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Top
10 Wedding Honeymoon's
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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.
-- Echo & Kevin Garret |
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