Experience Curaçao Now at Kura Hulanda

The Deal: Book a five-night stay at the chic Hotel Kura Hulanda or the quiet Lodge Kura Hulanda by March 15 and you'll enjoy a free night – plus get up to $400 in air credits, $200 in food and beverage credits and other island-wide perks with Curaçao Now.

Why We Love It: Back by popular demand, the Curaçao Now promotion gives you the chance to experience two of the island's ritziest resorts for a lot less, with savings of up to $519 on your hotel stay alone (your fifth night is free). You'll also save $200 per person on your airfare, $200 per room on dining, a one-day complimentary dive excursion, a one-day complimentary rental car, and various other discounts and incentives around the island.

How to Book It: Surf over to khspecials.com or call 877-264-3106 to book your stay. Reservations must be made by March 15, 2010, but you may travel between May 1, 2010 and July 4, 2010, or between August 15, 2010 and December 18, 2010.

Affordable Luxury in the DR at Casa Colonial

The Deal: Book a last-minute four-night-minimum stay at the luxury Casa Colonial Beach & Spa resort by March 7 and you'll save 25 percent on nightly rates and enjoy your fourth night free through April 30.

Why We Love It: The all-suite boutique resort in Puerto Plata, DR is one of the most exclusive properties along the island's north coast, and rates during the promotional period start at just $263 per night double occupancy, so it's a great way to experience high season luxury with a low season price tag.

How to Book It: Book your stay by calling 809-320-3232 or surf over to casacolonial.com. Must book by March 7, 2010 and travel by April 30, 2010.

Another Great Excuse for a Cocktail

St. George's Caye Resort has concocted a new promotion that just might send you on a three-night getaway for two – all on the house. To celebrate the opening of the resort's new on-site watering hole, the 12-cabana exclusive resort is giving you a chance to christen the venue in its Name Our Bar contest. If your idea is selected, you and a guest will be on your way to the private island in Belize where your all-inclusive stay will give you plenty of opportunities to sample the whole cocktail menu.

To enter, surf over to belizeislandparadise.com and select "Name Our Bar" in the Reservations menu. Entries must be received by midnight on March 31, 2010, and you must be a U.S. or Canadian resident and at least 18 years old to submit an idea.

For more on Belize, don't miss our upcoming features and web exclusives from deputy editor Matt Phenix and staff photographer Zach Stovall's trip last week! 

Tweet if You Like Free Stuff!

Valentine's Day is over but you've still got a chance to redeem yourself for those pink carnations you gave her — American Express is sponsoring a free trip to tres exclusive Jumby Bay in Antigua. The "tweetheart" (get it?) promotion includes round trip airfare and four nights of all inclusive accommodation for two at the private island resort – and considering the going rate for room and board is around $1,400 a night, if you win, you're probably all set for Valentine's Day for the rest of your life. Enter the contest by following @americanexpress on Twitter and tweet this message once before 11:59pm EST on Monday, February 22.

"Hey @americanexpress, I want to take my tweetheart (insert your love's name here) on the ultimate romantic getaway. Pick me! http://bit.ly/bFgMGU #amexTravel"

Good luck and let us know if you win!

Barbuda By Day

From our Excursion feature in the December issue to our glowing trip reports here on the blog this month, you've been reading a lot about lovely Barbuda lately – and naturally you're ready to go check it out for yourself now. But in case you're a little short on the $1,000-per-night starting rate at the island's luxe Lighthouse Bay Resort, we thought we should mention that you can also enjoy the island's pristine, 17-mile beach and a taste of the resort's delish dining without ever checking in. Chart a course on your own vessel and drop anchor near the resort's beachside Lagoon Café for a bite and a signature cocktail...all of the island's beaches are public. Sans sailboat? You can also hop a ride from Antigua on one of the island's many day-trip charters for a modest fee. Since you're out of excuses now, be sure to share your trip report and photos on our Facebook page after you go!

