For more than 50 years, Half Moon� has set the standard for Caribbean vacations.� Half Moon is located on a 400-acre resort and said to be one of the most highly regarded Caribbean getaways due to its old-world charm, luxurious accommodations, warm Jamaican hospitality and stunning setting in Montego Bay’s Rose Hall enclave.� The resort offers all kinds of services and activities that will entertain guests of all ages, such as; the new 68,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor spa oasis which has a blend of modern spa techniques with Jamaica’s ancient healing remedies.� For a private, yet relaxing, guest can take advantage of an in-room spa treatment in their own studio, or escape to the comfortable spa gardens.

The resort offers elegant guest rooms, suites and extravagant villas, or one of the resort’s five, six and seven bedroom Royal Villas, perfect for families and groups.� It’s like taking a little bit of home and adding the personalized service of an exclusive resort. Each villa includes a cook, housekeeper and butler.� The guests have access to all resort facilities and each villa has its own private swimming pool where the guests can relax and enjoy.�

Half Moon also includes 13 tennis and four squash courts, 51 swimming pools, a Dolphin Lagoon, a croquet lawn, a putting green, and jogging and cycling trails, as well as basketball and volleyball courts. � The property offers golf at the Robert Trent Jones, riding at the world-class equestrian center, gourmet dinning and duty-free shopping.

Half Moon gives children ages 3-12 the opportunity to learn about Jamaica in a safe, fun and exciting environment.� Activities include treasure hunts, Jamaican craft-making, cultural dance lessons, puppet shows, snorkeling and all kinds of sports.

 Half Moon in Jamaica has out-done themselves, with their brand-new, 68,000-sq.-ft. spa, the Fern Tree Spa, one of the Caribbean’s largest.  Given the size of this spa, one might think that it will give you that medical, impersonal feel, but they have achieved in providing a sense of intimacy in all of their rooms.  The spa is big enough to include all the amenities that you can hope for, but with personalized service and comfortable décor, you’ll feel like your their only guest.  Included in the 68,000-sq.-ft. are treatment rooms, fitness center, pavilions for yoga and Pilates, a spa café and other health club centers.  And the spa area is separated into sections:  a check-in desk, a spa shop, separate men and women’s locker rooms, and of course, the treatment rooms.

 Not only will you find all the amenities you hope for in the spa, but you will find equally satisfactory service in the locker rooms.  A spa attendant is always stations in the locker rooms, allowing you to have all that you want at your finger tips, even if you feel in the mood for refreshments.  Each locker room has its own outdoor sauna and steam room, along with access to an array of the Fern Tree Spa bath products.

 Their full-service spa features couple’s rooms, private showers, hydrotherapy tubs, and a 12-page menu of treatments and services.  For the Fern Tree experience, you can first indulge in the Fern Tree Signature Massage, which uses the scent of Jamaican all spice with ginger and orange throughout the 80-minute massage, which includes many techniques from Hawaiian, the Mediterranean and Asia.  This massage also includes foot baths, stretching and a 10-minute guided “power nap.”  The Fern Tree Signature Facial starts with a skin analysis, where the therapist combines Jamaican fruits and herbs to create a mask that is specific to your skincare needs.  This facial includes ingredients such as aloe, chamomile, green tea and vitamins, that will help improve the tone and texture of your skin, and is followed by a guided power nap.  For the more indulgent experience, the Aromatic Vital Relaxation Journey, is a 100-minute experience that includes meditation and spa techniques such as a Mediterranean-style scrub and wrap,  an Egyptian milk bath, and a massage that uses Indian and Chinese techniques. 

 All treatments star and end in the same way:  before the treatment, the therapist sprays a mist of herb-infused water around the room, while you inhale the steam, then you recite a short meditation focused on breathing; and at the end of all treatments, your feet are wiped with a warm towel of the same scent.  With 35 years of experience, Stella Gray, the chief spa elder, is an expert in indigenous herbs, flowers and plant life of all sorts, and has chosen allspice as a key ingredient in almost every treatment.  She holds private sessions with you, determining your needs, and uses ingredients from her own herb garden, that is on the grounds, to mix and match and create combinations suited for your skin.

 The hotel also features new spa suites, which all are ocean view rooms with oversized bathrooms, and are the closest location to the spa of all the Half Moon’s room.

Mount Cinnamon in Grenada
Mount Cinnamon is Grenada’s first boutique villa resort, featuring 21 beautiful, fully furnished and equipped one, two and three bedroom suites and villas, the smallest of which is over 1200 sq. feet.  Each unit comes with a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, plasma screen television, Bose DVD surround sound, cable, internet, and all the services expected from a five star resort.  Located on the two-mile white sand Grand Anse Beach, all of the rooms come with spectacular views of the beach and the Caribbean Sea.  They also feature a beachside cabana club with watersports, tennis, spa treatments, swimming pool and gymnasium.  You will find the best summer deals here between March 19 and November 15.

