Anguilla
On the western shore of the island, the 18-hole, par-72 Temenos Golf Club (tel. 264/498-9000) has opened, but the 100-room deluxe St. Regis Resort has been delayed until April 2008. At that time, it is expected to compete with some of the top tier resorts of Anguilla. In another development, the Los Angeles-based luxury hotel operator, the Kor Hotel Group, is constructing the super deluxe Viceroy Anguilla Resort & Residences, with a launch date set for the spring of 2008.
Antigua
Sailing Week began as a modest event in 1967 with ten boats sailing in a regatta, but has now blossomed into one of the world's premier yachting events. Plans are underway now for the biggest sailing week ever, to begin at the end of April, and lasting through the first week of May in 2008. Antiguans rate their sailing week as the yachting equivalent of the Cannes Film Festival. For information on the 22nd Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta for 2008, log onto www.sailingweek.com.
Islanders are working hard to save their turtle population, especially the Hawksbill which is currently an endangered species. The Jumby Bay Hawksbill Project has been launched. Antigua's largest nesting concentration of Hawksbill turtles is on the satellite island of Long Island, off North Sound. Here 80 to 100 females lay 400 to 500 eggs, five to six times a year at 15-day intervals. Although 18,000 hatchings are produced annually, only about three percent reach adulthood. Vacationers can take part in a Turtle Watch staged each summer and hosted by the Environmental Awareness Group on Pasture Beach at Long Island. If you're interested, e-mail the group at eag@candw.ag.
Barbados
The boutique hotel, Treasure Beach Hotel, Highway 1, Paynes Bay, St. James (tel. 246/432-1346), has reopened on the west coast. It's been completely renovated and expanded to 35 rooms, including two beachfront plunge pool suites. Two floors of 1-bedroom suites were built like a horseshoe around the landscaped tropical gardens and outdoor pool. You are only a short walk from a beach of white sand. The on-site restaurant is one of the best hotel restaurants in Barbados. One big drawback: the place is a charmer but you payÂ?and pay a lotÂ?for what you get.
The best beach bar on Barbados is Mannie's Suga Suga, Mullins Beach, St. Peter (tel. 246/419-4511). For food and drink at affordable prices, this is a winning choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, plus snacks throughout the day. Offering open-air dining, it features Caribbean, Japanese, and Thai dishes, everything from a 15-item sashimi plate to teriyaki tenderloin. Live music and dinner shows are often presented.
Sassafras, Derricks, St. James (tel. 246/432-6386), has become all the rage, featuring a bar bistro or else dining in a Caribbean garden. The chef specializes in a fusion Asian and Caribbean cuisine, and also caters to vegetarians. The Sunday dim sum brunch is becoming a popular island event. Specialties range from crawfish cakes to jerk-seasoned pork shank with roasted pumpkin.
Bonaire
The Bonaire Butterfly Farm at Kaminda Lac 101 (tel. 599/717-3040), has opened in a 4,300-square-foot greenhouse. There are some 20 species of butterflies bred here in this amazing oasis run by a Dutch couple as a solar- and wind-powered sanctuary. Also on site is a botanical garden and a Japanese koi pond. A small petting zoo is scheduled to open in 2008. The farm is a 10-minute drive from the capital of Kralendijk.
Grand Cayman
Reflecting the British tradition of this island, tea-time has become a big deal at the new Ritz-Carlton along Seven Mile Beach (tel. 345/943-9000). Fit for the queen of England, the large menu includes those delectable little "finger sandwiches," as well as sconces and just-baked pastries. Tea is served on Wedgwood china in the Silver Palm Lounge, and you have a large variety of teas, including Himalayan Peak Darjeeling. Of course, if you don't like tea, you can "settle" for a champagne cocktail. If you have kids in tow, there's a specialty menu for them, including hot chocolate and Nutella-and-banana sandwiches.