Affordable Luxury in the DR

The Deal: Book five nights in a deluxe junior suite at the Four Diamond Sivory Punta Cana and get one night free through April 4 – or travel between April 5 and December 25 and get two nights free. Either way, if you make your reservation at least 30 days prior to your arrival you'll also enjoy a $100 spa voucher for your stay.

Why We Love It: As the Dominican Republic's only property to receive AAA Four Diamond status for both the hotel and its on-site Gourmand restaurant, the boutique Sivory is a no brainer for luxury – and the free nights and added value included in this promotion will help make this vacation a lot easier on your wallet. The resort offers stocked mini-bars, complimentary Wi-Fi and unlimited use of non-motorized water sports all included in the European Plan – or for an additional $150 per person per night, you can upgrade to the all-inclusive plan and enjoy all gourmet meals and 24-room service, too.

How to Book It: Log on to sivorypuntacana.com or call 809-333-0500 to reserve your room. All taxes are included in the rate.

Caribbean Proposal

If you're looking for the perfect place to pop the question this Valentine's Day, St. Lucia's new Cap Maison is a pretty safe bet. Open for just over a year, the luxury resort has received a 100 percent "yes" rating to date for proposals among its ocean villas and along the sands of Smuggler's Cove Beach – pretty solid odds for any prospective groom. Among many successful engagement stories at the property, one recent proposal took place aboard the resort's luxury yacht, while another proposal occurred at Rock Maison – a private cocktail deck perched high in the hills – with a zip line delivering the ring to the couple's table. And now, you can even work with the resort's new Proposal Concierge to come up with a customized proposal plan that's all your own. Rates start at $435 per night through March 31 – just log on to capmaison.com to book your stay. And let us be the first to say congrats!

Show Your Love, Win a Trip

Calling all lovebirds: If you have a great romantic story involving the Caribbean – from proposals on the sea to weddings on the shore – Bermuda's luxury Reefs Hotel & Club just might reward you for sharing it. Just submit your story to the Show Your Love contest now through Valentine's Day, February 14, and you and your sweetie may win one of two six-day/five-night stays at the resort. Judges will select a group of finalists and then post those stories online for a public vote between February 18 to 28, 2010.

To enter, visit thereefs.com/showyourlove – then sign up for our free e-newsletter to have more contest announcements delivered right to your inbox.

Barbuda's Private Island Retreat

It's hard to deny the appeal of a private island vacation, but the pricy lodging and off-the-beaten-path transportation demands can be prohibitive for many island hoppers. This weekend, though, I hopped over to Antigua's sister island Barbuda for a 4-day escape at the serene Lighthouse Bay Resort, and I think I just may have stumbled upon a property that strikes a careful balance between private island exclusivity and affordable luxury. To be sure, the 9-room resort is not cheap (junior suites start at $1,000 per night double occupancy in low season) - but for what's included, it could be a justifiable splurge for many vacationers: The petite luxury resort occupies an uninterrupted 17-mile stretch of just about the most spectacular Caribbean beach I've ever seen, and the property is only accessible by boat or helicopter (round trip heli-transfers are complimentary for guests staying three nights or more). It doesn't get much more private than that. Also included in the rate are all meals, drinks and snacks and a smattering of beach and water sports options at your feet. Tomorrow, I'm off to check out the nearby Frigate Bird Sanctuary and then saddle up for some romantic horseback riding on the beach so I'll be sure to update more about my trip then. But for now, to read more about Lighthouse Bay and the island of Barbuda, just turn to Matt Phenix's Excursion piece from the latest issue.

50% Off at the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba

The Deal: Book a vacation at the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba by March 29 and travel through March 31 to take advantage of 50 percent off nightly rates, with rooms starting at just $163 double occupancy.

Why We Love It: There are no blackout dates within the promotional window, so whether you're planning a romantic escape for Valentine's Day or just a long weekend for President's Day, you can cash in on huge winter savings. Plus, as always kids 17 and under stay free when sharing your room.

How to Book It: Surf over to caribbeanhi.com/aruba or call 800-HOLIDAY and book your trip before March 29, 2010. Be sure to use promotion code 150.