Point Village Resort in Negril, Jamaica
Located 90 minutes from the Montego Bay airport, this all-inclusive resort is set on 14 acres of lush tropical gardens on Rutland Point, where Negril’s seven-mile beach ends and Bloody Bay beach begins.  Their 150 rooms come with cable, air-conditioning, kitchenette, telephone, and a private balcony or patio with views of the sea or gardens.  Their all-inclusive plan includes:  taxes, service charges, all meals and beverages, daily activities, nightly entertainment, entrance into the Village Beat nightclub, snorkeling gear, sunfish sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, glass-bottom boat tours, and use of the Kiddies’ Centre.  The best time to take advantage of their summer deals is through April1 to December 20.

Round Hill Hotel & Villas in Montego Bay, Jamaica
Located on a 110-acre peninsula, this resort offers beautiful gardens, a secluded golden sand beach, a world class spa at the edge of the sea, and more.  Their best deals are offered between May 1 and October 31.

Jamaica Inn in Ochos Rios, Jamaica
This inn has been in the same family for nearly 50 years, and offers great service and attention.  Located on a private cove, this six-acre property is home to a 700-foot private white sand beach, which has been called the most perfect beach in Jamaica.

Coco Palm Hotel in St. Lucia
This boutique hotel in St. Lucia has been chosen as a Best Value by Budget Travel Magazine, and is considered one of the best values in the Caribbean.  Located in the heart of Rodney Bay Village, this hotel is a local hotspot for cuisine and entertainment.  They offer unique accommodations, such as their swim-up rooms, where you can literally step into Coco Palm’s free form swimming pool form your terrace.  Amenities include free wi-fi service, hosts that will serve as personal guides throughout your stay, and their dining options.  Ti Bananne Caribbean Bistro & Bar is Rodney Bay Village’s hottest restaurant, and overlooks the pool.  Here you can dine on Caribbean Creole favorites, while enjoying the entertainment in this alfresco dining setting.
 

 In 2006, Jamaica experienced a record-breaking year with more that three million arrivals, one million of which were from the U.S. alone.  Last year about 1,000 new rooms were added to the island, and there are 1,200 more planned.  Also, the JAPEX, Jamaica’s annual tourism exchange meeting, featured a number of Spanish-owned all-inclusive chains that are building on the island, and that are aiming at attracting visitors from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Eastern Europe and North America.

 A few of the big names in Jamaica are Riu and Iberostar, and Gran Bahia Principe.  Riu has two resorts in Negril – Club Riu and Riu Tropical Bay – and one in Ochos Rios.  The Riu group will also be opening a resort in Montego Bay, Hotel Riu Montego Bay.  All of these resorts are 24-hour all-inclusive, offering meals at one of their many restaurants, and activities on Bloody Bay beach in Negril, and Dunn’s River Falls in Ochos Rios.  The Iberostar has the Iberostar Rose Hall in Montego Bay.  This all-inclusive resort offer 3 specialty restaurants, 1 buffet restaurant, and infinity pool and more.  The Gran Bahia Principe is a five-star, all-inclusive resort, with nearly 600 rooms, seven restaurants, five bars, a disco and an amphitheatre.

 Strawberry Hill, Irish Town, Jamaica is a luxury 50-acre, hill top resort set amongst stunning surroundings.  This resort allows you to escape the congested life, and retreat to the beauty of Jamaica.  Set amongst the mountains, the resort offers views such as the Blue Mountains, the Caribbean Sea, and panoramic views of the neighboring mountains and streams.

 The Resort consists of 12 traditionally designed cottages, all with an interior decorated in 19th century Georgian architecture, with the walls adorned with several pieces of Jamaican art and many photographs.  Each cottage differs in their style, and are categorized into one bedroom, deluxe villas and studios.  They all come equipped with TVs, DVD players, mini bars, in-room safes and drawers, high-speed wireless Internet access, and deluxe bathroom accessories.

 The dining at the Strawberry Hill is an arrangement of exotic dining with a Jamaican menu, which also features several international recipes.  They also offer their Aveda Concept Spa, which is dedicated to building up and maintaining a good physical and mental health.

