Announcing the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Scheduled to open on December 15, the new Ritz-Carlton is the most talked-about news of the season. This resort is destined to set new standards for luxury hotels, with an all-star cast contributing to the resort's conception: Greg Norman designed golf course, Tennis by Nick Bollettieri, two restaurants by Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin, NYC, the world's first spa inspired by La Prairie's Silver Rain (did I mention that this is one of the Caribbean's largest?!), and an aquatic education program run by Jean-Michel Cousteau. The best part? There is still availability for December holidays! But hurry; book those rooms fast!

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Official Site

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Five Star Alliance

Finding a Hotel in the Caribbean for the Holidays

Attempting the impossible task of booking a luxury hotel in the Caribbean for the holidays? Most luxury hotels have been booked solid for months. But don't be discouraged in your quest for a well-deserved (albeit last-minute) Caribbean respite! I've found a few delightful gems that still have availability:

Casa Colonial in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: Long stretches of white sand beaches. Elegantly furnished all-suites hotel. World-class spa. Conde Nast Traveler's 2005 Hot List. Impeccable service. Enough said.

Casa Colonial, Official Site

Casa Colonial, Five Star Alliance

Anse Chastanet Resort, in the lush mountain paradise of St. Lucia. With 600 acres of tropical foliage, the soaring peaks of Petit Pitons, and extraordinary beaches, this is paradise on earth. Romantic and secluded. Scuba, spa, waters sports and mountain biking.

Anse Chastanet, Official Site

Anse Chastanet, Five Star Alliance

Petit St. Vincent Resort is available for the Christmas week, though not the post-Christmas week. Individual cottages set on a 113 acre privately-owned island of exquisite white sand beaches.

Petit St. Vincent, Official Site

Petit St. Vincent, Five Star Alliance

Martineau Bay Resort and Spa (which I've blogged about recently) in the idyllic, secluded island of Vieques, near Puerto Rico.

Martineau Bay Resort and Spa, Official Site

Martineau Bay Resort and Spa, Five Star Alliance

Breaking News: Starwood Hotels and Resorts Acquires Le Meridien

Starwood just announced that it acquired the Le Meridien brand of 130 hotels and resorts for $225 million. For the 24 million Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) customers, this means more choice in markets like Paris, Nice, Dubai and London. Additionally, Starwood will gain properties where it doesn't have them currently, in spots like Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Budapest, the Seychelles and Mauritius.

Salud! Cocktails of Latin America

Since Belize counts as both Lonely Planet's and my personal destination of the month, thought I'd raise a glass to Placencia's classic cocktail: the Panty Ripper. Concocted with coconut rum and pineapple juice. Belize's One Barrel is arguably the best rum in the Caribbean. Or maybe Cuban reigns supreme? What’s your vote? Bored of mojitos, and care to share your choices of exotic Latin cocktails? Travel and Leisure sings the praises of Guaro (Costa Rica’s spirit of choice, fast becoming the fave of music and entertainment highrollers) in the November issue.

Special Offers: Martineau Bay Resort and Spa in Vieques, Puerto Rico

Vieques has been declared by travel guides to be among the world's best-kept vacation secrets. I guess if the secret's out-- now would be a pretty good time to jump on this special offer at the Martineau Bay Resort and Spa. (Before the hordes descend.) Situated eight miles off Puerto Rico's east coast, the island of Vieques is quiet, secluded, and breathtakingly beautiful. The Martineau's got it all, with tennis courts, pristine beaches, water sports and a world-class spa. Through December 18, rates are $139 a night (double room). Combined with Jet Blue's ridiculously low fares to San Juan, how could you pass this up?

Martineau Bay Resort and Spa, Official Site

Martineau Bay Resort and Spa, Five Star Alliance

Announcing Four Seasons Ocean Residences (AKA Cruise Ship)

A permanent address that's an everchanging address… now that's a cool idea. Slated to launch in fall 2007, the ship will include 100 luxury apartments, with all the indulgent amenities for which Four Seasons is famous (spa, steam room, pool and cabanas, jogging track and fitness center, even… golf?) Grab a stake before they sell out. From $400,000 for a one-month timeshare for 50 years.

Via Travel and Leisure (flipping through the November issue)

Hot Deals: The Palms, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Miles and miles of white sand beach, lapped by turquoise. Private terraces overlooking the sea, buildings designed from hand-cut coral stone, a serpentine infinity pool with aromatherapy mists and iPod minis aplenty. An absurdly perfect spa. The paradise of the Caribbean only 600 miles southeast of Miami! Take advantage of this special offer: Stay four nights at The Palms, and get one night free! Starting at $575 a night (plus tax), which includes airport transfers and all that jazz. Make your ressies by November 30. Offer valid for the month of January 2006.

The Palms, Official Site

The Palms, Five Star Alliance

Via The Washington Post

Royal Gazette Fancies Five Star Alliance World’s Best Lists

A recent article in the Royal Gazette highlights the top honor bestowed on Cambridge Beaches—chosen by Five Star Alliance as one of the world’s most luxurious beach resorts. Situated on its own private 25 acre peninsula, the cottages at Cambridge Beaches are each unique-- individually decorated and designed. This is the oldest resort of its kind. Apparently one of the buildings (almost 300 years old) was built by a privateer!

Cambridge Beaches, Official Site

Cambridge Beaches, Five Star Alliance

Islands Mag November Events Calendar

Islands Magazine has put together a pretty snazzy events calendar for this November. Their picks? Hawaii, for the incredible star-gazing of the Taurid meteor showers. (You've never seen falling stars like this!) Moorea, on November 3-6, for Tattoonesia, the island’s first International Tattoo Convention. (Ooops, the revival has already come and gone.) St. Barts on November 16, to taste the first Beaujolais Nouveau wine of the year (six hours ahead of France, confined to the traditional midnight uncorking). And Australia, on November 4-13, for the Whitsunday Fantasea Reef Festival, celebrating the marvels of the Great Barrier Reef.

Announcing the Sivory Punta Canta in the Dominican Republic

Bienvenidos to one of the newest members of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, staking its claim on arguably the softest, whitest sand in the Caribbean—the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. The 55-room Sivory Punta Canta is scheduled to open by Christmas 2005. The luxury boutique hotel has nothing but suites, each Balinese-style room opening onto its own private garden, with ocean and beach views. Sivory offers three gourmet restaurants and the Aquarea Wellness & Spa. Take advantage of the special introductory offer: From December 22 to January 31, 2006, stay for six nights and the seventh is free! (Rate: from $3,102 per room, per stay, exclusive of 16% tax and service charge.)