Grenada
Spice Island Beach Resort, Grand Anse Beach (tel. 473/444-4258; www.spicebeachresort.com), has now become the number one choice on island. The 64-suite hotel has been completely redesigned, retaining its original elegance but with a modern flair in its captivating 32 beachfront suites, featuring indoor living rooms, breezy terraces, and private rock gardens. The on-site Janissa's Spa is the most elegant and best equipped on island, featuring a trendy reflection pool.
Dominican Republic
Between December 12, 2007 and January 15, 2008 JetBlue Airways (www.jetblue.com) will offer nonstop service from Boston to Santiago. Because of increased demand, American Airlines (www.aa.com) will launch a new route from Fort Lauderdale to Santo Domingo. In addition, American Eagle will offer a new service to the remote Samana peninsula, beginning December 12, 2007.
Jamaica
At the Doctor's Cave Bathing Club in Montego Bay, The Groovy Grouper (tel. 876/952-8287) is the new hot spot for drinking and dining. Located off Gloucester AvenueÂ?called "Hip Strip"Â?the joint is a private club but a $5 daytime admission fee will get you access to the Grouper and the club's beach. At 5pm, the beach club closes and you can just walk into the restaurant and bar. The best time to visit is for the $20 all-you-can-eat seafood beach buffet, every Friday from 7-10pm. Guests pick their favorite catch of the day from an ice-filled canoe. You can order your fish fried, steamed, or escoveitched.
Puerto Rico
Opening in San Juan in October of 2007, La Concha Resort, Playa de Concha (tel. 800/524-7778), marks the restoration of a landmark that initially threw open its doors half a century ago. A total of 248 elegant and spacious rooms will be offered, each opening onto an ocean view from a sun-drenched balcony. All the latest technology has been installed, including wi-fi Internet service and plasma TVs. A tapas bar and elegant restaurants hope to keep you on the premises at night. A posh seaside casino is scheduled to open in the spring of 2008.
In Yabucoa, Vacationers are searching for undiscovered parts of the lush island--hence, the opening of Hotel Lucia Beach Villas (tel. 787/266-1111), with its 15 new beachfront villas. Each features a private master bedroom with bathroom and balcony; some have a kitchenette.
In Las Croabas, the Wyndham hotel chain took over the Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, 6000 Rio Mar Blvd. (tel. 877/636-0636), which had previously been run by Westin. Wyndham set about to upgrade it considerably, immediately earmarking $15 million, a budget that will increase to $36 million in their overall redevelopment plan. As of October, 2007, the new owners have revamped the casino, and have upgraded the spa and dining facilities. The choice spot with ocean views is now Aqua Luna, a seafood grill restaurant. New menus and refreshed decors are evidenced in the other two restaurants. The golf course has also been spruced up.
In Ponce, rivaling the Ponce Hilton, the new Gran Melia Puerto Rico, Route 66 (tel. 888/95-MELIA), is a pocket of posh, even featuring Royal Service, a premium concierge option if you're willing to pay more. All the deluxe rooms are suites spread among 20 two-story bungalows. Some of the suites are oceanfront with a hot tub, and six of them boast plunge pools. For a beach, you have a private strip of sands for adults only, or else you can swim in a private pool surrounded by Bali beds. The resort also offers a Tom Kite-designed course with four challenging 9-hole courses. In the spring of 2008, this will be the sight of the Puerto Rico Open. An on-site spa boasts "rainforest treatments" and restaurant choices range from New Asian to a steak house.
St. Lucia
Getting to this rapidly developing island will be easier than ever beginning around Christmas in 2007. American Airlines will begin a new nonstop route from New York's Kennedy Airport to the larger Hewanoorra airport in the south. At present, visitors have to travel to the smaller, less developed Vigie Airport in the north. This air strip accepts non-jumbo jet planes. The main route up to now has been an American Eagle flight out of San Juan to north St. Lucia. Travelers have complained of "endless delays" on this popular run.
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Many visitors to St. Croix are opting to stay at a private villa, apartment, or condo. New agencies are opening up to cater to this ever-growing demandÂ?Vacation St. Croix (tel. 340/778-0361), or Rent a Villa (tel. 800/533-6863).