Shaken, Not Stirred

The Caribbean may be better known for pina coladas and rum punch, but one Bahamas resort is breaking out the shakers and olives this year and putting an island spin on the classic martini. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the British Colonial Hilton's new Bullion bar will host Hiltini Nights every Thursday from 8 to 9 pm, featuring $12 top-shelf martinis and complimentary mixology classes, so you can learn new recipes from the pros and mix up a signature cocktail all your own.

For vacation packages at the resort, check out this recent blog or surf over to the hotel's site for details.

San Juan Winter Getaway

While I was in San Juan for the CHTA marketplace earlier this week, I had a chance to grab a bite at the new Verdanza Hotel in Isla Verde. The hotel occupies the old Holiday Inn property near popular Alambique Beach and, following extensive renovations, just reopened its doors in December under the swanky Preferred Hotel Group brand. Knowing the property's history, I went into the evening with visions of kitschy Holiday Inns swirling in my mind – but what I actually found was a surprising throwback to the more romantic era of retro motor inns. From the restored art deco structure to the bold interior furnishings, the Verdanza actually struck me as more of a laid-back ultra-lounge than a mid-tier hotel. So for anyone looking for an affordable – and unique – San Juan escape, might I suggest the property's new Winter Getaway...

The Deal: Book a two-night minimum stay through April 30 and along with your room, you'll get daily buffet breakfast for two; a $25 food and beverage credit for use at one of the hotel's three on-site restaurants; two signature rum drinks; a 20-percent discount on massages at the Body Healers spa; and if you stay at least three nights, they'll throw in a free-night certificate redeemable toward a future stay – all starting at $90 per person per night.

How to Book It: Just log on to verdanzahotel.com, then check out our Puerto Rico destination page to learn more about the island before you go.

Hiking Nevis

Recently, I blogged about Nisbet Plantation's unique video amenities that allow guests to record their vacations for free; But now the boutique resort has added another cool amenity that I think is pretty great for the active set. Guests of the 36-room luxury resort can take advantage of complimentary Garmin eTrex GPS units for hiking around nearby Nevis Peak, making it easy to track your distance, coordinates and altitude during your trek...you know, just in case you're curious just how far you've made it on the 3,232-foot peak. And if hiking isn't your thing, you can always just hop on one of the resort's free Vespa scooters instead. Not a bad alternative.

To book a room, just surf over to nisbetplantation.com – and stay tuned here on the blog for upcoming Nevis deals. 

Hilton January Sale

The Deal: Book a weekend stay at any participating Hilton Caribbean, Mexico and South America property by January 31 and get up to 33 percent off your stay all year.

Why We Love It: Even though you have to reserve your stay this month, you'll have all year to actually take the trip, so this promotion is a great way to save in advance on your next vacation. There's a wide range of Hilton properties and destinations from which to choose – such as the Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and more – and if you're a Hilton Honors rewards club member, you'll also earn points on your stay that are redeemable toward free nights.

How to Book It: Call 800-HILTONS or log on to hilton.com/sale to pre-purchase your trip by January 31, 2010. To save, you must book at least three days in advance of traveling, and plan your trip around a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

New Spa Experiences at Sandy Lane

Here's one for all the spa lovers out there: The Spa at Sandy Lane – one of the Caribbean's largest (at 47,000 square feet) and most comprehensive spas – just introduced nine personalized Spa Experiences to their menu. Each one integrates various massage techniques and body wraps with fresh, local ingredients such as Bajan sugar cane, coconut oil and banana leaves, and guests can enjoy the services in one of the spa's 11 newly renovated treatment rooms.

Even better, many of the luxury resort's vacation packages for 2010 – such as the wellness-centered Rejuvenating Adventure package or the ooh-la-la Romance in Paradise package – include $100 spa vouchers and additional spa treatments, so it's easy to sample some of the spa's new menu on your next stay. Log on to sandylane.com to book your stay and learn more about the spa services.

