Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel....

Caribbean Luxury for Less

Many people may think of the Caribbean as an expensive and luxurious destination, but smart budget travelers know that these tropical strings of islands hold gems that provide an upscale bang for the buck. It’s actually quite easy to find luxury for less in the Caribbean, if you know where to look.

“Caribbean islands, by their very nature, are ideal settings for travelers seeking an exotic, comfortable getaway,” says Hugh Riley, the North American director of marketing for the Caribbean Tourism Organization. “The temperature will be comfortable and so will the pricing.”

“Each Caribbean destination defines luxury in its own unique way,” continues Riley. “With so many different destinations from which to choose, finding luxury for less is as easy as a day at the beach.” With 32 CTO member countries (www.doitcaribbean.com), that’s lots of luxurious options for less.

Holiday Inn(R) and Holiday Inn SunSpree(R) Resorts (www.holiday-inn.com or www.sunspreeresorts.com) in the Caribbean offer guests family-friendly amenities and affordable quality. Visitors can experience the exotic style of the islands with the warm and welcoming hospitality that the Holiday Inn brand has become known for.

With nine locations in the Caribbean (three in The Bahamas, two in Puerto Rico, and one each in Jamaica, Aruba, Grand Cayman, and St. Thomas), Holiday Inn Hotels and Holiday Inn SunSpree Resorts feature kids activities programs, casinos, all-inclusive rate packages, and more, offering guests luxury at great values in the Caribbean. Couples and honeymooners will also find luxury for less, with several properties offering value-packed wedding, honeymoon, and other romance-oriented packages.

Holiday Inn Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands features their Spring Special Rate at $199 plus tax (20%) for island-facing king or twin rooms, valid through April 28, 2003 (rates are even lower in summer!). Holiday Inn St. Thomas, Virgin Islands is offering a Cool Summer Shopping Package. Valid May 3 to October 31, 2003, guests can buy four nights and get the fifth night free. Packages start at just $212 per person (plus tax), based on double occupancy, including accommodations, continental breakfast, welcome drink, complimentary beach shuttle to world-renowned Megan’s Bay, and discount coupons.

Holiday Inn Mayaguez, Puerto Rico has a Summer Adventure Package. For $449.50, guests will receive three nights accommodations, breakfast each morning, welcome drinks for two one evening, and tickets to a choice of La Cascades Water Park, Parque de Ninos (the children’s park), or La Paguera’s famous bioluminescent bay tour. Many of the nine properties include all-inclusive packages as well. For instance, Holiday Inn SunSpree All-Inclusive Resort in Nassau, Paradise Island, Bahamas converted to 100% all-inclusive, with 2003 rates ranging from $170 to $245 per person, per night.

Hilton Caribbean (www.hilton.com) offers a wide range of options in the region, including the recent addition of four ‘all-inclusive’ choices in the Dominican Republic. This now gives Hilton Caribbean 12 exciting properties in the Caribbean.

The addition of the all-inclusive brand was the result of an agreement between Hilton Caribbean and Coral Hotels & Resorts (CHR) of the Dominican Republic. Called Coral by Hilton, the new brand marks Hilton Caribbean’s entrance into the increasingly popular all-inclusive market.

“The all-inclusive market has always figured prominently in our growth plans for Hilton Caribbean,” said Daniel Hughes, vice president of operations for Hilton Caribbean. “Coral’s service standards coupled with those of Hilton will create a new standard in the all-inclusive market.”

All stays at the Coral by Hilton resorts include accommodations, meals, drinks and snacks, land-based activities, watersports, nightly live entertainment, and all taxes and service charges. Hilton Caribbean has very ambitious plans to grow the Coral by Hilton Brand with the addition of other all-inclusive properties.

Of course, Hilton Caribbean has eight other great options in the region, with many luxurious amenities, lots of activities, innovative children’s programs, and more. The list of other Hilton hotels and resorts includes: British Colonial Hilton Nassau (The Bahamas); Caribe Hilton (San Juan, Puerto Rico); Hilton Ponce & Casino (Puerto Rico); Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre Hilton Tobago; Hilton Kingston Jamaica; Jalousie Hilton Resort & Spa (St. Lucia); and Hilton Margarita & Suites (Margarita Island, Venezuela). Properties are also under development in Haiti and Barbados.

It’s easy to say ‘si’ to Mexico when you know about Avalon Resorts (www.avalonresorts.com). In January, Avalon announced that five of its collection of six exclusive destinations in Mexico and Panama had converted to an all-inclusive format.

“Today’s travelers are savvier than ever before, so value is important to them,” said president Mike Kelly, Jr. “We have more options for the consumer, more resorts on the horizon, and more value overall.”

