Idle On An Islande
Take the family (or up to seven favorite couples) on a Caribbean dream week at this airy white Moorish-looking estate set beachfront on the island of Anguilla, about 4 miles off St. Maarten. All seven suites, each with a large marble bathroom and terrace, overlook the sea (a rare amenity in private villas), as do the large free-form pool and indoor-outdoor dining area.
A staff of 14--including round-the-clock chefs--caters to your every desire, whether that's a lobster bake lunch on a deserted island, snorkeling offshore amid neon fish, a sunset sail or a romantic torch-lit formal dinner on the villa beach, serenaded by a local island band.
In-room massages and facials, private trainers, horseback riding and gallery hops are all options at an extra charge, as is full- time nanny care for the junior set.
The villa's boat picks you up and returns you either to Anguilla's little airport or--better--the dock by the St. Maarten Airport, so you don't have to hassle with inter-island flights.
Down to Earth
Palmas Del Mar, Humacao, Puerto Rico.
Rent a one- to three-bedroom beachfront condo (called villas here) at this 3,000-acre gated community on the southeast coast of Puerto Rico, about an hour's drive from San Juan. A sprawling community of beach and hillside condos, private homes, two golf courses, a tennis club, horseback riding, a marina and restaurants, Palmas has a lovely 3-mile-long beach with views to the island of Vieques and the southeast curve of Puerto Rico.
All apartments are fully furnished and air-conditioned, with TVs (including cable), VCR, phone, washer and dryer, housekeeping service and fully equipped kitchens (there's a small food market in Palmas, and big ones within a 15-minute drive).
Reserve a transfer from the airport to Palmas and back with Palmas Transport (about $20 each way for a shared ride). You can get around the community by car or golf cart--both available for rent on the property.
For adventure, take a day-trip to El Yunque rain forest, book a snorkeling trip or a boat ride to Vieques or head into San Juan for walks in the Old City, great dining and shopping. Most of the staff around the resort is bilingual so you'll feel at home whether English or Spanish is your preference.
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