Puerto Rico – A U.S territory since 1917, and is more laid back than popular San Juan.  When here stay at the Normandie Hotel, located only 15 minutes (by car) away from Old San Juan, and was renovated in 2004.  Also you can stay in Ponce’s historic zone at Hotel Melia, which has 73 rooms with balconies over the plaza.

St. Kitts – Made one of the Caribbean’s rickets nations by their production of Sugar, and kept one of its richest from its tourism.  When here stay at Bird Rock Beach Hotel, which offers excellent diving and fishing.

St. Lucia – Offers long stretches of beach with your pick of white, golden or volcanic sand.  When here stay at the family-run guesthouse, La Haut Plantation, which features 13 hillside rooms.  Or at Ti Kaye Village Resort, who’s 33 ocean-view rooms and cottages (each with a veranda and hammock) are located 75 minutes from the airport, but are worth the wait.

St. Martin/St. Maarten – This is the smallest landmass in the world to be shared by two countries:  the Netherlands and France.  When here you can choose to stay on the French side of the border (St. Martin) at Les Balcons d’Oyster Pond, where you can rend out bungalows with marina views.  Or on the Dutch side (St. Maarten), at the Pasanggrahan Royal Guest House, with the name appropriately meaning “place of rest.”

Turks & Caicos – Of all the islands of Turks & Caicos, Providenciales (Provo) is the most developed island, yet it is never crowded.  When here stay at Sibonne Beach Hotel, where the beach is just steps away from every room.  Or the family-run Caribbean Paradise Inn, which is only two minutes from Grace Bay Beach.

U.S. Virgin Islands – A Caribbean island where no passport is required in order to travel there from the U.S.  When here stay at the historic Hotel 1829, which was built in 1829 by a French sea captain.  Or at Hotel on the Cay, which you can take a free two-minute water taxi (which runs 24 hours) to, and where you can relax on the hotels very own beach, giving the hotel’s 53 rooms their own ocean view.

This year the U.S Virgin Islands is celebrating its 90th anniversary as a U.S territory, and is celebrating by investing nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in new and expanded tourism facilities, Cruise capacity in two stops, and upgraded hotels.

In St. Thomas, Cruise clients such as those aboard Holland America and Princess Cruise lines are stopping. St. Thomas has nearly two million passengers a year, making it one of the world’s busiest cruise ports. To accommodate more cruise ships and passengers, they are upgrading. In November 2006, the $28 million Crown Bay Center and Marina opened with shopping, restaurants and kiosks selling local crafts. Now Princess has signed a 10-year agreement with St. Thomas to bring 3 of their cruise ships to their dock exclusively. By next year, Crown Bay will plan to have built a visitors center on the dock with virtual tours of the island.

Found in St. Thomas is Coral World Ocean Park, which offers the Shark encounter, Sea Trek or submarine, and their new experience – the Sea Lion Splash. This new attraction creates a chance for adults and children alike to play with sea lions in a pool, and join them on land. It is best to reserve in advance, since only 12 people a day can do this, as not to stress out the sea lions. The entry price to the park is $18 for adults, $9 for children (3-12 yrs.), the Sea Lion Splash is $99 per adult and $90 per child, the Sea Trek is $50 per person, the Shark Encounter is $24.95 per person, and the Semi-Submarine is $18 per person.

The hotels in St. Thomas are also being renovated. The Ritz-Carlton is now complete with its $40 million renovation. The resort added 55 guestrooms, 16 executive suites, four presidential suites and two villas. They also expanded the spa, and renovated all the previous rooms. The Marriott Vacation Club International opened their first timeshare resort with 28 villas on St. Thomas. These offer a pool, fitness center, health club, and their own beach.

St. Croix is also upgrading for more access for cruise ships. With a $50 million upgrade to the Frederiksted pier area and the waterfront boardwalk, they expect more cruise ships coming into dock. And more can, with the harbor dredged to accommodate larger ships. The hotels on St. Croix are upgrading as well. The luxury Carambola Beach Resort will be renamed the Renaissance Resort by the end of the year. T he renovation is half-done, and Wi-Fi will be there by the end of July. This $20 million renovation will also open a new 2,200-square-foot spa.
The one area of the U.S Virgin Islands not changing is St. John, but that is viewed as a good thing, as two-thirds of the land on this island is a protected national park. Though the island goes un-changed, it is still a popular spot for those looking for relaxation, and those looking for a more natural stay at the islands. But the resorts are still upgrading. The Westin St. John Resort & Villas is converting 108 of the guestrooms into 52 vacation ownership villas. The popular eco-tents of Concordia Estates are offering eco-tents built on a hillside with views over the sea, and the tents are equipped with indoor plumbing, kitchens, screens, and most of all, comfort.