For the past two years of sailing adventures in the BVI I have sailed by this development as we headed to Marina Cay for some painkillers and conch fritters, or to the anchorage right across the channel from Scrub Island.  We even took our dingy over to visit one day and wandered around the construction site.  The location is spectacular for many reasons;  A marina that has 55 deep-water slips, including five slips for yachts up to 150 feet, as well as provisioning supplies, diesel fuel, black water pump-out station, metered electricity, laundry facilities and more services;  The over-the-top spa and fitness center;  Caribbean sunsets – a must for me;  and…a few very private beaches.

Scrub Island Resort officially opened February 11^th,  with some GREAT rates between now and March 31^st – a $399 daily room rate.  This is about half of what it will be after the “soft” opening, so if you can make plans quickly you will be getting the deal of the year with these rates.  The rate also includes breakfast and nightly cocktail receptions.  The amenities and choices one has to discover the BVI are endless with Scrub Island Resort as your luxurious home base.  Here are a few to consider;

• Snorkeling and SCUBA diving adventures to destinations such as The Wreck Of The HMS Rhone,  Angel Fish Point on Norman Island, The Dogs, and many more.  And, a trip to The Baths on Virgin Gorda is a must for breathtaking snorkeling.
• How about marlin fishing to the BIG Drop with Scrub Island Marina as your shortest run to my favorite big game fishing spot.
• How about the shopping destinations in the BVI?  One of our top boutiques is a Peter Island Resort across the channel from Scrub Island.  The clothes are very high end with many of them now in my wife’s closet.  Another one would be at The Bitter End Resort on the island of Virgin Gorda.  It is worth an afternoon to just wander around.
• The Scrub Island Resort lagoon pool with the 15’ waterfall is where my wife would hang out most of the day.  It is another spot that will take your breath away from morning to sunset.  AND…they have a great pool bar and restaurant so you never have to leave your lounge chair.
• If you never leave Scrub Island the resort has created five different dining experiences to satisfy all of your gourmet desires – from candle light elegance to bare foot in the sand casual.
• For those who don’t want to fully disconnect from the world, the resort has wherever you are at the resort and all the beautifully appointed rooms have king-size beds, big plasma satellite TV, air-conditioning and non-stop views of the Caribbean.

For more information go to their website and check more of the details, or contact me TODAY.  I know you will be very excited about this brand new Caribbean experience awaiting your review.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty!

At last year’s Coastweeks there were 1,400 volunteers on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix who picked up 18,600 pounds of trash from 43 miles of beaches!  St. Thomas won the prize for the most garbage, if anyone would really want that prize – 12,275 pounds of trash.  St. John was second with 3,000 pounds of trash, and St. Croix was third with 2,035 of trash.  The environment has no winners when our citizens are creating such a mess of Mother Nature’s playground.  This is in the same category of contributing to the well being of the earth as the USVI Waste Management Authority contract to create alternative energy in the USVI from trash.

This year’s Coastweeks begins at Brewer’s Bay.  The cleanup will be from 8AM to noon and everyone can help – from kids to the elders.  Heather Hitt, Coastal Zone outreach coordinator at the Planning and Natural Resources Department, would prefer that people not litter so there would be no need for cleanups, but said that since it does occur, it’s important to pick the litter up.   Ms. Hitt has suggested that volunteers bring their bathing suits and snorkels so the ocean floor near the beaches can be cleaned up, too.

The Friends of V.I. National Park, which coordinates efforts on St. John, plans a cleanup at Drunk Bay. It will start at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 in the Salt Pond parking lot. Those participating will then walk through Salt Pond Beach to Drunk Bay.  “It’s a place where a lot of debris from the BVI lands,” said Friends Program Manager Audrey Penn.  The Friends picked Drunk Bay because it’s not easily accessible, so adopt-a-beach groups don’t pick it.

This year, Coastweeks on St. Croix received a $2,700 grant from the V.I. Waste Management Authority to pay for student transportation to the beaches for cleanups, Taylor said. She hopes to get about 40 student groups to do cleanups because transportation will be provided.  “It’s important to get to them early on,” she said. “Lots of kids still litter, and if we get to the kids, we get to the parents.”

