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Honeymoon Unplugged
Leave TV and the e-world behind. At these back-to-basics resorts, pleasure, pampering and peace are the only messages you'll receive.
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Crave casinos, night-life and duty-free shopping? You'll have no trouble finding them in the Caribbean. But that doesn't mean there aren't also quiet, low-key hideaways, with no telephones, televisions or Internet access, where you can leave the world (and the virtual world) behind. We've found six resorts, set on six beautiful Caribbean islands, where you can relax and enjoy each other without any distractions. Barefoot and casual are the watchwords at some, while others are posh and formal. A few are located miles from a major city, and several have an entire island all to themselves. Whichever you choose, you'll be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of a vacation steeped in solitude, sand and a whole lot of private time. Welcome to the unplugged honeymoon—a trip you'll never forget.
Jake's, Jamaica
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Negril and Montego Bay may be Jamaica's top beach resort areas, but for real escapism head to Treasure Beach, a small fishing village on the island's southwest coast. Get ready for adventure: It's a two-hour taxi drive on pockmarked roads from Mo Bay's airport. Once you've arrived, however, it won't take long to relax in the bohemian setting of Jake'sresort. Each of the 15 rustic cottages, scattered along the white-sand beach, is decorated with a massive bed, folksy artwork, scented candles and mosaic-tiled floors. There's no air-conditioning, but ceiling fans keep rooms cool. This is the kind of place where you'll live in your bathing suit and shorts all week, so leave your stilettos at home. Daytime options include kayaking and snorkeling or boat trips to crocodile-filled Black River. At night, slip off your flip-flops, order a cold Red Stripe beer by the saltwater pool and listen to the sound of reggae echoing out of the bar. Later, dine on classic Jamaican fare, including pepper pot soup, jerk chicken and barbecued lobster. Of course, no one will hold it against you if you simply stay put all evening, snuggling in a hammock until the sun surrenders to the stars (islandoutpost.com).
Caneel Bay, St. John
Laurance Rockefeller knew paradise when he saw it. In 1956 the American industrialist and philanthropist bought up most of the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John and created a 5,000-acre national park. He then began building a resort for his rich and famous friends so they would have a place to go and leave the harried world behind. Today, you don't have to be an FOR (Friend of a Rockefeller) to visit luxurious Caneel Bay resort. Guests fly into St. Thomas and catch a ferry for the 45-minute transfer to St. John. The luxurious hotel has 166 colonial-style rooms adorned with comfortable rattan furnishings, plantation shutters and air-conditioning—but no phones or TVs. Since the mammoth property has seven beaches, you can visit a different stretch of sand every day. When you're tired of lying about, book a Jeep tour of the island, a nature hike on one of 22 trails or an afternoon snorkeling trip. Be sure to pay a visit to the resort's new meditation center for a partner yoga class—full of useful techniques for when you rejoin the rat race (888-767-3966; caneelbay.com)Ladera, St. Lucia
From way up at Ladera, a luscious hilltop resort set amid a mango grove, the view of the verdant volcanic peaks called The Pitons is awe-inspiring. The resort's 25 colonial-style rooms are constructed to look like luxury tree houses for grown-ups. There's no air-conditioning, but then there's really no need—mountain breezes circulate through the rooms. Each beamed-ceiling hideaway comes with a mahogany bed draped in madras, sisal rugs, fresh flowers and, best of all, a landscaped deck with a plunge pool. During the day, Ladera offers guided rain forest hikes and a visit to Soufrière, the island's famed volcano, as well as shuttles down the mountain to the beach. At sunset, join the other guests for champagne at the bar, then feast on banana-fish cakes with sweet potato fries or rack of lamb marinated in coconut rum at the resort's swanky restaurant, Dasheene. Or, drive into town and sample West Indian cuisine at one of the local restaurants instead (800-738-4752; ladera.com).Horned Dorset, Puerto Rico
Skip Puerto Rico's busy Condado and Old San Juan neighborhoods, and set out for the charming village of Rincon instead. Located on the island's quiet western edge, Rincon is home to the Horned Dorset Primavera, a luxurious resort housed in a beachfront mansion. The 53 Spanish colonial rooms are tastefully decorated with four-poster mahogany beds covered in down duvets, antique armoires, ceiling fans and marble baths; all have air-conditioning. Some of the separate villas, strewn about the property, even have private pools. In the main building, French doors lead to ocean-view balconies where you can hear the waves crashing on the beach below. Activities are purposely low-key. You can borrow a book from the library, doze by the large pool or visit a nearby coffee plantation. Foodies from San Juan make the trip out on Saturday nights to dine in the elegant black-and-white restaurant, and it's no wonder: The French-Caribbean fare is phenomenal. Try favorites such as grilled yellowfin tuna with black truffles and roasted duck with caramelized pineapple. You won't be disappointed (800-633-1857; horneddorset.com).Guana Island, British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands have plenty of private-island resorts, but the 850-acre Guana Island, located off the northeast coast of Tortola, stands out from the crowd. The resort is located on a former sugar plantation. Its 15 whitewashed stone cottages are furnished with rattan furniture and have roomy terraces. There's no air-conditioning, but the cottages are positioned for maximum exposure to soothing trade winds. With seven beaches, two of which are accessible only by boat, the chances of running into another couple are slim. In fact, once the staff drops you off, you can expect to share your morning swim with red-legged tortoises and Anegada rock iguanas. The resort also offers tennis and croquet, as well as afternoon tea. As dusk descends, join the other well-heeled, well-dressed guests in linen and sundresses for cocktails on the Sunset Terrace. Dinner consists of West Indian-style fare, with regional delicacies such as spicy ginger soup and fresh poached mahimahi. Meals are included in the rate, as is wine with dinner—and an open bar all day long (800-544-8262; guana.com).Petit St. Vincent, The Grenadines
Since this 113-acre private islet has just 22 stone cottages, honeymooners at Petit St. Vincent can truly escape the crowds—and the modern world, including telephones. Want room service, or a bottle of bubbly? Raise the yellow flag on your bamboo flagpole. Want privacy? Raise the red flag. To get there, guests fly to Barbados and then pick up a puddle jumper for the one-hour flight to Union Island. From there, the resort's boat ferries you the last half-hour to the stunning property. At Petit St. Vincent, the cottages are spaced out across the island and shaded by casuarina trees. Each ceiling-fan-cooled cottage comes with an outdoor shower, which is big enough for both of you. Head over to the Main House for dinner, and try the lobster cocktail and the grilled mahimahi in dill sauce. The highlight of the week: the Saturday night beach barbecue, where a calypso band and potent piña coladas get guests dancing (800-654-9326; psvresort.com).
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