to go and  where friends and families gather for a meal, a wedding or a vacation.”

Size Matters

Photo Courtesy of Marriott Resorts

Brand-reliable and fresh from a US$48 million facelift, Frenchman’s Reef sits pretty on a hilltop overlooking sandy strands and aquamarine waters. The largest property in St. Thomas is making quite a splash with refined Caribbean décor in island colors of sand beige, sunset sage and ocean blue, gourmet eateries, funky bars, expansive spa and the Marriott trademarked and oh-so-comfy Revive brand bedding and fluffer pillows. “My recommendation for the most romantic room is #5124,” said Jose Gonzalez, general manager, “the view from the balcony is spectacular and at night, the waves are a lovely romantic lullaby.”

Both properties share restaurant and sports facilities and with shuttle service between the two, the complex is a one-stop-shopping vacation.  Ferries make the five-minute run across the harbor to downtown Charlotte Amalie for meandering, bargain hunting and dining.

Whet Your Appetite

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

Wake up with the sun at the Aqua Terra Oceanfront Grill and an all-American breakfast buffet with an omelette station, creamy grits and delectable waffles along with healthy choices like fresh fruit and platters of smoked salmon. For a quick bite, snag one of three open-air tables and enjoy a freshly brewed espresso at the Presto Market where the view from the high back chairs are the perfect perch to watch the boats gracefully glide in the harbor as the winds breeze through the top of the stately coconut palms. For a nightcap with your sweetie, the Rum Bar showcases fine spirits and picturesque views and for 24/7 balcony dining, room service delivers a wide array of treats from apple cinnamon French toast for breakfast to grilled snapper for dinner with a glass of a superb Italian Pinot Grigio. At Coco Joe’s, dinner is a spirited affair with steel drum bands, nachos with grilled jalapenos and if it’s Saturday night, it must be the weekly seafood buffet chockablock with lobster, shrimp, oysters and a host of sides.

Photo Courtesy of Havana Blue

The culinary piece de resistance, Havana Blue is a divine medley of upscale Latin-fusion in an open air restaurant with billowy blue curtains. Described by the owners as ‘experiential dining’, creative cocktails like the Dirty Chica cocktail that mixes vodka with jalapeno-soaked onions and hot pepper-infused olives and  a black cherry mojito are sassy, sweet and sublime. Appetizers from crispy wonton shells stuffed with lobster and roasted corn salsa or Cuban sliders with pulled pork and blueberry-flavored mustard set the stage for a fabulous dinner.  Sexy sides like creamed spinach with hot peppers add zing to a perfectly prepared steak with cilantro mash.

Medley of Massages

From manicures and massages to pedicures and paraffin wax treatments, Lazule Sea Spa is a guilty pleasure that delivers. With eleven treatment rooms, sauna and spa pool with cabanas, relaxation never had it this good. Showstoppers include a Sea Mud massage for tired muscles, Caribbean Sea Scrub for silky smooth skin and an Island Detox Body Wrap to fix everything else that needs fixing.  “Couples can choose their own treatment and we’ll tailor it to a side-by-side experience,” said Garth Hudson, spa director.

Saying I Do

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

Five thousand couples over four decades have said “I Do” at the resort and so far in 2011, five hundred couples have taken the plunge. “We can do eight weddings a day on the beach but only two at sunset, “smiles Jessica Klein, wedding coordinator, “the most popular venues are our sea cliff gazebo and barefoot on the beach although we’re happy to accommodate any whim a couple may have.”

A sign of the changing times, an increase in ‘second time around’ and’ third time lucky’ weddings. “We arrange every detail, all couples have to do is pick up their registration papers and say ‘I Do’ as the sun sets,” adds Jessica Klein.

Posted in Caribbean, United States Virgin Islands | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

One Day in Paradise: Caribbean Chic in Anguilla

Posted on November 15, 2011 by admin

Photo Courtesy of Carol Lee

It’s all about thirty-five square miles, thirty-three spectacular beaches, one hundred restaurants, one championship golf course but no movie theaters, mega cruise ships or shopping malls. A treasured destination for long naps and beach walks, Anguilla’s charm is in her intimate inns, swank resorts, unrivalled natural splendor and warm welcome. With the 2012 Tourism Season just around the corner, the petite isle is moving into high gear as it gets ready to receive visitors to its stunning shores.

