My Visit to Calabash Cove - St. Lucia

Calabash Cove is a new boutique hotel in St. Lucia. I had the opportunity to visit this little gem on my recent babymoon vacation on the island.

This is the view from the lobby, looking over the restaurant... every table has a view of the turquoise sea:

This shot is looking up at the main lobby & restaurant from the pool deck. The bottom floor rooms, cloaked in greenery, are the hotel's "swim-out" category:

Beneath the main pool deck, but still within easy walking distance of the pool bar, is another level for relaxation and sun bathing:

As we strolled the property, the bright florals of the gardens had our full attention....

 

Stunning! 

This is a shot of the small hotel & beach from the pier:

Isn't this painting lovely? More on this next week - stay tuned! 

We finished our tour with a delicious meal at the hotel's signature restaurant. The menu changes frequently to keep the options fresh:

The watermelon & feta salad drizzled with turmeric oil & balsamic vinegar was to die for:

Lastly, we ended up back at the pool bar where my husband enjoyed a libation and I a lime spritzer to cool us off before we jumped back in the hot car...

Ready to start planning your trip to St. Lucia? We can arrange the full vacation package for you, or you may search for cheap flights on your own and ask us to simply assist with booking your hotel only. If you do search for your own airfare, keep in mind that American Air has some of the best rates to the island.

To see more photos of my visit to Calabash Cove, jump over here!

Cheerio,

Summer Savings at St. Martin's Exclusive LA SAMANNA

La Samanna is St. Martin's finest resort. As an Orient Express property, the resort is in the company of many of the world's top hotels. The Mediterranean styled island resort has long been a "must visit" but Caribbean connoisseurs. Good news! With their fabulous Summer 2011 Promotion, you can cross La Samanna off your list. Visit between May 1 and August 31, 2011 and enjoy the following:

Bathed in lush mangroves and bright pink bougainvilleas, La Samanna is the very spirit of St. Martin. Book now and receive a $150 resort credit for use when you stay. This is where classic luxury and complete indulgence converge on one of the Caribbean's most exclusive beaches,  Baie Longue.

Rates from $395 per room, per night*

Luxury accommodations
Daily buffet breakfast

Resort credit of $150, with stays of three nights

or more

Credit can be used for any food and beverage outlets

at the resort, as well as at La Samanna Spa

*As with all promotions, restrictions apply.

St. Martin is an easy island to reach. Because the island serves as a hub to many of the other smaller islands nearby, the international flight lift is great. There are daily nonstop flights from many cities worldwide and usually at very competitive prices. American Airlines, among others, service the island daily.

Contact us to get started planning your St. Martin Luxury Vacation today!

Hotel Carl Gustaf Summer 2011 Promotions

The Summer Season is a great time to explore the exclusive Island of St Barth and take advantage of amazing discounted rates at Hotel Carl Gustaf. Rates are discounted between the May 1st to August 31st:

Receive 30% off a stay of 1 to 3 nights.

Receive 50% off a stay of 4 or more nights.

The hotel's first class spa is also offering a summer promotion:

Lunch at Carl Gustaf LoungeAppetizer & Entrée or Entrée & Dessert
Relaxing Massage or Facial Treatment, by Decléor (1h)
Access to the Hydro Zone “Blue Spa”
Outside Jacuzzi with Private Deck, Pebbles Path, Essential Oils Shower and Steam room

All of this for only 95 EUROS (roughly $135USD as of today.)

Interested? We are here to help you start planning... drop us a line.

Cheers,

Lounge a Little Longer in Nevis!

The lazy days of summer are beckoning. There’s no place better for rest and relaxation than the intimate Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on the idyllic Caribbean island of Nevis. This summer, the Caribbean’s best resort is inviting travelers to enjoy the relaxed pace, uncrowded white sand beach, clear blue waters and gourmet cuisine a little longer with a last night free.

Available May 1 through August 14, including holiday weekends, Nisbet Plantation’s Sultry Summer package includes:

·         Free night on stays of five nights or more (savings of up to $656)

·         Plantation cottage-style accommodations for two

·         Full daily breakfast served poolside at Coconuts

·         Daily afternoon tea on the Great House patio

·         Nightly three-course gourmet dinner at the AAA Four Diamond-rated Great House

·         Airport transfers from St. Kitts (SKB) or Nevis (NEV)

Daily rates begin at $383 per couple for accommodations in a Superior Room. Rates are subject to service charge and government tax. Sultry Summer is available over the Memorial Day and July 4^th holidays and for all room categories, including the Premier Suites overlooking the beach.

Spend days relaxing in a beachfront hammock or exploring the sea with complimentary snorkeling equipment. At night, dine on gourmet Caribbean cuisine or sip cocktails in the oceanfront hot tub. Whether its low-key experiences or active pursuits, there is something for everyone at Nisbet Plantation –101 Things to Do in fact.

Hailed as one of the Caribbean’s best hotels, Nisbet Plantation welcomes guests with warm Nevisian hospitality and exceptional personal service. The Nevis beach resort blends old-worldCaribbean charm with modern-day amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi, Hiker GPS to track excursions, Flip video cameras to capture vacation moments, and Vespa scooters for exploring.

