CARIBBEAN VACATION OPTIONS, II

Prices

Hotel prices vary drastically between high and low season and also by view. Garden view rooms are generally the least expensive, followed by ocean view, then oceanfront. Suites are the priciest accommodations, with rates that can be more than double that of a standard room.

Rather than provide specific prices, which come and go as quickly as a hibiscus blossom, we've given price ranges for accommodations. These rates reflect high winter season for a standard room for two adults for one night (expect prices to be as much as 40% lower during the off season); prices are in US dollars. You'll find a price scale at the beginning of each Sweet Dreams section for each island.

All-Inclusive Resorts

As the name suggests, all-inclusive means that all activities, meals, drinks, airport transfers, and tips are included in the price.

This policy means that you're free to try anything you like without worrying about spending your vacation budget for the next five years. Ever been curious about windsurfing? Take a lesson. Want to know how to reggae dance? Throw off your shoes and jump in line. Wonder how those brightly colored drinks with the funny umbrellas taste? Belly up to the bar. You're free to try it all.

Some folks don't like all-inclusives because of the concern (not unfounded) that once you've paid for the whole package you'll be unlikely to leave the property to sample local restaurants and explore the island. The all-inclusive confinement is, however, up to the individual couple. Perhaps your goal for this trip is to languish away the mornings in bed (this is, after all, a guide for lovers), roll out to the beach, grab a rum punch in one hand and your partner's hand in the other, and sit there until the sun slowly sinks into the sea. An all-inclusive is just right for you. You won't have to worry about taxis or rental cars or dinner reservations.

Or maybe the two of you want to try it all: scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, golf, or tennis. An all-inclusive is just the ticket for you as well. The one-price-pays-all policy will be a better deal than paying for individual lessons.

Who else should check out an all-inclusive? Those who are:

• On a tight budget. You'll know how much to put aside for the entire vacation before you ever buy your ticket. Once you arrive, live like a king and you never have to count how much money's left or how high the tally's going on your credit card. All-inclusives, like other hotels, come in a varied price range.
• Traveling with the kids. You can still have a romantic trip thanks to all-inclusive resorts with children's programs. The kids will have fun doing age-appropriate activities, making new friends, and learning about a new culture, while the two of you enjoy a romantic respite.
• Receiving the trip as a gift. All-inclusive resort vacations are increasingly popular as wedding gifts. They permit the gift-giver to pay for the trip up front and for honeymooners to enjoy themselves without feeling like they're running up a huge tab for parents or in-laws.
• Getting married on your honeymoon. Several all-inclusives offer free weddings; all offer various wedding packages. You'll find experienced wedding planners at these resorts who can simplify paperwork and make your wedding a special, hassle-free day.
  

We love all-inclusive resorts, but we are careful to balance a stay there with island tours or visits to off-property restaurants so as not to miss island culture. Even with these extra expenditures, we've found most of these resorts to be economical choices.

In selecting an all-inclusive, read through the offerings carefully. Are all drinks included or just wine with dinner? Are tips included? Airport transfers? Watersports but not motorized sports? Scuba diving? Know what features are important to the two of you and see if those are included in the package price.

Jamaica is the king of the all-inclusive, but you'll find them on several other islands, especially Aruba, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos.

Bed & Breakfasts and Small Inns

If you're looking for peace and quiet, B&Bs and small inns offer good getaways and a chance to immerse yourself in more of the local atmosphere.

These small inns, many built around historic greathouses on former plantations, are intimate properties that host only a handful of guests at a time. Here, the two of you will be part of just a small group and you'll get to know each other as you would aboard a small cruise. Often, the owners of the inn reside right on property, so you'll receive personal attention.

Our favorite inns make us feel like we're guests of the family returning for another stay. We enjoy chatting with other guests, usually experienced travelers, and with the owners, who give us an insight into island life. Over the years, we've shared dinner conversations with hoteliers about hurricanes, gardening, local dining specialties, sports, and island life in general. It has given us a perspective on these destinations that we would never have received at a larger property.

