Caribbean Escapes: Discounted Flights, Over-Water Spas, & Chic Yoga Retreats

This hot off the press from an independent island hopper who reps some hidden gems in the Caribbean.
Kamalame Cay, Bahamas - Outer Islands

BAHAMAS & JAMAICA
In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, Kamalame Cay, a 96-acre private island resort in the Bahamas, invites guests to FLY FOR FREE* THROUGH DECEMBER 14 and is also offering 20% OFF ALL SPA TREATMENTS for any Girls World* bookings. With the addition of new General Manager Peter Bauer, a new Spa Director, an onsite wedding planner, a new solar power system – and a new sister property in Jamaica – there are so many reasons this year is better than ever to seek out sunny serenity at two of the most authentic hideaways in the Caribbean. Perched on the edge of the ‘Tongue of the Ocean’ in The Bahamas, Kamalame Cay is a private island hideaway unlike any other. The secluded beachfront cottages combined with the three miles of white sand shores that run the length of the island are just what the body and soul need to re-center, relax and rejuvenate.
Kamalame Cay Private Island Resort Room

The new 'Best of Both Worlds' package encourages guests to extend their barefoot Bahamian getaway to Jamaica’s lesser known northeast coast – and the Hew family’s (who own Kamalame) – personal getaway. Using either Air Jamaica’s direct Nassau to Kingston service or flying private to maximize precious holiday minutes, the package includes three nights at Kamalame with choice of full day fishing or equivalent spa credit, 3 nights at Kanopi House, a VIP river rafting trip with quintessential Jamaican barbecue and another full or half-day excursion to one of the countless nearby waterfall wonderlands. Kamalame is also bringing back its ‘New Year, New You’ workshops in January at no extra charge. With (optional) daily yoga and motivational life coaching sessions with renowned Handel Group Life Coach Jo Sawalha to inspire and reinforce the “to thine own self be true” philosophy and encourage participants to exercise the power of body and mind to achieve the life of their dreams. The Kamalame Spa is also located over the turquoise waters of the lagoon and its five treatment rooms face out onto the surrounding sea with floor-to-ceiling windows that fully collapse. Hello?!?

Diving, snorkelling, tennis, sea kayaking into mangroves, as well as deep sea and bone fishing are all available right on property. So dine on the conch fritters at Hank's Place (242/368-2447; www.hanks-place.com) on the water at Fresh Creek and tell Kamalame we sent you.

Kanopi House, in Jamaica, is a low-impact resort featuring a relaxed club house and four individual eco-chic tree houses in a luscious rainforest with commanding views over Port Antonio, often referred to as the Jamaican Riviera. A stone’s throw from the world famous Blue Lagoon, all meals and activities are catered to individual tastes.


www.kamalame.com
www.kanopihouse.com

Rates for six nights as above including inter-island air start at $2500pp based on double occupancy.

Visit: www.kamalame.com/news/The_Kamalame_Summer09.html for complete details.

Reservations for both properties (and the Best of Both Worlds) can be made by calling +1.800.790.7971 and mentioning this deal and where you heard about it. Meanwhile, Jet Blue launches service from JFK to Saint Lucia (UVF) October 26 and to Kingston, Jamaica on October 30th making this offer even more tempting.

Bali, Turks & Caicos, & Bhutan: Exotic Yoga Retreats

Yoga meet COMO. COMO meet Yoga. Creating some of the finest, most exclusive (and exotic) life-changing yoga retreats in the world, we got a hold of COMO's 2009 list of yoga retreats taught by some of the top yogis in the world. Returning gurus this year include Australian yoga expert Judy Krupp. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher and founder of The Yoga Room based on Sydney’s North Shore, Krupps' likable humor reflect a relaxed style from original training in the Iyengar system and work as a myotherapy body therapist.

Newcomers joining the A-list roster include Elena Brower and Sarah Powers. Brower is a certified Anusara teacher who opened Virayoga in New York seven years ago. She approaches her students with refreshing levity and caring attentiveness. Her celeb client list includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, and Rebecca Romijn. The California-based Powers has been teaching yoga since 1987. Her style is a combination of a Yin sequence of long-held poses to enhance the meridian and organ systems, combined with a flow or Yang practice, influenced by Viniyoga, Ashtanga, and Iyengar teachings.
Uma Paro - Bhutan

These intimate workshops provide nearly five hours of daily practice with the masters and are held at COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali, Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos, and Uma Paro in Bhutan. Students at all levels have unparalleled access to these yoga rock stars, as well as to the renowned COMO Shambhala Retreat spas. The weeklong programs include six nights accommodation, most meals, and airport transfer. Single occupancy rates start at $5,681 at Parrot Cay, $3,515 at The Estate, $4,668 at Uma Paro; and double occupancy rates begin at $8,669 at Parrot Cay, and $7,056 at Uma Paro.
Yoga Pavillion Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos

