Island Escapes

Tucked away from the hustle of Metropolitan life, lie four distinct Caribbean Islands - Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados and St. Lucia - each providing an escape from reality.

By Patricia Ambrosini

Whether basking in the year-round sun or enjoying a poolside cocktail, visitors to these Caribbean islands delight in the luxuries afforded to them.

A five hour plane ride from New York will take you to our First Caribbean Escape, Aruba. Aruba, the 20-mile long island just off the northern coast of South America, remains the island of eternal sunshine. Expected rainfall is only 20 inches a year, not to mention, the Aruba Tourism Authority guarantees good weather. The island's privacy and hidden indulgences, create a romantic, feel perfect for honeymooners and married couples. If you've always desired to exchange vows in the Caribbean or even simply escape the daily humdrum of life, Aruba's many resorts offer special packages and promotions year-round.

Currently, Aruba is promoting "One Cool Honeymoon", a program which runs every year from May through mid-December. Designed specifically for newlyweds, the "One Cool Honeymoon" package includes various value-added amenities, ranging from discounts on diverse activities to cruises, horseback riding, snorkeling and tours. Different shopping and dining specials are also included in this package. In addition, several hotels offer packages exclusively designed for newlyweds.

At the Sonesta Beach Resort, all couples will revel in the comforts of the VIP treatment, particularly those taking full advantage of Sonesta's 140 shops, 24-hour casino, live entertainment and gourmet cuisine. For the active and spirited at heart, Sonesta also provides snorkeling, paddle boats, jet skis and other water sports. Everything is within walking distance, said Angelina Buckley, Regional Director of Southeast Aruba Tourism Authority. "The great thing about Sonesta Beach Resorts is that you don't need a car to get around." Located on the marina within Seaport Village itself, this ideal location allows visitors to experience the convenience of having everything a their fingertips. According to Buckley, The Sonesta Beach Resort is quaint, easy to get around, you don't get a lot of people everywhere.

Couples planning their wedding ceremony on site at the Sonesta Beach resort, will enjoy unique privileges with Sonesta's 'White Sand Wedding' package, priced at $1,750. (This package is free when couples bring their family and friends to the Wedding and book Sonesta's Romance package for their honeymoon.) The 'White Sand Wedding' package offers a religious or non-denominational official to perform the ceremony, ceremony decorations, a bottle of bubbly, a wedding cake, a photographer for one hour, photos and negatives within 24 hours and all labor/setup charges. The bride's bouquet and the groom's boutonniere are also included; as well as a private boat ride to Sonesta's secluded Honeymoon Cove reserved for a day for the newlyweds. The Cove is reserved for a day of privacy and intimacy for the couple. The Cove, hidden among mangrove trees and cocoa palms on Sonesta Island with brilliant vistas of the crystal blue Caribbean Sea, features a Roman hammock, chaise lounges, a sheltered private dinning area ideal for romantic meals and a natural pool to cool off or splash around in.

One added feature of this daylong honeymoon experience, is a private butler who will serve a tropical islands breakfast and picnic basket lunch with frozen cocktails. The butler will return to serve drinks as often as asked. Couples can also enjoy full water sports program at the cove, a tennis court, fitness room, Seabreeze restaurant and bar, and towel service. Massages can also be arranged at Honeymoon Cove for an additional fee if you need to relieve some post-wedding ceremony stress. To learn more about the Sonesta Beach Resort and Honeymoon Cove Island, you can call 1-800-SONESTA or visit Sonesta on the web at www.sonesta.com

The lavish resorts and deluxe accommodations of all resorts on the island of Aruba, contribute to its universal appeal. Located across the road from Eagle Beach, La Cabana is a full-service-all-suite resort offering exclusive facilities such as a health center, fitness program, three swimming pools, five tennis courts, the largest casino on the island of Aruba, a 152-foot long waterslide and a cascading waterfall. "The great thing about La Cabana is that it is an all-suites hotel. The suites have a living room, dining room and full bath so that all visitors, especially honeymooners can feel like a home away from home", said Buckley.

La Cabana offers car rentals, pool scuba lessons, one day t-shirts, and a four day package as well. There are four restaurants on-site in which dinners can enjoy planned theme dinners three nights a week. So whether you're celebrating your first anniversary or your honeymoon, La Cabana's timeless setting will be sure to make memories last. To make reservations call 1-800-835-7193 or the web at www.lacabana.com

Another resort located in the heart of Aruba is the Radisson Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. This newly renovated, upscale property includes an Olympic size swimming pool, four tennis courts, various water sports, a compact health club as well as featured private balconies or patios in every room. The resort is a honeymooners dream with added amenities for just married guests like chocolate truffles sent to the room, champagne on arrival and one free romantic dinner on the beach. Couples can watch the sun rise and set each day on the island or simply step out onto the balcony in their own room. The d¸cor of each room is accented with rich earth tones and West Indian inflection. Each breathtaking feature of the elegant Radisson reflects its recent 50 million dollar transformation. For more information on the Raddison or La Cabana, you can contact, the Aruba Tourism Authority at 1-800-TO-ARUBA.

Traveling from Aruba to The Bahamas, a group of islands just across from the Straits of Florida, visitors get a refreshing dose of island life. With beautiful weather and very little rain, these 2,400 islands attract tourists from all over the world and allow all couples the opportunity to relive their wedding memories. Getting married in The Bahamas, at the British Colonial Hilton on Nassau island has be-come an island standard for many new couples. Recently The Bahamas itself was named one of the top 10 destinations for a wedding. With countless wedding packages offered at the British Colonial Hilton couples will have a personal wedding coordinator on premise to organize and prepare the day's event.

