Visitors who want a great deal to the Caribbean this winter need look no further than Jamaica. The island’s hotels and villas provide visitors sizzling packages and specials that are easy on the wallet and big on relaxation and fun.
“The weather in Jamaica is warm year round, and winter is the perfect time for people to leave their cares behind, and head south to Jamaica for vacation,” said John Lynch, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “Jamaica’s miles of pristine beaches, delicious cuisine, unique cultures and friendly people are sure to shake away anyone’s winter blues.”
Family
Family-friendly Beaches Resorts offers families who book a three-night minimum stay by October 29, 2009, for travel through December 19, 2009, savings up to 65 percent off and up to two nights free. For kids, Beaches entertains with their Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street, and new tween and teen programming. www.beaches.com
Hilton Kingston is offering seasonal holiday travel at affordable rates. Children 12 years and younger stay for free with an adult. Single occupancy starts at US$108 per night, extra person US$30 per night. Minimum length of stay is two nights. Book August 1 through October 31, 2009. www.hilton.com
Both FDR Resorts properties, Franklyn D. Resort & Spa and Pebbles Resort, offer families 40 percent off when visiting January 3 through February 10, 2010. This offer is combinable with the Bring Your Own Grandparent (BYOG) promotion. Grandparents stay free in January when traveling with their children and grandchildren and the family is given an automatic room upgrade. www.fdrfamily.com
Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay is offering 50 percent off published rates through December 23, 2009 and 30 percent off resort stays between December 24 and January 2, 2010. Rates include room accommodations, all meals and snacks, non-motorized water sports, resort activities and entertainment. Children 12 and younger stay and eat free. There are no blackout dates or minimum length of stay, and all room categories are available: standard, superior and deluxe. www.caribbeanhi.com/jamaica
Riu Hotels is offering the Kids Stay Free promotion at the Riu Montego Bay and Riu Ocho Rios for stays November 1 – December 23, 2009. Children between the ages of two and 12 stay free at these two resorts when sharing the room with two full-paying adults. Reservations can be booked now through October 31, 2009. Riu Hotels is also offering a complimentary room upgrade for guests staying at the Riu Negril from November 1 – December 23, 2009. Guests will receive a free upgrade from standard to an ocean view. www.riu.com
Romance
Couples Resorts offers the Fall in Love Again promotion with savings of up to 50 percent. Book now through October 30, 2009 for travel now through December 25, 2009. www.couples.com
Couples Resorts Fall in Love Again rates:
• Couples Tower Isle – US$304 per couple, per night
• Couples Sans Souci – US$317 per couple, per night
• Couples Negril – US$349 per couple, per night
• Couples Swept Away – US$349 per couple, per night
Sandals Resorts is offering guests 65 percent off regular rack rates (minimum three-night stay required) when accommodations are booked by October 29, 2009 for travel through December 19, 2009. Guests will also enjoy gourmet dining, unlimited premium brand wine and spirits, championship golf and a wide array of watersports, including scuba diving. www.sandals.com
Fun Holiday Beach Resort offers guests the Winter Package from December 15, 2009 through April 15, 2010. All inclusive accommodations are also available. www.funholidaybeachresort.com
Sample all-inclusive Winter Package rates:
• Garden View – US$85 per person based on double occupancy
• Ocean View – US$93 per person based on double occupancy
Marblue Villa Suites, located on Jamaica’s South Coast, is offering three nights in their Verandah Suite, continental breakfast, lunch and dinner based on double occupancy for US$799.00. All villa suites are ocean front. www.marblue.com
Royal Plantation is offering savings up to 65 percent on bookings made now through October 29, 2009, with a three night minimum stay. The sale applies to all suite categories, including the two-bedroom Prime Minister Oceanfront Penthouse Suite as well as Villa Plantana, a three-bedroom villa with private pool, dedicated staff and Mercedes Benz chauffer. The offer is valid for travel through December 20, 2009, January 4 – Dec 21, 2010, and Jan. 3 – Dec. 22, 2011. This offer may be combined with a First Night Free deal that gives travelers their first night free when booking a seven-night all-inclusive package or vacation in a Deluxe, Premium or Luxury Oceanfront Junior Suite. www.royalplantation.com
Firefly guests that book 30 days in advance will receive 15 percent off their booking. Minimum stay of 5 nights required. Travel must be booked by December 1, 2009. Guests will also receive a voucher worth 20 percent off of total accommodation costs to be used for food, drink or accommodation for a return visit in the summer 2010. www.jamaicalink.com
Breezes Resorts’ Every Fourth Night Free promotion is available on all bookings are made through October 21, 2009. Guests will enjoy every fourth night free for every three consecutive paid nights. Travel is valid from November 1 through December 22, 2009. All rates are per person, per night, based on double-occupancy. www.superclubs.com.
El Greco offers guests their weekend two night package US$285.00 and three night weekend package US$415.00. Guests receive a beach pass to Doctor’s Cave Beach, dinner, movie passes for two to Palace Multiplex or a complimentary cocktail at Margaritaville nightclub. www.elgrecojamaica.com
Sunset Resorts is getting a head start on beating the winter blues with the new Winter Extra Early Booking Bonus at Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay and Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios. Guests will save US$20 per person, per night off regular room rates on reservations made by December 15, 2009 for travel from January 2 through April 10, 2010. www.sunsetresortsjamaica.com
Villas
Villas by Linda Smith invites guests to spend Thanksgiving in Jamaica, and will prepare traditional American Thanksgiving menus right down to the pumpkin pie and whipped cream, and delicious and spicy Jerk turkey is also on the menu. Villas by Linda Smith is waiving the usual seven night minimum stay during the holiday week, and seven nights are now available for the price of five. www.jamaicavillas.com
The luxurious Silent Waters Villa offers guests the affordability of booking seven nights and only paying for five now through April15, 2010. Located on one of the highest mountaintops overlooking Montego Bay and the Caribbean Sea, the site consists of 18 acres, twelve buildings, helicopter pad, private tennis court and two swimming pools. www.jamaicavillas.net
Spa
Rose Hall Resort & Spa offers the relaxing Soothe Spa Package. The Soothe Spa Package includes daily exercise classes, fitness center access, manager’s cocktail party, and each person receives a massage (beachfront available), facial using island products, manicure and pedicure. Rates start at US$220 per person per night, based on double occupancy. Three night minimum stay required. Available January 1 through April 30, 2010. www.rosehallresort.com