Ask plenty of questions before booking a stay in a B&B or small inn. These properties may offer limited services and be more restrictive than a traditional hotel. If applicable, be sure to ask:

• Is smoking permitted indoors?
• Are children allowed as guests?
• Is breakfast served at one time or as guests wander in?
• Are intimate tables available or are meals served family style? Are special dietary considerations met?
• Is there a minimum stay?
• Does a remote location necessitate a rental car?

Villas

For some couples, the idea of real romance is a private villa, without other guests. Just the two of you ­ alone, except for the occasional visit by a cook or maid who is there to meet your special requests, introduce you to island cuisine, and make you feel pampered in what really is your home away from home. St. John, St. Thomas, Jamaica, and Barbados are especially popular islands for villa rentals.

Villas vary in price, services, and level of luxury. Before you make a commitment, check:

• Cleaning service. Many villas offer cleaning service before your arrival and after your departure; additional cleaning can be arranged for a surcharge. At other properties, you may have daily maid service.
• Groceries. Ask if you might send a deposit for groceries and have a cook stock up before your arrival. Finding a refrigerator and cabinets ready with your favorites can be comforting after a long flight.
• Cook service. Many villas can arrange for cook service as you choose: three meals a day, dinner only, or just one special meal. In Jamaica, villas typically include cook service.
  Check your options. Don't assume your villa is air conditioned; ever-present trade winds make this an optional feature. If it's more of a necessity than an option to you, inquire.
• Car rental. Many villas are located away from the resort areas. See if you should rent a car to avoid pricey taxi rides for long hauls.
• Minimum stay. Unlike hotel minimums of three nights, villas often require a minimum seven-night rental.

Many resorts also offer villa rentals. These homes are located on the resort property and guests enjoy the security and services of the resort while at the same time having the space and facilities of a villa home. Some resorts that include villa homes are Peter Island, Four Seasons Nevis, Jumby Bay, and Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands.

How Long to Stay?

Package vacations usually come in three- , four- , and seven-night lengths, with the option to add extra nights if you like. If you're setting up your own vacation, then the sky (okay, your budget) is the limit. All but the smallest islands have daily air service, so you can usually schedule arrival and departure whenever you like.

We've found that three-night trips are just a little too short, even for a quick getaway. Three nights sounds like it should also include four days, but you have to be realistic. Usually your arrival day will be lost; departing from Texas we arrive in the Caribbean no earlier than mid-afternoon and sometimes much later than that. If you're arriving from the West Coast, expect a full travel day. You'll probably miss both dinner and the evening show and just be ready to roll into bed after you check in. The departure day is also lost. With a two-hour international flight check-in, you often need to leave for the airport just after breakfast.

So, on a three-night, four-day package, expect two full days of vacation: the days between your arrival and your departure. We've done it, but it's not relaxing and can, especially if you've never been to the island before, be very frustrating. If you do consider a three-night package, re-read the Quick Getaways section, page 6, just prior for the list of the easiest destinations to reach from the US.

If budget is a major factor or if you need to hurry back to the kids, we suggest a four-night trip. You'll have a little time to relax and, although it's not as glorious as a week-long stay, you'll start to get into the island groove and state of mind.

On a week-long trip you'll have a chance to really relax and take some day-trips around the island.

Two-week trips are the epitome of luxury. They're usually enjoyed by Europeans rather than Americans, who generally have shorter vacations than their trans-Atlantic neighbors. If you're lucky enough to afford, both in time and money, a long getaway, you might think about island-hopping.

TIP: If you will be arriving very late, consider staying the first night at an inexpensive hotel close to the airport. A business hotel, without the amenities of a resort, will look just fine if you're coming in just in time to hit the sack. The next morning, get up and take a taxi to your resort hotel. You'll arrive early and have all day to enjoy the resort and feel like you're really getting your money's worth. You may have to store your luggage until your room is ready, but most resorts have changing facilities so you can go ahead and hit the beach.