Suite Stays in the Caribbean
Were it not for the glorious beaches and lush scenery, these luxurious lodgings might entice you to spend your entire honeymoon indoors.
French Twist; La Samanna, St. Martin
St. Martin's perfect blend of elegant French style and gorgeous Caribbean beaches creates an idyllic haven for honeymooners. La Samanna, a jet-setter favorite that's frequently featured on travel magazine "best of" lists, offers this same grandeur in its new Baie Royale suite. Perched in a corner atop the resort, the suite boasts a spectacular view of Baie Longue, the crescent-shaped white sand beach known for its peaceful atmosphere.
You'll have plenty of room to roam in the 1,200-square-foot aerie, which features a bedroom, a kitchen, a living room and an oversized marble bathroom stocked with L'Occitane products. Simple but sophisticated décor includes white marble floors, crisp white overstuffed upholstery and original paintings by local artist Roland Richardson.
Among the amenities are an entertainment center with a plasma TV and a DVD collection of Oscar-winning romantic films and a daily supply of fresh flowers, fruit and champagne. The suite opens onto three private outdoor terraces, one off the living room and two off the bedroom. Outside, you'll find a private plunge pool, an al fresco dining area and a lounging cabana.
After a few days' rest and relaxation, check out the resort's Elysee Spa, which has indoor/outdoor tropical-garden treatment rooms—perfect for a couple's massage—and a Pilates studio. And when you're ready to venture out and explore the island, you can take a short drive to St. Martin's capital city of Marigot, where you'll find elegant shops and an open-air market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. (lasamanna.com; 800-854-2252)
Hot Fun in the City; Hotel El Convento, San Juan, Puerto Rico
The Caribbean offers much more than perfect beaches and sweeping ocean views, so your ideal suite may even be something different from the typical seaside resort. For a more vibrant urban scene, consider a stay at El Convento, an architectural landmark in the historic capital of San Juan.
Built three-and-a-half centuries ago, this former Carmelite convent is now a beautifully preserved boutique hotel known for its charm and comfort. Opt for one of the two most popular offerings: the Vanderbilt Suite, named for Gloria Vanderbilt, a frequent visitor when the hotel first opened in the 1960s; or the Casals Suite, named for famed cellist and conductor Pablo Casals, who lived in Puerto Rico for 17 years before his death in 1973. Casals was fond of El Convento and practiced his cello in the open-air courtyard that is now the restaurant Patio Del Nispero.
The Vanderbilt Suite, the largest in the hotel, consists of a full living room, a dining room and two bedrooms. The Casals Suite with one bedroom and a combination living room/dining room, boasts the hotel's only view of Cristo Street and the famed 16th-century San Juan Cathedral—a landmark that houses the tomb of Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León. (elconvento.com; 800-468-2779).
Peace & Love Bucuti Beach Resort, Aruba
Aruba is teeming with glamour and glitz—casinos, nightclubs and high-rise hotels. But if calm and quiet is more your style, head for the Eagle Beach area, home to the Bucuti Beach Resort, where romantic retreats are the main focus.
Honeymooners favor the minimalist aesthetic of the four stylish and sizeable Tara Penthouse suites, with full living rooms, dining areas, kitchens and double balconies, as well as their panoramic views of Eagle Beach. Notable extras include pillow-top mattresses, four-poster beds, modern versions of the claw-foot tub and large plasma flat-screen TVs that double as computer monitors.
Outside the suite, guests enjoy the same understated elegance. A beach butler will bring you food and drinks as you soak up the rays in peace and quiet (you won't hear the roar of jet skis or speedboats here—just the lapping of the ocean and the occasional seaside breeze). (bucuti.com; 297-583-1100).
Living in Luxury; Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, St. John's, Antigua
Pure powdery sand, clear aqua-blue water and a winding coastline of hardly explored coves and inlets make Antigua a romantic paradise. For honeymooners who also expect top-notch amenities and sophisticated design, the brand new Mediterranean Village at the Sandals Grande Antigua provides 180 suites located on the longest stretch of Dickenson Bay beach. Inspired by the splendor of the Mediterranean, rooms feature marble columns, Italian tile flooring, custom-designed mahogany furniture, and marble bathrooms with his and her vanities. You'll also find domed hand-painted ceilings and custom wall mosaics.
The ultimate honeymoon treat, however, may be the 1,400-square-foot ocean villa one-bedroom suites that win raves for an expansive outdoor setting, sunset views and a private plunge pool and whirlpool. Plus, your very own personal butler (trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers) will unpack and pack your luggage, draw rose-petal bubble baths, prepare and serve meals in suite and provide 24-hour room service.
Outside, the Mediterranean Village offers what Sandals says is the largest freshwater pool in the eastern Caribbean, complete with a tower (for viewing sunsets), a swim-up bar and private cabanas equipped with plasma TVs and wireless Internet access. (sandals.com; 888-726-32571).
Affordable Opulence Almond Beach Village, St. Peter, Barbados
Known for its ultraposh resorts, such as the Sandy Lane Hotel & Golf Club, where Tiger Woods had his 2004 wedding, Barbados has other options for newlyweds who want to splurge on a suite. The Almond Beach Village, one of two Almond resorts on the island (a third will open this year), provides upscale comforts in a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere.
The property, built on the site of an 18th-century sugar plantation, has 400 rooms, but the top choice for couples yearning for space and privacy is the presidential suite. With two bedrooms, two bathrooms and large living and dining areas, the suite offers plenty of space to kick back and relax while you admire a knockout view of the Caribbean, the resort's lush gardens and the sprawling pool area.
A wide array of onsite dining choices range from a casual beachfront bar and grill to restaurants that offer Continental, Bajan and Italian cuisine. After a few days of lounging, head out to explore Barbados' stunning scenery and many historically and culturally significant sites, like Farley Hill National Park and the Morgan Lewis windmill, which dates to the early 18th century.
For a little pampering, take the complimentary shuttle to the tranquil spa at the Almond Beach Club & Spa in St. James parish. Indulge in the spa's couples package, which includes a body wrap, massage and manicure for you and your partner. (almondresorts.com, 407-872-2220).





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