You can assist with organizing your local Coastal Cleanup Week, or be a volunteer, no matter where you in the world.  Cleaning up the trash is extremely satisfying.  Personally discovering how the trash is impacting our oceans is extremely sad.   If you would like to participate in they USVI Coastweeks activities, call Taylor on St. Croix at 340.692.4046, Hitt on St. Thomas at 340.774.3320, ext. 5117, or Penn on St. John at 340.779.4940.  I hope to see you on the beach sometime in September or October doing your part to make a difference.  Let me know what beach you decide to attack.  Your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty.  Until next time…fair winds!

Old guys

Most of you know that I grew up in Redondo Beach  and surfed all through the 1950’s and 1960’s before I discovered the Caribbean in 1975.  Growing up, Roy’s was my board shorts for over 20 years.  Roy’s started as a motel and café that was just across the road from the beach in Santa Monica.   Roy and Dody Colburn began their business in 1948 by serving meals all day and evening at the café next to their motel next to the beach.  As the surfing community of Southern California started to grow in Santa Monica they began hanging out at Roy’s Café when they were not in the water, lathering themselves with Baby Oil for the darkest tan possible, and playing volleyball. 

After serving food to this crowd for four years, Roy noticed that the surfers were in need of something other than cut-off jeans or cut-off white surplus Navy pants.  What they needed was a durable board short that would make it through months of sun, big waves and hot sand.  Roy suggested that his wife, Dody start taking sewing and pattern classes so they could capitalize on this idea that he had.  In 1952 Dody created the first versions of Roy’s board shorts.  They opened a small store in 1956 right next to their motel/café and called it Roy’s Cabana.   They stocked it with very colorful bolts of canvas materials so a customer could actually pick the material for their own board shorts, or they could just buy from the racks of finished board shorts that Dody had already made.

Roy’s Cabana was the surfing board shorts headquarters in Southern California until 1977.  They supplied surfing apparel for surfers, beach volleyball players, tens of thousands of Southern California beachgoers,  and even the L.A. County Lifeguards.   The number of Roy’s board shorts that I owned from the mid-1950’s through the 1970’s would fill a closet.  They were indestructible, very colorful, and they were immediately recognized as a Roy’s board short.  In 1977 Roy and Dody decided to close shop and finally retire.  They didn’t sell their company, they just closed it, sold the property, and bought a ranch in Napa Valley. 

Fast forward to today…here is the rest of the story!  Roy’s son, Tom, was looking through an old storage room at their Napa Valley ranch a year or so ago, and found all of the patterns, old photos and newspaper clippings, and even the old sewing machine that was the workhorse of the operation.  Tom decided that Roy’s board shorts and surfing apparel still had a loyal raving fan following with a potential of millions of new customers worldwide.  The U.S. surfing industry has become a $3.4 billion market place, with the world markets also gaining speed.  Roy’s surfing apparel has now been re-launched!

So, on a family surfing trip to Southern California this month I bought my latest Roy’s Cabana board shorts after 25 years.  Putting them on brought back memories of days-gone-by.  I couldn’t wait to try them out so I headed out for a morning of surfing and fun.  It was if I had found an old friend.   As I am packing for my next Caribbean adventure Roy’s board shorts will definitely be in my carry-on.  Dive BVI  and Cane Bay Dive Shop  also carry them.  If you want a pair of the best board shorts I have ever owned you can also check out their online store today.  Enjoy your next wave in Barbados or the Virgin Islands  with a pair of Roy’s!  Until next time… your Caribbean lifestyle detective  remains on duty.

One of the most beautiful and exclusive privately owned luxury villas in the Dominican Republic  is now offering the opportunity to purchase a 1/10^th share of Villa Castellamonte, which allows them five weeks of enjoyment in the DR.  You know I am a fan of fractional ownership.  It is a way for people to enjoy their slice of Paradise without having to fully own the property.  There are some “potholes” to avoid with developments that are promoting that they have fractional ownership opportunities, when, in fact, it is not true.  So, it is a “Buyer Beware” for people investigating a fractional ownership anywhere in the world.