Fourth Night Free in the Riviera Maya

The Deal: Book a three-night stay at select AQUA (pictured), Fiesta Americana and Fiesta Americana Grand resorts in Mexico this winter and get your fourth night free – or book six nights and get two free – plus, you'll save an additional 10 to 25 percent on dining and spa services during your stay.

Why We Love It: With upscale properties in Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos, you'll have your choice of Mexican beach destinations – and saving 25 percent on room rates can be a substantial savings in high season.

How to Book It: You can book your stay through February 2, and travel between January 3 and April 10, 2010. Just log on to fiestaamericana.com/warmerwinter or call 800-FIESTA-1 to reserve your room.

Holiday Savings in Curacao

The Deal: Book a holiday stay at Curacao's five-star boutique Hotel Kura Hulanda between December 24 and January 2 and you'll get 30 percent off your stay.


Why We Love It: With the Holiday Savings promotion, room rates at the 18th century Dutch Colonial property start at just $232 per night double occupancy – a great value for holiday travel and a substantial discount from normal high season rack rates. If you want to break out of Willemstad for a bit, you can also stay at the Lodge Kura Hulanda on the quiet west end for just $335 per night during the same period. Before you go, learn more about the island and sister properties in our feature Wowed by Curacao.


How to Book It: Call 877-264-3106 or surf over to kurahulanda.com to book your stay between December 24, 2009 and January 2, 2010.

Table for One

Oh, it was so romantic. The beach, the sun, the sand, the six — count them, six — various towel sculptures placed delicately in my room at the lovely Iberostar Punta Cana on Bavaro Beach in the Dominican Republic; the pictured kissing swans were surely the pièce de résistance. How nice for them that they were getting some action. I, sadly, was there solo. The job hazards I face, truly. Each morning, I gently woke myself with sweet murmurings about how I’d be with myself forever; this was true love after all. Each day, I took myself for long, intimate walks along the beautiful, creamy beach. At night, I wined myself; I dined myself. I told myself how beautiful I looked in the moonlight. It was, in a word, magical. The swans in my room stared me down for days; I hadn’t the heart to dismantle them. I did remove the flowers each day as they wilted, but every evening, upon returning to my room, I found that Cupid had come in my absence and replaced them with fresh ones. I felt the love. Really, I did.   

Belize Deals for Spring

If you've been considering a Belize vacation, now may be the perfect time to book a trip. American Airlines just announced limited-time low fares for travel between Belize and a handful of U.S. gateway cities – like Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Dallas – when traveling by March 27, 2010. One-way fares start at just $149 when booked by December 22, 2009.

And to sweeten the deal, some of Belize's top eco-resorts have created Spring packages starting as low as $240 per night double occupancy. That rate will buy you a one-bedroom beachfront cabana at Tranquility Bay Resort; or for $300 per night, you can stay in a an oceanfront cabana at the Kanantik Reef & Jungle Resort right next to the country's Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's first jaguar preserve. If you're ready to splurge, you can even stay at the luxe St. George's Caye – a private island resort off the Belize Barrier Reef – for just $246 per person each night, all-inclusive.

Surf over to AA.com to book your airfare, then hit up the resort web site of your choice to book a room – and for you adrenaline junkies, don't forget to check out our Water Sports Lover's Guide to Ambergris Caye before you go.

Anguilla Golf

Great news for golfers: Anguilla's first and only course – the $50 million Greg Norman-designed Temenos Golf Course – is set to reopen later this month following a face lift and a change in ownership. Previously showcased as one of our Featured Golf properties, the 7,063-yard championship track will be managed by the five-star Cap Juluca Resort starting on December 19 – and to celebrate the reopening, guests can take advantage of special limited-time promotions like the Unlimited Package and the Shark Package.

With the Unlimited Package, an extra $100 per night will buy as many rounds as you can possibly squeeze in for one guest per room, including cart fees and ground transfers from the resort. The Shark Package gets you one complimentary round per three-night stay (two rounds for a five-night stay) and it also includes daily breakfast. To book either package, surf over to capjuluca.com – then check out our Featured Golf article to learn more about the course.