May 16, 2003 -- Who doesn't dream of escaping to a tropical paradise? After spending one two many cold and snowy winters in Connecticut, one couple acted on that dream and leased a small hotel and restaurant on Bequia, part of the Grenadines in the balmy Caribbean. Now, thanks to them, you can also escape, with a 50% discount if you tell them you're one of our readers.
Ian and Fiona Bland staked a claim on The Old Fort Country Inn a couple of years ago, and have been running it successfully since January 2002. They say they love getting the Frommers.com Newsletters and meeting guests from around the world, as well as living in a beautiful environment. "As such, we would like to offer all Frommers readers the following offer: A 50% discount on our advertised rates, from US $50 to US$70 (after discount) per night for a double room in our romantic plantation house dating back to 1752. Valid from June 15 through December 15, 2003."
Summer can be pretty warm (70 to 92 Fahrenheit) in Bequia (that's pronounced Bek' kwee), but there are frequent tropical breezes blowing through. You could always wait until late fall, of course, when things are a bit cooler. But on one of the least spoiled islands in the entire Caribbean, you should be able to enjoy above all else, peace and quiet. The island is about five miles in length, half a mile in width, and there are just 5,000 people living here. A website promoting the island, www.bequiasweet.com, describes the island as "sweet, serious, small and sun-blessed." That about says it all.
The inn, once a defendable French plantation home, sits on a hilltop, and has five rooms (each with private bath), furnished in deluxe but country style. Views sweep 180 degrees from west to east, facing south. When you're not hiking or swimming (there's a freshwater pool, too), you might just want to laze about in the inn's hammock under a shady tree. Breakfast "of choice" comes at $10 extra, and a mandatory service charge of 10% and government taxes of 7% are not included in the room prices mentioned.
For more information, contact Ian and Fiona at The Old Fort Country Inn, Bequia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, West Indies, phone 784/458-3440, fax 784/457-3340, e-mail info@theoldfort.com, website www.theoldfort.com.