The restaurant Off the Wall, Route 80, Cane Bay Road (tel. 340/778-4771), is finding increasing popularity, especially with divers testing their luck at the Cane Bay Wall on the north shore. The menu is rather simpleÂ?steak sandwiches, quesadillas, and burgers. The place has also become a popular nighttime rendezvous, presenting jazz musicians and others Tuesday to Saturday 6 to 9pm.
Outfitters come and go in St. Croix every season. Currently, Teroro Charters (tel. 340/773-3161), offers half- or full-day sails on its trimaran, Teroro II, departing from Green Cay Marina. Ask your hotel to pack your lunch for the day (most of them will). Big Beard's Adventure Tours (tel. 340/773-4482) has joined the competition, offering trips over to the famous Buck Island. Departures are from the Christiansted harborfront on one of two catamarans, the Flyer or else the Renegade. Take your snorkeling gear. A highlight of the trip is a barbecue lunch on a secluded beach.
Two scuba-diving outfitters are gaining in popularity among divers, including Anchor Dive Center at the Salt River Marina, Route 801, Salt River (tel. 340/778-1522), taking its patrons to more than three dozen dive sites, including the fabled Salt River Canyon wall. A competitor, St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures, Queen Cross St., Christiansted (tel. 340/773-5944), takes divers to more than 75 sites around the island.
The best hikes on island are now being offered by Ay-Ay Eco Hike & Tours Association, Kingshill (tel. 340/772-4079), Ras Lumumba Corriette escorts hikers through the highlights of the rain forest and also to Mount Victory. The ruins of 18th-century sugar plantations are also included in these jaunts.
Although it's hardly the shopping paradise St. Thomas is, St. Croix is increasingly becoming a shopping destination unto itself, especially among cruise-ship passengers. Maria Henle Studio, 55 Company St. in Christiansted (tel. 340/773-7376), displays her works at this studio, and her paintings are attracting serious art patrons. If you didn't bring enough tropical wardrobe, you can dress to your heart's content at Pacficotton, 1110 Strand St., Christiansted (tel. 340/773-2125). The sherbet colors resemble the cart of a Roman ice vendorÂ?lemon, lime, strawberryÂ?you name it.
The best selection of island-made spices and jams is sold at Island Webe, 210 Strand St., Frederiksted (tel. 340/772-2553). You can also pick up a number of gift items here, especially mocko jumbie dolls, the origins of which may date from slaves who once were shipped here from Africa.
Nelthropp and Low, 1102 Strand St., Christiansted (tel. 340/773-0365), has joined the merchants hawking gold jewelry as well as sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamondsÂ?all that good stuff. The outlet will even create jewelry based on your own creative designs.
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
On the outskirts of Cruz Bay (the main settlement to St. John) stands Coconut Coast Villas, Turner Bay (tel. 340/693-9100), overlooking the water. This is a little condo complex of nine units, consisting of studios, two-, or three-bedroom units. You can walk to the compound from Cruz Bay in just 10 minutes. The studios are a bit larger than the standard hotel double, but the apartments are very spacious with full kitchens and balcony dining areas. On site is a pool, although you can also swim at a small beach nearby.
St. John offers many villas, condos, or private homes for rent when the owners are away. Caribbean Villas and Resorts (tel. 800/338-0987; www.caribbeanvilla.com), has long serviced this market. Add to it another competing agency called Destination St. John (tel. 800/562-1901; www.destinationstjohn.com).
More and more visitors are discovering Donkey Diner, Route 10, Coral Bay (tel. 340/693-5240), a small eatery on the main highway through Coral Bay. Locals will guide you here with the recommendation that the diner serves some of the best breakfasts on island, especially its blueberry pancakes. You can drop in Wednesday to Sunday.
