The Virgin Islands have been picked as #1 on a list just released by the prestigious Lonely Planet guide, highlighting the top 2012 travel destinations for travel in the U.S. With English as the local language, sparkling turquoise waters and pristine white sand beaches, it comes as no surprise to luxury travelers and fans of tropical beach vacations.
For history buffs, there's over 400 years of history to entertain you on St. Kitts alone, if you're not into water sports. The extensive scenery on St. Thomas offers hiking trails and bird watching. Aruba's charms are legendary.
Sixty percent of nearby St. John is protected as the Virgin Islands National Park. You'll find literally hundreds of rare undersea and beach dwellers. St. John's national park, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, was created after Sen. Nelson Rockefeller led a campaign to create a national preserve of this tropical paradise. And, for those who just want to sink into a chaise lounge under a palm tree's fringe, there's no shortage of choices nearby on St. Thomas.
Whether a honeymoon, special anniversary or girlfriend getaway is on the horizon, this is a location that will not disappoint. Hurricane season is over, and celebrity spotting is the order of the day as high profile stars and wannabes flock to this island shangri-la. While there are plenty of $1,000 per day luxury villas to be had, here are five places that allow luxury on a shoestring.
Where to stay on St. Kitts: Bargain luxury stay currently under $400 per person for a week in an oceanfront hotel: Timothy Beach Resort is a 3 star resort with a pool that overlooks the ocean, one of the most relaxing and romantic resorts on St. Kitts. For those who enjoy baccarat or blackjack, the nearby 1,000 room Marriott resort has rooms for about $900 per person per week. It offers both at its Royal Beach Casino - one of the largest and most luxurious Caribbean casinos. Water sports abound, and the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club with its 18 picturesque holes overlooks both the black sand beaches of the Atlantic and the white sand beaches of the Caribbean.
Where to stay on Nevis: Nisbet Plantation Beach Club was chosen as the #1 destination resort in the Caribbean according to the 2011 Travel + Leisure ‘Top 500’ list of vacation resorts. From poolside service to luxe lounges and public areas, to sumptuously comfortable rooms in a classic heritage location, it’s worth considering for a splurge stay.
Where to honeymoon on St. Lucia: Starting in Fall 2010, Cocoanut Bay Resort completed work to refurbish an exclusive honeymoon venue on this wonderfully stunning island. They now host sunset weddings at the Cap Moule á Chique Lighthouse, the second tallest lighthouse in the world, which offers expansive views of the island and the ocean beyond. Romance packages for all budgets are available. The Cocoanut Bay resorts offer several inexpensive options.
Where to stay on St. Thomas: Sugar Bay Resort and Spa features a Free-form grotto pool overlooking the beach, lavishly appointed with cushy lounge chairs, umbrellas, and palm trees -- it's one of the best pools in St. Thomas. Along with miniature golf and all-inclusive luxury packages, it offers the Journeys Spa which rival spas at the Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton. It’s one of St. Thomas’s finest and offers an array of massages, skin treatments and salon services. Prices are steep in high season, but still a bargain compared to the Ritz-Carlton.
Where to stay on the water: A tour of the Virgin Islands on SeaDream Yachts takes you on a whirlwind getaway including all the water toys you could ever want, plus a 1:1 staff ratio for guests that guarantees concierge level service at all times. These 7-night voyages to the Virgin Islands include an overnight stay in St. Bart’s, one of the most exclusive islands in the French West Indies. A week long cruise starts at over $2,000 but it will be a trip you'll never forget. Champagne wishes and caviar dreams come true, and isn't that what splurge vacations are all about?
Travel Documents and Entry/Departure Requirements:
- Citizens of Canada need only to present proof of citizenship, preferably a passport or birth certificate with the raised seal, to enter St. Kitts-Nevis, plus a government issued photo ID (a drivers licence, for example) showing the same name.
- Citizens of the United States must have passports in order to re-enter that country. As such a valid passport is a required travel document when travelling to the Caribbean.
Currency: U.S. bills are accepted by most stores and businesses and change is given in local currency. U.S. coins are not accepted. Eastern Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rate: $1.00 USD = $2.70 XCD
© Copyright 2012 Mary Holman. All rights reserved. This article and content may not be republished, rewritten or excerpted.
Comments