Villa Castellamonte is one of the DR’s top 5-star luxury villas.  The private villa has 15,000 square feet of living space, with eight bedrooms and ten full baths.  It has a complete staff as part of the package and is located on the North coast of the Dominican Republic at the Playa Grande – Cabrera area.  You may remember seeing this villa featured on MSNBC’s “On the Money”.  It was even named a “Top Ten Villa” in the Caribbean, and mentioned by Fodor as a must-stay if you are visiting the DR.

The Playa Grande – Cabrera area is about 70 miles east of Puerto Plata, and is now extremely popular for two reasons: 1) It’s gorgeous white powder-sand beach and the incredible Robert Trent Jones – designed 18 hole golf course.  Playa Grande Beach  was rated as “…one of the Top Ten most beautiful beaches in the world” by Condé Nast travel magazine. Along with the mash potato powder-like sand, the beach is lined with coconut palms and bordered by the rugged coral cliffs.  You know I love to surf  and this area of the DR is noted for it’s big waves.  As you have discovered from my past articles about the Dominican Republic, it is not just a place that makes world class cigars, it is a world class destination.

Villa Castellamonte is privately owned by Mr. Jason Matthews and he will keep a 20% ownership in it.  “For me, the rationale to fractionalize Villa Castellamonte made sense because although my ownership will be less, so too will be my expenses.  And, fractional ownership programs are found throughout the world, allowing investors to own and enjoy a property of a much higher value than they could typically afford individually,”  Financing any second or third home in the world is a real challenge today, given world economic climate.  So, Mr. Matthews has agreed to personally provide financing for qualified investors who would like to purchase a fractional ownership in his breathtaking villa.

If you would like more information about how to be one of the very special owners of Villa Castellamonte, contact me anytime and I will send you information.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty.

I am constantly looking for the best opportunities in the Caribbean for people to secure their slice of Paradise.  For the last several years the real estate product that has represented half or more of the sales has been fractionals.  If you recall, almost ten years ago the Ritz Carlton in Red Hook,  St. Thomas, was one of the first to test the market of fractional deeded ownership as a method to own real estate with several other partners.  It was a huge success.  Below are six more Caribbean islands to consider for your slice of Paradise by purchasing a fraction of the property instead of the owning it all yourself.

Terra del Sol, Aurba:  This is one of the few completely planned communities in the Caribbean, with a Trent Jones champion golf course to go along with their beautiful homes, villas, condominiums, golf, spa & fitness, fine dining, and much more.

Botany Bay, St. Thomas:  Timbers Group is developing the ultra-luxury resort located on the western tip of St. Thomas.  It will be managed by the international hospitality management group – Jumeirah Group,  which is a member of Dubai Holding. This project has a variety of fractionals – from condos to very large townhomes.

Wyndam Grand Bay Waterford, Cayman Islands:  The Cayman Islands are about 180 miles northwest of Jamaica and is noted for its breathtaking diving and an off-shore banking center for much of the world.  This project is located at Crystal Harbor Safe Haven and has something for everyone.

Adventuras Club, Puerto Adventuras, Mayan Riviera:  Sometimes people forget that Mexico has a thriving Caribbean real estate center – from Cancun to Tulum.  The Mayan Riviera is exploding and the Adventuras Club is just about 25 miles south of Cancun.  I love this part of Mexico as one of my part time homes.

Casa de Campo – Los Altos, Dominican Republic:  This is THE spot in the DR for luxury real estate.  It is right next to Altos de Chavon, a gorgeous replica of a 16^th century Italian village, with shops, restaurants, and many cultural attractions.  Casa de Campo has already won the Travel & Leisure  Magazine’s #1 “Family Friendly Resort In The Caribbean”!  Besides the natural beauty of the island, is also the golfing capital of the Caribbean.

