Enjoy the views from your newly renovated room

Out with the old and in with the new! The coming new year is the perfect excuse to find vacations experiences to go with it, and there’s no better time to head to the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort.

Fresh from a six-month, $48-million renovation, this hotel (often considered one of the best in the U.S. Virgin Islands) has officially re-opened its doors. All the guest rooms have been redesigned, and the resort has added a new spa and spa pool, larger fitness center, a full-service salon, new restaurants, expanded lounge areas, a redesigned infinity pool (with kids zone) and added an adults-only pool.

The resort’s 302 guest rooms have spectacular views of Charlotte Amalie Harbour and easy access to Morning Star Beach. Newly designed rooms include Caribbean décor, rain-style shower heads, ergonomic workspaces, LCD high-definition TVs and Marriott’s signature bedding, which includes 300 thread count sheets, down comforters, thick mattresses with plush tops and fluffier pillows. Rates start at $249 per night.

Make sure to plan enough time to enjoy one of the highlights of the new additions, the Lazule Sea Spa. With 4,000 square feet of luxury facilities, the spa includes seven treatment rooms, couples room, massage cabanas, and an exclusive spa pool and couples relaxation room.

Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort

You don’t need to stay in your room to enjoy the gorgeous views. The newly re-designed Aqua Terra Oceanfront Grill and Aqua Terra Lounge have spectacular vistas of Charlotte Amalie Harbour through grand floor-to-ceiling windows. The Rum Bar Terrace also has views of Charlotte Amalie Harbour and the Sunset Grill offers a vista of Sunset Harbor.

All you need to do is pack your bag (you can even leave your passport at home), book your room and airplane tickets, and you can enjoy early 2012 in style—in a Caribbean resort overlooking a secluded beach with warm blue water. That’s just the way to start a great new year.

Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort 340-776-8400
5 Estate Bakkeroe, St. Thomas, 00801 Virgin Islands (U.S.)

Photos courtesy of Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort

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St. Kitts Marriott's pool and the Caribbean Sea

Are the days zooming by faster than you can remember what year it is? Snap out of it and mark this on your calendar, refrigerator door, bathroom mirror—heck, mark it on your forehead: 10.10.10.

That’s right, October, 10, 2010. On that date, a handful of hotels will offer such great deals, you’ve got to get in on the party. Take a look at the possibilities:

Carribbean and Mexico: At participating Marriott & Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico resorts, you can buy one room night at rack rate and get additional nights for $10 each (up to three additional nights for a maximum four-night stay), valid from Oct. 11 to Dec. 20, 2010. Participating resorts are: Aruba Marriott, Aruba Renaissance, JW Marriott Cancun, CasaMagna Cancun Marriott, Grand Cayman Marriott, Puerto Vallarta CasaMagna Marriott, St. Kitts Marriott and Frenchman’s Reef Marriott. To reserve, visit www.paradisebymarriott.com and use promotion code X77.

St. Kitts: On top of the above deal, the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino will offer guests the chance to book up to 10 room nights for only $10 each. The booking time slot will be announced at random via the resort’s Twitter handle, @StKittsMarriott on 10.10.10. Be sure to follow it before the date, and the first 10 people to tweet @StKittsMarriott with the hashtag #SKM10 during the time slot will be able to book up to 10 nights for $10 each, good from Oct. 11 to Dec. 20, 2010.

St. Kitts Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino, 869-466-1200
858 Frigate Bay Road, Frigate Bay, St. Kitts and Nevis

Curaçao: At both Kura Hulanda Resorts on the island (Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino and Lodge Kura Hulanda & Beach Club), make any room reservation and add breakfast, a bottle of wine, or room upgrade for $10 each. The deal is valid from Oct. 15 through Dec. 23, 2010 and Jan. 3 through April 16, 2011. To reserve, call 877-254-3106 or email reservations@kurahulanda.com.

Ka'ana Boutique Resort in Belize

Puerto Rico: At the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, spend four nights/five days in a City View room during Christmas week (between Dec. 23 to 29) with daily breakfast for two, all for $1,010.10. That’s 44 percent off the regular price. To reserve, call 800-228-9290 or visit www.marriottsanjuan.com and request promotion code HO9.

San Juan Marriott & Stellaris Casino, 787-722-7000
1309 Ashford Ave., San Juan, Puerto Rico

Belize: The Ka’ana Boutique Resort offers Balam Rooms for US$110.00 plus 19 percent tax and service charge (regular price is $250 plus 19 percent tax and service charge). Another offer is three nights in a Balam Room, daily breakfast, Xunantunich Tour, transfers to and from Belize City and a free upgrade to a casita (upon availability) for $1,010.10 for two people, including tax and service charge (regular price is $1,670.63). The deal is available now through Dec. 17, 2010 and Jan. 4 through March 31, 2011. To reserve, email reservations@kaanabelize.com and use promotion code K10.10.10.

Ka’ana Boutique Resort, 501-824-3350
Mile 69 1/4, Benque Viejo Road, San Ignacio, Belize

Photos courtesy of St. Kitts Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino and Ka’ana Boutique Resort

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Puerto Rico Hotel Review: San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
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