Honeymoon Like a Star
Where do celebs go for fun in the sun? We've scouted out some of their favorite island escapes.
Celebrities have long flocked to the sun-drenched Caribbean isles to relax in lavish comfort. Want to honeymoon like a star yourself? Read on for a sampling of some of the well-known islands—as well as the up-and-coming hot spots—the swank set jets to in order to indulge in secluded beaches, barefoot bars and steamy nightlife. Then, pack your sexiest swimsuit, and don’t forget to bring your shades—these places add lots of sizzle to the sunshine.
The Bahamas
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You may know that The Bahamas—a string of approximately 700 islands and 2,500 cays—offers miles of pristine beaches, flashy casinos and duty-free shops, but it’s also become a red-hot playground for celebrities. Its popularity is partly about convenience; the islands are a short flight from the East Coast. Plus, they offer plenty of luxurious resorts to choose from. Recently, even Hollywood movie studios have come calling. This winter, catch the movies After the Sunset, with Pierce Brosnan, and Into the Blue, with Jessica Alba, both of which were filmed here and show the islands at their best.
Feel the Heat Ready to get wet? Swim and frolic with bottle-nosed dolphins at Dolphin Encounters, just as Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson recently did while in town to film their MTV television series, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. You’ll get to touch, feed and kiss these beautiful creatures from a platform, then hop in the water to swim right alongside them. They’re sure to show you a few pointers (dolphinswims.com).
Tinsel Town Tastes Nicolas Cage and Brooke Shields have dined at Graycliff Restaurant, which is located in an elegant 18th-century mansion and houses one of the Caribbean’s most impressive wine cellars. Standout dishes include Bahamian lobster in cream sauce and grouper with mustard sauce (graycliff.com). Looking for something more casual? Actor Robert De Niro and fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg have lunched at Sip Sip, a chic beachfront café in a cheery lime-green building on Harbour Island. Try the spicy conch chili or the lobster quesadillas, served up with a frosty Kalik beer, The Bahamas’ own brew (242-333-3316).
Star Sleeps The 106-room Ocean Club is a plush hideaway whose British colonial-style rooms feature four-poster mahogany beds, ceiling fans and balconies. Oprah Winfrey and Tiger Woods have checked in; Cindy Crawford married Rande Gerber on the hotel’s beach. Celebs come for the posh amenities, such as butler service, luxurious treatments in the impressive spa villas and complementary afternoon sorbet (800-321-3000; oneandonlyresorts.com). Celebrity duo Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins enjoy Pink Sands, a tiny gem of a hotel where all 25 of the pastel-colored cottages are decked out in a bohemian Bahamian décor (think floral prints and ceiling fans) and are located on, yes, a stretch of pink-hued sand. There are a freshwater pool and an oceanfront bar, but just try to tear yourself away from the gorgeous—and fabulously empty—beach (800-688-7678; islandoutpost.com).
St. Barthélemy
This chic island in theFrench West Indies has long been an exclusive playground for the rich and fabulous—think megawatt American movie and music stars, supermodels, business tycoons and European royalty. (They frequently arrive on sleek yachts, which you can see on display in Gustavia harbor.) These A-listers enjoy the island’s decadence, from the chic see-and-be-seen beach bars to the gourmet French restaurants.
Feel the Heat Beyoncé Knowles and Uma Thurman have been spotted checking out the tony boutiques in Gustavia, where you can buy cool resort wear, including colorful sarongs and linen pants. Visit Lolita Jaca to stock up on pretty embroidered blouses and jewel-encrusted sandals (011-590-590-275-998; lolitajaca.com).
Tinsel Town Tastes The premier spot on St Bart’s to watch the sunset is the terrace of the Hotel Carl Gustaf, where Bruce Willis and Jay-Z have tossed back a few. Its location on the hillside above the town of Gustavia makes it the perfect place to watch the sun sink into the sea. Order up some decadent appetizers, such as escargot and caviar, and the signature cocktail, a mix of champagne, cognac and raspberry pulp that’s sure to help you enjoy nature’s light show (Rue des Normands; 011-590-590-297-900; hotelcarlgustaf.com). If you’re looking for a wilder scene, set off for Nikki Beach, where you’ll find DJs spinning the latest pop and Caribbean hits and vacationers dancing in the sand until the wee hours of the morning—especially when Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is in the house (Plage de Saint Jean; 011-590-590-276-464; nikkibeach.com).
Star Sleeps Privacy-seeking couples, such as honeymooners Alexandra Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos, make a beeline for the hilltop Le Toiny, which is located on the island’s less-developed southeastern coast. There are just 15 villas spread out on this expansive property, and each one has a muslin-draped four-poster bed topped with Frette linens, as well as a private pool, a deck furnished with teak loungers and a bougainvillea-filled garden. The resort’s French restaurant, Le Gaiac, whose tables overlook an infinity pool and the surf beyond, is considered one of the island’s most romantic dining rooms (011-590-590-278-888; hotelletoiny.com). Billy Zane has checked into the 33-room Hotel St. Barth Isle de France, which is located on Flamands Beach. The draw here is intimacy: The individually decorated guest rooms feature spacious decks, and you can spend your whole vacation swimming in the freshwater pool and feasting on French fare at La Case de l’Isle restaurant (011-590-590-276-181; isle-de-france.com).
Anguilla
Celebs flock to tiny Anguilla more for what it doesn’t have than what it does. There are no high-rise resorts, casinos, boutiques or even historical sites, which means the 16-mile-long island doesn’t have crowds, either. Sure, the scenery isn’t as lush as that on other Caribbean islands, but you will find lovely beaches (such as Shoal and Mead’s Bay), as well as exclusive beachfront resorts. And while there isn’t any nightlife, there are rustic reggae bars where the boldfaced names can let their hair down, away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi.