“We like to say alphabetically and otherwise we remain #1 in the Caribbean from start to finish,” said Marie Walker, tourism director, North America, “Anguilla is like a natural masseuse, she seeps within you and stays with you and invigorates you so you return relaxed and able to say, I really had that true Caribbean escape that I have always dreamed about.”

Cuddly and Cozy

Photo Courtesy of Anacaona

A few paces from Meads Bay in Anguilla, the Anacaona hotel is a flip-flop-friendly inn and one of the island’s best bets.　With two swimming pools, room service on the beach and gratis snorkeling gear, the 27-room hotel oozes couples appeal. Pronounced An-nah-ky-oh-nah and owned by Robin and Sue Ricketts of Cap Juluca and Malliouhana fame, the boutique hotel is one-stop-shopping for a true island experience. “We aim to be the informal cultural center of Anguilla,” said Robin Ricketts, “our guests will be entertained by the local folklore troupe, Mayoumba who perform in our Firefly restaurant every Thursday evening.” Admission including a bountiful West Indian buffet is USD$45.00 per person with reservations required in advance.  Ask for a bottle of the local Rockfield Pepper sauce for an added zing to the Scrub Island Curry Goat.   Too good to resist, the “Pay for 5 nights, Stay for 7” package is valid for travel through December 16. www.anacaonahotel.com.

Photo Courtesy of Cuisinart Resort

As the tropical backdrop for the hit TV show The Bachelor, romance is big business. With more than ten million viewers who tuned into the popular program, it’s no wonder the resorts are marketing the mojo. “Consumers who had never heard of Anguilla were treated to extraordinary images of the island, like an exhilarating helicopter tour to the picturesque Sandy Island, sunset cruise to the secluded waters of Little Bay and a romantic dinner for two on the white sands of stunning Rendezvous Bay,” said Candis Niles, director of tourism. At the swish and swank CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, ‘The Bachelor’s Journey’ includes a bottle of bubbly,   torch lit dinner on the beach , floral bath soak and car rental. “We invite weddings of all faiths,” says Stephane Zaharia, general manager, “for Jewish couples, the Rabbi from St. Maarten will perform the ceremony as Anguilla is without a synagogue and for the reception; kosher food is flown in from Miami.” A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the five-star property along Rendezvous Bay has the world’s first on-property hydroponic farm and the brand new Tokyo Bay high atop the spa. www.cuisinartresort.com

Bottom’s Up

“Visiting an island or city for the first time is like a date, smiles eternal romantic  Eustace Guishard, chairman, Anguilla Tourist Board, “The first visit is an opportunity to get to know your date by truly finding the heartbeat by sampling the main attractions like our wonderful unspoiled beaches and the warm and welcoming Anguillans.”

White-washed and casual, Dolce Vita on Sandy Ground’s shore is trendy without pretention both inside and on an outdoor deck.  Authentically Italian, the stand-out plate at the islands newest eatery, Linguine Al Tonno is chock-a-block with fresh tuna and green olives. Dessert is worth the caloric splurge with chocolate mousse the crowd pleaser.  www.dolcevitasandyground.com.

After dinner, barefoot as the sun sets is the trademark at Sandy Ground where dart games reign supreme at Ripples, reggae fills the air at The Pumphouse, goat-stuffed tacos and frosty beer are the big draws at Elvis’ Beach Bar and celebrity-spotting and a spirited Jump-Up at Johnno’s keeps the crowd on their feet till the wee hours.

“Personally, I keep going back to Meads Bay with my cigar and my own special rum concoction to experience true bliss as I gaze on that majestic heavenly fire ball slowly descending below the watery horizon,” adds Eustace Guishard, chairman ATB.

A Window Seat

Cape Air will add a new third flight to and from San Juan on December 22. “The Cape Air model of high‐frequency flights and easy connections with the mainland is a needed service on Anguilla,” said Andrew Bonney, vice president of planning, Cape Air.

Cape Air’s partnerships with JetBlue and Continental have increased access from the USA with tourists able to book flights on JetBlue’s website and travel with a codeshare arrangement with Continental. www.capeair.com

Three Easy Steps to Forever After

  1. Arrive three days prior to the ceremony via American Airlines, Continental, US AIR, Delta or JetBlue from the USA
  2. Register for your wedding
  3. Two days later, a wedding on the beach at sunset is legal and forever.