The British Colonial Hilton's private beach and water sports, the popular Straw Market and Bay Street, famous for its world-class shops, and abundance of nightlife, including nearby casinos and discos in Nassau and on Paradise Island, make this an ideal newlywed location. After a $68 million restoration, the British Colonial Hilton's deluxe accommodations in a one bedroom suite at Nassau's only downtown property with a private beach will enlighten all visitors. Crystal-clear waters embrace the white-sand beach at this magnificent resort, located on eight tropical acres in the heart of Nassau.

"Once the set of the James Bond movie, Never Say Never Again and Thunderball, the British Colonial Hilton, offers plenty for honeymooners to do and see", said Michael Hooper, General Manager. "There is our private beach, the popular Straw Market and Bay Street, famous for its world-class shops. There is also plenty of nightlife, including nearby casinos and discos in Nassau and on Paradise Island". If you are interested in learning more about the British Colonial Hilton, or if you would like to make reservations, you can call (242) 322-3301 or 1-800-HILTONS.

Not too far from the British Colonial Hilton, on the Out Islands overlooking the Abaco Sea, lies a secluded bungalow, known as The Abaco Inn. Described by many as barefoot elegance, this humble gem is quietly situated between coconut palms and seagrapes. Presently, The Abaco Inn houses 14 private cottage type rooms and eight new one bedroom villas with kitchenettes overlooking the sapphire-blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Guests of the Abaco Inn rave about the Inn's secured privacy, delectable food and overall pampered experience. The Inn's restaurant, one of the best in the Bahamas, features creatively prepared seafood and vegetarian dishes in an indoor or outdoor setting. Owners of the Inn, welcome all visitors to enjoy a beautiful view of sandy beaches and breaking surf; as well as, a unique personal experience keeping in touch with nature and wishing to escape the rigors of urban life. To make reservations at The Abaco Inn, call (242) 366-0133.

If you are planning a trip to Barbados, the eastern-most island of the Caribbeans Lesser Antilles, make sure to visit the Almond Resorts. Set on four acres of land, located on the west coast, known as the Gold Coast, of Barbados, the Almond Beach Club is equipped with abundant amenities. This beachfront property includes three swimming pools, two restaurants, direct-dial phones, air-conditioning, a private bath and shower, a safety deposit box, color television, coffee maker, hair dryer and a balcony. Also, a new addition to Barbados' Almond Resort is a spa featuring various face and body treatments including massage hydrotherapy, a sauna/steam room, a fitness room, specialty showers, cardiovascular machines and aerobic classes.

There is no lack of romance on this island. In fact, honeymooners can choose from a number of packages between now and December of 2000. The Enchanted Honeymoon package, a popular among Almond Resort guests, includes a bottle of champagne and two commemorative champagne glasses, a half-hour massage, or manicure or pedicure, a fruit, rose scented candles, a celebration dinner for two, a basket of flowers and a Certificate of Together after drinking the 'Lovers Knot'. If you are interested in these packages or others, call the reservation offices at 1-800-4-ALMOND or visit them on the web at www.almondresorts.com

The forever lovely Island of St. Lucia, offers honeymooners a place to re-energize after the stress of the wedding. Couples seeking refuge from the wedding whirlwind need look no further than the revitalizing Honeymoon Spa Package offered by Hilton International's luxurious new world-class spa at Jalousie Hilton Resort and Spa, on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Lucia.

Secluded tranquility and remote solitude are the only words to describe this resort. If you love watching romantic sunsets and basking in exotic spa formulations drawn from the island's tropical ecosystem, Jalousie Hilton is the place for you. The Spa at Jalousie is at the forefront of innovative spa therapy, with formulations created for its guests from local rainforest ingredients. Reflecting St. Lucia's incredible array of natural resources, treatment elements are derived from both ocean and island. These range from bougainvillea to banana leaf, seaweed to volcanic minerals, papaya to jasmine. Hundreds of the fruit trees and flowers are found right on the resort property.

Nearby, bubbling sulfur springs of curative waters acclaimed by locals and visitors alike flow from an extinct volcano that erupted on St. Lucia thousands of years ago. Jalousie Hilton Resort and Spa extends over 325 acres of tropical paradise and itself has been designated a rainforest nature sanctuary by the St. Lucia Naturalists Society. One of the world's foremost tropical landscape architects, Stoddart & Tabora Architects, of Caracas, Venezuela, is overseeing restoration of local flora and fauna, including the planting of more than 100 trees to provide a habitat for the endangered St. Lucian parrot.

A six-night Honeymoon Spa Package at Jalousie Hilton Resort and Spa features Villa accommodations (upgraded to a Villa Suite when available) with elegant, hand-embroidered bed linens and includes taxi transfer on arrival, chilled champagne, plantation flowers, fruit basket, and hors d'oeuvres. The couple will be treated to a private candlelit dinner, a massage session (one hour per person), and a spa treatment using indigenous ingredients derived from St. Lucia's rainforests. Cost of the Honeymoon Spa package, which is in effect through December 17, 2000, starts at $2,700 per couple. Rates include tax and gratuities. Jalousie reservations can be made by calling Hilton Reservations World-wide at 1-800-774-1500; over the Internet at www.jalousie-hilton.com/

The Caribbean Islands ignite romance, passion and lasting love. Couples planning romantic getaways to the Caribbean should keep in mind that love blossoms in strange places and strange ways. And with one trip to Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, or St. Lucia, LOVE, strangely enough, will find you.