February Point Resort, Exuma, Bahamas:  With February Point’s oceanfront settings, the luxury amenities of the resort, the furnishings that come with the fractional ownership of the villas, and the tax advantages of The Bahamas, it is a very appealing option for those wanting to own a piece of Paradise.

These are seven of my suggestions for those wanting to check how to own a piece of the Caribbean at a fraction of the cost of buying a home.  Let me know what you discover from these suggestions.  Your Caribbean lifestyle detective  remains on duty!  Until next time…fair winds!

I arrived in Redondo Beach  in 1948, and lived on the beach for the first 21 years of my life.  I thought it was normal to live a block from the pier and enjoy all the Pacific Ocean offered – everyday!  I thought all things connected to the Pacific Ocean were normal – sailing, surfing, diving, beach volleyball, pier fishing, boat deliveries to Mexico, and a hundred more activities.  In hindsight I was one the luckiest kids I know because of growing up with amazing experiences connected to the Pacific Ocean – every day.  I had no idea that my love for the ocean would lead me to the Caribbean Islands and then create an international real estate company.

A life changing discovery happened for me in the mid-1970s while on my first sailing adventure in the Caribbean.  Up to that point I had only sailed in the Pacific and Mexico.  My Caribbean sailing trips began in the BVI, and then broaden out over the years to sailing the entire chain of the Caribbean Islands. 

I had no idea that the Caribbean had any surfing opportunities.  So, during my Caribbean sailing adventures I discovered the “Soup Bowl” in Barbados, and Lambert Bay in the BVI.  Not only are there some GREAT surf spots in the Caribbean, the beaches are breathtaking while you are sitting watching the left and right breaks.  Did you know there is a surf shop, Totem,  on St. Barts?  St. Barts is my favorite jewel of the Caribbean for pure decadence.  And,  I could not believe there was a surf shop on the island.  I still have a Totem decal on the back window of my Lexus SUV.  The staff at Totem opened up a whole new world to explore – Caribbean surfing.

The best surfing in the Caribbean is in Barbados.  Melanie Pitcher runs one of the best surfing schools in the Caribbean – Surf Barbados.  And, boy can she surf.  There is even a surf camp in the BVI on Tortola.   I just discovered that one last year!  So, you are probably thinking that I have the Caribbean scene wired after all of my discoveries the past 35 years of diligent detective work.  You are mistaken.  There is a life time of discoveries in this magical part of the world.  That is why I keep coming back, and the reason why we are having so much fun serving our international real estate customer’s appetite for owning their piece of Paradise. 

So, contact me  about some of your favorite surf spots in the world, or for even information about your next home purchase in Paradise.  Your Caribbean Islands lifestyle detective remains on duty!

Those of you who enjoy a visit to the U.S. and British Virgin Islands are going to LOVE the luxury rental I discovered a few weeks ago.  In fact, I have stood on the deck and enjoyed the sunrise over American Yacht Harbor  in Red Hook – a magnificent sight!  This luxury rental is named “Harbor House”, and it sits on the hillside above the harbor.

So, when I am talking about a luxury Caribbean rental, what does that mean?  Well, how about a home that is just a five minute walk to American Yacht Harbor, Duffy’s Love Shack,  Molly Malone’s, and the Caribbean Saloon?   Now, a visit to three of my favorite stops in Red Hook will just barely take you through lunch.  You can then walk to Vessip Beach, or the Ritz Carlton beach,  or you can drive your car to Secret Harbor  which is just a short distance away. Secret Harbor is another beach that has a very fun bar that I frequent – Blue Moon.

As part of the two story villa and gorgeous private pool, you have a gourmet kitchen, three elegant bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and don’t forget the views from all the windows.  It can easily sleep six, but we had a total of eight of us without a problem.  One of your days at Harbor House will require you visit Charlotte Amalie‘s duty free shopping  district, and a visit to Havensight – another duty free shopping area of St. Thomas.  You will have every luxury item you can imagine, all within just a few blocks – jewelry, watches, cameras, perfume, silk, and on and on!

