south & central america

Caribbean Dreams

Caribbean Dreams

Saint Barthélemy, commonly shortened to just St Bart’s, is the playground of the rich and fabulous and it’s not unusual to see supermodels or famous faces from film and television frolicking in the surf. St Bart’s is often compared to the south of France or the balmy Mediterranean because it is synonymous with celebrity and wealth. Sleek luxury yachts jostle for berths in the marina. On shore, tiny boutiques display the latest international fashions from labels like Christian Lacroix and Gucci. Yes, you could be forgiven for thinking you'd accidentally landed in some fashionable Riviera resort or Nice, Cannes or the island of Corsica. On top of this, the atmosphere of St Bart’s is most definitely French - from the food to the fashion to the attitude.

There are many casual but elegantly chic bistros where visitors and locals mingle over coffee or a glass of wine. Out in the streets, perfectly tanned bodies careen about on the back of perfectly polished scooters while policemen in kepis (traditional headgear) and neat shorts patrol with unobtrusive dignity. Everyone exudes an air of importance.

It’s remarkable, really, that a tiny island with little political significance, only a few natural resources and with no glitzy nightclubs or brash casinos could have acquired the high calibre reputation that St Bart’s has. Yet, after the celebrity onslaught of the ’80s and ’90s, and the paparazzi that followed, St Bart’s is still the place to be seen. From the fields of entertainment, fashion, communications and politics, the big names continue to pour in.

Standing stately amid the lively social hubbub that gives St Bart’s its character there is a luxurious hotel. It is elegant but simple; unimposing but unmistakable. It is a place where you can unwind and relax – even if you aren’t on Friends or the catwalks of Milan. The Hotel Guanahani is a stone’s throw from two beautifully pristine white sandy beaches and is surrounded by some of the most glorious aqua blue waters in the Caribbean. It contains 75 brightly coloured bungalows decorated in eye-catching French Creole decor. The Guanahani is the only full-service hotel on the island and the staff are friendly and efficient. The ambience is quaint yet the hotel maintains the high standard of comfort and the modern amenities that make it an ideal holiday destination all year round.

Barely a ten-minute drive from St Bart’s only (and private) airport, the Guanahani is truly an oasis of indulgence. A Five Star Diamond Award member and high on the list of Leading Hotels Of The World, the Guanahani has 21 double rooms, 33 deluxe rooms, 9 one-bedroom suites and 12 one-bedroom pool suites. Almost all offer an ocean view, have their own terrace and garden with chairs and tables and are equipped with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, direct-dial telephones, satellite television and VCRs. For those who are reluctant to leave the modern world behind completely, free internet access is available 24 hours a day in the hotel lobby.

The bathrooms have spacious marble showers (but no baths because water is a scarce commodity on the island), complete with hand-made bathrobes. Bottled water is delivered every afternoon. There are two fine restaurants: the Indigo, a beach restaurant for breakfast or lunch, and the exquisite Bartolomeo, a Mediterranean restaurant that is only open for dinner.

For more information and reservations email the hotel at
guanahani@saint-barths.com or visit the web site at
www.leguanahani.com or www.guanahani-hotel.com

For many people, a tropical paradise like the Turks And
Caicos Islands, with its warm climate, beautiful white-sand beaches, glorious blue-green ocean and tax-free status is the perfect place for a holiday getaway.

The Turks And Caicos Islands chain consists of eight major islands in the Caribbean off the north east coast of Cuba. In fact, the islands are closer to Cuba than they are to Florida. The Turks And Caicos Islands boast one of the largest reef systems in the world after The Great Barrier Reef, making it a premier destination for divers. The reef is 104 kilometres across and 320 kilometres long and provides a fascinating array of aquatic life - everything from turtles, stingrays and countless varieties of fish, to colourful plant life and intriguing coral. Even some whales make their way to the islands during the northern winter and playful dolphins can show up at any time.

The people of Turks And Caicos love their island home and want you to love it too. So don't be surprised if the locals treat you like a long lost friend.

The island of Parrot Cay (‘cay’ is their equivalent of our ‘quay’) hosts the islands’ best hotel, which is also named Parrot Cay. Originally, it’s suggested, the island was called Pirate Cay and was the scene of some colourful buccaneering and some grizzly goings-on. But these days Parrot Cay offers nothing but total relaxation and stress-free luxuriating.

Opened in December 1998, Parrot Cay is characterised by its simplicity, luxury and restraint, along with sparkling azure waters, vivid blue skies and pristine beaches. The atmosphere at Parrot Cay is definitely laid back and peaceful and you'll want to lock away any ostentatious travel outfits in favour of something very casual.

The guestrooms are gracious, simple and romantic and are furnished with four-poster beds dressed in white sheets and enclosed with gauze screen mosquito netting. The floors are tiled in terracotta and white louvred doors open to views of the sea from the private deck or verandah of each room. The bathrooms feature vanity tops and shelves of natural ash, deep piles of white towels and toiletries by Philosophy. Hmm, that’s luxury!

While televisions are available upon request, they are not standard issue, encouraging you to really leave the modern world behind.

The restaurant at Parrot Cay is five-star all the way and caters for most diets – you can either maintain your diet or totally indulge! And while you’re indulging, experience the pure pleasure of
Shambhala, probably the Caribbean's most exclusive spa. Shambhala, which translates as ‘center of peace and harmony’ combines the spirituality-based healing traditions of Asia with natural therapies from the sea and earth, offering a holistic approach to well being. Few Caribbean resorts combine nature and five-star luxury as effortlessly as Parrot Cay.

For more information and reservations go to www.parrot-cay.com or email the hotel at parrotcay@provo.net

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