antigua

Exploring the Caribbean's Most Exclusive Escapes

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Books

Seasoned travel journalist and luxury hotel expert Meg Nolan Van Reesema sussed out the Caribbean's most exotic and exclusive escapes for her entrancing new book Caribbean Hideaways: Discovering Enchanting Rooms and Private Villas from Rizzoli. The thirty gorgeous destinations from fifteen different islands featured in the book were chosen for their unique views, elegant decor – no examples here of the tacky tropical style we like to call "Caribbean Awful" – and unique ambience. Over 200 vibrant photographs by Jessica Antola bring the desirable destinations to life, while practical information about the best suites, what to expect during your stay, and the local surroundings is also included.

Standouts include the relaxed, chic bungalows of Hermitage Bay in Antigua with dark wood furnishings and freestanding tubs; the open-air guest rooms of Jade Mountain in St. Lucia with unparalleled views of the Piton peaks; the posh, private Oliver Messel-designed Fustic House estate in Barbados; the spectacular Balinese furnishings of Anguilla's Bird of Paradise Villa; St. Barth's super-stylish Isle de France hotel; the ultra-luxe Yemanja villa on Mustique (pictured on the book's cover above) complete with a private screening room; and the elegant British Colonial-style Colleton Suite at Barbados' Cobblers Cove. Check out the gallery for a preview.

Gallery: Caribbean Hideaways

Tags: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, books, Caribbean, Cobblers Cove, coffee table books, Hermitage Bay, hotels, island, luxury hotel, luxury hotels, Mustique, resorts, St. Barth, St. Lucia, villa

Spend The Holidays In Paradise at Hermitage Bay

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Antigua's high-end all-inclusive Hermitage Bay Resort in Antigua has announced their stay seven, pay six Christmas offer. If you book by November 10, 2010 you will receive a complimentary suite upgrade (book a Beachfront Suite and receive a complimentary upgrade to a Hillside Pool Suite); a VIP Meet & Greet for easy access through customs and immigration; airport transfers to and from the resort, unlimited watersports equipment and instruction including kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, sunfish and hobie cat sailing; all beverages including house wines and premium branded liquor; and all meals, including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, hors d'oeuvres at cocktail time and dinner.

Hermitage Bay has 25 spacious, freestanding Cottage Suites, and over 140 acres of lush undeveloped land giving the feel of being on your own private island. This all-inclusive resort offers a range of complimentary culinary classes with Executive Chef, Dezi Banham, tours of the resort's new organic garden, and customized color therapy spa treatments designed by German holistic product line, Dorissima. Rates start at $1,575 per couple, all-inclusive, for stays from December 20, 2010 to January 9, 2011.

Tags: antigua, hermitage bay, hotel deals

R. Allen Stanford's Yacht Sells For A Song

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Auctions, Crimes and Misdemeanors

Another fraudster's yacht has found a new home. Indicted financier R. Allen Stanford's 112-foot yacht, Sea Eagle, has been sold to an unidentified bidder for $3.25 million through Ardell Yacht & Ship Brokers of Fort Lauderdale. The yacht was listed for sale in March with an opening bid of $2.5 million. At the time Stanford's lawyers protested the auction, saying that it was too soon and that Stanford's belongings were being liquidated at bargain basement prices. Bloomberg quotes Stanford's lawyer, Ruth Brewer Schuster, who said that the billionaire spent over $16 million refitting the 1988 Hakvoort yacht into a beautiful sportfishing vessel. In a filed objection she said that "any failure to sell the Sea Eagle for an amount far and above Ardell's asking price of $6.5 million will be a complete waste of estate assets." Over the two month auction the yacht attracted only two bidders. It's not the ideal time to be selling a luxury yacht, especially in Florida where the market is clogged. Still, the buyer appears to have gotten a good deal on a yacht ready to enjoy Florida's fine sportfishing.

Stanford remains in jail facing a trial on 21 criminal charges that he defrauded investors of more than $7 billion through allegedly bogus certificates of deposit issued by Antigua-based Stanford International Bank Ltd. that promised big returns for investors. Stanford, who is worth over $2 billion, grew up in Texas but adopted Antigua & Barbuda as his second country. He had six planes registered with the Federal Aviation Administration and his Stanford Development Group owns a 7,000 square- foot, 14-room Mediterranean-style house in Houston, appraised at $2.5 million. He also faces parallel civil claims from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and his criminal trial is set for January in Houston.

Tags: antigua, fraudsters, hakvoort, r allen stanford, yacht auction

Super Sailing at Panerai's Classic Yacht Regatta

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Yachts & Sailing, Sports

The results are in for the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (ACYC), the first regatta of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge season. The ACYC, one of the largest and most renowned classic yacht races in the world, attracts a collection of some of the world's most beautiful sailing vessels, including the Spirit of Tradition yachts, J Class yachts and tall ships. This year's regatta took place April 15th – 20th and attracted more than 52 vintage and classic boats of all sizes. During five days of rugged sailing in the Caribbean, Aschanti IV and Sumurun (above) won Panerai barometers in the Classic Class and Vintage Class respectively. A special edition Panerai Radiomir Regatta 1/8th Second Titanio – 47 mm watch, designed especially for this year's Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge season, was awarded to the overall winner, Sumurun, and its owner Robert Tobin. The North American Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge will begin in New England in August.