 At Beaches, the other half of the Sandals empire, there is a complete turnaround when it comes to their target.  Rather than adults-only romance, Beaches has plenty additions designed to keep kids happy and families enjoying their time together.  Beaches caters perfectly to families.  The parents can enjoy the Beringer wines, romantic restaurants and included ceremonies for vow renewals and second marriages, while the kids spend time at the Xbox Game Oasis or the daily Sesame Street parades.  Included in their all-inclusive plan is all meals (including room service), all snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, watersports (including scuba diving), basic wedding packages and vow renewals packages, airport transfers, golf at select resorts, butler service in select suites, entertainment (including theme nights like “black and white night” or “reggae night,” beach parties with fire-eaters and limbo dancers and supervised kids’ activities and entertainment.  Beaches in Jamaica has access to most of the same tours as available at Sandals.  And Beaches Turks & Caicos offers bonefishing excursions, bike tours of North Caicos Mountain, a beach cruise geared toward iguana sightings, and, if you go at the right time, nighttime cruises to see the waters of Provo which light up with glowworms in the moonlight.

 The Iberostar Hotels and Resorts perfected themselves in the Dominican Republic and are now moving across the Caribbean to other islands.  From watersports to dance lessons, Iberostar offers many accommodations for families.  Included in their all-inclusive plan is all means (room service varies from resort to resort), all snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, entertainment (including after-dinner shows and kids’ club, land and non-motorized watersports (not including diving).  Outside of the resorts, you will find Punta Cana’s wide, white beaches, or Isla Saona, a government protected nature reserve.  You can also take a catamaran ride across the sea or snorkel and discover the undersea environment of starfish and more, or go birdwatching and spot the island’s many species of birds.

 Sunset Jamaica Grande and Sunset Beach Resort & Spa are kid-friendly all-inclusive links to the Sunset chain properties.  They offer water parks and high-rise accommodations.  Included in their all-inclusive plans are all meals, all drinks, all snacks, non-motorized watersports, fitness center access, use of tennis courts, evening entertainment, a weekly cocktail party.  At Sunset Beah Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, you can enjoy a free afternoon English tea, free entry to the Club Mongoose kids’ club, and the Pirates’ Paradise Water Park.  At Sunset Jamaica Grande includes weekly themed parties, Club Mongoose and a Jamrock Teen Center for kids above the age of 12.

 At Sandals Resorts, located in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua and The Bahamas, you will find a worry-free location for adults-only romance.  The adults-only atmosphere is perfect for areas like swimming pools, beaches and restaurants.  Included in the All-Inclusive plan here is all meals (including room service), all snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (including sandals-only Beringer wines), watersports (including scuba diving), basic wedding packages, airport transfers, golf at select resorts, and butler service in select suites, these accommodations are included in their “luxury included” promise.  Golfers at Sandals Dunn’s River Golf Resort & Spa, Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Resort & Golf Club, Sandals Regency St. Lucia Golf Resort & Spa, Sandals Grande St. Lucia Spa & Beach Resort or Sandals Halcyon Beach St. Lucia save on greens fees.  Sandals Royal Bahamin and Sandals Royal Caribbean offer private islands, where you can escape the resort grounds, without really leaving the property.

 The adults-only Grand Lido Braco Resort & Spa in Runaway Bay and Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa of the SuperClubs company, you can enjoy in classic Jamaican comfort in an all-inclusive atmosphere.  These resorts offer free-form swimming pools, private couples’ spa pavilions and fine dining restaurants.  Both resorts offer 5 restaurants, ranging from Japanese to Italian to classic Jamaican favorites, along with in-room dining service, and afternoon tea on the menu every day.  Included in the All-inclusive plan is all meals (inclusding room service), all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, all entertainment (such as after-dinner shows), all rips and gratuities, watersports (including scuba diving), airport transfers, basic wedding packages and vow renewal services, golf at Grand Lido Braco (though without charge at Grand Lido Braco, golf is an additional charge at Grand Lido Negril), and laundry and dry cleaning services.  Each of the resorts offers eight or more restaurants to choose from.  Activities are also aplenty.  Beach volleyball games and watersports are found everywhere on the beaches, and both resorts have clothing-optional beaches.  at Grand Lido Negril you can take bicycle tours of the surrounding area for no extra charge, and many stop at Rick’s café.  This Cliffside bar is where tourists drink their beer together as the sun sets, and some take the rite of passage for tourists to the region-a plunge off the cliffs into the water below.  There are more natural attractions near Grand Lido Braco, such as Dunns River Falls, where you can climb the falls or gaze upon it from the observation deck, or the new Dolphin Cobe facility outside Ochos Rios, where you can have dolphin encounters at your comfort level, be it petting them from the dock, or swimming with them in deep water.

