Free Nights at Ritz-Carlton Caribbean and Mexico Resorts

The Deal: Book the exclusive Club Level for your next 4- or 5-night Ritz-Carlton Caribbean or Mexico vacation and you'll enjoy a complimentary night on your stay – a savings of at least $379.

Why We Love It: Already known for top notch service and amenities, the Ritz Carlton brand has gone a step further with the addition of its new Club Level – an intimate "hotel within a hotel" experience that includes a personal concierge and perks such as light breakfast, drinks and sweets delivered throughout your stay. This free-night promotion makes it more affordable to indulge at luxe properties including the Ritz-Carlton St .Thomas, the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall Jamaica, and the Ritz-Carlton San Juan (pictured) – and, if your travels happen to take you to the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, your minimum 5-night stay (you pay for four) also includes the Cayman Stingray Splash, a promotional day trip to nearby Stingray City.

How to Book It: Book online at ritzcarlton.com. Rates start at $379 per night double occupancy at the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Jamaica, up to $599 per night double occupancy at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun.

Setting Sail

February marks the beginning of regatta season in the Caribbean — pictured is a shot from the St. Croix Regatta, running from February 19 to 21 — and as a total sailing neophyte, I’m eagerly reading every tidbit I come across regarding these sailing spectacles. In 28 short days I’ll be testing the waters, so to speak, when I head to St. Maarten to participate in the 30th annual Heineken Regatta from March 4-7. Growing up in landlocked Kansas, I had little exposure to the big blue sea, neither did I get into sailing in Wisconsin, where I went to school, and I've yet to be on a boat here in Florida. Which seems ridiculous. I suppose it took the lure of getting to sail in an actual race, all the Heineken I can handle (believe me, they'll be sorry) and a trip to beautiful St. Maarten to convince me to climb aboard. I'm not sure if I'll make captain in my days on board or I'll be swabbing decks, but either way, I can't wait. If you want to join in the fun, the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino is offering a "Regatta Retreat" special where you'll get a free night for stays from March 3 to 8, as long as you book four nights. Rates start at $290 per room, per night. Surf over to www.sonesta.com/stmaarten and use booking code HR10. See you there!

Increased Service to the USVI

Start packing those bags for a winter escape: Delta just announced that it's increasing its twice-weekly service between New York (JFK) and St. Thomas to seven days per week starting this Saturday, January 9 – so it's easier than ever to plan a trip this high season. If laid back St. Croix is more your speed, you can also fly daily between Atlanta (ATL) and the island beginning this weekend, too. Just log on to delta.com to check out the latest specials and to book your USVI getaway.

USVI Sale on American Airlines

The Virgin Islands are on sale with new low fares from American Airlines...just book your trip to St. Thomas or St. Croix by November 3 from any of the carrier's nine featured hubs and you'll have until December 17 to take the trip, with one way fares starting at just $91. The U.S. gateways include Miami, New York, Boston, Chicago and more. Just visit www.aa.com for details and to book your USVI getaway!

Voluntourism on St. Thomas

The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa just announced a new voluntourism experience that helps eco-conscious guests to give back on their next Virgin Island vacation. For $79 per person, guests of the St. Thomas resort can experience nearby Hassel Island along with tour operator Virgin Islands Ecotours. The excursion begins with a 20-minute kayak paddle from Charlotte Amalie Harbor over to the isle, where you'll have the chance to explore the ruins of a former British military garrison and other historic locations like the Creque Marine Railway, one of the Western Hemisphere's first steam-powered marine rail systems. Following a good dose of Caribbean history, you'll spend the afternoon beautifying the beaches of Hassel island – from collecting flotsam to trimming up hiking trails – then finish the day with some restorative beach time. Included in the package rate, you'll also get a free annual membership to the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park and St. Thomas Historical Trust. And if eco-tours are right up your alley, don't miss our recent Day Trip on other green tours you can try with Virgin Islands Ecotours.

Ready, Set, Shop!

Believe it or not, there are only 90 more days before the holidays, and it’s never too early to get started on your gift list!

Long Island, NY transplant Gina Fedderson crafts fun and functional home accessories, stationery and art from her Virgin Islands home in St. Thomas, where she’s inspired by nature and casual beach living.

Readers may remember that we featured Gina’s work in our August 2008 issue, and now she’s just released her 2010 collection. The understated and elegant line of napkins, table runners and guest towels features block-printed botanical motifs such as palm fronds, tropical fruit and sea life (I’m in love with the coral placemats and pillows), which are repeated on the natural fiber wine totes and lavender sachets and recycled paper note cards.

You can find the Isola Bella line on St.Thomas at Home Again; in select stores in California, Florida and Massachusetts; or just hop online to isolabellashop.com to see the full collection.

Save with the St. Croix Fantastic Flight

If our St. Croix feature from the new October issue has you dreaming of a Virgin Island escape this Fall, here's your chance to save a few bucks in the process: The U.S.V.I. Department of Tourism just announced its island-wide St. Croix Fantastic Flight promotion, giving you a $150-per-person airfare credit and your fourth night free at a range of participating hotels, like the secluded Carambola Beach Resort on the north shore, or the elegant Buccaneer (pictured) just outside of Christiansted.

To take advantage of the promotion, just book your trip by October 5 through one of these participating tour operators:

AA Vacations
CheapCaribbean.com
Delta Vacations
Expedia
GoGo Worldwide Vacations
Travelocity

You'll have until November 15 to travel.

Everything's Going to be Okay

Hi all, blogging from the lush, verdant isle of St. John, USVI, where part of the reason it's so green right now is the rain that's been falling intermittently for the last week. It's also led to an affliction I like to call Mosquito Pincushionitis, whereby my legs look like a game of connect-the- dots, but never mind: Rain or shine, it's hands down one of my favorite destinations, for the beaches (sublime), the people (incredibly welcoming), the scenery (see for yourself), the food (it's detox for a week when I get home) and the great resorts like Caneel Bay, where I had the good fortune to stay for three nights earlier this week, in Cottage Seven no less, renowned for being the one occupied by Brangelina and brood on their visit to the island in 2007. Not that I read any of the celebrity rags or care about stuff like this (ahem) but let's just say I was tickled (haha) to find myself the occupant of the room I came to find out was the massage room for the cellulite-free couple.

Caneel's one of those places the rich and famous can go to hide. With 166 rooms spread over 170 acres, the place can be full and still feel deliciously empty. Luckily the paparazzi left me alone, and I was free to wander the grounds, as well as stuff myself silly, both literally and figuratively on everything the resort has to offer: I ate, I snorkeled, I kayaked, I ate, I lazed on the beaches, I ate - you get the idea. In short, it was a great three days; from the moment we boarded the Lady Caneel ferry in St. Thomas until the moment we checked out. Even if it wasn't before, at Caneel Bay, everything is, in fact, okay.