By Lena Katz
Thinking about planning a Caribbean vacation for the holidays? With hotels opening all over the islands, increased flights to popular destinations, and a slew of promos and specials designed for tighter budgets, the Caribbean is as tempting as ever … and possibly not as out-of-range as you think.
Right in time for Christmas crowds, St. Lucia’s Calabash Cove opens with a Far East-inspired flourish. Eschewing typical Caribbean décor for an exotic Indonesian aesthetic, this property shoots right to the top of our list because of its “Swim Up” suites — not over-ocean as you’d see in the Maldives, but instead poolside, which is more prosaic but a whole lot safer in the hurricane-prone Caribbean. Big spenders can separate themselves from the splish-splash of the common pool area by booking a cottage suite with its own private pool.
As always, much to report on new developments in all-inclusive resorts: This fall couples-only Sandals Resorts debuted Sandals Resorts PGA Golf School in Jamaica, plus over-the-top Millionaire Suites at Sandals Regency La Toc in St. Lucia. At Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort, classic Mediterranean glamour meets Caribbean chic — guests can photo-op it up at the Italian Village, a newly unveiled $125 million addition, and then splash down at the expanded Pirate’s Island Waterpark.
Grenada’s lovely LaSource has all sorts of sophisticated soirees and festivities on the holiday calendar for its grownup (age 16+) clientele. Practically every day from December 21 onward brings a special program. Christmas morning kicks off with an eggnog party on the beach (only in the Caribbean!), and December 31 sees out the old year with a cocktail party, a poolside gala, fireworks and live music.
The Riu Palace Tropical Bay, an impressive reinvention of a classic all-inclusive Negril resort, opens in early December after a $25 million renovation that took four months to complete. Also in Jamaica, Couples Tower Isle (formerly Couples Ocho Rios) has deferred its original December 2008 reopening date to March 2009…but, to keep the anticipation level high, has revealed that property enhancements include a spa with 10 treatment rooms, a floating dock, two new swimming pools (one with a swim-up bar), and a new juice bar.
The Dominican Republic will attain true “Golfers’ Paradise” status when the Golden Bear Lodge & Spa opens in early December. Inspired and helmed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, this property overlooks the Las Iguanas and Punta Espada golf courses. And to entice its greens-minded guests, it’s offering 2-for-1 greens fees at Punta Espada with a five-night stay. Book by December 15.