As part of the weekly lease package the owner, Captain Mike, will include a private day charter on his 35 foot Maxum  power yacht, and race you over to the BVI for a day of SCUBA diving, snorkeling,  and just non-stop fun in the sun.  You end your day at the island of Jost Van Dyke at my FAVORITE beach, White Bay, and my favorite beach bar – Soggy Dollar Bar.  You can say hello to Mick and enjoy a rum Pain Killer and sit on my favorite sunset beach.  This type of day charter for six people would cost about $1,200.  Your cost is that of a skipper, British custom fees, fuel, and any of your food and drink.  Well, given my experience with the drink costs, they can be high because thirst is a dangerous thing.

Captain Mike will even throw in the use of his 2002 Chevy Blazer as part of the deal, so you don’t even have to rent a car for your week of exploring St. Thomas.  So, what does a luxury rental of Harbor House cost?  It is about $4,500 per week for six people.  Contact me for more information about booking this little piece of Paradise.  I will fill in any of your week’s itinerary if you need some help.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty.

Jim Walberg  has just discovered one of the most decadent and luxurious chartered sailing vacations in the Caribbean – just for two people in Paradise!

So, I was having a discussion last week with Chris and Julie, who own s/y Felicia - the Privilege 65 catamaran based in the BVI.  They told me about their dear friends, Ed and Natalie who have been sailing the Caribbean since 1994, and have created an ultra-luxury chartered sailing vacation experience in the Las Aves – an eight island chain just off of Bonaire , on their 52′ high-performance sloop, s/y Safari.  I LOVE new sailing adventures so my curiosity got the best of me.  I called Ed and Natalie up on Skype  and began an amazing series of conversations about what they have created for their very discerning guests.  What I discovered was SO exciting that I needed to share it with all of you immediately.  Here goes…

Las Aves islands  are just 30 miles off the coast of Bonaire, and just 70 miles from Curacao.  Many of you know about this region of the Caribbean as the most pristine waters for sailing and diving.  The diving experiences are so breathtaking that Bonaire is looked upon as the Caribbean‘s dive destination.  Las Aves means “birds” in Spanish.  The area is a breeding ground for many unique bird species as well as turtles.  It is a “sea” of marine and bird life any where you sail in these private islands and reefs.  This is THE place to get away from any crowds.  Ed and Natalie guarantee a private beach and anchorage everyday!  WOW!  You would never find this in the BVI or even the Grenadines.

This ultra-luxury charter yacht has all the amenities you could ever dream of, including Burmese teak decking, sparkling brightwork, and a teak interior, plus;

• Charter Guest Suite: Queen bed & full bath, lots of storage space in the guest cabin.
• Yacht Toys:  Sailing & instruction opportunities; wind surfing; kayaking; snorkeling;  golf “beach driving range”; beach hut; iPod docking station; SkyMate email;
• Daily Gourmet Experiences:  This ultra-luxury sailing adventures includes Ed as your captain and Natalie as your world-class chef.  All meals and beverages are provided, a well stocked super-premium bar, and vintage wines for your enjoyment at lunches and dinners.

How about this for a sample menu for your day’s dining experience?

• Breakfast: Poached Eggs, Warm Asparagus, Crispy Pancetta & Melted Camembert  
• Lunch: Grilled Pineapple & Jerk Chicken with Island Sweet Potato Jumble
• Afternoon Hors d’Oeuvres:  Jumbo Cassava crackers w/spicy chutneys
• Dinner: Braised Endive with Balsamic Sauce; Grilled Lobster Tail with Lime Butter;  Herbed Jasmine Rice & Steamed Young Vegetables
  Dessert: Key Lime Pie with Gingersnap Crust  ( Are you drooling yet?)
• Beverages For Your Day’s Enjoyment – Examples:  Havana Club Special Dark Rum Mai Tai;  your choice of sodas, water, and premium beers;  Grey Goose Vodka Martinis;  Heidsieck Monopole Brut Champagne Blue Top NV; Domaine Lebrun Pouilly Fumé 2006;  Château Mazeyres Pomerol 1999;  Castarede VSOP 10 Armagnac  ( All of these are provided because thirst is a dangerous thing.)