Gallery: Antigua Classic Yachts Challenge

Tags: Antigua, boat, Caribbean, classic yachts, Officine Panerai, Panerai, regatta, sailing, sailing yacht, watch, yacht

Villa Cashmere, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home is a dream getaway on a Caribbean Island. Villa Cashmere is a four-bedroom home located on Antigua and Barbuda at the top of the highest point of Browns Bay with views of the east coast of the island and a short walk to the arts center of Harmony Hall. The home is split over two levels and has an open kitchen and dining area but the big draw here is the infinity pool which is perched on the hillside and looks out over the water. The home comes with another 31,000 square feet of land, enough for expansion or a small villa development. It is listed at $2.5 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Villa Cashmere

Tags: antigua, barbuda, caribbean, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay

Date Palm Villa, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

The popular resort destination of Antigua also has a smattering of real estate. This home has views of Dickenson Bay and is surrounded by tropical landscaping. The Date Palm Villa has three bedrooms and open spaces that create an easy flow between indoor and outdoor living areas. The home has a 31 foot x 15 foot swimming pool and separate Jacuzzi finished with Bisazza tiles. Other details include a shower room for pool area, a large sun terrace and a kitchen with a separate utility room. This home is listed at $1.4 million.

Gallery: Date Palm Villa

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Tags: antigua, estate, estate of the day, luxury real estate, LuxuryRealEstate, resort real estate, ResortRealEstate, villa

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French Cooking in Paradise

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Master chefs enjoy a good resort spot as much as the rest of us, which is why you can often find them hosting cooking weeks at some of the most beautiful spots in the world. Master Chef Andre Soltner, the legendary French chef behind New York City's Lutèce and The Lutece Cookbook is hosting a week of culinary appreciation and learning at Antigua's Curtain Bluff Resort from May 26, 2008 – June 1, 2008. This has become an annual event for Soltner who will host cooking classes, demos, a wine tasting and a six-course Gala dinner over the course of the week. It's a chance to learn French cooking from one of the world's great masters of the art. Rates for this week start at $4,500 for six nights based on double occupancy.

Curtain Bluff is located on 20 acres on the south coast of Antigua and is surrounded by two beautiful sandy beaches. Under the same ownership and management for over 40 years, Curtain Bluff offers a total of 72 beachfront accommodations including 18 Deluxe Rooms, 40 Junior Suites and two one-bedroom Grace/Morris Bay Suites. All rates are comprehensive including meals and bar drinks, most of the activities a freshwater pool and two beaches.

The resort also has a philanthropic aspect. Tax-free donations by Curtain Bluff guests to the Old Road fun allow the people of the Old Road Village in Antigua to realize their dreams. Because of the Fund, over 50 children have been able to experience tennis camp in the United States, study abroad and receive medical assistance. The resort also has obtained the accreditation of the world renowned Green Globe 21 standard for accommodation. This certification is only given to properties that strive to be environmentally friendly, and work as a team not only within their establishment but within their community.

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Tags: andre soltner, antigua, curtainbluff, french cooking, FrenchCooking, lutece

Hermitage Bay Romantic Escape Package

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

How about disappearing on a four-day tropical getaway after the flurry of the holidays? The prospect of dashing off to Hermitage Bay in Antigua might be just the thing that keeps you going through the next couple of months. Hermitage Bay is offering a four night romantic escape for two package that includes accommodations in a spacious cottage suite on the beach. The package is all-inclusive of food and beverages including breakfast, lunch and dinner for two. The package also includes private round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel and one private dinner on the beach, a 30-minute stress relief massage for two, afternoon tea daily and canapés at cocktail time. The Four Night Romantic Escape is priced at $5,200 and is valid from January 7 through January 27, 2008.

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Tags: antigua, hermitage bay, HermitageBay, hotel, resort, vacation

Verandah Resort & Spa Opens in Antiqua

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The latest spot to relax on in the Caribbean is the Verandah Resort & Spa on the island of Antigua. The resort, which opened last week, sprawls over 30 acres (only 12 of which have been built on). The resort overlooks Dian Bay and has hiking trails and is bordered by Devil's Bridge National Park. There are two beaches and the resort has the island's largest free-form swimming pool, a kid's club with its own pool and restaurant, a fitness center and a mini-cinema, a spa and several restaurants and bars.The 200 suites each have verandahs with sea views and include flat-screen TVs, king-size beds, Internet access, and aoaking bathtubs built for two. Now through December 20th the suites are being offered at an introductory savings of 50 percent, with nightly all-inclusive double rates starting at $243.

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Tags: antigua, caribbean, hotel, resort, travel, vacation

Armani's New Antigua Home

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Fashion designer Giorgio Armani has taken his permatan and his neutral design sense to Antigua, buying a home which he gave an Armani makeover. Caribbean Net News reports that Antiguan Tourism Minister Harold Lovell visited with Armani and presented him with some gifts including local specialties of rum Cavalier and Susie's Hot Sauce. Armani frequently brought his yacht to the island and decided to set up house on the island.The article also states that Giorgio Armani has investments on the island but also states that he is interested in preserving the island's resources so maybe there won't be any Armani hotels there anytime soon.

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Tags: antigua, armani, caribbean, fashion