Feel the Heat Book a full-day cruise aboard the Chocolat Catamaran, and spend the afternoon visiting deserted beaches and prime snorkeling spots. With four private cabins and a large deck area for sunbathing, it’s no wonder Denzel Washington and Mariah Carey have chartered this comfortable boat for day trips (skyviews.com/anguilla/).
TinselTown Tastes Famous pairs, such as Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan, and Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, have enjoyed the casual vibe at Straw Hat. This seafood restaurant’s whimsical décor (think straw-hat light fixtures) complements the stunning sea views. Be sure to try the red snapper ceviche and grilled crayfish with ginger vinaigrette (strawhat.com). For a truly memorable lunch, make the trip (as Richard Gere and Meg Ryan have done) to Scilly Cay, a private island that can be reached by water taxi from Island Harbour. Go on a Sunday, and sit under the thatched roof, sipping rum punch and dining on grilled local lobster while a calypso band keeps things lively. Dancing barefoot is encouraged (scillycay.com).
Star Sleeps Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette, and Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger have all holed up in the whitewashed domed-and-turreted villas at the 98-room Cap Juluca. This place is decadent, with decks overlooking the beach and marble baths. Ask for a villa with no television if you want to indulge in blissful quiet (888-858-5822; capjuluca.com). The 93-room Cuisinart Resort offers Mykonos-inspired villas in an oceanfront setting, and its stylish luxury has drawn movie stars like Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates. Check out your room’s spacious waterfront terrace and the marble bath, which has a tub big enough for two, then indulge in a his-and-hers Caribbean sea stone massage in the Venus Spa (800-943-3210; cuisinartresort.com).
Puerto Rico
For vacationers who like a dose of history with their beach time, this is the place to go. Spend the morning relaxing by the sea, and then explore Old San Juan’s colonial plazas and cobblestoned streets. Later on, dance the night away at a sizzling salsa club. Latin superstars have been making a beeline to Puerto Rico for the last few years, knowing the cosmopolitan capital of San Juan offers the world-class hotels and trendy L.A.-style restaurants they prefer.
Feel the Heat Shopaholics should make like Gloria Estefan and Jennifer Lopez and head to Ashford Avenue, in the Condado area. This chic street is lined with designer boutiques, including Louis Vuitton, but don’t miss the shop of local designer Nono Maldonado, who is known for his sexy chiffon cocktail dresses and breezy linen trousers. (1051 Ashford Avenue; 787-721-0456).
Tinsel Town Tastes The southern end of Old San Juan, known as SoFo, is where all the hip restaurants are located. So what’s the hottest of the hot spots? The Parrot Club, where Morgan Freeman hangs out when he is in town. Order a locally brewed Medalla beer to go with your curried crab cakes and tangy seafood ceviche (787-725-7370). Others in the know, such as native son Benicio Del Toro, flock to Dragonfly for the Spanish-Asian fusion cuisine, including nachos with wasabi sour cream and mahimahi with guava sauce (787-977-3886).
Star Sleeps The 416-room Ritz-Carlton San Juan’s prime oceanfront location in Isla Verde has drawn mega-stars such as Lopez and hometown hero Ricky Martin. They stay in the one-bedroom Presidential Suite, which costs $5,000 per night and has a dining room, a Jacuzzi and three terraces. Fortunately, the standard rooms are nice, too (800-241-3333; ritzcarlton.com). San Juan’s hippest hotel is the 84-room Water Club Hotel, where the chic, minimalist suites come with telescopes for that other kind of stargazing. Dine in the trendy Tangerine restaurant, then head to the rooftop bar, Wet, for a cocktail. You never know who you’ll spot—Enrique Iglesias, Derek Jeter and Sarah Michelle Gellar have all kicked up their heels there (888-265-6699; waterclubsanjuan.com).
Bermuda
Visiting this proper British territory, with its perfectly manicured lawns and historic towns, is like stepping back in time to a more genteel era. Stars come to Bermuda for a low-key, sophisticated getaway, as well as for the golf and elegant restaurants. Don’t forget to partake of that classic British tradition of afternoon tea—you won’t forget the experience of eating buttery scones with rich clotted cream by the shore.
Feel the Heat Hamilton is a dream destination for film stars who love to shop. One of the biggest draws: The Irish Linen Shop, where Catherine Zeta-Jones has browsed among the embroidered tablecloths, bed sheets and handkerchiefs. Pick up a few delicate items to decorate your home—they’ll be a constant reminder of your sunny honeymoon (441-295-4089; theirishlinenshop.com).
Tinsel Town Tastes Bermuda may be known for its Dark ’n’ Stormy cocktail (a blend of dark rum and ginger beer), but it’s also the home of the Rum Swizzle, a delicious mix of dark rum, bitters and juice. The best place to knock a few back is the Swizzle Inn, which is frequented by Adam Sandler and Rod Stewart. Grab a patio table, order a pitcher of punch and enjoy the scene (3 Blue Hole Hill, Bailey’s Bay; 441-293-1854; swizzleinn.com).
Star Sleeps John Travolta and Kelly Preston have stayed at the Pink Beach Club, a seaside hotel that’s recently been refurbished. The 94 guest rooms now feature cherry-wood beds, floors of Italian ceramic tile and patios that are located just steps from the water. You’ll also find tennis courts and a fitness center, as well as the elegant and proper Bermudiana restaurant, which is helmed by a British chef, of course (800-355-6161; pinkbeach.com).





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