Headquartered in Cancun, Avalon Resorts currently owns and operates six resorts in the Mexican Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America: the Avalon Grand, Avalon Bay, and Avalon Baccara resorts in Cancun; the Avalon Excalibur in Acapulco; the Avalon Reef Club on Isla Mujeres; and the Avalon Grand in Panama. All of the resorts, with the exception of Avalon Baccara (which remained a luxury, hacienda-style retreat with room-only rates), were converted to a fully inclusive format.

A vacation package now includes practically everything: round-trip airport transfers; taxes, tips, and service charges; all meals and snacks; late-night room service snack menu; 24-hour room service; breakfast in bed; nightly entertainment; non-motorized watersports at the Bluewater Adventure Beach Club; use of the fitness center; bicycle rental; ‘stay at an Avalon/dine at an Avalon dine-around program’ (Cancun only); Wild Things(C) Kids Adventure Program; a kid’s concierge; video library and VCR; signature check-in for Wild Things(C) and honeymooners; healthy choice menu options; a family departure photo; newspaper delivery to room; and many other extras. Those staying at Avalon Reef Club Isla Mujeres also get transfers on the resort’s Fast Cat.

In-room amenities at all resorts include hair dryer, clock radio with CD player, color satellite television, telephone with data port, in-room safe, coffee maker with coffee, full-size ironing board and iron, and bath amenity kit. With rates starting at just $85 per person, per night, it’s easy to say ‘si’ to Avalon’s new all-inclusive format!

Palace Resorts (www.palaceresorts.com) is one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets. But that’s changing, thanks to those who have experienced the company’s varied ‘all-inclusive’ offerings.

Palace Resorts features six all-inclusive resorts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. The choices include: Beach Palace; Cancun Palace, Moon Palace Golf Resort; Sun Palace; Xpu-Ha Palace; and the adults-only Aventura Spa Palace. Guests staying at any Palace are welcome to enjoy the others at no additional charge--it’s like getting six resorts for the price of one!

The Aventura Spa Palace is receiving rave reviews by offering luxurious pampering for less. The resort spells luxury amidst the exuberant landscape of the Yucatan Peninsula, with a spa experience that includes the finest health, fitness, and beauty programs, recreational facilities, gourmet cuisine in six restaurants, and lots of luxury. Beauty treatments include hydrotherapy, new age sea marine facials, sea fango body wraps, and many more, which are complemented by wellness workshops. Spa services feature personalized fitness sessions that combine yoga and meditation with tower climbing and trail walking at the labyrinth Zen. Guests can also relax at various pools and waterfalls.

Those looking for a luxurious wedding and honeymoon need to know about the complimentary wedding package being offered by Palace Resorts in 2003. Offered at Moon Palace Golf Resort, Xpu-Ha Palace, and Aventura Spa Palace, the complimentary wedding package includes: a beautifully decorated gazebo for the ceremony; all document arrangements and legal fees; justice of the peace; domestic champagne for guests at the ceremony; dinner reservations for the wedding party; breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding; a red carpet for the bride to walk on; wedding coordinator; witnesses, if required; and more. Other services are also available for nominal fees and Superior and Deluxe wedding packages are also offered.

Golfers will love the new Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, which was developed exclusively for Palace Resorts and is the first in the Cancun area. Located at the Moon Palace Golf Resort, the layout includes native jungle vegetation, natural wetlands, and an island green signature hole.

Offering a unique choice of islands and resorts, Elite Island Resorts (www.eliteislandresorts.com) is the exclusive worldwide marketing agent for eight of the Caribbean’s most spectacular resorts on three of the region’s most beautiful islands. This means unique flexibility with destination, resort, style, and price.

The choices include Galley Bay, St. James’s Club, Grand Pineapple Beach, Royal Antiguan, and Jolly Harbour Villas on Antigua, St. James’s Club and Windjammer Landing on St. Lucia, and Palm Island in The Grenadines.

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is the most recent addition to the offerings of Elite Island Resorts, a rapidly expanding independent resort chain. Windjammer Landing cascades down to the Caribbean and features hotel-style accommodations and two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas (with or without plunge pools). Also on St. Lucia, St. James’s Club is perfect for a romantic getaway or an action-packed family adventure.

The Antigua offerings are quite varied. Galley Bay is one of Antigua’s most exotic escapes, with a very private beach and a Gauguin-inspired Tahitian style. Elite Island’s other St. James’s Club is located on a private 100-acre peninsula and offers impeccable service and world-class amenities. Grand Pineapple Beach features magnificent sunsets, balmy breezes, a secluded beach, and lush gardens.

