Melanie Reffes

Families receive a boatload of exclusive perks and discounts
WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao – July 2021 – Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy a family vacation in Curacao. Now through September 30, 2021, families with children under 12 staying at Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino will receive exclusive perks and discounts at the resort and for exciting island activities such as dolphin encounters, safari tours, Children’s Museum, and much more with the “Kids R VIP” program. When booking a stay, no...

Spectacular vistas of English and Falmouth Harbours from Shirley Heights Photo Credit Antigua Barbuda Tourism
Airlift, hotel occupancies, and first-time visitor arrivals are on the rise
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA JULY 2021: A steady increase in tourism arrivals from the United States and a surge in bookings from the United Kingdom is signaling that the bounce-back of the Antigua and Barbuda tourism sector has begun in earnest. “This is good news for the country’s economy, as our main source markets, r...

Easy like Sunday morning in Villa 20 at Round Hill Hotel and Villas
Laying claim to some of the best resorts, spas and restaurants in the Caribbean, Jamaica is a leader in luxury and it's where you’ll find the swankiest of the swanky in penthouse suites, charming cottages and villas that steal the show.
West of Montego Bay, Round Hill Hotel and Villas comes with a fabled past and guestbook that includes JFK and Jackie Kennedy, Prince Harry, Beyoncé and Ralph Lauren who designed 36 oceanfront ...

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY TRAVEL, CaribbeanTravel.com, and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -whe...

As travel restrictions loosen and the coronavirus curtain lifts, how about swapping the mandated monotony of pandemic lockdowns for an upscale vacation and a fruity cocktail by the water’s edge?
Go for the posh and check into a luxury retreat in the Caribbean where ritzy resorts are rolling out the welcome mat, and a stay in an oceanfront suite is the stuff of caviar dreams.
Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
On the only Caribbean island named for a woman, Jade Mountain is a modern marvel sitting prett...

Beachfront Resort in Puerto Rico Celebrates Special Occasions
The upscale Fairmont El San Juan Hotel sits pretty on Isla Verde Beach in San Juan Photo Credit Fairmont El San Juan Hotel
Sitting pretty on Isla Verde Beach, Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, is offering milestone celebration packages that have been missed over the last year. These customized “do-over” events include weddings, family reunions, honeymoons, babymoons, anniversaries, and birthdays, among many other unforgettable festivitie...

'JustBeNevis ' Celebrates the Island as a Wellness Destination
Yoga is a popular wellness activity on the island Photo Credit Nevis Tourism Authority
The Nevis Tourism Authority (NTA) is delighted to unveil a new tourism video called #JustBeNevis designed to share information on the island’s wellness experiences. “We are thrilled with the response which indicates that there is intense interest in Nevis,” said Jadine Yarde, CEO of the Nevis Tourism Authority, “we made a strategic decision to t...

Nassau will be the Homeport for the 'Adventure of the Seas' Cruise Ship
Kayaking with the dolphins is family fun on the water Photo Credit Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is thrilled to welcome back long-time partner Royal Caribbean International, as the cruise line announced that Nassau will be the homeport for Adventure of the Seas, beginning this June. The Bahamas Government and Ministry of Tourism have worked closely with Royal Caribbean t...

Pastel Pretty Resort Offers Free COVID-19 Testing and Affordable Room Rates
Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino is a 237-room family-friendly resort in Willemstad Photo Credit Renaissance Curacao Resort
WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao - March 2021 - Curaçao is once again open to U.S. residents with the Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino among the first resorts on the island to welcome guests from the U.S. With nightly room rates starting at $142.00 beginning April 4, and direct flights through Miami, Ne...

All-inclusive Resort will Debut Swanky New Suites, Restaurants, and Pools
Quiet nights and stunning sunsets at Sandals Royal Barbados Photo Credit Sandals Resorts
Sandals Resorts International continues its development in the Caribbean as Sandals Royal Barbados breaks ground on an exciting new expansion, just in time for the summer season. Set to premiere July 1, 2021, South Seas Village at Sandals Royal Barbados will be home to 66 new suites, bringing the total room count to 338, which inclu...

With social distancing and other safety protocols the new vacation norm, a holiday in a private villa could fit the bill if you're looking for a pandemic getaway. Toss the budget to the breeze and live the dream in your very own secluded Caribbean retreat under the tropical sun. Of course, be sure to check your destination's COVID-19 travel requirements before making plans. Scroll ahead to see options compiled by writer Melanie Reffes for USA TODAY on several popular islands, l...

Special to USA TODAY

The beach is just the beginning at a dazzling array of you-deserve-it villas in the Caribbean.

With social distancing and other safety protocols the new vacation norm amid the coronavirus pandemic, a holiday getaway in a private villa could just fit the bill. So why not toss the budget to the breeze and live the dream in your very own secluded retreat under the tropical sun over the holidays?

These Caribbean locales don't currently require visitors to quarantine upon arri...

Special to USA TODAY
The beach is just the beginning at a dazzling array of you-deserve-it villas in the Caribbean.
With social distancing and other safety protocols the new vacation norm amid the coronavirus pandemic, a holiday getaway in a private villa could just fit the bill. So why not toss the budget to the breeze and live the dream in your very own secluded retreat under the tropical sun over the holidays?
These Caribbean locales don't currently require visitors to quarantine upon arri...

Special to USA TODAY
The beach is just the beginning at a dazzling array of you-deserve-it villas in the Caribbean.
With social distancing and other safety protocols the new vacation norm amid the coronavirus pandemic, a holiday getaway in a private villa could just fit the bill. So why not toss the budget to the breeze and live the dream in your very own secluded retreat under the tropical sun over the holidays?
These Caribbean locales don't currently require visitors to quarantine upon arri...

Luxury in a Caribbean villa