What's New

Anguilla -- Evoking the minimalist cool of South Beach, Kú, Shoal Bay East (tel. 264/497-2011), has become the choice boutique hotel of the island. Suites, in five one to three story buildings, are among the finest on the island.

Antigua -- In the Barrymore Beach Hotel, Julian's Alfresco, Runaway Bay (tel. 268/562-1545), set in tropical gardens off the beach, puts a creative flair on fusion cuisine, flavoring otherwise ordinary dishes with exotic spices.

Aruba -- One of the major resort hotels of Aruba has reopened as the Occidental Grand Aruba, J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 83 (tel. 800/858-2258 or 297/586-4500), rising over Palm Beach. Massively renovated and improved, the hotel provides the widest range of drinking and dining facilities in Aruba.

The old Wyndham has blossomed into the vastly improved Westin Aruba Resort and Spa, J.E. Irausquin Blvd., 77 (tel. 877/822-2222 or 297/586-4466), also on Palm Beach. Each of its rooms, scattered across 18 floors, opens onto a balcony. It also has the best steakhouse on the island.

Barbados -- After a long closure for rebuilding, the Hilton Barbados, Needham's Point, Aquatic Gap (tel. 800/445-8667 or 246/426-0200), has bounced back and is better than ever. Standing on lush tropical acres, it lies at the southern ridge of Bridgetown (the capital) and is as modern as tomorrow, with jutting balconies and wide expanses of glass.

Cayman Islands -- After a massive rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, many new restaurants have opened and old ones reopened. Chief among these is the Cracked Conch/MacaBuca Oceanside Tiki Bar and Grill, West Bay Rd. (tel. 345/945-5217), which serves some of the island's best seafood. On the island's more isolated north coast, Kaibo Bar & Grill, in the Kaibo Yacht Club, Cayman Kai (tel. 345/947-9975) serves juicy burgers, fresh salads, and fresh seafood along with steaks and pastas.

Curacao -- The Avila Beach Hotel, Penstraat 130-134 at Willemstad (tel. 800/747-8162 or 599/9-461-4377), long an island favorite, opened a new annex, Octagon Wing, in 2006, with 68 desirable suites.

Dominica -- Posh is not a word you normally associate with the rugged adventure island of Dominica. That changed with the opening of Silks, a posh luxury boutique inn at Hatton Garden at Marigot (tel. 767/445-8856). Surrounded by tropical vegetation, it lies between two freshwater rivers and offers rooms in a wide variety of styles, even an African décor. Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom chose to stay here during the shooting of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

Dominican Republic -- A new north coast entry is Casa Colonial, Playa Dorado (tel. 809/571-9727), a boutique hotel with lavish oceanfront master suites and a full-service spa. At the fast-emerging resort of Punta Cana, the Paradiscus Palma Reale, Playa de Bavaro (tel. 809/688-5000), gives all competitors a run for their money. This is our favorite all-inclusive along the coast, with a stylish, sophisticated décor and a lot of upmarket luxuries such as a deluxe spa.

Guadeloupe -- After a complete renovation, the island's Club Med La Caravelle, Ste-Anne (tel. 800/CLUB-MED or 590/85-49-50) delivers larger, better accommodations and an increase in the number of suites. The place is more kid friendly than ever with the introduction of expanded facilities for them, including a day camp.

Martinique -- One of the hottest new addresses for dining is Havana Cafe, Havana Plage at Grand Anse (tel. 596/69-07-38). Surprisingly, it doesn't serve a Cuban cuisine but tasty French cuisine, with the famous crepes of Brittany among other delights. You can drop in at almost any time of the day or night for platters of mussels or meats from the grill. A much posher choice is Le Peche, Anse Mitan (tel. 596/66-02-99), housed in a flamboyant painted building on the sea. The chefs here prepare a fusion of French and Caribbean specialties. The results are evocative of the French Alps, the origins of the creative team who run this chic new rendezvous.

Puerto Rico -- Delta (tel. 800/221-1212) has made it easier for New Yorkers or residents of Orlando to reach San Juan. From New York's JFK, the airline flies three times daily or else two times daily from Orlando.

In San Juan, the expansion at the Caribe Hilton, Calle Los Rosales (tel. 800/HILTON or 787/721-0303) continues. Next to the main hotel, a cluster of luxurious Condado Lagoon Villas has been completed at the newly named Paseo Caribe. The addition of these rooms makes the Hilton the largest hotel in the Greater San Juan area.

St. Barts -- La Plage, Le Tom Beach Hotel, Plage St-Jean (tel. 590/27-53-13), is a beachfront restaurant that made a lot of "waves" in the winter of 2006 and 2007, with its fantasy Caribbean colors. Live bands in the evening keep the restaurant pulsating, while the ever-changing menu explodes with flair.

St. Croix -- Until a few months ago the Cormorant Beach Club was the most famous gay hotel in the Caribbean. Not so anymore. Taken over by new management, it's now The Palms at Pelican Cove, 4126 La Grande Princesse (tel. 800/548-4460 or 340/778-8920). It's still gay friendly, but its clientele is now more diverse.

St. Lucia -- There are now nonstop flights from the United States to this island aboard Delta (tel. 800/221-1212), flying in every Friday to Tuesday from Atlanta. American (tel. 800/433-7300) now flies daily from Miami to St. Lucia. Once you land on island, head for Jacques Waterfront Dining, Vigie Marina (tel. 758/458-1900) for some of the best seafood and Caribbean dishes. Chef Jacky Rioux even smokes his own fish and meat.

St. Martin -- One of the island's most charming boutique hotels, the oceanfront Alamanda Resort, Baie Orientale (tel. 800/622-7836 or 590/52-87-40) presents a cluster of Creole houses that surround a lushly landscaped outdoor pool.

St. Thomas -- The deluxe and very expensive Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, 6900 Great Bay (tel. 800/241-3333 or 340/775-3333), just got even better following a $40 million renovation. Its most dramatic new feature is a key-activated Club Lounge with 55 new bedrooms, 16 executive suites, and 2 exclusive villas. Both the landscaping and the public rooms have also been considerably upgraded.

Trindad -- Caribbean Airlines (tel. 800/538-2942) has become a major player in carrying passengers to the southern Caribbean, stopping at Port-of-Spain, the capital of Trinidad. The airline offers service from New York, Miami, and Philadelphia, and also flies in from Toronto or London.

In Trinidad, Coblentz Inn, 44C Coblentz Ave. (tel. 868/621-0541), a little boutique hotel, lures visitors away from the Port-of-Spain with its moderate prices, comfort, and one of the town's best restaurants.

Turks & Caicos -- Spirit Airlines (tel. 800/772-7117) is now flying in from Fort Lauderdale to Provo on weekends. Spirit offers one flight a week to Grand Turk as well. At Provo, one of the best and most expensive hotels, part of the Sandals chain, is Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa, Lower Bight Rd. (tel. 800/232-2437 or 649/946-8000). A recent $70 million expansion and improvement resulted in upgraded family suites, and the addition of a water park, a gigantic swimming pool, and an "Italian Village."