New Caribbean Flights

Here's some cool airline news to kick off the week...

Delta just announced a second weekly non-stop flight from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) and St. Kitts' Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB), beginning December 23. The new flight will operate round-trip on Wednesdays to complement the current round-trip schedule on Saturdays, making it even more convenient to get to the island from over 90 Delta hubs in the U.S. and Canada.

And in JetBlue news, the airline just unveiled a new non-stop route between New York (JFK) and Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) in Bridgetown, Barbados, beginning October 1. And for a limited time, the airline is offering a $99 one-way fare for travel through November 14...just book by June 17 to take advantage of the rate.

Bienvenido a Mexico!

I’ve stayed at some nice hotels in my time, and more often than not there’s some little token of welcome waiting for me in my room. You know, cheese flights, fresh flowers, maybe a bottle of champagne or a fruit plate. But I can’t say that I’ve ever been welcomed quite like this:



Yep, right next to the fancy-pants espresso machine and the selection of teas in my suite at the posh Grand Velas on Mexico’s Riviera Maya is a bottle of Don Julio Reposado, complete with all the fixings for a celebratory shot – or two. And lest you think the resort is rolling out the red carpet just for me, my butler (ahem!) informs me that tequila service comes standard in every suite.

I'm not much of a tequila gal myself, but it's a nice touch, no?

Marriott Deal of the Day

This just in: Marriott is offering 50-percent off room rates at the newly renovated Aruba Marriott Resort through August 31, with rooms starting at just $135 per night. But there's a catch. You have to book your trip by 7 AM Eastern tomorrow - June 12 - to take advantage of the savings.

Check out the Marriott Deal of the Day web site for more information, then book online or by calling 800-721-6996. Be sure to use promotion code DOD when you book.

Caribbean Travel + Life Awards

We're proud to announce that two of our contributors won big awards today from the Caribbean Tourism Organization...

David Swanson took Best Magazine Feature for our Top 25 All-Star Affordable Hotels from the May 2008 issue, and Jim Schnepf won the award for Best Photograph for the opener to our October 2008 feature on Nevis.

Congratulations to the two of them, and many thanks for making us look good.

Stuffed at the Renaissance Curaçao

I just arrived in Curaçao this afternoon, and like any responsible foodie, I decided to spend the rest of the day eating. About two hours after inhaling an overproportioned lunch of fresh seafood salad and rice, I rightly decided it was time for some authentic Curaçaoan appetizers, so I headed downstairs to the Renaissance Curaçao's Blue Bar and I noshed on bitterballen - the national dish of spiced, battered meatballs soaked in mustard - then washed them down with the resort's signature (and as yet unnamed) cocktail of light rum, amaretto, fruit juice, green curaçao and champagne. Yum!

Feeling sufficiently stuffed by the time I cashed out, the only obvious thing to do next was head to dinner, so I joined some friends at the Renaissance Curaçao's private Eternity Beach for a private, candlelit dinner at sunset. Yes, totally romantic, if there weren't 9 of us.

As we grazed on yummy smoked tuna, lamb chops and marinated chicken breast, I should have been thinking about the resort's new fitness center where I'll be spending my early morning hours tomorrow in penance for my food sins - but instead, I couldn't stop thinking about the cool outdoor setting where we were dining. Because the four-month old Marriott-owned property decided to set up shop right in the heart of Willemstad, there was no "beach" to speak of, so the resort got creative and made one from scratch - complete with a sandy bottom, infinity edge and real saltwater straight from the sea. There are even real fishies in it. And it's all on the second floor.

The resort uses the venue as a guest-exclusive beach by day, but it can be rented for weddings, proposals or special events anytime. Even if you're not totally sold on the man-made beach idea just yet, the Renaissance makes a convincing argument for checking out a private dinner there with their Sweet Temptations - mini indulgences like chocolate mousse and crème brulée to end the night. Sold!

Winning Dives

Bonaire's well known as a green destination, and this year the eco-friendly island is going to make two of the divers among you very, very happy. Enter any time from today until July 31st for the chance to visit during Celebrate Our Planet week, held from August 15-22 and hosted by famed oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle. The winner of the contest will receive an 8-day/7-night hotel stay at Captain Don's Habitat Bonaire including room, transfers, daily buffet breakfast, 6 days of unlimited shore diving and complimentary airfare on Continental Airlines. All you've got to do is surf over to Bonaire's tourism site at tourismbonaire.com. Good luck, and if you're looking for a plus one to take on the trip, I'm available.

Choice Rewards

At Caribbean Travel + Life, we love to uncover the hidden gems of each destination - particularly unique, boutique and authentically Caribbean places to stay. We highlight these Rare Finds in most issues, and we reveal many of our other favorites in features and blogs throughout the year.

But we also know that when travel budgets are tight, it's great to have a few chain hotel brands to throw in the mix as well. And one brand that does mid-priced lodging right is Choice Hotels, with budget-friendly properties scattered throughout the Caribbean in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Turks & Caicos.

Through August 13, guests who visit select Choice properties – including the brands Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion and more – can sign up to receive Choice Privileges points for their stay. For every third qualifying stay, guests will have earned enough of these points for a prepaid $50 cash card with no strings attached – and there's no limit to how many of the cards you can earn. That's all in addition to their affordable summer rates and other incentives like an airline mileage rewards program and free-nights promotions.

Just log on to the Choice Hotels web site to check out their vacation packages and to sign up for the rewards program. Then book online or by calling 800-4-CHOICE.