You're a beach lover; he's a golf fanatic. Here, a guide to enjoying your favorite island activities.
By: Donna HeiderstadtSt. Lucia
Photo coutesy of De Mountain
Blessed with stunning natural beauty — from the drama of the twin piton peaks to the scenic vistas of pigeon island — St. Lucia seduces with land and sea based activities and creole charm.
His: Mountain biking. If your guy loves to ride, he’ll be a happy camper on Anse Mamin Plantation, where eight miles of trails slice through the jungle.
Hers: Savor the chocolate. On this island, chocolate is a draw, especially at the Boucan, a boutique hotel that’s nestled among the cocoa groves of the island’s rabot estate. Known as the “hotel chocolat,” the hideaway offers tree-to-bar experiences, which include sessions in chocolate making, yummy spa treatments and a dynamic food menu featuring the locally crafted treat.
Ours: Gros Piton climb. Embrace a serious physical challenge by hiking up 2,619-foot Gros Piton for a stunning view. Later, reward yourselves with a private champagne sunset cruise aboard a catamaran or schooner.
Where to Stay: For one of the island’s loveliest locations, on Jalousie Bay between the Pitons, check into Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, which features airy white colonial ambience mixed with modern luxury (room rates start at $440 a night; viceroyhotels andresorts.com). If you prefer lofty accommodations with an open-air style, private plunge pool and amazing views, splurge on Jade Mountain (room rates start at $995 a night; jade mountain.com). And if intimate authenticity is your style, kick back in one of the 33 gingerbread cottages at Ti Kaye Village Resort & Spa (room rates start at $220 a night; tikaye.com).
Photo courtesy of a Viceroy Resort
Puerto Rico
Photo courtesy of Sugar Beach
If your dream honeymoon combines soft adventure by day and Latin-tinged seduction by night, check out the English-speaking, dollar-using tropical island, where no passport is required.
His: ATV adventure. Just five minutes outside bustling San Juan, your guy can rev his engine for a thrilling ride through the grounds of Hacienda Campo Rico.
Hers: Coffee klatch. Puerto Rico’s lush interior provides the perfect conditions for growing coffee. Explore the history of the local bean-growing culture with a tour of one of the island’s restored haciendas (farms).
Ours: Salsa nights. Post-sunset, it’s time to put on some high heels and a sexy dress and drag your man to a red-hot club for some salsa—head to Nuyorican or Rumba in Old San Juan for live music or to the Red Coral Lounge at the San Juan Marriott in Condado.
Where to Stay: Check into La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort in Condado for an edgy neo-retro ambience with a buzzing nightlife and great ocean views (room rates start at $249 a night; laconcharesort.com). Immerse yourselves in historic Old San Juan, with a stay at the 58-room Hotel El Convento, a 17th-century convent turned romantic boutique hotel (roomrates start at $180 night; elconvento. com). For a luxurious setting on Isla Verde Beach, try ultra-plush The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan, with its 416 newly refreshed rooms, five restaurants and spa (room rates start at $339 a night; ritzcarlton.com).
Photo courtesy of La Concha Resort
Bahamas
Photo courtesy of Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island
Nassau and its sister Paradise Island are oh-so convenient — less than 30 minutes by air from Florida and under three hours from New York — and are ideal for couples that want to mix waterbased fun with duty-free shopping, fine dining and glitzy gaming.
His: Sport fishing. The Bahamas’ aquamarine waters teem with everything from barracuda to marlin. A halfday charter is a great way for your guy to reel in a prize catch; booked via Born Free Charters and Hunter Charters.
Hers: Shopping. Nassau’s Bay Street offers an array of shopping opportunities, from local Bahamian crafts at small, independent stores and the famous Straw Market to duty-free designer perfumes and jewelry. He can tag along, too, and duck into shops selling electronics, watches and cigars.
Ours: Swimming with dolphins. Getting to know the adorable bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Cay at the Atlantis Resort is an awesome experience. Choose from shallow-water interaction, deep-water scooter swims or the Ultimate Trainer for a Day program.
Where to Stay: For couples-only all-inclusive fun, there’s Sandals Royal Bahamian, home to 10 restaurants and its own private-island beach (room rates start at $556 per person, per night and are all-inclusive; sandals.com). The 694-room Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort sits on 1,000 feet of Cable Beach and offers three pools with waterfalls and swim-up bar, three restaurants and a casino (room rates start at $189 a night; sheratonnassau.com). For a luxurious adults-only splurge with access to all the water-park fun at Atlantis, try The Cove Atlantis, a 600-room tower with spacious suites offering great ocean views and a private pool with a hip bar scene (room rates start at $499 a night; the coveatlantis.com).