Ed and Natalie sold their businesses in Montreal and headed south in 1994. They made a promise to “live slow” in Paradise and they are still keeping that promise everyday.  And besides Natalie dazzling you with her gourmet meals each day, she is a professional artist and sells her paintings and jewelry all over the Caribbean.  They also both speak English, French and Spanish.

This is a typical rave review of past guests, “Our travel style is to find an exotic, luxury destination that offers personalized attention. Safari Sailing gave us the boutique experience we were looking for, with an exotic locale and wonderful hosts. Being able to leave all decision- making to Ed and Natalie’s good judgment and great style led to a blissful ten days in Las Aves, where for the first time in years, we completely lost track of time.  It was beyond all of our expectations.”   Linda and Filip – Washington, DC

They only schedule from six to eight charters a year, so their pampered guests usually book a year in advance.  Please contact me TODAY  if you want more information about your next ultra-luxury exotic sailing adventure.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective remainds on duty!

So, my wife, and fellow world adventurer and I sat down today and said, “Why don’t we share with our friends our Top Ten Romantic spots in the Caribbean?”  I have been remiss in not telling you know about these ten jewels that are our favorite romantic spots to hangout at.  They range in price from a $2,000 a day to just the cost of a Pain Killer rum drink for $10 each.  Here goes;

#1.  Isle de France – St. Barts:  This is our sentimental favorite because it is where we spent almost two weeks for our honeymoon.  It is a small boutique resort on Flamond Beach and it is in the pricy category.  You will need to book a year in advance and try and secure Suite #1.  St. Barts is only four miles long and two miles wide,  and just a few miles off the island of St. Martin.  It is a French province so it has all of the flair of St. Tropez, but in the Caribbean.  The haute courtier shopping is over the top! 

#2.  Soggy Dollar Beach Bar:  This got on the list because it is our favorite sunset beach in the Caribbean.  It is on Jost Van Dyke in the BVI.  You will probably swim ashore so that is why your dollars will be soggy.  This is the cheapest date in the Caribbean – $10 or less for a rum Pain Killer.  But, it will cost you some dough to get to the beach.

#3. The Bitter End Yacht Club:  This is the last resort in the Caribbean before you head out into the Atlantic on your way back to Europe on the island of Virgin Gorda.  This resort has it all; great food, a great bar, unbelievable sunsets, sailboats to rent for the day or the week, and every room has a view of the BVI.  It is unforgettable.

#4. Caneel Bay - St. John:  We have spent several of our wedding anniversaries at this Rockefeller Resort.  This resort is also one of the pricier ones,  but it is worth every penny.  It is on a part of St. John that connects it from both sides of the island.  The beaches are unforgettable.  There have been many times when there has been no one on the beach except us.

#5. Sandy Lane, Barbados:  Now, this one is considered the Top resort in the Caribbean.  Tiger Woods leased the entire resort for his wedding.  It is almost impossible to describe the decadence that awaits any guests that decides to experience this type of luxury vacation.  The beach,  cuisine, bars, and spa are over the top!  You must book this at least a year in advance.

#6. The Blue Parrot Hotel:  You may not realize it, but the Mayan Riviera,  just south of Cancun, Mexico is a part of the Caribbean.  This is our sentimental funky favorite.  It is built right on the sand of Playa del Carmen.  You will feel as if you are on the French Riviera.  Half of the town is Italian, French and German. The bar is the BEST!  You sit in swing seats at the bar right on the sand.  The cervices is our favorite appetizer, and the choice of beers from around the world will satisfy anyone.

#7. Anse Chastanet - St. Lucia: We love St. Lucia!  It is about half way down the chain of Caribbean islands, and it is a jewel!  The 600-acre resort is a lush garden of tropical foliage bordering one of the island’s best beaches.  With this unforgettable resort, it is hard to define where the inside of the rooms stop and the outside begins.  You will love every moment you spend here.

