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.

Free Nights at Ritz-Carlton Caribbean and Mexico Resorts

Free Companion Fares to Barbados

Here's a little airline news to kick off the weekend: American Airlines already offers non-stop service to Barbados from its hubs in New York, Miami and San Juan – but between now and February 12, 2010, just book your minimum four-night stay through the carrier's travel planning site AAVacations.com and your companion will fly free. Even better, you'll have till May 31, 2010 to take the trip. Check out the AA Vacations site to get more info on the promotion – then hit up our destination pages to read recent Barbados articles and start planning your trip!

Free Companion Fares to Barbados

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.

San Juan Winter Getaway

Warm Up with Cayman's Hottest Deal

All of you notherners are going to hate me for saying this, but I just returned to Florida from five days in sunny San Juan and I'm already freezing! Yes, it's in the 60s here today, but still...I'm covered head-to-toe in my warmest winter garb, already longing for those balmy Caribbean tradewinds. Okay, and the cold mojitos.

Anyway, in the spirit of staying warm this winter, I thought I'd share the latest promotion from the Cayman Islands. For travel now through May 15, 2010 you can leave those winter coats at home and escape to the islands with the Get Warm package, offering a fifth night free on four-night-minimum stays at a range of accommodations, plus a complimentary trip for two to Stingray City, and a special two-tank dive offer at select dive shops around the islands.

To sweeten the deal, the Cayman Islands has also put together a new Get Warm contest that just might get you there for free. To enter, just surf over to http://getwarm.ky and enter your favorite frosty photo that shows why you need an island escape this winter; Ten finalists will be put to a vote to determine who will win a trip for four.

For now, check out this new promotional video from the Cayman Islands to get in the spirit...

Then surf over to http://getwarm.ky for more info on the Get Warm promotion (you'll need to book by March 31, 2010 to take advantage). Don't forget to share your trip photos on our Facebook page when you return!

Warm Up with Cayman's Hottest Deal

Sarah's 2009 Caribbean Highlights

The new year is just around the corner, but before it arrives I'm taking a moment to reminisce about some of my favorite Caribbean adventures in 2009.

In January, I rode the rails – and enjoyed a killer rum punch – on the Sugar Train in St Kitts.


In April, I spent four days in San Juan munching my way through the Saborea Puerto Rico food festival and getting up close and personal with giant avocados.


In May, I did a six-day Jamaican road trip that took me from Port Antonio to Ochi, Mo'Bay and Negril, where the cliff divers at Rick's Cafe demonstrated their prowess.


Come June, I discovered the bohemian pleasures of Tulum for the first time - and passed this this gargantuan furniture store display along the way.


Then in August I made my maiden voyage on crewed yacht charter through the BVIs, where we shot an episode of our TV show, CT+L's Affordable Caribbean.


I squeezed in a whistle-stop trip back to Jamaica in November, staying just long enough to enjoy a heaping plate of ackee and saltfish, the island's national dish.



My final jaunt of 2009 was to Provo in the Turks and Caicos Islands in December. Beautiful beaches, luxury resorts: what's not to love?



Where did your Caribbean travels take you in 2009?

Sarah's 2009 Caribbean Highlights

Better Travel Options from Beantown

JetBlue is already a major player in the Caribbean travel game, but the airline just announced a new plan to increase flights between its Logan International (BOS) hub and the Caribbean by 25 percent – a move that will make it the single largest carrier out of Boston.

Beginning May 3, 2010, travelers can take advantage of new weekly routes to Aruba; Cancun, Mexico; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Montego Bay, Jamaica – and the airline will also continue its regular daily service to Bermuda and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The decision comes right on the heels of US Airways' announcement to discontinue six of its eight current Caribbean routes next year, so the increased JetBlue schedule will help to pick up the slack in Caribbean flights – great news for the destinations in question and the island-hoppers wishing to visit them.

Check in with the JetBlue site for more information on the new routes and to book your trip.

Better Travel Options from Beantown

Two Days Left for Huge Savings at Starwood

Our e-newsletter subscribers are privy to a ton of free information each week, like destination features, contest announcements and exclusive deals just for our readers – and today's email blast about Starwood's latest offer is not to be missed. Through tomorrow, December 2, vacationers can book spring vacations and cash in on low rates like $159 per night at the Sheraton Old San Juan; $199 per night at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort; and $275 per night at the Westin Aruba.

The savings are valid on stays between January 1 and April 30, 2010 – but you have to book by December 2 at midnight to take advantage. Surf over to the special Starwood promotion page to check out all the places you can save, then sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter to enjoy more great deals like this one!

Two Days Left for Huge Savings at Starwood

Hilton Caribbean Resort Credits

Got Facebook? Then you've also got an extra $50 in your pocket on your next Hilton Caribbean vacation. For a limited time, the resort chain is offering resort credit vouchers to all of its Facebook fans, redeemable on two-night-minimum stays through January 31, 2010. Just surf over to the Hilton Caribbean fan page to download the voucher and start planning your trip to a participating property like the Hilton Barbados, San Juan's Caribe Hilton, the Hilton Curaçao, Jamaica's Rose Hall Resort and more. And don't forget to check out our own Facebook page – and Twitter too! – for travel news, deals, trip reports and exclusive contests you won't find anywhere else.

