July 15, 2004 -- It's no secret that prices in Caribbean resorts fall during the summer. Most would attribute these deals to the hot weather. But one resort says the climate is very comfortable on its breezy hillside and another thinks that a twofer should be enough incentive to lure those weather-wary travelers. Some just want you to have fun and figure if you get too warm, you can just go underwater. In any case, you should enjoy living luxuriously for far less than you'd pay in winter.
Nevis
The Mount Nevis Hotel reduces its prices by more than half for some rooms even though they say it doesn't get hot and humid where they are. Located among high green hills and protected by cloud-topped Mount Nevis, it offers views of sparkling blue water and the sister island of St. Kitts. The price of a deluxe king/twin room is $165 (reduced from the winter price of $350), and that of a superior suite with kitchen is $210 (reduced from the winter cost of $400). All rooms have terraces with gorgeous views, air-conditioning, direct dial phones, coffee makers, refrigerators, hairdryers, cable TV and video players.
You dine on the arcaded terrace or at the hotel's beachside restaurant. On property are a 60-foot pool, hammocks and an exercise room. A shuttle takes you to a nearby beach club for sandy siestas. Prices do not include a 10% service charge or 8% tax or any meals. For more info, check out www.mountnevishotel.com or phone 800/75-NEVIS.
Also on Nevis is the Nisbet Plantation, a very posh place, which has just announced a twofer in the form of a "Two Weeks in the Tropics" special. You pay for seven nights, and get the next seven nights free, which works out to $214 per room per night for the 14 nights, including breakfast and dinner daily. You pay the regular summer room rate of $290 for two persons for seven nights, and then get the next seven nights free. The big breakfast and four-course dinner are $69 per person per day for. This kind of two-week stay in the winter would cost $6,650, they say, but in summer this will now be a grand total of $2,996, a 55% discount.
The price includes 14 nights in a cottage under the palms, daily full American breakfast served poolside, afternoon tea, a multi-course dinner each night in the Great House, free tennis and croquet, free use of snorkeling equipment, free laundry service, free postage and local phone calls and a weekly rum punch party. You do have to pay an additional 10% service charge and 8% government tax, however. Book this by phoning 800/742-6008. For more information, see www.nisbetplantation.com.
Curaçao
The Hilton Curaçao has a Seascape Special going on for travel from September 1 through December 17, 2004, but you must book it by August 6, 2004. You reserve a five-night/six-dive stay at the Hilton for $456 per person, and you get a six-night/eight-dive getaway, including oceanfront lodging; all boat dives (including one at night); use of tank, weight belt and weights; unlimited use of tank with free refills; daily American breakfast buffer and all hotel taxes and surcharges. This works out to around $152 per room per night. As is always the case, their "Caribbean VIC" program (that means Very Important Children) allows kids to stay free when sharing a room with parents. Also in this program, kids five and under eat free and kids 12 and under enjoy free breakfast and 50% off meal discounts with accompanying adult meal purchases. Contact them at www.seascapecuracao.com or e-mail them at reservations.curacao@hilton.com.
Caribbean All-Round
Apple Vacations just announced it's "Dollar Days" promotion that allows travelers' companions to pay only $1 for airfare as part of selected multi-day packages. Apple sells travel to Aruba, Cancun, the Domincian Republic and Mexico's Reviera Maya. For example, travelers can depart from Denver to the Marriott Casa Magna in Cancun in September from $649 per person before taxes (that's $799 for the first person, plus $499 + $1 for the second). Offers from Apple Vacations must be purchased via a travel agent; for more details, visit www.applevacations.com. This special is offered through July 24.