Romantic Caribbean :: Luxury {1/2}

[trip style = luxury + beach + sun]

Recently a friend asked about Trip Styler's top picks for luxury and romance in the Caribbean. Knowing sun-n-sand-aholics are in the process of either dreaming about or planning their fall and winter getaways, here's a look at some dashing destinations, each with its own special distinction and awards.

Tomorrow I'll post some trip style = budget conscious romantic Caribbean picks, so there's something for everyone's wallet!

1} St. Lucia Jade Mountain: This luxury, architectural wonder sits atop a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea and foliage-covered hills. Frequently mentioned in Conde Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure as one of the most romantic resorts in the Caribbean, there are no rooms at this resort, instead they have sanctuaries. Enough said. Cost: from $1,050/night

2} Jamaica Golden Eye Resort: Golden Eye is aptly named; it's where the writer of the James Bond series penned much of the fictitious hero’s adventures. It was purchased by a music producer {the British founder of Island Records} and re-opened last year with A LOT of buzz. With 11 beach or lagoon cottages, its fanfare continues. Cost: from $495/night {Trip Styler Tip: Golden Eye is currently on offer via Jetsetter, one of our recommended travel flash sale websites, for $295/night. It's a members-only site, so join here and act quickly!}

3} Bahamas Kamalame Cay: Celebs and honeymooners have chosen this tucked-away, barefoot-chic resort since 1998. Meet for meals in the Great House at night and laze on your private veranda by day. Just a short jaunt from Nassau's resort-lined shores, three miles of your own private and deserted beach await. Cost: from $395/night

4} Antigua Hermitage Bay: The discerning vacationer will appreciate this award-winning and highly acclaimed property. This all-inclusive resort redefines the North American impression of a luxury all-inclusive---no logoed pools, white columns, Teppanyaki restaurants or large-scale buffets found here. Cost: from $703/night

5} Turks and Caicos Amanyara: Sleek and secluded, this resort evokes a sense of harmony with nature where the understated contemporary design blends into the edge of the Caribbean. Voted one of the 100 best hotels in the world by the UK's Sunday Times Travel Magazine. Cost: from $1,200/night

Related Tips For Planning A Caribbean Vacation Hidden Hideaways

[photos via mentioned resorts]

Tech Tuesday :: Get A Callback

[trip style = any] When an online form or email just won't do the trick...

Calling companies to resolve a travel issue is rarely a pleasant experience. And what's worse, pressing "zero" no longer works as a fast-track way to skip the phone tree to speak with a real person. Press 1 for.., press 3 for..., press 9 for... phone systems are getting too smart with their convoluted pathways, lengthy wait times and elevator music. Thankfully, there's an app that's smarter.

Fast Customer, whose tag line should be "your call is important to us, really" eliminates the customer service queue and gives you back the 30-minutes to 2-hours you just wasted waiting for a 3-minute resolution. After registering your number with the app, you can call one of 2000+ companies listed in their database to resolve "the" issue. Once an operator is on the line, you'll get a callback from Fast Customer's 800-number and speak to a representative right away. If the company you're trying to reach isn't yet listed, add it for approval so others can call too.

I can think of a bunch of times when I wish this app would have been invented! Either way, now we can call every company from CheapOair to Hawaiian Airlines with the touch of a button! {Note, you need to re-enter your phone number every time you use the app.}

This free app is available for iPhone or Android.

More Tech Tuesday Google Flight Search Hotel Tonight Getting There Direct Airline Alliance Apps Google Hotel Finder

Tips For Planning A Caribbean Vacation

[trip style = beach + sun]

This week the steel drums are clanging, the dreadlocks are bouncing and the sun is shining....in our world. Why? For most of the week, we're going to be talking about the Caribbean. Today we list tips and considerations for planning a trip to de islands and on Wednesday and Thursday we'll share our top picks for luxury and wallet-friendly romantic getaways.

The zillions of islands and cays that span 2736km in the Caribbean Sea beckon everyone from boaters to Beyonce and bevvie lovers to beach bunnies. Visit St. Barth's at Christmas and you're likely to spot more celebs than at The Grove {outdoor mall in LA} on a Saturday, or opt for something a little less opulent and stay on the less developed shores of The Turks and Caicos. Regardless of which trip style or island's geography you enjoy most, here are some thought starters for planning your future getaway under the jungle's canopy or the shade of an umbrella in the Caribbean.

