When most of us think of traveling to the Caribbean, we dream of lazing the days away in a chaise lounge on a sandy beach or under a shady tree. Business and work are usually the furthest things from our mind.
Among the benefits for incentive winners is the brag appeal. "You don't lean over the garden wall and share with someone that you just got a $1,500 bonus in your paycheck. But you can lean over the wall and casually mention to your neighbor, "Carl you pick up my mail next week? I'm going on a Caribbean cruise."The following resources list rental properties in the Caribbean. Find several that appeal to you, then ask your travel agent. Condo & Villa Vacations Rated, by Clinton Buff and Ellen Burr (Macmillan); Caribbean Travel and Life magazine, 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 830, Silver Spring, Md. 20910; call 301-588-2300. The Caribbean Coalition for Tourism's free 250-page vacation planner; call 800-356-9999.The best way to set a group apart from the run-of-the-mill vacationer is to take them someplace where there are no run-of-the-mill vacationers. That someplace is Peter Island, whose 1,800 acres are almost entirely taken up by its resort. After flying into nearby Tortola, groups of up to 115 arrive on this fantasy island via private yacht, where they'll find lush gardens, secluded beaches, gourmet dining and an array of water sports. The resort's management will arrange almost anything a group desires, and creative incentive planners have free reign to create themed events. Rack rates for a standard room are $19 5 (May 1-Sept.30) and $275 (Oct. 1-Dec.22) per night.On the coffee table were a bright bouquet of pink roses, a bowl of fresh fruit (frequently replenished during our stay), and an insulated wicker basket containing a delicate china tea service. When opened, the fragrant aroma of herbal tea filled the room. Should Madam and Monsieur wish, we were informed, this invigorating brew could be delivered daily.Driving through the gates and into the driveway, we were whisked from the hustle and bustle of the 20th century to another time, as if we had entered the courtyard of a country manor of the Belle Epoque era. Inside the Bel-Air, this impression was reinforced by soaring ceilings, marble pillars, deep, floral-printed chairs and sofas scattered around two open lobby rooms, and, through the floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors, sweeping vistas of riotously colored gardens.Peter Island Resort & Yacht Harbor, British Virgin Islands (800-346-4451)Whatever the reason for your visit, the Caribbean will welcome you with open arms. The islands offer the opportunity to network and share in a unique environment and cultural experience. Ire, Mon!Where to go for a great incentive? The Caribbean offers a wealth of idyllic incentive spots. If your pockets are deep, there's the Four Seasons on Nevis, the Caribbean's only five-diamond resort, a place, "that puts you in a mesmerized state," as Tate puts it. If your purse strings are tighter, Duyff recommends the Hyatt Regency on Aruba, his choice as the best hotel on an island that is a favorite with incentive planners for its unusual landscape, friendly people and new golf course. But for even more unusual experiences, take a look at these three Caribbean hideaways. Remember: wherever you choose to go, negotiate hard for discounts. Group discounts of 10% to 30% are not uncommon, even at the finest resorts.At the end of the gardens, a parapet overlooks the sea and, below, Le Club Dauphin, the pool club built into the hillside. Access is via a succession of pathways wending their way down the steep hill or, for the less energetic, an electric-powered funicular (tram) that delivers one from garden to the club complex. By mutual agreement, we made it a point to walk down each day, but take advantage of the easy way up."More sophisticated travelers prefer to rent apartments," says Karen Knowles, tourism attache with the Ajitigua Tourist Board. "Families, older couples and some singles prefer this set-up. And many large hotels offer cottages or villas, in addition to rooms."Paradise for rentOne week later, feeling just like Alice through the looking glass, we stood at that ship's rail, s and the grand hotel in a mirror image of the scene. This juxtaposition of images had come about as t our decision to explore the pleasures of the French Riviera's Cote d'Azur first by land, then by seaMantel accessories may be applied to the other shelves and the tables in the room. Keep them free from dust-collecting, trivial things, while creating a sense of order and cleanliness.But, before you run out and book that ticket, ask your travel agent: Is there daily maid service? Does it have a kitchen? Are babysitters available? Are all taxes, energy surcharges and gratuities included? Is there a supermarket nearby? Is a security guard on the premises? Once you've enjoyed a vacation with all the comforts of home, you'll never want to make a midnight run to a hotel ice machine again!Balance is maintained by using objects in pairs a pair of vases, candlesticks, bowls, or jars. Placed at either end of the mantel, they should be higher than the intervening objects, to form a sweeping curve. Also they help to frame in the over-mantel picture or mirror.Remember that it is always better to leave a space empty than to have it occupied by a badly placed piece of furniture. Good furniture needs space to be seen to its advantage.But in the Caribbean, tourism is its business. In 1993, almost 7 million Americans traveled to the region, accounting for 52.5% of all stop-over visitors and one-half of this $11.1 billion industry.The setting might have been turn-of-the-century. but the bathroom was all modern conveniences. A deep marble tub held a temperature-controlled shower/shampoo attachment, with a hinged glass wing-door to prevent splashing. A wall-mounted hair dryer and swing-out shaving and makeup mirror made grooming easy, while thick terry robes and plentiful towels of all sizes filled a shelf. Behind a door, a separate water closet contained a toilet and bidet in total privacy. A floor-to-ceiling window let in sunlight and brought the splendor of the sprawling gardens inside.In developing the original simple formula there may be added a chaise, a good-size table, another large chair, and another small table
The best way to set a group apart from the run-of-the-mill vacationer is to take them someplace where there are no run-of-the-mill vacationers. That someplace is Peter Island, whose 1,800 acres are almost entirely taken up by its resort. After flying into nearby Tortola, groups of up to 115 arrive on this fantasy island via private yacht, where they'll find lush gardens, secluded beaches, gourmet dining and an array of water sports. The resort's management will arrange almost anything a group desires, and creative incentive planners have free reign to create themed events. Rack rates for a standard room are $19 5 (May 1-Sept.30) and $275 (Oct. 1-Dec.22) per night.
Author: Majorie Whigham-Desir, Marianne Ilaw, Gregg Lieberman, Ann Brown
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