Recommend July 2014 - (Page 24)

This photo: Caneel Bay in St. John offers pristine surroundings. Center: The very hip Jake's in Jamaica's south coast. Bottom: Accommodations at The Buccaneer in St. Croix. Ocean View (from $195) or One Bedroom Ocean Front (from $295). The Family Package ($1,705 for up to four for seven nights in a 2-bedroom cottage through Dec. 14) offers a little taste of what Jake's does best: ﬁshing with a local ﬁsherman, bicycle riding in this safe neighborhood, and touring a small farm. U.S. virgin islands CONCORDIA ECO-RESORT, ST. JOHN Created by ecotourism pioneer Stanley Selengut, this hillside collection of eco-tents and bona ﬁde cottages has a swimming pool, restaurant (in season), washing machines, yoga and watercolors instructors, massage therapists, movie nights, traditional crab races, weekly cultural events in season, an excursions desk, and free parking. The hideaway also sits right next to the National Park, which brings us to its raison d'etre. Although St. John has dreamy beaches like White Sand Beach, just a 15-minute walk or 5-minute drive from Concordia, this hideaway is designed for nature lovers who want to engage with the whole island, not just the beach. (Therefore, 95 percent of them rent cars.) Concordia serves clients who'll want to hike in the 60 percent of the island that is part of the National Park, go diving and snorkeling (St. John's underwater trail is also part of the park), rent kayaks, and maybe hang out in Cruz Bay, a laid-back village whose vibe is equal parts surfer, Bohemian, and West Indian. Rates start at $126 per night dbl for an "eco-tent," but we strongly recommend some real walls and kitchen facilities: the Full Kitchen Loft for families (from $175 to Nov. 14) or, for couples without kids, the just-renovated Ocean Queen (from $232). Both have kitchens, as mentioned, plus balconies with water views and proximity to the grill deck and pool. CANEEL BAY, ST. JOHN This genteel classic might not seem to ﬁt into the same article as a full-bore eco-resort like Concordia, but remember: It was created by the same Rockefeller who donated the land for St. John's National Park, and despite ownership changes Caneel's mission remains the same: recharging amid nature. There are no high-rises, casinos, loud electronic games, speakers playing techno music, and buzzing jet-skis, and there never will be. Caneel Bay arranges scuba diving, ﬁshing, and day-trips to other islands, but it also offers plenty of onsite experiences: art and exercise classes, spa services, tennis, a pool, seven(!) beaches, hiking, sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and spectacular snorkeling (the corals are in good condition, and each beach attracts different creatures, including giant turtles). The exceptional children's program (3-11) helps kids understand and enjoy Caneel's natural wonders. And talk about experiences: At Zozo's, guests can dine in an historic sugar mill. The 166 rooms and suites have an old-money, restful look that employs natural materials, earth tones, and instead of TVs and telephones, lovely views. (A few years ago Caneel ﬁnally installed air conditioning, but many guests still open their louvres to the breezes and turn on the overhead fans.) Rates start at $399 with breakfast; the Beach Front rooms start at $529. In addition to 24 july 2014 22-25 CB JamUSVI.indd 24 recommend.com 6/24/14 8:45 AM http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend July 2014

Editor’s Notes
Hotel Desk: EVEN Hotels
Tour Talk: Back-Roads Touring
Pick a Theme...Any Theme on the High Seas
Jamaica & the USVI: Not the Jimi Hendrix Experience
Guadeloupe: Culture, Rum, the Sea, & That Volcano
5 Active Trips in the States
Ski Adventures Across North America
Argentina & Uruguay: A Traditional Feast
Alma del Pacifico, Costa Rica
Rwanda & Uganda: In the Footsteps of Gorillas
Dreamy Puerto Vallarta
Borneo, the Bountiful

Recommend July 2014