 And then comes Couples in Jamaica.  Couples offers four all-inclusive, adults-only resorts; Couples Swept Away in Negril , Couples Ochos Rios, Couples Sans Souci, and Couples Negril.  Included in their all-inclusive plan is all meals (including room service), all snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, unlimited use of sports facilities (including equipment rental and instruction), watersports (including water-skiing and scuba diving), hotel taxes and tips, airport transfers, nightly entertainment (such as after-dinner shows), golf, internet access (including WiFi), and benefits for honeymooners (including couples’ massage and champagne.  Some accommodations are resort-specific as well, for example, Couple Sans Souci and Couples Ochos Rios offer glass-bottom boat tours, Dunns River Falls tours, a trip to Margaritaville and a free shopping shuttle to Island Village.  At Couples Ochos Rios they also include horse-back riding tours and catamaran cruises.  At Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril, they also include trips to a local sunset bar, a catamaran cruise, and a trip to Margaritaville.  Couples Negril also offers a free shopping shuttle as well.

No one likes layovers, that’s why we’ve compiled a list of islands you can reach nonstop from the mainland U.S. and Canada.

Antigua - has many white sand beaches and is a popular destination for boaters.  When in Antigua, stay at Siboney Beach Club; a homey, 12-suite inn on Dickenson Bay.

Aruba – 18 miles north of Venezuela, sits just outside the hurricane belt and usually has sunny skies all year-round.  When in Aruba, stay at Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort on Eagle Beach’s white sands.

Bahamas – just a 30-minute flight from the mainland U.S., with mellow beaches and beautiful water.  When in the Bahamas, stay at the Orange Hill Beach Inn, a 30-room inn located on a Nassau snorkeling beach.  You can also try the Paradise Harbour Club & Marina, which has a pool, a Jacuzzi, and free beach shuttles.

Barbados – When in Barbados stay at the Dover Beach Hotel, the rooms are only steps from Turtle Beach and the hotel is only a 15 minute drive from the airport and is within walking distance from St. Lawrence Gap.  Also you can stay at the Sea Breeze Beach Hotel, where all of the beachfront rooms have a balcony or patio.

Cayman Islands – the largest and most populated of the three Cayman Islands is Grand Cayman, where many a diver has fled to look at the Cayman Trench (an underwater canyon that plunges nearly 25,000 feet deep.  When here stay at the Turtle Nest Inn, with has 10 two-bedroom condos and seven one-bedroom apartments, and you can see the ocean from your bed.

Dominican Republic – a main entry point is Santo Domingo, the Republic’s capital, other popular points are La Romana, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, and Santiago.  When there you can stay at the all-inclusive, adults-only, BlueBay Villas Doradas in Puerto Plata, where romance is easy to rekindle.  Or at Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach near La Romana, this all-inclusive hotel features 530 rooms, three pools, four restaurants and four bars.

Grenada – You can find a laid back atmosphere at Grenada, and can never fear it booming from tourism, as this island has a law stating that buildings cannot be taller than a coconut palm tree.  When here stay at the beachside Coral Cove Cottages located on five acres of hillside gardens.  Or at the La Sagesse, which is found on a secluded beach.

Jamiaca – the main entry points for U.S travelers are Kingston and Montego Bay.  Here you can stay at the all-inclusive Starfish Trelawny Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, which houses five pools, waterslides, a beach, water sports and activities.

 The Caribbean is making itself over, and here are some of the most popular new and refurbished hotels in the Caribbean this 2007-08 season.

 In the Bahamas you will find the Atlantis Paradise Island, which will have finished its multimillion-dollar expansion by December 19 of this year by adding the new 497-unit Reef Atlantis.  This is a section of family-friendly units that feature kitchens, laundry facilities and large terraces, also with upscale options such as butler service. Rates start at $340 a night for a 519-square-foot studio terrace.  Another in Bahama is the 694-room Sheraton Cable Beach Resort in Nassau, which just went through a $2.3 billion refurbishment on their seven-acre beachfront property.  The rates start at $199 a night.  And on the out-island of Bimini you will find the new Bimini Bay Resort, which features 300 condos and villas, and ranges from $250 a night for a studio to $2,400 for a four-bedroom villa.

 In Puerto Rico you can visit the Caribbean’s first oceanfront water park, Coqui Water Park.  This 2.4 acre water park opens in January 2008 at the El Conquisitor Resort.  This park features a 8,000-square-foot “lazy river”, a 9,000-square-foot infinity pool that overlooks the Caribbean, Flumes and free-fall slides.

 In St. Thomas you can stay at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, which through its $40 million transformation will offer 55-new club-level guest rooms in addition to the previous, and now re-done, rooms.  They also expanded the spa with Prada-branded treatments.  Rooms start at $359.