Francis Bay Beach lies along North Shore Road, Route 20, about half a mile from the Annaberg junction. There's not much here in the way of facilities, but the beach is a good strip of white sand and ideal for swimming. Francis Bay Beach is also the best center for bird watching on the island. The Visitors' Center at Cruz Bay (tel. 340/776-6450), located near the Battery, is now offering Sunday morning bird-watching hikes.
The local hotspot has become St. John's Beach Bar, at the end of Wharfside Village (tel. 340/777-4220), open daily from 11am to 1am, with live musicÂ?usually a local group, at least two nights a week. The bar is the venue for Sunday jazz in the afternoon. Expect plenty of greasy hamburgers or fish and chips, even yellowfin tuna in a light tempura batter. The bartender's specialty is a painkiller, made with dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, and a "secret ingredient" (we suspect it is Coco Lopez).
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Instead of staying at a hotel, many visitors, especially those with families, are now heading for The Anchorage, Antilles Resorts in Christiansted (tel. 800/874-7897). Rentals, opening onto beachfront, are in two- and three-bedroom suites at Cowpet Bay, site of the chic St. Thomas Yacht Club. The units come with lots of stuff you'd find in your own home, including washing machines and dryers and a fully equipped kitchen. On site is a casual restaurant serving international food, and there are several facilities for the sports minded, including a freshwater outdoor pool and two tennis courts.
If you'd like a light lunch, or else coffee and pastry in the afternoon, the new hot spot is R & J's Island Latte, 33 Raadets Gade (tel. 340/777-8100), in Charlotte Amalie. An islander, Juel Smith, teamed with her Seattle-born husband, Ron Norton, to open this upmarket West Indian coffeehouse, serving cups of coffee with beans imported from either Puerto Rico or Jamaica. Islanders themselves prefer "Island Latte," made with coconut and Irish cream. There is also a limited menu, and the croissant sandwiches are delectable as are the wraps and paninis.
Tortola , British Virgin Islands
Under new ownership, Frenchman's Cave Resort & Villas, West End (tel. 284/495-4844), has reopened to acclaim. Its nine villas have been restored and redecorated in a breezy Caribbean motif. Villas now have one full bathroom per bedroom and a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, sitting room, and terrace. With the reopening, a new restaurant, renamed Oscar's, also opened to good reviews with its Mediterranean cuisine that focuses on local ingredients, including fresh fish. A London chef was brought in to supervise those pots and pans.
Fort Recovery Beachfront Villas, The Towers, West End (tel. 284/495-4354), has made many recent improvements, and is now better than ever. The eight bedrooms in the main house have been completely renovated, and the other 28 villas have been spruced up and made more inviting. All the villas open onto the beach and offer daily housekeeping services. Free wi-fi links have also been installed as have spa services. Fort Recovery was recently featured on Discovery's Travel Channel.
Serious foodies are discovering Eclipse, Penn's Landing Marina in the East End (tel. 284/495-1646), out by the airport. Chefs Andrew Dobbie and Lane McCaullum are luring more and more visitors to their seaside patio serving a creative international cuisine. Some of the most imaginative dishes on island are served here, including christophene (a Caribbean squash-like vegetable). The vegetable accompanies slices of duck breast rubbed with garam masala and smoked over Earl Grey tea leaves. Ever had vichyssoise with Bosc pears or pork glazed with locally ground tamarind fruit?
Coco Plums Bar & Grill (tel. 284/495-4672), has moved to Apple Bay, serving its bistro-style cuisine with a West Indian twist. And, while shopping in Road Town, drop in at La Dolce Vita, Waterfront Drive (tel. 284/494-8770), for some 40 flavors of homemade Italian ice cream served in freshly made waffle cones.
Finally, the best place for sunset watching and cocktails has become the Bananakeet Café, Windy Hill, on the north shore at Heritage Inn (tel. 284/495-5842). After sundown, stick around to sample their nightly specials, based on a Caribbean fusion cuisine.
Chat it up with fellow Frommer's travelers on our Caribbean & Atlantic Message Boards today.