The Island Outpost group of hotels pretty much owns the coolest resorts in the Caribbean if you like laid back places with a twist, like Goldeneye, Jake’s and Strawberry Hill. Its latest and greatest project is the Geejam hotel in San San Jamaica which opened in March – although stars like Gwen Stefani, Bjork and India Arie will already be familiar with the property as it was a private recording studio. There are only seven rooms at the hotel, but in addition to the recording studio there is also a spa, gym and a bush bar. The property is close to Port Antonio and the much loved Frenchmen’s Cove beach. Rates start at $425. Geejam Hotel, San San, Port Antonio, Jamaica. Phone: (800) OUTPOST.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
L.G. Smith Boulevard # 101
Palm Beach, Aruba
Phone: +011 297 586 9000
Toll-free: (800) 223- 6388
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/auaar-aruba-marriott-resort-and-stellaris-casino/

Hyatt Regency Aruba resort & Casino
J.E. Irausquin Blvd #85,
Palm Beach, Aruba, Dutch Caribbean
Phone: +011 297 586 1234   
http://aruba.hyatt.com
 
Renaissance Aruba resort & Casino
L. G. Smith Boulevard
82 Oranjestad, Aruba
Phone: +011 297 583 6000
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/auabr-renaissance-aruba-resort-and-casino/

RUN AROUND  

If you leave your house early enough in the morning from New York, you can be under a straw hut in Aruba by 3:00 PM, drinking rum.  You won't need to change your watch, exchange currency, or fiddle with electricity voltage converters. Just about the only thing that needs changing when visiting the island is your shoes.

Welcome to the era of celebrity themed resorts. Next year we'll see the Brando opening in Tahiti, but in the meantime, there's the new Marley Resort in Nassau, Bahamas. The 16 themed suites have fab names like Kinky Reggae, Easy Skankin, One Love, Legend and Misty Morning. For unwinding, there's the Natural Mystic Spa, and the in-house restaurant, Simmer Down, serves Caribbean food (and of course some of Bob's favourite dishes). Summer rates start at $450. And as for the next celeb themed resort? We're hoping to see a Keith Richards-endorsed beach resort in Fiji.

Renting a villa is one of the best ways to chill out and experience a destination, but if you refuse to make do with any ole villa, consider the funky Mount Hartman Bay estate in Grenada. Normally this Caribbean villa is only available for exclusive hire, but during the month of May the estate is throwing open its doors for couples to join a house party. From £6,526 per week per couple, including flights, guests can enjoy this “Gollum meets Gaudi” Estate, which is set on 2.5 acres on a private peninsula within the Lance-aux-Epines resort on Grenada's south coast. Built into the hillside overlooking a secluded bay, the villa's unusual organic design is reminiscent of the Thunderbirds' Tracey Island, combining soft curves with dark wood contrasts.Included in the price are the services of 14 permanent staff; all food and drink,  the use of a powerful 43“ motor cruiser; two sea scooters for underwater exploration; two seven-seater Shogun 4X4s; a 27-metre infinity pool with adjoining Jacuzzi, plus a second pool by the Beach House; and the Estate's very own private beach. For more information call 0870 416 3330 or visit World Dream Villas.

Good food and sunshine are some of our favourite things in the world, and this ideal combination will come together in April at the First Annual Bimini Bay Resort Food Festival, organized by the Bimini Bay Resort and the Bahamian Culinary Team. (So where's Bimini? It's in the Bahamas just 48 miles east of South Florida). The Food Festival will combine activities and traditional Bahamian food in a laid-back bay-front setting. There will be seven interactive cooking stations with cracked conch, grouper, conch fritters, jerk fish and more (how about some Goombay punch to wash it all down?). Guests staying at Bimini Bay Resort  can choose from staying in a condominiums, loft-like treehouses or single family homes. Bimini Bay Resort's First Annual Food Festival will take place on April 28, 2007. Tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $10 for children. For reservations and tickets, please call (242) 347-2900 or e-mail reservations@biminibayresort.com.

The Caribbean island of St Barths has it all- sun, sand and world-class shopping, not to mention more gourmet restaurants than you can shake a coconut at. The style stakes will be raised even higher for “Mode in St Barth,” a fashion extravaganza which will take place on the island from December 1 to December 3. The event is orchestrated by mega club Nikki Beach of Miami, and this year luxury villa rental company Wimco is also a sponsor of the fashion show. Informal fashion shows will be held afternoons, followed by high-fashion evening events at various hotels and at the marina. Top luxury brands and designers such as Dior and Roberto Cavalli will be featured. An evening fashion show will run daily around 6:30 p.m. along with cocktails in La Baie de St. Jean near Gustavia Harbor. And note to all of you modelizers out there: Nikki Beach models will be staying at two of Wimco's most fashionable villas during the event, Villa SIB MGO, a three bedroom villa located high in Colombier, and Villa ANA near Gouveneur Beach, a luxurious three- bedroom villa.

Combining the best of Bond Street, Fifth Avenue and Rodeo Drive, the new Avenue 5 at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, will be one of the best shopping destinations in the Caribbean when it opens next month. Located on the fifth floor of the resort, Avenue 5 shops will be a mix of established brands and independent boutiques, including Tiffany & Co., The Shoe Salon, The Children's Cottage, and The Home Collection. Best of all, prices are duty-free.

The Nevis Equestrian Centre is celebrating its 10th anniversary by running wild with discounts on horseback rides and lessons.  The Centre is offering 10% off all individual rides and lessons from February 1 through 13 (corporate groups excluded) and, for something extra special, couples looking for a unique way to spend Valentine's Day can take a romantic horseback ride at a 50% discount on February 14.

The newest and most luxurious resort in the Grand Caymans will be the new Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman when it opens on December 15. The resort is located on Seven Mile Beach and will have the first La Prairie spa in the Caribbean, as well as two restaurants by acclaimed New York chef Eric Ripert. Also on-site will be a luxury shopping arcade, a Greg Norman-designed nine hole golf course; and an Ambassadors of the Environment Program by Jean-Michel Cousteau. www.ritzcarlton.com