Located on the island’s west coast, Royal Antiguan is a beach and tennis resort that is a great value. Jolly Harbour Villas is the ideal choice for those seeking privacy and townhouse-style living, thanks to two-story, two-bedroom, waterfront villas.

Finally, Elite Island’s Grenadines offering, Palm Island, is like having your own private island. The 40-room oasis is located on a 135-acre private island hideaway.

For those looking for a wide variety of options on a single Caribbean island, Curacao (www.curacao-tourism.com) is a great choice. From accommodations with varied amenities to great beaches, history, dining, diving, and other watersports, it’s easy to choose Curacao.

Highlights also include the historic capital city of Willemsted (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Museum Kurá Hulanda, Mikvé Israel-Emanuel (the oldest continually worshipped-in Jewish synagogue in the New World), the Maritime Museum, and a colorful floating market. Curacao has daily non-stop air service from Miami on American Airlines and ALM. Air Jamaica also offers service three times weekly via Montego Bay from major U.S. gateways. In addition, tour operators offer attractively priced packages for those choosing Curacao.

The Royal Oasis Golf Resort & Casino (www.theroyaloasis.com) is definitely a Bahamian oasis. As the latest and most luxurious addition to the revitalization of Grand Bahama Island, the resort is comprised of two Six Continents hotels--Crowne Plaza at The Royal Oasis and Holiday Inn at The Royal Oasis, which feature a total of 965 renovated rooms and suites.

The centerpiece of the resort is the million-gallon tropical beach pool and waterfall, which is located adjacent to the European spa and fitness facilities. Other highlights include: a family-oriented entertainment area that features Fat Cats Beach Club, a Garfield-themed children’s center (including the island’s first kids-only restaurant); the Royal Oasis Golf Experience (two 18-hole championship courses); the renovated 28,000-square foot Casino at Royal Oasis; a variety of restaurants and bars; tennis; and much more.

This Bahamian oasis features ‘hotel-only’ rates, as well as air-inclusive and all-inclusive options. In addition, activities and more can be booked in advance for additional savings on luxury for less.

Down in the Dominican Republic, Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts (www.amhsamarina.com) operates an all-inclusive club concept that’s been very popular with those looking for a great Dominican deal at one price. Amhsa Marina features eight unique options, including hotels and resorts in Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Samana, and Playa Cabarete.

Each property offers a range of accommodations and amenities, with creative food and beverage choices, sports and activities, and additional services. Specific packages for honeymooners are very popular.

The specific choices include: Camino Del Sol; Casa Marina Bay; Casa Marina Beach; Grand Paradise Bavaro; Casa Marina Reef; Paradise Beach Club & Casino; and Paraiso Del Sol. No matter which you choose, you’re sure to find a great all-inclusive deal in the Dominican Republic with Amhsa Marina.

St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, has two excellent resorts offering luxury for less. Bolongo Bay Beach Club (www.bolongobay.com) is called ‘Club Everything,’ in that they offer ‘semi-inclusive’ and ‘all-inclusive’ plans, ‘kids stay and eat free’ family rate plans, and a host of amenities, including a 1000-foot beach, two popular seaside restaurants, pools, fitness center, a complete watersports center, and much more. Secret Harbour Beach Resort (www.secretharbourvi.com) is a small all-suite beachfront resort, where your suite is just steps away from the sea and amenities include a great beach, dining, pool, super snorkeling, tennis, and more.

For those looking to see several islands in a unique way, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises (www.windjammer.com) is a winner. Founded in 1947 by WWII Navy Submariner Mike Burke, Windjammer is the largest operator of tall ships in the world. The fleet of six includes sailing vessels Flying Cloud, Legacy, Mandalay, Polynesia, and Yankee Clipper, as well as the lone freighter/passenger ship M/V Amazing Grace.

Windjammer sails year-round, from The Bahamas to South America, on four-, five-, six-, eight-, and 13-day voyages. Exciting options for 2003 include six-day voyages out of Colon, Panama to the beautiful and exotic San Blas islands (one of the most pristine regions in the Caribbean) and continuation of the successful ‘Junior Jammers’ program, including discounts for family-friendly sailings aboard the Legacy. For those looking for unique travel in the Caribbean at great prices, Windjammer is well worth a look!

On Barbados, Almond Resorts (www.almondresorts.com) offers two great all-inclusive options. Located on the island’s unspoiled Gold Coast, Almond Village is located in the parish of St. Peter and Almond Club & Spa is situated in the parish of St. James. Whether you want a romantic getaway at Almond Club & Spa, a family adventure at Almond Village, or a little of both at either choice, Almond Resorts offer it all in Barbados. The May issue of Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel will include details about a family vacation sweepstakes offer.