Caribbean High Season Combiines the Luxe and Eco-Friendly
High season in the Caribbean comes with eco-friendly, upscale attractions.
Nov.. 20, 2007 — -- With ramped-up air service, the Caribbean's first oceanfront water park, an environmentally sensitive hotel and other new attractions, the Caribbean is poised for high season. USA TODAY highlights some of the 2007-08 season's hottest new developments.
The Bahamas
The sprawling Atlantis Paradise Island completes a multimillion-dollar expansion with the opening Dec. 19 of the Reef Atlantis. The family-friendly units have kitchens, laundry facilities and large terraces, plus upscale options such as butler service. Rates in the 497-unit tower start at $340 a night for a 519-square-foot studio terrace. 800-285-2684; atlantis.com
Another behemoth, the 694-room Sheraton Cable Beach Resort (formerly a Radisson) in Nassau, is at the forefront of a $2.3 billion redevelopment on Cable Beach. Deals at the Sheraton, a seven-acre beachfront property, include a free upgrade for guests booking by Dec. 31 for stays through April 30. Rates start at $199. 866-716-8106;sheraton.com/cablebeach
On the out-island of Bimini, the new Bimini Bay Resort boasts 300 condos and villas, from $250 a night for a studio to $2,400 for a four-bedroom villa through March 14. 242-347-2900; biminibayresort.com
Puerto Rico
The Caribbean's first oceanfront water park makes its debut in January at El Conquistador Resort. The 2.4-acre Coqui Water Park will feature an 8,000-square-foot "lazy river" with a rain-forest vibe and a 9,000-square-foot infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean, plus flumes and free-fall slides. 866-317-8932;elconresort.com
St. Thomas The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas unveils a $40 million transformation featuring 55 new club-level guest rooms opening Nov. 15, plus an expanded spa with Prada-branded treatments. Regular rooms also have been spruced up. Rates through Dec. 20 start at $359; club rooms start at $889. 800-542-8680; ritzcarlton.com
Jamaica The new Outameni Experience is the latest in a string of new attractions on the island. Launched in September in Trelawny between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, the living-history park traces 500 years of Jamaican history with interactive exhibits set in a historic Great House (outameni.com). In Negril, the Kool Runnings Water Park has all the usual amenities, plus a Jamaican bobsled ride.
The first 366 rooms of the 950-room Iberostar Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay opened in May. The final two phases of the $850 million development will open next year. Rates through April start at $208, double. 888-774-0040; iberostarrosehall.com
Mexico A luxury building boom along the Caribbean coast south of Cancun is underway. Among the newest hotels: The Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya opens in mid-January. It sports 128 villas and a 25,000-square-foot spa on 36 secluded acres. Doubles start at $700. 866-526-6567; mandarinoriental.com
Dominican Republic The mega Cap Cana Resort development on 33,000 acres in Punta Cana gets its first resort hotel in late December with the opening of the 176-suite Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Spa. Rates start at $468. 809-544-4343;altabellahotels.com
Another contender in what's being touted as the "upscaling" of the Dominican Republic's tourist offerings is Maxim Bungalows, a 108-unit luxury resort opening in January on the island's north coast. Rates range from $413 for a studio to $1,348 for a two-bedroom. 888-446-4695;maximbungalows.com
Antigua The eco-friendly Verandah Resort & Spa opened Oct. 19 on 30 acres along Dian Bay. More than half the property is undeveloped and has hiking trails, two sheltered beaches and the island's largest free-form pool. Promotional all-inclusive rates for two through Dec. 20 are $243; post-holiday rates start at $580 double. 800-345-0356; verandahresortandspa.com
Galley Bay has added 32 luxury suites with 37-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations and DVD players. A new spa opens in December. All-inclusive rates for two start at $965. 800-345-0356; eliteisland resorts.com