May 28, 2004 -- We've said it often enough, but it bears repeating -- when it gets hot in the Caribbean in summer, the deals just get hotter. If you like warm weather, consider some of the fabulous deals (one for an average of $49.85 per night, including air) that we've scrounged out from many offers and polished up for you:
United Vacations is offering travelers a Cancun vacation for $349, with seven nights of hotel and air travel. That works out to less than $50 per night, and is based on roundtrip nonstop air from Washington, D.C. (Dulles), seven nights at the Imperial Laguna, roundtrip transfers between airport and hotel, and more. Prices do not include airport security and other taxes and fees, and some blackout dates and restrictions may apply. The sample is for July 10 or July 17, 2004 departures. You could also stay at the four-star Continental Plaza Playacar on the Mayan Riviera, just south of Cancun, for $479 on the same departure dates.
For August 21 and 18, 2004, departures, vacations begin at $579 at the Oasis Beach & Spa Cancun, or at $699 at the five-star Riu Caribe, again for seven nights, and air from Washington, D.C. Contact the organizers at www.unitedvacations.com or by phoning them at 888/328-6877.
Liberty's Annual Fall Sale
Not much more expensive are Liberty Travel's five-night air-inclusive escapes, starting at $425, departing from Miami and staying at the Marien Coral by Hilton in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. That's an all-inclusive price, by the way, which works out to $85 per night, including air. The same deal from Philadelphia costs $465, from New York City $475. They say this is a savings of up to $195 per person. Deals are available for Antigua, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos, St. Lucia, St. Martin and the US Virgin Islands as well.
Liberty says you can save up to 35% off regular prices in their sale, and that you can book vacations at more than 250 resorts on over 25 islands with savings of up to $1,160 from now through June 11, 2004. You must book by then, but travel begins on August 16 and must be completed by December 14, 2004. Contact them at 888/271-1586 or visit www.libertytravel.com.
Barbados
Five-night packages start from $1,199 for a vacation at the Almond Resorts here, with roundtrip airfare; roundtrip airport/hotel transfers; all meals (including snacks, room service and beach picnics); all beverages; sports and activities including motorized water sports; live nightly entertainment; and all hotel taxes and service fees. The first child stays free, they also say. Package price is per person. You must purchase by June 30, 2004 for travel from now through November 20, 2004. This rate (which works out to just under $240 per night) is based on departures from New York City or Washington, D.C. Sample add-ons from other cities: Boston $50, Miami $90, Atlanta $170, Orlando $210, Detroit $260, Chicago $280, Los Angeles $350. Contact them at www.almondresorts.com or at 800/425-6663.
Upscale Mount Nevis Goes Twofer
On "the Caribbean's most unspoiled island" of Nevis, the Mount Nevis Hotel is celebrating its recently completed million-dollar renovation by offering free nights for families or others who book a two-bedroom superior suite with kitchen. If you book for four nights at $375 a night, you get four nights free. If you book five nights, you get five nights free, and so on. On a per-room basis, this works out to just $93.75 per bedroom per night, an unbelievably low rate for this kind of very fancy hotel. The 28-room establishment has for each room a patio or balcony, air-conditioning, direct dial phones, cable TV and video players, and more. The hotel is family-owned but professionally managed, the owners always on property. You can golf nearby, take a shuttle to a close by beach club, or enjoy the pool on the property. There's a fitness room and hiking, tennis, water-skiing, snorkeling and windsurfing are among the other diversions available. American Air flies nonstop to Nevis from San Juan (Puerto Rico). This "Match Made in Nevis" promotion is valid until November 30, 2004, and is subject to availability. It does not include meals, 10% service or 8% tax. Contact them at 800/75 NEVIS or visit www.mountnevishotel.com.