To book your perfect view and take advantage of this great package, please contact us today! 

Enjoy,

Views of St. Lucia

I fell in love with St. Lucia all over again on my recent "Babymoon" vacation. My last visit to St. Lucia was 10 years ago and since then, I've experienced many more islands. I know I tend to say this every time I come home from an island... but St. Lucia truly is one of my favorites. It has everything I would want in an island...

Bright, colorful seaside towns....

Beautiful churches full of voices lifted in song...

Easily the most dramatic coastline in the Caribbean...

St. Lucia also surprised me because of how clean it is. We rented a car and drove around daily. We didn't spot a single piece of trash on the side of the road... no overflowing trash bins. We were amazed and praised the local people for having such a strong pride in their beautiful island...

The bustling seaport town of Castries was pretty by day and night...

The local market made me wish we had access to a kitchen. How I would love to shop and fill my market basket with a rainbow of fresh local produce and see what delicious meal I could create...

It was a wonderful trip and I simply can't wait to return...

You may view more of my views of St. Lucia here.

If you'd like more information on where to stay, please contact me for full St. Lucia Vacation details.

Flights to St. Lucia are somewhat more expensive than to other islands. However, if you book far enough in advance, you can still secure a deal. Check out American Airlines because they service both airports on the island and tend to have the best rates.

Enjoy,

My Favorite Sunscreen - Skincueticals

So many new sunscreens have come on the market since I started using SkinCeuticals. I've tried a few others and I always come back to this one. It's just that good and doesn't need replacing. I love all of SkinCeuticals products but I am most faithful to their sunscreen. It is thicker than many, but it does a great job of protecting my fair skin from the strong Caribbean sun. Read more about it here. 

Cheerio,

Travel & Leisure World's Best Island Hotels

Not all of these hotels are located in the Caribbean, but Travel & Leisure Magazine did include a few of our personal favorites for their top 20 list of the best island hotels! 

Jade Mountain made the list and after my recent visit, I certainly know why. This hotel should be on every list of the worlds best:

3 of the 4 Couples Resorts in Jamaica also made the list and we are super excited about this because we agree wholeheartedly! If you are seeking an all-inclusive experience at a great price point that feels more like an eclectic boutique hotel, then Couples Resorts are for you:

We love the top choice on the list, Nisbet Plantation Inn on the island of Nevis. A true small luxury hotel, it is the only historic plantation set right on the beach:

Many more wonderful island based hotels are included, to see the full list, go here.

Enjoy,

In the Spirit of St. Barths + A Free Trip!

Such a lovely little find... a book dedicated to the tranquil and luxurious isle of St. Barths. I just ordered my copy and can't wait for it to arrive.  Usually, I wait to actually read a book before posting a book review. However, the publishers are offering a chance to win a free trip to St. Barths and you must enter before April 4 - so I wanted to help spread the word.

In the Spirit of St. Barths was authored by Pamela Fiori. Ms. Fiori is the past editor in chief for both Town & Country and Travel & Leisure Magazines.

From the publisher:

"In spite of an airport runway that's not for the faint-hearted, St. Barths is synonymous with Caribbean elegance and chic. In this celebratory volume Pamela Fiori, a regular visitor for both work and pleasure, shares the legacy of the island. Through interviews with locals and regulars, many of them bold face names, she shows off the best beaches, villas with extraordinary views, and some of the island's most memorable destination weddings. A final chapter, Essential St. Barth features Fiori's pick of hotels, villa rental companies, event planners, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and shops."

To enter to win a FREE trip to St. Barths, jump on over to this Facebook Page.

Go here to order your own copy of this stunning book.

Good luck!

My Visit to Windjammer Landing - St. Lucia

On my recent Babymoon to the island of St. Lucia, I stopped by the Windjammer Landing Resort to explore. I've sent many happy clients here over the years and it has always intrigued me as a place I might want to return with my own family. 

I was not disappointed! The resort delivers exactly what I thought it would... a lovely private beach, a wide range of accommodation options, delicious food offered a la carte or on a meal plan, and stunning views at every turn.

The lush tropical surroundings, traditional West Indian architecture, and warm hospitality of the staff make this resort a classic Caribbean gem. 

The Windjammer Landing Resort doesn't try to be anything but a true Caribbean Resort to be enjoyed by families, groups, singles, and honeymooners alike.

I loved the look of the well cared for kids club and playground set in a tropical garden:

Many of the suites and villas on property offer private Jacuzzis or plunge pools - each with expansive sea views. The rooms are located on the hillside overlooking the beach and main areas of the resort. To some, this might be a dis-advantage to some, but to most it is a huge perk because the views are some of the best in the Caribbean.

Many units have full kitchens:

More stunning views from every bedroom:

Modern and comfortable bathrooms:

Here is a link to the full album of photos from my trip, including more interior shots.

Windjammer Landing also has multiple pools on property.

The Windjammer Landing is a great place for a "BabyMoon" as well as a Destination Wedding in St. Lucia. If you are interested in seeing if this resort is a good match for your next vacation, please contact us!

Enjoy,