Get in Touch

http://ivisitanguilla.com

www.facebook.com/ivisitanguilla

How to get married in Anguilla, call Toll Free: 1-877-471-2733

Or dial the Magistrate for more details – 264-497-2377

Posted in Anguilla, Caribbean | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Stay & Play in the Caribbean: A Family Affair

Posted on November 1, 2011 by admin


Photo Courtesy of Beaches Resorts

With kids in tow, the challenge of a summer vacation for any couple with children lies in maximizing the fun and minimizing the meltdowns.  Getting away from chicken fingers on the buffet and swimming pools that look like daycare centers is the true test of a family-friendly holiday that can turn romantic when the kids are tucked into bed at night. Yes, you can give the kids a bucket and a shovel and go back to your novel, but there is a wide array of resorts that not only cater to families but make sure parents enjoy quality time on their own.

Any resort worth its tot-sized robe can call itself kid-friendly but a bonafide family-oriented property is also fun for the grown-ups. From splash pools and Big Bird on the beach and adults-only hot tubs, the Caribbean is rolling out the red carpet for families of all sizes and shapes.

Suite Dreams

Photo Courtesy of EHG

In Barbados, the all-inclusive Turtle Beach resort, part of the Elegant Hotels Group, caters to families with a myriad of activities at The Flying Fish Kids’ Club from calypso dancing and steel pan lessons to water sports and kayaking. Open from nine to nine, the Club entertains kids under thirteen years old while their parents enjoy more grown-up activities like topping off their tan and rubdowns in the spa. Teenagers at the Tamarind, also an EHG resort, rave about Club Tamarind where swimming with turtles and watching movies at the Olympus theatre rock the house and at the uber-cool Clubhouse,  a treasure chest of teen toys like Wii consoles and flat screen TV’s keep the groovy set busy till the sun sets.   www.eleganthotels.com.

Crowning a limestone cliff overlooking a pink sand beach, The Reefs in Bermuda is wooing families with spacious suites and three on-site restaurants. “In the winter, The Reefs provides a reprieve from the cold weather with a beachfront setting and ocean views from every room,” says Nagma Walker, general manager, “families have the option to room together either in our cottages or our new two- and three-bedroom condos.”  www.thereefs.com. Island-wide, the “Compliments of Bermuda’ promotion offers shopping and restaurant discounts and one night free when three are booked for travel through March 31.  Hotels participating include The Reefs, Grotto Bay Beach and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and Fairmont Southampton. www.gotobermuda.com

In Grand Cayman, Cotton Tree impresses with a treasure chest of fun from sand castle building and scouting for shells along Barkers Beach to bikes, hikes and plenty of perches for mom and dad to take five. “We love to pamper our guests and watch their stress melt away,” says Heather Lockington, owner. www.caymancottontree.com.

X-Box or Bread Box

While resort game rooms are standard-issue these days, it’s the state-of-the-art stuff that keeps tweens and teens happy. The Xbox 360 Game Garage at Beaches Boscobel and Beaches Negril in Jamaica and Beaches Sandy Bay in Turks & Caicos features the latest and greatest ‘Kinect for Xbox 360’ with its signature voice and motion-activated system. “We are thrilled to be the first within the travel industry to offer the most up-to-date forms of entertainment to our guests and demonstrates that we will continue to raise the bar within the teen and tween market,” said Adam Stewart, CEO Beaches Resorts.

Ratcheting up the family appeal, Scratch DJ Academy, created by hip hop legend Run DMC; Liquid nightclub for teens; Trench Town game room where adults aren’t allowed and the Red Lane Spa Teen Spa keep families busy from sunrise to sunset. Take your family to Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean!

A Family Six-Pack

  1. Y-Splitter to hook up two headphones to one jack so two kids can watch the same movie at the same time.
  2. Lollipops to fix ear pain on planes.
  3. A Nanny, if you can afford one, is the great reliever.
  4. Waterproof camera for capturing vacation memories in the pool.
  5. A Wikki Stix for an impromptu arts and crafts lesson.
  6. An invisible ink pen that leaves no mess to clean up.


Warm up with Beaches Resorts

Posted in Barbados, Bermuda, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Reggae, Rum and Relax
Jamaica is Irie, Mon!

Posted on October 15, 2011 by admin


Photo Courtesy of SuperClubs

With plenty of flights from the U.S., resort packages galore, infinite perches for a wedding ceremony and a fabulous array of rooms for a honeymoon, Jamaica is red-hot for couples planning an autumn wedding, a seaside soiree or a weekend away from the kids.

With the largest number of attractions in the Caribbean including the brand new Captain Hook Adventures dinner Theatre at the Falmouth Cruise Pier in Trelawny, the sunny island is rolling out the royal romantic red carpet for couples from across the USA.