 In Jamaica you can visit the living-history park, Outameni Experience, which traces 500 years of Jamaican history with interactive exhibits set in a historic Great House.  This park was opened in September in Trelawny between Montego Bay and Ochos Rios.  You can also go over to Negril and go to the Kool Runnings Water Park, which offers a Jamaican bobsled ride.  And when looking to stay in Jamaica, you need not look farther than the Iberostar Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay.  This 950-room resort is going through two phases of a $850 million development, one of which is finished with rates starting at $208 and the second of which will open next year.

 In Mexico you can stay at one of the newest hotels, Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, which opens in January 2008.  On 36 acres is features 128 villas and a 25,000 square-foot spa.  Doubles start at $700.

 In the Dominican Republic you will find the Cap Cana Resort on 33,000 acres in Punta Cana.  This is Punta Cana’s first resort hotel once is opens the 176-suite Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Spa, with rates starting at $468.

 And in Antigua you can relax at the eco-friendly Verandah Resort & Spa, located on 30 acres along Dian Bay.  This resort offers hiking trails, two sheltered beaches and the islands largest free-form pool.  Rates start at $243.

With increasing debt, escalating mortgage, and just regular old budget pains, many people are cutting down on costs. Usually one of the first things to go is vacations. Though many need vacations to provide rest, perspective, and renewal, they usually cut it from the budget, finding a vacation frivolous and unnecessary. Here are 3 mainland getaways that will give both you and your wallet a break.

The first destination is Tobago. This is a laid back vacation spot that offers a more natural stay. This island offers the oldest forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere, famed bird-watching and snorkeling. You can go with Newton George for a six to seven hour bird-watching tour at $50 per person (868-660-5463). Or go with Frank’s Glass Bottom Boat Tours at $19 to visit Little Tobago Island for bird watching and snorkeling. This island offers the natural beauty of beaches and birds, along with affordable hotels and restaurants.

If traveling Tobago on a budget, stay at the Kariwak Holistic Haven. This is a 24-room oasis with a thatch-roof pavilion for yoga and tai chi sessions. Their restraint specializes in whole foods with herbs and some of the produce is grown on the property. Also, the beach is only a five-minute walk away. Doubles are $150 ($108 In low season) and includes service and tax.

And if looking to splurge in Tobago, look to the Blue Waters Inn. This inn, tucked into a tranquil cove, offers 38 air conditioned rooms and a level of relaxation you may need to reach. With no TV’s and no phones, they leave you to enjoy in the experience. They also offer diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, glass-bottom boat tours and bird watching. Standard rooms run $175-$203 ($107-$115 in summer), including tax and service charges.

A second destination would be Negril, Jamaica. With a 7-mile beach, it is a known hide-away, offering beach lodging under $100 a night in the summer. If on a budget, stay at the Country Country. This brightly painted beachfront lodge offers a mini-fridge, in-room safe, teakettle and air conditioning in all 20 rooms. You also have no need to travel far for fine dining; simply go to their beachfront restaurant, Country Peppa’s, which serves Jamaican specialties, or to the popular Margaritaville restaurant near by. Doubles range from $165 to $185 ($135-$150 in low season), including
breakfast, tax and service.

If splurging in Negril, visit Idle Awhile, a 15-room inn in the middle of the 7-mile beach. With oversized-rooms, the upper rooms with cathedral ceilings, they offer relaxation with a subdued luxury. The rooms also offer free wireless, a large sports facility near by and an excellent restaurant with vegetarian specials daily. Double are $190-$260 ($120-$170 in summer) and 18.25 percent for tax and service.

The third destination is Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Offering a 13-mile long beach, this spot is easily confused with Caribbean areas, and offers dozens of small, moderately-priced hotels, due to the fact there is an airport nearby. If sightseeing, I would recommend a rental car, as the better beaches are outside town. Also, there is a 10-acre water park, the Xel-Ha where you can snorkel, or swim with dolphins. The basic admission price is $35 for adults.

When looking for a more budget-friendly stay in Playa Del Carmen, go to Hotel La Tortuga, only two blocks from the beach, this 51-room facility offers a restaurant serving breakfast and Italian dinners, an intimate spa, and rooms furnished with cable TV, phone, air conditioning and in-room safe. Doubles start at $123 (from $88 in low season), including breakfast, and tax is 12 percent.

The more expensive version of a stay in Playa Del Carmen would be Shangri-La Caribe found on the un-crowded beachfront. With 85 rooms, the rates include breakfast and dinner. Doubles go from $220-$365 ($175-$295 in summer), including meals and taxes