3By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor
Valentines Day is just around the corner and savvy gift-givers know that a Whitman’s Sampler and some street-vendor roses just aren’t going to cut it. Instead, why not spirit your sweetie away on an amorous Caribbean adventure? These six lovey-dovey deals make it easy to enjoy some tropical together time.
British Virgin Islands
Private-isle resort Scrub Island is offering a Luxe in Love package February 11 through 17. The four-night deal includes stay in a two-bedroom hillside villa, butler service, and a half-day of pampering in the spa. It’ll set you back $16,500 per couple, but nobody said love was cheap, did they?
Bahamas
At Cable Beach all-inclusive Breezes, where rates start at just $174 per person per night, they’re offering two add-on romance packages. Spend $150 on the Sweet Retreat deal and get $450 worth of perks, including a couple’s massage; room upgrade; wine-and-chocolate turndown; and $25 of Breezes Bucks for resort purchases. The Super Sweet Retreat package ($300) includes everything in the Sweet Retreat plus dinner on the beach and a private consultation and discount at two Nassau jewelers.
Barbados
South coast all-suite, all-inclusive Turtle Beach is slashing rates by 25 percent from now through March 27 (but you’ll need to book by March 16). Snag an ocean-view junior suite for $735 (normally $980) and spend your days a deux sipping cocktails in one of two pools, boogie boarding in the warm waters, or simply soaking up the sun – and the attention of the resort’s beach concierges.
Jamaica
Mo’Bay all-inc Holiday Inn SunSpree is running a 40 percent off promo valid for stays now through April 11, so you can save as you sweep your sweetie away to Jamaica’s second city. Rates, which begin at $258 per room, also include WI-FI and nightly shuttles to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville on Mo’Bay’s Hip Strip.
Playa del Carmen
In Playa Del Carmen, Mahekal Beach Resort is enticing lovebirds to its 122 thatch-roofed casitas with rates that start at $293 a night. A multimillion-dollar renovation has yielded two new pools and an oceanfront hot tub, and the Caribbean is just two minutes’ walk away. So if you’re thinking of proposing, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to take the plunge – both literally and figuratively.
Cancun
Open to all but targeted to LGBT travelers, there’s the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun’s Out and About package. It includes round-trip airport transfers; a room upgrade; $50 daily resort credit; a 25 percent discount on spa services; plus a complimentary bottle of wine at any of the hotel’s restaurants. Rates start at a very reasonable $169 a night (quote booking code 8LG).