Buckle Up

Enjoy first-class pampering at the brand new lounge at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport. Complimentary to Diner’s Club members and those holding a business class or first class ticket, the lounge offers a fast-track through immigration and customs, gratis cocktails, snacks and Wi-Fi and spa treatments. Day passes are available for US$30.

Rastaman Libations

Now available in the USA and a fine libation for a wedding toast, Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum is the latest offering from Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records and the Island Outpost portfolio of properties that includes the flagship GoldenEye recently re-opened in Oracabessa Bay and the unique Caves Resort in Negril. Working with the team at J. Wray & Nephew at Appleton Estate, the luminous dark rum with an alcohol content of forty percent is available to connoisseurs in New York, New Jersey, Florida, California and Illinois. Bottles sell for $29.00 with a portion of sales donated to the Oracabessa Foundation that drives community and environmental sustainability. www.blackwellrum.com

Leather & Lace

Photo Courtesy of SuperClubs

The perennially-popular adults-only Hedonism II Resort in Negril is tempting newlyweds with wicked wedding packages that include rubdowns for two at the Blue Mahoe Spa and risqué red satin bathrobes. For the vampires in the crowd, the ‘Twilight and True Blood’ wedding ceremony entices with blood orange champagne cocktails and bouquets of black roses.  For couples who prefer kinky and not ghoulish, the ‘Leather & Lace’ package invites brides to walk down the aisle in lingerie and stilettos while a dimly lit boudoir draped in white lace is honeymoon-central with a set of handcuffs for the brave and brazen. On a plank decorated with skulls and crossbones, swashbuckling couples can say I Do during a ‘Pirates &Wenches’ ceremony that includes a treasure hunt for happily ever after goodies. At the northern tip of the scenic white sand seven-mile beach, Hedo, as those in the know call the resort, sits on twenty acres and offers non-stop entertainment, water sports, private Jacuzzis and unlimited food and drink.  www.hedonism.com

Herb Your Enthusiasm

Photo Courtesy of Island Outpost

In Treasure Beach, Jake’s hosts Farm Dinners once a month on the Saturday closest to the full moon. Served in the hills of St. Elizabeth, the dinners are served in a working field on tables elegantly set with white linens. Sumptuous meals are prepared table-side from a rotating menu that reflects seasonal local produce like delectable organic lamb with coconut milk and salads peppered with fresh herbs and spices. Dinners will be held on November 19, December 17, January 14, February 11, March 17, and April 14. Rates per person are $95.00 including transfers from the bohemian chic hotel. Too good to miss, the ‘pay for four nights and stay for five’ is valid through December 19 with rates starting at $95.00. A few sandy steps from the Caribbean Sea, the iconic hotel offers an eclectic array of temptations from canoeing lessons to cooking classes and has earned the funky hotel a reputation as the best bets on the beach for couples watching their wallets.  www.jakeshotel.com.

Making Waves

Available to guests at Sandals Negril Beach Resort, the PADI National Geographic Diver program teaches coral reef conservation, fish identification, and underwater photography.  A supplement to PADI Open Water Certification, the program is a four-day intensive course priced at $550 .00 per person.   www.sandals.com

New at Kool Runnings in Negril, the Adventure Tour invites couples to glide down a lazy river on a bamboo raft, go wild on a daring water slide and maneuver a kayak as it snakes through the lakes that border the park. Priced at $50.00 per person, reservations for the tour are required one day in advance.  www.koolrunnings.com.

Make a Date

November 13-20: Restaurant Week salutes the finest eateries in Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios with discounts and special menus.

December 2 – 5: Reggae Marathon in Negril includes the “World’s Best Pasta Party” at Couples Swept Away and a Blackwell Rum Bar soiree at The Caves. A “Reggae, Running & Relaxation “ four-day package for runners and spectators is offered at The Caves for $1,500 , double occupancy including food, drink, race transfers and a Blue Mountain Coffee Scrub at the Aveda Spa. www.reggaemarathon.com.

Stay in Touch

www.visitjamaica.com

Yes, you can make this at home

The GoldenEye

Photo Courtesy of Island Outpost

  • 3 shots Blackwell Rum
  • 1 shot lime juice
  • 1 shot orange juice
  • 1 shot pineapple juice
  • 2 shots simple syrup
  • Ice

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake. For a frostier version, use a blender until smooth.

Garnish with orange or pineapple slices.

Sip slowly and enjoy.

Posted in Caribbean, Jamaica | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment