Thursday March 11, 2010

For some Caribbean travelers, Spring Break is a time to cut loose after a long, cold winter; others seek a more meaningful way to spend their vacation by doing service work.
The Westin St. John Spring Break Volunteer Program offers a bit of both: guests who spend a day volunteering at the nearby Virgin Islands National Park will receive a $100 resort credit as a 'thank-you' for helping to maintain park trails and cleaning up beaches during March and April.
Guests who volunteer also will get free transfers from the resort to the park, just 10 minutes away. To sign up, visit the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park website. Room rates at the Westin start at $219 nightly.
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Wednesday March 10, 2010
The luxury W Retreat & Spa Vieques Island is slated to open on March 25, and Caribbean travelers are invited to experience this new resort and explore a hidden corner of Puerto Rico with an introductory "Surrender to Your Senses" package.
The deal, which starts at $359 per night (two night minimum), includes:
- An upgrade to a Mega Room with a private balcony and direct access to WET, W Vieques' poolside and cabana area
- Two welcome cocktails in the private W Lounge located inside Vieques' Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport
- Daily breakfast at miX on the beach, W Vieques' signature restaurant featuring cuisine by master chef Alain Ducasse
- Sunset Champagne Ritual for two at one of W Vieques' fascinating spots, including Paradise Edge, Living Room or Fire Pit, during the island's most beautiful time of day
- Baba au Rhum, a signature Alain Ducasse dessert soaked in island rum
- Exclusive Jane Marvel for W Retreat & Spa 'Sunshine' Beach Bag
The offer is good March 25-Dec. 22; use promo code W OPEN to book.
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Tuesday March 9, 2010
Book a four-night stay at the Malliouhana Hotel & Spa in Anguilla and you can hit the links twice for free at the Greg Norman designed Temenos Golf Course. The Malliouhana Golf Package is good on stays now through April 30; book at least 14 days in advance to get the best tee times.
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More Information on Travel to Anguilla
More Information on Caribbean Golf Vacations
Monday March 8, 2010
Travelers planning a getaway for Spring Break this year face a good-news, bad-news scenario: online travel portals are reporting that hotel rates are down about 3% compared to last year, but airfares are up about 9%.
According to the Associated Press, Bing Travel estimates that airfares to Cancun -- one of the top 10 Spring Break destinations for 2010 -- are up 23% over last year. But the drop in room rates offset much of that, so the cost of an average seven-night Cancun trip this year is $2,243 compared to $2,231 last year.
Speaking of Cancun, the AP also reports that Cancun tourism has rebounded nicely from last year's swine-flu/recession/drug violence disaster: 85 percent of Cancun's hotel rooms were filled in February, and officials are expecting a huge influx of Spring Breakers. Those who come will find the Cancun beaches rebuilt after the damage and erosion caused by Hurricane Wilma in 2005; the just-completed project cost $80 million.
How to Save Money on Your Vacation to the Caribbean