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 1.
FANTASY ISLAND GROOVE
ROSEWOOD'S
CANEEL BAY, ST. JOHN
Built by Laurance Rockefeller in the mid 1950s on a
private 170-acre peninsula, elegant Caneel Bay remains a
cherished retreat -- thanks to seven beautiful beaches
and some of St. John's best cuisine. Rates start at
$275. (800) 928-8889
*** 7-night "Allure" package includes a bottle
of bubbly, breakfast and dinner daily, a private
five-course dinner under the stars, private sunset
champagne and hors d'oeuvre picnic, beach barbecue,
snorkel cruise, sunset cocktail cruise, two-day Jeep
rental, partner massages for two, and a day excursion to
Little Dix Bay. Low-season rate: $4,275.
2. MOST DRAMATIC SETTING
NISBET
PLANTATION BEACH CLUB, NEVIS
This escape combines civilized digs (pristine Victorian
cottages and a grand 18th-century stone plantation
house) with swaying coconut palm trees and a mile-long
beach. A game of croquet and afternoon tea anyone? Rates
start at $290. (800) 742-6008
*** 6-night romance package includes a bottle of bubbly,
daily breakfast and five-course gourmet dinner, two-day
car rental, tax, and service charge. Low-season rate:
$2,330.
3. DREAMY STORYBOOK ROMANCE
HOTEL
GUANAHANI, ST. BARTS
Composed of gingerbread bungalows tucked into the
hillside fronting Grand Cul de Sac Bay, the only
full-service luxury resort on St. Barts offers 24-hour
room service and an intimate atmosphere. The 75 rooms
are chic eye candy. Some have whirlpools; others,
private plunge pools. Rates start at $290. (800)
223-6800
*** 5-night "St. Barts Spree" package,
available April 25 to October 31, 2001, includes two
meals daily; choice of 2 activities including
windsurfing or tennis lessons, a facial or salon visit;
airport transfers; tax; and service charges. Total cost:
$1,950.
4. OLD WORLD CHIC
HOTEL
EL CONVENTO, OLD SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
Built in an ex-convent that dates back to 1636, these
luxe digs transport you to Colonial Spain. Kisses are
best stolen in the hotel's many hidden archways and
colonnades, at the roof-top pool and Jacuzzi with
glorious views of dramatic Old San Juan and its harbor,
or over a martini at the artsy and discreet El Picoteo
Tapas Bar. Rates start at $190. (800) 468-2779
*** 3-night "Romantic Memories of Old San
Juan" package includes a bottle of bubbly,
chocolate-covered strawberries, and fresh flowers on
arrival; deluxe continental breakfast daily; wine and
cheese in the evening; and tax. Low-season rate: $720
($170 per extra night)
5. SEXIEST SETTING
BIRAS CREEK,
VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Accessible only by boat, this remote, 33-room resort
rates as a first-class tropical retreat. Here, you'll be
lulled to sleep by the sound of crashing waves and
entranced by amenities such as roomy, outdoor showers.
Bottom line: great food, hip decor, nature galore. Rates
start at $525. (800) 223-1108
*** 7-night "Week of Enchantment" package
includes a bottle of bubbly, all meals, a sunset sail,
and airport transfers. Low-season rate: $3,150.
6. BEST TARZAN AND JANE ESCAPE
ANSE
CHASTANET, SOUFRIERE, ST. LUCIA
This island gem features 59 whimsically designed rooms
-- some with no wall facing the island's most stunning
views, others with trees growing up through the showers
-- dotting the hillside above a black-sand beach.
Colorful lanterns light the steps to your room and local
produce inspires imaginative cuisine served in a
magical, candlelit tree house. Rates start at $200.
(800) 223-1108
*** 7-night "Honeymoon Escape" package
includes a bottle of bubbly, a half-day sightseeing tour
of the Soufriere area, a guided walk through an
18th-century plantation, a boat tour to Castries, a
beginners' scuba resort course, on-site water sports,
airport transfers, tax, and service charge. Low-season
rate: $4,078.
7. BEACH BUNNIES DELIGHT
SPICE
ISLAND BEACH RESORT, GRENADA
Hot off recent renovations, the now all-inclusive Spice
Island offers a perfect respite from the real world on
its eight tropical acres fronting a stunning beach. All
suites have a whirlpool tub; some have private terraces
with plunge pools, saunas, and exercise bikes. Bonus: A
complete dive facility. All-inclusive rates start at
$376. (800) 223-9815 or (212) 476-9444 in New York
State.
8. BEST JACUZZI WITH A VIEW
STRAWBERRY
HILL, BLUE MOUNTAINS, JAMAICA
This resort, owned by the founder of Island Records
Chris Blackwell, is built on the site of an old coffee
plantation in 19th century Jamaican style. There's no
beach, but at 3,100 feet, you've got panoramic views of
the Blue Mountains. An Aveda Spa and excellent
restaurant complete the bliss. For a splurge, book the
Birds Hill suite (starts at $505), with private Jacuzzi
shrouded by lush tropical flowers and a four-poster bed
covered by a heated goose-down comforter to ward off the
mountain chill. Rates start at $295 and include daily
continental breakfast and tax, but not the 10% service
charge. (800) 688-7678
9. BIRDLOVERS PARADISE FOR LOVEBIRDS
ASA
WRIGHT NATURE CENTER, TRINIDAD
Step into your own version of "National
Geographic" at Asa Wright. Hidden away in the
mountains of Trinidad, these rustic lodges are perfect
for eco-lovers that prefer being immersed in nature's
abundance -- beautiful birds, including six different
kinds of hummingbirds, and a kaleidoscope of tropical
flowers -- to big-resort amenities. The most gracious
rooms are decorated with island antiques but these are
located in the Great House, where you'll sacrifice some
of the seclusion that makes this place special. Rates
start at $180 and include three meals, tax, and service
charge. (800) 426-7781
10. BEST PLACE TO BE PAMPERED
HARBOUR
VILLAGE BEACH RESORT, KRALENDIJK, BONAIRE
Styled after an Iberian village and lushly landscaped,
72-room Harbour Village exudes casual elegance on this
desert island known for diving. With a top-notch spa and
abundant activities, the use of the tennis center,
60-slip marina, and all watersports are included in
Harbour Village rates, which start at $275. (800)
424-0004
*** 7-night honeymoon package includes five dinners and
continental breakfasts, including one breakfast in bed
and one torchlit dinner on the beach; airport transfers;
and a choice of picnic lunch with snorkeling and sunset
cruise, two-day car rental, two one-hour spa treatments,
a one-hour tennis lesson, or boat dive. Low-season rate:
$2,996.
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