New Hotel Spotlight: The Ku, Anguilla

The best way to describe this new Anguilla hotspot is Minimalist Chic at the Beach! Conveniently located on Shoal Bay East, this glimmering beauty opened on October 15, 2005 and has sent guests home satisfied ever since. The Ku is a great value, compared to others on the island, starting at only $160/night. The all-suite property has a lively beachfront restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. “Ku” means “sacred place” in the native Arawak language… and it truly is a sacred gem in the world of affordable travel.

Airline Approved Beauty Products:

Sephora, one of my favorite body product retailers, has jumped on the “good things come in small packages” bandwagon that arose from the FAA’s new restrictions on carry-on liquids. Their retail shops and their website are both featuring many of their top-sellers in tiny packages – all at or under the 3 OZ limit that is currently still in place. Having traveled over the holiday season, I was pleased to see that both airports I visited were kind enough to have stashes of zip-loc bags on hand for anyone that forgot. If this restriction becomes standard policy then we can only assume more companies will adapt their product sizes too.

Starwood Hotels Has a New Baby!

The hotel chain recently announced that the new Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa will open on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten on December 13. This hotel is a welcomed addition to the tiny Dutch island that’s only other hotel of the same caliber is the Sonesta Maho – a property that is often sold out forcing those wanting to visit the Dutch side of the island to seek accommodations on the French side and commute to the gambling tables. Hopefully, the new Westin will share in the spotlight of success that its sister hotel in St. John has enjoyed for many years.

Good news for NE travelers wanting some fun in the sun this holiday season! Beginning Dec. 2, JetBlue will begin a second nonstop flight every Saturday from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Aruba. The second Saturday flight will be a permanent addition to the company's schedule and will complement the existing daily nonstop service to the Caribbean island that began September 15. In addition, JetBlue will add a second daily nonstop flight from New York/JFK to Aruba for the holidays to support high customer demand effective from Dec. 21 through Jan. 7, 2007.

The Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism has announced a new yearlong marketing campaign called the Jubilee Year of Festivals. The plan will promote major festivals and events the twin island nation will host in the next 12 months. Highlights of the Jubilee Year of Festivals campaign include: 25 Reasons to Travel to Antigua and Barbuda, 25 Adventures You Ought to Try in Antigua and Barbuda, and 25 Tips When Traveling to Antigua and Barbuda. The new marketing campaign will showcase many of the properties that have recently undergon millions in renovations.

Zagat Comes to the Caribbean! Zagat, the famed publisher of highly acclaimed restaurants, bars, and attractions, has launched its first Caribbean issue covering Barbados. The 2007 Best of Barbados is the first to cover the Caribbean, extending quite an honor to the island nation. Of course, we’ve all known that Barbados was a fabulous dining destination, and now the world will get to read about 169 of its top tables. Also given many pages in the guide is the island’s offering of fabulous golf courses. Sure, most have heard of Sandy Lane since Tiger Woods chose it as his Destination Wedding location, but Barbados has many other golf courses, some challenging and some just as interesting being stepped in history. Pick up a copy of the guide before your next visit!

Curacao is adding more hotels! Curacao has surprised many of us in the industry as it has experienced a quick rise top spot on many clients dream lists of island vacation destinations. Not only does the island have stunning beaches and the same crystal clear water that has made neighboring Bonaire a dive Mecca for years, but Curacao wraps a history lesson into the vacation experience. The Hotel Kura Hulanda was built by eccentric entrepreneur Jacob Gelt Dekker, and features the Kura Hulanda Museum, an anthropological museum that showcases the predominant cultures of Curacao past and present. Jumping on the tourism boom of this tiny island are the Hyatt Regency slated for completion in Summer 2008 and the Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino looking to open its doors in December 2007. We can't wait!