All photos courtesy of Cap Juluca

A Return to Cap Juluca, and Classic Caribbean Luxury

Once upon a time, when I was brand new to travel writing, I got an invitation to go to Cap Juluca resort in Anguilla. I had no idea where Anguilla was exactly, but had heard of Cap Juluca because of the celeb fan base (Jennifer Aniston, Janet Jackson, Bill Gates…the list goes on…). At the time, I had traveled, but in a college budget-type way. That trip was an eye-opener to what a luxury hotel experience could be, and in some ways set the course for where my life would go. I’ll never forget sipping a welcome glass of champs on that amazing beach; my first experience with a in-roomLearn more

Architectural Digest-Worthy Villas for a Destination Wedding or Special Occasions

I loooove hotels; few things make me happier than scoping out a new resort, or revisiting an old favorite to see how its changed. But hotels aren’t the only way to go for luxury travel — there are some spectacular villas out there, offering a different take on the luxury experience. For instance, Villa Manzu in Costa Rica comes with household staff and a garage filled with surfboards and kayaks, so guests can easily get out and play in the Pacific. To me, the best villas offer a sense of place, with great views, beautiful views and outdoor space to enjoy the location, and unique furnishingsLearn more

Private Island Honeymoon Bliss at Parrot Cay

The first time I went to Parrot Cay, I missed Brad Pitt by a day. That was back when he was with Jennifer Aniston. Resorts can change a lot over time, but on a recent return I was glad to see nothing at Parrot Cay had changed, in the best possible way. Parrot Cay sits on its own private island, accessible by a 30-minute speedboat ride from Providenciales. Paparazzi is a non-issue, which makes it great for high-profile guests; Paul McCartney, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Richards have all visited, and Donna Karan and Bruce Willis own property on the island. And privacyLearn more

Wedding couple at Amanyara by Scott Clark Photo
Wedding couple at Amanyara by Scott Clark Photo

Inside Luxury Destination Weddings at the Caribbean’s Most Exclusive Resort

I travel a lot, checking out hotels and venues for our honeymoon and destination wedding clients. But I usually travel solo (to cover more ground), and certainly don’t celebrate like a wedding guest when I’m working! So when I got the invitation from my friend JoAnn Gregoli of Elegant Occasions (who also happens to be one of the country’s premier luxury destination wedding planners) to join her in Turks and Caicos to see how they do destination weddings at two of the Caribbean’s top resorts, I couldn’t resist the chance! Here’s part one of my recap, from Amanyara. Amanyara is arguably the most exclusive resort in theLearn more

Courtesy of Jade Mountain
Courtesy of Jade Mountain

The Honeymoonist Picks The Best Honeymoon Plunge Pools on About.com Travel

We LOVE a good plunge pool — it’s the top request we get for a honeymoon suite. And with good reason: A fantastic plunge pools is the ultimate romantic indulgence, a place you can relax and connect away from the crowds (and splashing kids!) at the main hotel pool, and a nice retreat when you’re have your fill of beach time. But it’s also one of the biggest areas for potential disappointments, if you don’t get what you think you’re getting. We know this firsthand: We’ve experienced plunge pools that look great in photos but when you get there, the pool is only a few inches deep–moreLearn more

A sunset destination wedding at Cap Juluca on Anguilla; courtesy Cap Juluca
A sunset destination wedding at Cap Juluca on Anguilla; courtesy Cap Juluca

See Our Destination Wedding Tips in USA TODAY

We love honeymoons, obvs; it’s in our name. But we also love destination weddings — helping clients with everything from choosing the right resort to connecting with the perfect planner for their taste and budget. We wrap it up by negotiating room rates and extras, and then manage the guest travel from start to finish, keeping the experience as stress-free as possible for the to-be-weds. An educated couple is a happy couple, so Susan was happy to share her 10 favorite tips for planning a Caribbean wedding with USA TODAY Travel — and brought in two of the country’s best destination wedding planners, Michelle Rago of Michelle Rago Destinations andLearn more

Hammock at Carlisle Bay Hotel, an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean
Hammock at Carlisle Bay Hotel, an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean

Beachfront boutique hotel on Antigua

If you’re a beach-lover, you should know about Antigua; the island claims to have 365 (“one for every day of the year”). Carlisle Bay sits one a beautiful one, small and tucked inside a deep cove that’s bookended by bluffs. The limited access means you don’t encounter people from other hotels — the vibe is private and serene, which is different from so many beachfront hotels. Guestrooms sit in three-story, cottage-style buildings along the beach. Interiors are the same size and style whatever category you’re in: all junior suites with airy living areas, private patios, and extra-deep soaking tubs. That said, the best for honeymooners are the OceanLearn more

Courtesy of Caribbean Club
Courtesy of Caribbean Club

The Perfect Boutique Caribbean Wedding Resort

On this freezing week, we’re daydreaming about our recent stay at Caribbean Club, on Grand Cayman. Friends had been raving to us about this boutique hotel for years, so we couldn’t miss up the chance to stay there ourselves earlier this winter. Its small size and great service make it ideal for a destination wedding. In a switch from traditional hotels, Caribbean Club has 37 condo-style apartments. Each one is decorated differently, and comes complete with full kitchen, dining table and cushy living room. They range in size from one to three bedrooms; most of the bedrooms are ensuite (ie, with its own bathroom), so they’re ideal forLearn more

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