Oyster Blog

caribbean hotels

If you like pina coladas… (then you’ll love these great swim-up bars)

by Jessica on January 21, 2011

Besides being sprawling beach resorts in the Caribbean, these hotels have one very important thing in common: A spectacular swim-up bar. And while the swim-up bar is arguably the best part of being on vacation(who doesn’t love to backstroke towards their Slippery Nipple or Fuzzy Navel?), we at Oyster know that there are many factors that elevator a swim-up bar from good, to great. So below we’re taking into consideration drink quality, music, munchies – and more – to determine the absolute best Caribbean swim-up bars (apologize in advance for the not-so-hot beach bods).

Best Spring Break Swim-Up Bar

Riu Paradise Island

Riu Paradise Island

 

Riu Paradise Island-All Inclusive, Bahamas

The swim-up bar at the Riu Paradise Island is fairly tame during the majority of the year, but everything changes come spring break when the pool is overflowing with young and wild partiers. “They be crazy,” one bartender explained, “one minute they’re crawling on the bar, the next they’re throwing up in the lobby!” We love this swim-up bar not only because it’s wild in March, but also because it’s so welcoming to all types of guests during the rest of the year.

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Lions, dolphins, and penguins, oh my! Hotel animal habitats that will drive your kids wild

by Kelsey on August 3, 2010

Your kids can play with a spider monkey named Mario at the Paradisus Real in the D.R.

Your kids can play with a spider monkey named Mario at the Paradisus Real in the D.R.

Taking your kids on the trip of a lifetime is easier than you think. There’s nothing like wildlife to inspire awe in the little ones, and luckily for you, a handful of hotels on Oyster have the kid-friendly attraction to trump all kid-friendly attractions: animal habitats. That’s right — the following hotels don’t only host humans. Animals from lions to dolphins to penguins to monkeys call these properties home, and the thrill your kids will get from interacting with these exotic creatures can transform a humdrum family vacation into an awe-inspiring experience your kids won’t soon forget. Read More »

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Oyster Specials: Award-winning all-inclusives for up to 40% off

by William on May 21, 2010

All-you-can-drink and a spectacular beach, for only $124 a night!

The Barcelo Bavaro Palace: all-you-can-drink and a spectacular beach for only $151 a night!

Now is the perfect time to plan a Caribbean vacation. The weather’s not yet sweltering, the spring break price hikes have come to an end, and hurricanes won’t hit the shores until July (or, more likely, August). As resorts ready themselves for the summer lull, rates drop across the board. But competition is fierce, and that’s why we’ve been able to secure some extraordinary deals on a few of our favorite all-inclusive resorts.

Check out the bargains (up to 40% off the standard rate) after the jump… Read More »

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Five romantic beach escapes that won’t break the bank

by Kelsey on May 11, 2010

The hippy-chic Jake's in Jamaica has rooms for around $150 a night.

The hippy-chic Jake's in Jamaica has rooms for around $150 a night.

When funds are tight, it might seem impossible to plan a romantic beach escape with a special someone. But a number of great beach hotels are surprisingly reasonable. Below, check out the five best spots for a romantic beach vacation on a budget.

See the full slideshow of the best romantic beach hotels on a budget on Oyster.com
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Ask Oyster: Spring break luxe, for a three-year-old

by William on November 9, 2009

Question: Lisa from North Carolina
Hi I need a little help.  I am trying to decide where to take my children on spring break, which will be the last week in March.

Their ages are 5 and 3.  I would like to go to a luxury family beach resort that caters to children.  I would love it to have a great kids club and baby sitting or nanny service.  All inclusive would be nice but I don’t want to compromise luxury.  Since I will be traveling with small children, the flight shouldn’t be more than 3 hours. I live in North Carolina.  I was thinking something in the Caribbean or maybe Florida.  I would also like to able to do more than beach related stuff, just because I get bored with the sand and water after a few days.  I hope you can help.

Just one of the private villas at Half Moon, Jamaica

Just one of the private villas at Half Moon, Jamaica

Answer: Will Begeny, Oyster’s Senior Editor
Lisa, you’re in luck. In truth, there are a lot of options–check out this page if you’d like to do a little more browsing–but to help you out, I’ve narrowed down a list of hotels that fit your criteria. (Also, as I’m sure you know, very few resorts in the U.S. welcome kids younger than four into their kids’ clubs. As such, Miami’s Trump International, Aqualina, Fisher Island, and Fairmont Turnberry are not on this list.)

Option 1: Jamaica

I’ve recommended the regal old Half Moon resort before, and I don’t suspect this will be the last time. Put simply, the place is amazing. Among its perks: two miles of gentle beachfront, incredible dining (opt for the all-inclusive plan), sincere service, its own dolphin habitat, horse stables, a golf course, full-time nannies, a brand new playground, a kids’ club, on-site shopping center, and so many thoughtful little extras—like beach toys for the kids. Also, if you upgrade to the private cottages, you get your own private pool and a private chef who can make just about anything to satisfy a picky eater.

Option 2: Bahamas

A beachfront Disneyland, the 4,000-room Atlantis is hard to beat (at least on paper)—an exceptional water park, a famous casino, three incredible beaches, 11 otherworldly pools, and 21 superb restaurants… but that’s just the tip of the ice berg. This place has a faux-archaeological dig, an aquarium, a model-car building and racing studio, a dolphin habitat, designer shopping boutiques, a pottery studio, and more. And that’s all on-site. Want more? Just take a 10-minute cab or a Nassau water taxi ride to downtown Nassau attractions like the Straw Market, Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation, and Pirates of Nassau.

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Ask Oyster: Unique, friendly, winter escapes that won’t break the bank

by William on October 26, 2009

Question: Karen

I own a restaurant, the only time we get to take a vacation is when we close for the month of January. I would like to know where you suggest going and where to stay. Here are my requirements….SUN, WARM, FRIENDLY PEOPLE. Preferably not a lot of children. We don’t like to just throw away money so luxury is not required, but not uncomfortable. Here are some of the places we have been and enjoyed….Costa Rica, St. Thomas, St. Marteen(eh?), Belize, Florida Keys.

Answer: Will Begeny, Oyster’s Senior Editor

Karen, you sound like my kind of traveler. Presumptive sleuthing suggests that, since you own a restaurant, you care about food. As such, I’m going to rule-out the all-inclusives.

Consider Jamaica. It has the mountainous, exotic beauty of Costa Rica (without the foot-long insects and dangerous tap water), the convenient, well-developed comforts of St. Thomas (without the cruise ship claustrophobia), the distinct local culture of Belize (and more ways to indulge in it), and the good-natured, low-key fun of the Florida Keys (forgiving, partially, Jamaica’s socio-political homophobia).

The Cliffs, in Negril, Jamaica

The cliffs at Catcha Falling Star in Negril, Jamaica

In particular, in the incredibly laid-back hippie haven of Negril, there are a number of unique hideaways perched along its coarse rock cliffs—few of which allow children, for safety’s sake. Of these, take your pick: the Rockhouse Hotel; Tensing Pen; Catcha Falling Star (if the other two are booked). If you’d rather  be on the beach, check out the Negril Tree House (gorgeous beach) or Jake’s (cute, artsy hotel on the remote, uniquely beautiful, black sand beaches of the South Coast, near Floyd’s Pelican Bar).

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