2009 Retreats:

July 12-18
Uma Paro
On Top of the World Yoga and Meditation
Judy Krupp

October 25-31
Parrot Cay
Heal & Fortify: Body and Soul
Elena Brower

December 10-16
COMO Shambhala Estate
Insight Yoga in Beautiful Bali
Sarah Powers

We think the chic COMO spaces are optimal for tuning out the rest of the world. At Parrot Cay, the amenities are endless on the remote 1,000-acre island of white sand. Students can take advantage of COMO Shambhala’s Dr. Perricone anti-aging facials, Ayurvedic therapies, Pilates, a gym, tennis, a variety of watersports, and off-island excursions.

In Bali, unlike the conventional destination spa that usually focuses on pampering, The Estate provides a total, 360-degree experience closely tailored to each individual’s needs. Offering comprehensive wellness programs to mend mind, body, and spirit, they employ leading specialists in contemporary holistic health and feature hands-on healing ranging from massage to Ayurvedic and water-based therapies. The Estate also works closely with a Board of Advisors, which includes Rodney Yee and others such as Dr. Robert Thurman and Donna Karan.

The Uma properties under the COMO name represent simplicity and relaxation within a culturally rich and stirring environment. Uma Paro, located in the rolling hills of Bhutan, has a COMO Shambhala Retreat that offers Asian-inspired therapies, Ayurveda, and immersion into the rich Bhutanese culture through expertly guided cultural activities. We always recommend getting on target with a bit of archery. All properties also include healthy, flavorful organic cuisine.

For more information, visit:

www.parrotcay.como.bz
www.cse.comoshambhala.bz
www.uma.como.bz/paro
www.comoshambhala.bz

St. Barth's Baby: The Hotel Guanahani & Spa

Nestled in the middle of the Caribbean Sea on a private 16-acre peninsula is just the piece of paradise you've been saving for. Catherine Zeta Jones, Paul McCartney, and P. Diddy... they're all big fans of this laidback, yet so chic it's elite, 8 mile island. With fourteen beaches, a year-round temperature of anywhere from 72 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and enough beautiful people to fill several clubs in NY and LA, St. Barths is simply one of those 'Places To Go Before You Die.'
Hotel Guanahani Aerial View

Jaunt Magazine's hot hotel pick for honeymooners, the jet-set, and loaded families alike is The Hotel Guanahani & Spa, a charming, luxurious paradise with the only full-service spa on the island. Set amid lush tropical gardens in between two white sand beaches; one facing a reef-protected lagoon, the other facing the Atlantic ocean, Guanahani's 68 rooms are all in bungalows facing the sea. Hollah! Or, to be a bit more hoity-toity (after all, we are talking about St. Barth's) we say, "Bon Jour, Bebe!"
Hotel Guanahani Butler Suite

For the truly exclusive, try out the Butler Suites, each with a private pool, large dining area, and sun terraces with full views of the sea. All rooms are fashioned in modern Creole style - rare dark woods and pastel shades. Pampering is one of our most popular pastimes so that means, unwinding at the full service Clarins Spa and getting coiffed at Frederic Fekkai's onsite full-service salon.

Since we're also fans of more adventurous pursuits, we love their full range of land and sea activities including boat rentals, kite surfing, water sports and tennis. Hungry too? Not a problem, the superb global cuisine is overseen by world traveled, French Chef Philippe Masseglia, at the Guanahani's restaurants, Le Bartolomeo, and L'Indigo. The Hotel Guanahani & Spa is also known for catering to families and couples, providing both Kindergarten and Junior’s programs free of charge, offering couples with kids a welcome respite in an idyllic setting on a coconut grove.
Hotel Guanahani Garden Suite

Room rates range from:
$462 to $7,327
360€ to 5,700€

www.leguanahani.com

Pst... a little fairy also told us about two other hot spots not to be missed:

Le Ti, located in Pointe Milou, where you can eat and party with a different theme every night of the week. On Mondays, you can feel like you're in two places at once... St. Barth's and Marrakesh with their 'Marrakesh Party.' On Tuesday night, the theme? 'Night Fever' and the dress code is appropriately 'wigs and color.' The owner, Carole, even goes retro on Wednesdays for the notorious Plastic Boots Party. Expect to dance on some tables. In a very Euro chic kind of way, of course.
Reservations are recommended: 05 90 27 97 71 or info@ksplaces.com

Maya's is another local dining favorite. Elegant, yet beautifully understated, the menu boasts all the fresh fish and Creole cooking you can handle in a delicious and 'uncluttered' fashion.
www.st-barths.com/mayas

So, if you've got the dollah bills or the Euros, this is how you ought to be spending it, nay?

We say, "Oui."