With temperatures quickly dropping outside, what could be more enticing than a trip to the invariably warm and welcoming Caribbean? While you probably don’t need much incentive to escape the chilly climate, many luxury hotels are offering vacation packages to give you that extra push to get out from behind your desk and into a serenely swaying hammock.
Photo Courtesy of Grace Bay Club
Grace Bay Club – Turks & Caicos
This beautiful beachfront resort wants to show guests exactly why they’ve been open for 20 years, celebrating this milestone with The Ultimate 20th Anniversary Package. It starts at $100,000 for up to six guests for a four-day, three-night stay in the villas’ Grace Bay Penthouse. Package highlights include:
Signature cocktails made by the resort’s master mixologist upon arrival with Caribbean chocolates (in-room)
20-minute facial and/or massage before dinner on the first night
20-year-old vintage wine hand-selected for dinner that evening
Personalized shopping experience with complimentary Champagne and free shipping back home, plus 20 percent off any purchases at the Grace Bay Club boutique
20-minute private photography session
Private helicopter tour of the top 20 ‘sights to see’ around Turks and Caicos Islands
Private boat excursion to Iguana Island for a sunset island party with 20 person Junkanoo train, flight of 20 rums, 20-course tasting dinner prepared by Chef Frank, and 20 rotating DJs
Photo Courtesy of Cap Juluca
Cap Juluca - Anguilla
If you’d rather get away with just your significant other, Cap Juluca has a special Tangled Up In You package perfect for couples. It starts at $17,230 for a five-night stay for two guests in their brand new Jonquil suite with its own infinity pool. The package runs from November 1-December 18, 2013 and includes:
Welcome amenity
Breakfast served daily on private terrace or at Blue
One private beach dinner for two (once during stay)
Private boat and crew for a day’s journey: Snorkel on a secluded reef; visit a local seaside restaurant; try a little fishing; tour the island by sea; visit the beaches of St. Maarten; a kitchen-packed lunch basket to be eaten al fresco on a nearby small island (once during stay)
In-room 50-minute massage for two (once during stay)
Complimentary use of non-motorized watersports
Exclusive use of assigned golf cart
Farewell amenity
Photo Courtesy of Visit Cuba
International Expeditions - Cuba
Though not a hotel, International Expeditions has spent the past 35 years cultivating and delivering once-in-a-lifetime eco-tourism experiences, so they know a thing or two about travel. Their latest itinerary is a 10-day Complete Cuba tour featuring the most popular sites around the island. It starts at $4,498 and has monthly departures through 2015, so if you can’t take that vacation this season, you’ll have an extraordinary journey to look forward to next year. Highlights include:
Must-see locations: Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Bay of Pigs, Viòales and Havana
Constant interaction with local musicians, youth choir, ballet company and a chef specializing in locally grown, vegetarian cuisine
IE’s people-to-people program allows guests to engage with Cuban naturalists, birders, biologists and conservation groups while in Topes de Collantes National Park, Zapata Wetlands, Las Terrazas and botanical gardens throughout the trip
Travel outside of Havana to see some of the country’s 28 endemic birds and make stops in local festivals and schools
Photo Courtesy of The Westin Grand Cayman
The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa – Cayman Islands
Get a taste of traditional Thanksgiving with a Caribbean twist this year when you stay at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa over the holiday. Rooms begin at $289 per night and the special spread fraught with Caribbean flavors is around USD $72 a person. The dinner menu by Chef Michael Farrell includes:
Cayman Pumpkin Soup
Pan seared red snapper with citrus, shaved fennel, shallots, and passion fruit
Virginia ham with spiced clove glaze and pineapple
Maple thyme glazed turkey with cranberry
Chocolate bourbon pecan pie
Pumpkin cheese torte with vanilla wafer crust
Caribbean Sweet Rice Pudding with cinnamon dusted almonds
Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Nevis
Four Seasons Resort Nevis – West Indies
Just when you thought you’d have to wait until the spring to resume your golf game, the Four Seasons Resort Nevis is giving guests a chance to play on their pristine greens amidst the stunning Caribbean scenery. The weeklong golf package is available for two guests starting at $670 per night from November 14-December 19, 2013 and January 4-December 19, 2014 and includes:
