Sherman's Travel

Let’s be clear, everyone wants to bask in true luxury while on vacation. The problem is that we don’t all have the expendable income to be royalty of leisure and relaxation for a week. But, traveling to the 5-star CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa in Anguilla, now through November 20, with the “Stay 7 nights, pay for 5” deal will land you an average nightly rate of $315, a substantial drop from the winter rates of  $815 and up.

While saving over 60 percent, guests will be in chic accommodations that feature a marble bathroom, walk-in closet, and a private terrace overlooking the infinity pool, with serene ocean views just beyond. On the property lies an 18-hole Greg Norman golf course, 27,000 square foot spa, and a half-acre hydroponic farm that make the resort a true Caribbean standout. Read more

As the Caribbean heads into its shoulder (April-June) and low (July-November) seasons, the region’s resorts are offering up some romance packages that are a great value and full of fun extras. So if you’re planning a just-the-two-of-you escape over the next few months, here are four options worth considering:

Curacao Couples Getaway Package: If you’re looking to try a new island, I can recommend colorful, cultural Curacao, where this five-night package from the Lodge Kura Hulanda Spa and Casino (shown above at left) is a great value. It includes five nights’ accommodation in an Oceanfront Studio or Oceanfront One-Bedroom Suite, a three-hour romantic snorkel trip to a nearby reef, a poolside cabana couples massage, buffet breakfast daily, complimentary transport to sister property Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa and Casino (in photogenic Willemstad), and taxes and service charges, from $1,450 per couple. Valid April 8 to October 31, 2012.

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If you’re thinking of heading to the Caribbean for a romantic, week-long winter getaway, here’s an idea: Instead of spending all seven nights on one island, why not split your time between two? Island hopping is easier in some destinations than others, so here’s a roundup of five two-island options that are not only easy to combine logistically, but also feature varied landscapes and ambience. Note: Caribbean resorts do command premium rates until mid-April or so, but if you check deal-finder sites, including ShermansTravel.com’s nifty price-comparison tool, you may be able to score some last-minute price breaks. Or, if you want to see multiple islands, you can always take a cruise. Check back next week for details on my favorite ships and itineraries. Read more

Not sure what to do with that $100 Sears gift card you got for the holidays? Now through February 29, you can pay for a Caribbean vacation at Elite Island Resorts with your unused gift cards. Walmart, Home Depot, Amex – whatever you’ve got, Elite will take it, up to 25 percent of the cost of your stay.

On top of that, Elite will donate the gift cards to children’s charities including Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Make a Wish Foundation, among others.

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If you happened to be channel surfing this past Monday night, you may have caught glimpses of the gorgeous white sand and turquoise water that are the natural calling cards of the Caribbean island of Anguilla (shown above at left; courtesy of CuisinArt Resort & Spa). This photogenic isle proved to be a soothing background to all the human drama on the ABC reality TV series, The Bachelor. Fans of the series are certainly curious about the spots visited by Bachelor Brad Womack and the six remaining ladies vying for his heart, but even non-fans should know that Anguilla is an ideal locale for a romantic spring getaway – when there are just two of you!

Here’s a rundown of everything featured on The Bachelor, plus a few additional suggestions.

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This is a chance to really live it up for less. One of the Caribbean’s top-rated resorts, Cap Juluca, just introduced a handful of killer packages designed to get you to Anguilla, a heavenly island that you’ll never want to leave. When you think of a sugar white beach, clear sapphire water and soft breezes blowing through palms, this is the Caribbean dream that you’ve been having. In possession of the island’s best beach and only golf course, a Greg Norman-designed 18-holer, the resort romances its guests staying in the decked-out, Morrocan-style villas, each of which has an ocean view.

THE VALUE: The Discover Package offers guests a $100 credit per night to be used anywhere in the resort; so for four nights 1 guestroom receives a $400 credit. The Paradise Awaits Package gives guests $600 in airfare credit per room with a four-night stay. The Stay in Luxury Package includes a free upgrade from an Oceanfront Superior Room to an Oceanfront Luxury Room. Daily breakfast included in all.

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Luxury beachfront villas tucked away in remote oases are known to bait Paris Hilton and her officious paparazzi, but starting June 15, the rest of us can get our pictures taken too. Wimco Villas’ 72-hour Caribbean villa sale features savings of up to 50 percent on weeklong (or longer) bookings, in addition to a free car rental (worth $400), with rates as low as $92 per bedroom, per night, for star-studded, five-bedroom accommodations in Anguilla.
 
THE VALUE: Receive free round-trip airfare from Barbados when booking a villa on the private island of Mustique.

THE CATCH: Weeklong bookings are required. 

THE DETAILS: Visit www.wimco.com between 10 a.m. on June 15 and 1 p.m., June 18, EST, to book a villa. Travel through December 14.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Check out other Luxury Hotel Deals.

Check out our Caribbean Flight Deals page, or enter your dates in our Travel Search price comparison tool to find great rates on airfare.

Read our Caribbean Travel Guide.

FOUND A BETTER DEAL? Tell us.

Despite tough economic times, a wave of upmarket hotels pull out all the stops to perk up their properties. Here’s a rundown of notable updates to look out for in the Caribbean, Europe, as well as on the homefront.

Jamaica: GoldenEye has just begun its expansion with a ground-breaking ceremony on August 14. The legendary “Bond” house, former home to Ian Fleming who penned the James Bond novels here in the 50s, was turned into a luxury resort by music mogul Chris Blackwell in 1977. The next chapter of its story will include 11 new beachfront cottages, said to feature traditional Caribbean architecture with cutting-edge comforts, due out late 2010.

Antigua: Jumby Bay debuts its new looks on November 1. The 28-million transformation includes a new Sense spa, enhanced accommodations, new verandah restaurant and bistro, suites, and two estate homes for super-high rollers. Read more

Sometimes, too much hype can lead to a major letdown. A letdown is what I expected when I finally visited the much lauded Cap Juluca after years of reading glowing reviews and seeing it top award lists the world over. But, while on the boat ride over to Anguilla from St. Maarten (on Cap Juluca’s private speed boat), sipping champagne and chatting with another couple who gushed about their decade-long love affair with the place, I started to get the feeling that my skepticism may be proved wrong – and, wrong I was. The Cap Juluca didn’t disappoint. The 21-year-old resort is currently in the midst of 80-million-dollar renovations which have already transformed the main house and lobby, and, by year’s end, will overhaul all 18 villas (which, currently, aren’t shabby but lack the sophisticated Moroccan elegance seen in the renovated main house). All enhancements, including a new oceanfront infinity pool and spa, will stay true to the timeless architecture – white-washed Moorish domes, turrets, and all – that has made the resort so famous; original architect, Oscar Farmer has even come out of retirement to help with the project. Read more

Visitors to Anguilla’s upscale CuisinArt Resort & Spa can expect some novel perks. First, there’s the island-influenced French fare from the new chef, Daniel Le Guenan, whose resume includes a stint at Alain Ducasse’s legendary Saint-Tropez outpost of Spoon. Second, the revamped spa has 16 fresh treatment rooms (7 with outdoor showers) and even a men’s club (bestowing lavish hot-towel shaves). But the pièce de resistance is the resort’s new indoor Healing Waters Pool. Filled with saltwater warmed to body temperature, the pool is best sampled via the unique 80-minute Anguillan Water Journey ($250), which pairs a sea salt scrub and rinse with a 50-minute waterimmersed massage. Consider staying at CuisinArt in the summer, when beachfront junior suites cost $395/night (versus the peak-season high of $920/night). 

From the April/May 2009 issue of Sherman’s Travel magazine.