Considerations

• Non-stop flight? If so, here's how to find direct flights on a month-by-month basis out of your home airport.
• Family fun, girlfriend getaway, mancation or couples trip? Book yourself into the right resort and it's bliss, end up at the wrong resort and your vacay could be a miss.
• Want an all-inclusive or a la carte experience?
• Mega resort or boutique property?
• Stay close to town or go castaway style?
• Adventure junkie or beach break?
• Saver or spender? The Dominican Republic and Jamaica tend to have the best values, due to a high influx of flights, whereas harder-to-reach islands are often harder on the pocket book

Tips

• Choose your travel dates wisely, mid-December to April is high season, yet there's usually a small lull in resort occupancy just after New Year's, so this can be a reasonable time to travel in winter.
• Bring small USD bills for tipping.
• Don't expect North American customer service, each island has its own distinct culture and this will come out---for better or for worse---at each resort.
• if you want to save money, consider doing a vacation rental, but stay near a town centre so grocery pick-up is easy
• Know in advance about extra fees and incidentals. Most resorts will charge a daily resort fee unless it's included in your price. Furthermore, some countries charge a departure tax, only payable in cash.
• If you have 5 days or less, opt for a direct or one-stop flight to maximize time at your destination. In addition, bring a carry-on so you can go from plane to pool in a flash.
• Get to know the country you're visiting as well as their entry and exit requirements, for example, in Cuba you need physical proof of your medical insurance to enter the country.
• We all remember sunscreen, but most people forget bug spray! With the dense topical foliage surrounding most beach regions, bugs and sand fleas like the beach just as much as you do!  I've been the the Caribbean more times than I can count, and generally the bugs aren't bad. The only time I was badly, badly bitten by noseeums---to the point of getting swollen ankles---was in the densely forested mountainous region of the Dominican Republic.

Related Content Packaged VS Unpackaged Vacations All-Inclusive Tricks Of The Trade All-inclusive Month :: Introductions All-Inclusive Month :: Matchmaking Don’t Judge an All-Inclusive until Day 3 {7 Reason to Wait to Evaluate} A Redo trip {What to do when an all-inclusive experience goes belly-up} Update on my Redo Trip {An overview of the highs and lows of the Sandals WhiteHouse}

[photo by mdanys]

Roam+Board :: Bitter End Yacht Club

[trip style = luxury + sun + active & adventure]

{I've come across this far-flung, understated luxe property a few times over the past year, and when a friend asked about Trip Styler's top romantic Caribbean picks (publishing next week), I suggested The Bitter End Yacht Club---partly for the barefoot elegance, partly for the GORGEOUS bedspreads.}

What Barefoot by day, boat shoes by night; Bitter End Yacht Club {BEYC} is a boater's dream. Maybe the wind-in-your-hair, zinc-on-your-nose lifestyle's not your thing. Not to worry, hike in the tropical canopy, relax in the Conde Nast Traveler World's Best-rated spa, heat up in the sun or cool down by the pool.

Where Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands {12 miles from Tortola, 30 miles from St. Thomas and 75 miles from Puerto Rico}.

When Winter is the resort's high season with the rates to show for it. Nightly prices are most reasonable October 17 to December 19 and in the spring. The resort goes on hiatus in August, September and early October.

Who/Why For luxury adventurists who want to sail a Hobie Cat into the sunset and don't mind the two to four flights, plus a 30-minute water taxi/ferry required to reach BEYC. Bring the kiddies, there's even nightly outdoor movies.

Cost Prices are based on double occupancy and start from $500 per night for a garden villa and include 3 meals per day. Book a 7-night package with a few extras for $3500.

More Roam+Board Sleep On The Water in London A Woodsy Hideaway In Big Sur, CA.}

[images via BEYC]

Finding Cool

[trip style = any]

I value a good hotel concierge, someone who takes the time to talk and point you in the right direction. It's been a year since I stayed in Montreal at The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, but I will always remember one particularly helpful concierge. His directions and suggestions facilitated one of the greatest afternoons I've ever had traveling, exploring the far reaches of the city {surf spots, iconic condos, bridges and neighbourhoods} by bike.

But, what do you do if your hotel doesn't have a concierge, or you want an off the beaten track suggestion? You find cool.

Finding Cool Finding cool is about talking to locals, having a flexible schedule {even if just for an afternoon} and being open to new experiences.

Asking About Cool On a recent trip style = weekend getaway in Victoria, BC, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do and where I wanted to eat. Stumbling upon a clothing boutique with teepee changing rooms and clothes I w-i-s-h-e-d were in my personal closet, I met a staff member who added some bang-on suggestions to my Victoria hitlist. He even suggested an out-of-the-way brunch place I would have never known to consider! And then it dawned on me: we both like the same clothes and after chatting for a bit, realized we both like the same restaurants, so why wouldn't I ask this guy more about the everyday hotspots in his town?

Finding Your Cool 1. Find someone to be your eyes and ears to the local scene. 2. Seek a restaurant server, bartender, hotel staff {like housekeeper of bell staff} or boutique owner with whom you connect. 3. Chat it up, and be willing to have a two-way conversation. 4. Learn what areas/restaurants/experiences to avoid and what to invest in. 5. If you love the suggestions, take a moment to say thanks.

Related It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood Party Like It's Your Birthday It’s the Little Things 5 Ways to get the Best Hotel Room It Never Hurts to Ask 

[photo taken by @tripstyler at Michel-Schlumberger winery---going there was a local's suggestion we took and loved!}