#8. Palm Island Resort, The Grenadines:  At the World Travel Awards it was named “The Worlds Leading Private Island“,  and Caribbean Travel & Life ranks it amongst the Caribbean’s most romantic resorts!  Travel & Leisure says it is one of the best places to stay in the WORLD!  So, how is that for an introduction?  There are 37 guest rooms and five white sandy beaches.  This is a Euro-Caribbean cuisine experience not be missed! 

#9. Coco Plum Cay Resort, Belize:  You are in for the surprise of your life if you make it to this Caribbean resort.  Belize used to be British Guiana, and is the only English speaking Central American country.  Coco Plum Cay is a tiny private island that has stand-alone cabana’s along the beach with your privacy in mind.  Romance is the experience you will have 24 hours a day. This little island has very private beaches, hidden hammocks, and a beautiful peninsula all to your self.

#10. Divi Aruba Beach Resort, Aruba:  Last, but not least, is Divi Resort in Aruba.  You are almost at the southern end of the Caribbean islands when you step off the plane in Aruba.  It is an island that is almost all sandy beaches and this resort is one of our favorites.  There are only 203 rooms at this all-inclusive beach resort and every amenity you expect in the Caribbean is there.

There you have it.  From one end of the Caribbean to the other,  our Top Ten Caribbean Romantic Spots – from $10 to thousands per day.  Let me know  what your favorite Caribbean resorts are.  I look forward to adding them to my list.  Until next time…fair winds!!!

There are a couple of other parts of the Caribbean that are missed with those who want a piece of Paradise.  One of those special places is the Cayman Islands.  The Wyndham Grand Bay Waterford  is one of my favorite luxurious choices that you can find in the Caribbean.  The Cayman Islands are not noted for the sailing experience that I love, however if you love mash potato coral sand beaches and breathtaking SCUBA diving these are the islands for you.

Many of you have probably vacationed in the Caymen Islands.  But for those of you who have never been to this Caribbean paradise, the Cayman Islands are located in the western Caribbean.  The Cayman Islands are approximately 180 miles northwest of Jamaica and are made up of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The overwhelming amount of fish life, coral reefs, water sports and shopping make Grand Cayman the perfect destination for the world travelers looking for non-stop luxury, relaxation and water adventures.

The Waterford  has choices for anyone’s needs, from luxurious villas, grand penthouses and an elegant “Great House.” It is located in Crystal Harbor Safe Haven, overlooking the magnificent North Sound and Sting Ray City.  Those that have been to the Cayman’s know that Sting Ray City is unforgettable. And, it is right next door to the North Sound Championship golf course for those who can’t stand to be without a day of golf. A side note is that my lowest golf score is at 114!!!  The resort includes 44 two-bedroom and three-bedroom oceanfront villas, and three luxury penthouses. If you are one of the Residence Club owners at the Waterford you will enjoy lodging throughout the year with at least six weeks of flexible usage, plus unlimited “space available” usage at no additional charge. And, the prices start at about $300,000 for membership to the Residence Club.  When you are at your villa you will be blown away as to what is included; access to a Land Rover, BMW, Mercedes or Audi; and access to a Boston Whaler with your own personal captain as you explore all there is connected to the Cayman Islands waters.

The Waterford just joined The Registry Collection program – a global Residence Club network with over 30,000 members and more than 160 luxury resort opportunities on five continents. These 160 properties participating in The Registry Collection are available for exchange to any of the Residence Club owners, fractional property owners, and fractional yacht owners. As the world’s largest luxury exchange program, The Registry Collection program provides members with access to some of the world’s finest vacation properties, as well as a personal concierge service that is available 24 hours a day at each of their properties.  Spread the word about this luxury resort opportunity to your clients who are looking for their first “second – home” location , or those who are accumulating additional properties around the world.  Contact me  for more information as to what is happening in the Grand Cayman, and any of the other islands in the Caribbean.  Your Caribbean lifestyle detective is always on duty.  Until next time…