Hilton Caribbean Resort Credits

Fourth Night Free in San Juan

On my last trip to San Juan, I had the chance to stay at the newly renovated Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza. I loved the posh decor, the comfy rooms and the small stretch of beach right outside, but best of all was the hotel's central location – just outside of historic Old San Juan and within easy walking distance of all of the upscale shops and hot international restaurants that line Ashford Avenue.

For a limited time this Fall, the resort is offering a new Four For Free vacation package giving guests a fourth night free on any three night stay through December 19 – and even better, rooms start at just $139 per night double occupancy. Just log on to the Conrad site to book your stay, then sign up for our weekly e-newsletter packed with other great travel specials like this one.

Fourth Night Free in San Juan

Last Minute Summer Steals

Summer may be winding down, but resorts around the Caribbean are still offering low-season rates as well as unbelievable vacation stimulus packages and perks, so now is the perfect time to plan an affordable last-minute escape. Here are a couple hot deals that caught our attention this week...

ANGUILLA

Through August 31, the five-star CuisinArt Resort & Spa is offering bonus incentives with their already discounted Smart Summer Stay package. Book three nights and get a fourth night free, or book five nights and get two nights free, plus you'll get an automatic room upgrade and a complimentary 50-minute spa treatment at the new Venus Spa. Rates this summer are lower than ever, with rooms starting as low as $285 per night - a savings of almost 65 percent.

ST. KITTS

With the St. Kitt's Marriott's Family Summer Fun package you'll get two connecting rooms, complimentary daily breakfast for two adults and two kids under 12, unlimited use of the Kid's Club, and a family lunch at the Bohemia Beach Pool Bar & Grill, all for just $239 per night - a rate that includes both rooms. Book your minimum three-night stay and travel by September 7 to take advantage of the savings.

BELIZE

With Ka'ana Boutique Resort's August Adventures package you'll get a free half-day tour for every single night of your three-night-minimum stay. Rates at the eco resort start at $250 per night, and excursions include cave tours, zip-lining excursions, trips to Maya ruins and horseback rides. Just book and travel by August 31 to enjoy all the action.

PUERTO RICO

The San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is offering a new Buy Two, Get Two package that gives you a 50-percent savings on four-night-minimum stays. You'll get deluxe accommodations and have access to the casino, spa, beach and six on-site restaurants starting at $189 per night. You'll need to book by August 31 using promotion code P51 - but you'll have till December 20 to travel.

Last Minute Summer Steals

Huge Summer Savings at Hilton Caribbean Properties

Hilton just announced a new Summer Escapes promotion for its four resorts in Puerto Rico, so here's your chance to enjoy a Caribbean getaway for as little as $139 per night. The deal also includes your fourth night free, plus discounts and resort credits valued at nearly $400 per stay. The properties include the Caribe Hilton San Juan, the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza, El San Juan Hotel & Casino and El Conquistador Resort & Spa - the latter two of which are part of the ritzy Waldorf Astoria Collection.

I spent a week in Puerto Rico recently and had the chance to stay in the newly renovated Conrad Condado Plaza (pictured), and I was definitely impressed with the rooms and great beachfront location - a cool bonus for such an urban hotel. And I'll just be honest, the mod lobby bar isn't bad either!

Ready to book your trip? Just make your reservation by July 15 and you can cash in on even more savings with a free-night certificate good toward a future stay.

Huge Summer Savings at Hilton Caribbean Properties

Bélè Beats

When I hit an island, the first thing I do is ditch the iPod and channel surf past the island talk radio for the good stuff - local tunes. I'm from Louisiana, and I learned from an early age that music isn't just something that makes you dance. It's part of the culture. It's a way to experience yet another level; to connect. Whether it's in an off-the-beaten-track Belizean village or the welcome terminal of the San Juan airport, I'm not satisfied until I've had my fix.

I landed on Martinique just in time for their Emancipation Day festivities. That's where I first heard Bélè, a mix of traditional drumming and singing from the era of slavery, which eventually evolved into zouk. The drums, called ta mbou in Creole, are handmade like a rum barrel, with wooden slats shaped by metal rings and fired from the inside. We watched Bwa Mabi perform a few cadences in the Slave Savannah heritage village, led by Max Telephe (the one standing). He's kind of a big deal - a local celebrity for his singing, acting and musical instrumentation.

In their cadences, Max sang in the traditional call-and-response style. In other words, he called, and the rest of the band repeated. Simple, but rhythmic. He also played the flute and shaker, and another member played ti bois, the bamboo drum. They were fascinating to watch.

The accompanying dance (bottom), also called Bélè, is a form of quadrille, where four couples dance in a square formation. It got pretty raunchy (if you've ever been in a late night club in the Caribbean, you know what I'm talking about). Let's just say I'm still blushing. Apparently that's not a new invention from the whippersnappers. Now that I've seen the dance, felt the beat and heard the lyrics, I know Martinique a little better (maybe even intimately).

Bélè Beats