12 Distinctive Tropical Resorts

From singles and families to gourmands, golfers and divers, these vacation retreats appeal to specific interests

By Jennifer Davoren

With a cocktail in one hand and a beach towel in the other, you're starting to feel that you're just one lounge chair short of the perfect vacation day. You spy one in a sunny spot by the resort's pool and, ready for some quiet, waterside loafing, you start to settle in -- but your noisy neighbor isn't one for keeping the peace.

"For most singles on vacation, there's nothing worse than trying to relax by the pool and hearing a child throwing a temper tantrum," says Dixie Turner, assistant manager of the singles department at national travel agency Vacations To Go.

In search of age-appropriate activities, Turner recently led a group of singles to an adults-only resort in the Bahamas. Restricted to guests ages 18 and up, Breezes Bahamas by SuperClubs provided the grown-up setting that Turner's group needed for their vacation.

Parents and small children can find an escape that suits them, too. Family-friendly destinations dot the tropics, with many providing special programs for teens, tweens and tots. Children's networks like the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon have expanded their reach to sponsor activities at beachside resorts, and hotels around the Caribbean, Mexico and the Bahamas now offer the best in distractions for kids.

There are resorts for all types, from gourmands to golfers. Below, we've picked a dozen destinations that cater to a number of niches -- romantics, gamblers, tennis buffs and bikers, for instance -- so you can create your perfect vacation. Some are all-inclusive, meaning that hotel accommodations, some activities, meals and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are included in one price that's paid up front.

Information: To book a stay at any of the following resorts, visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 998-6925.



Parents laud FDR Pebbles, an all-inclusive, 3.5-star resort in Falmouth near Runaway Bay, Jamaica, for its vacation formula. Here, families can come together for a splash in the pool, a leisurely game of beach volleyball or a casual meal at an authentic Jamaican restaurant. When the kids tire of togetherness, teens can meet their peers for a soccer game or a scuba diving lesson, while the little ones are free to pursue activities and games at the Yellow Bird Kids' Club. Adults can sneak off for some private time, too, while FDR's certified vacation nannies -- complimentary during the day and just $4 per hour after 4:40 p.m. -- supervise the children.



Jamaica's stunning Seven Mile Beach in Negril is the setting for a romantic getaway to the five-star, all-inclusive Couples Swept Away Negril. Passionate pairs will lose themselves in this tranquil setting, where privacy is paramount. Lush tropical foliage shields suites and poolside lounge chairs, allowing couples to steal a peaceful afternoon in the sun. Spa treatments include in-room or seaside massages for two. For an underwater rendezvous, certified scuba divers are treated to two free dives per day. Six dining options also await, but many guests are especially found of Feathers, the resort's gourmet Caribbean-inspired restaurant, and a luxurious breakfast-in-bed program.



Turner suggests Breezes Bahamas by SuperClubs, the site of her recent group trip to the tropics, as the perfect spot for singles. This adults-only, four-star resort on the edge of Nassau helped Turner's guests mix solitary relaxation with meet-and-mingle activities, including toga parties and casino nights. "The daytime activities range from beach bowling to tennis, bicycling to water volleyball, and they even had a trapeze!" Turner says. Guests can try the flying trapeze and a trampoline at the all-inclusive resort's "circus school."

"Also, in the evening, the resort had a band and a piano bar," says Turner. "We normally got together before dinner at the piano bar, but after dinner it was off to the resort's disco. We had a great time and danced the night away."



Romantics praise Sandals Resorts for their atmospheric hotels and rambling, amenity-filled grounds. Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa is no different, offering the breathtaking beach, laid-back elegance and all-inclusive rates that make the brand so popular among vacationing couples. The WeddingMoon package is available to guests staying seven nights or longer and includes a marriage license, officiate, bouquet, boutonniere, and a small reception for four people. Couples can upgrade to a larger, more elegant ceremony for an additional fee, with flowers and other decor designed by trendsetting event coordinator Preston Bailey. Located on Dickenson Bay in Antiqua, Sandals Grande Antigua includes charming "rondovals" among its accommodations -- freestanding, circular suites that open onto the beach or private plunge pools.



A guest's first glimpse of Jamaica's five-star Grand Lido Braco Resort and Spa will be of its executive golf course, with nine pitch-and-putt holes spread across Runaway Bay's most scenic territory. Golfers can get in a bit of practice time here before taking advantage of the resort's all-inclusive vacation package, which includes greens fees at SuperClubs' private 18-hole, PGA-rated course at Runaway Bay, and at Ironshore Golf and Country Club, a demanding par-72 course in Montego Bay. Transfers to the courses are complimentary. Carts are available at an extra charge, and caddies are mandatory and also require an additional fee. Grand Lido Braco has a full list of spa treatments to soothe tired shoulders and aching backs after a day on the fairways.



Spanning 600 lush, verdant acres on the western coast of St. Lucia, Anse Chastanet Resort is a naturalist's dream. Cyclists like the four-star resort complex for its access to the Bike St. Lucia trail system, which covers 12 miles of breathtaking scenery through the island's jungle interior. Customized trails accommodate riders of all skill levels, with plenty of novice and expert terrain to satisfy visitors. A skills course and training area are available for warm-ups and personalized instruction, and a 4,000-square-foot outfitter supplies riding gear. Anse Chastanet also issues each guest a safety helmet and water bottle.



Swim alongside the largest and oldest coral reef in the Americas at Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort, a five-star, all-inclusive destination in Cozumel on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts are drawn to this cool Caribbean coastline, where Fiesta Americana offers a private pier, gear rentals, certification courses and daily boat trips for seeking out that perfect dive spot along the southern reef zone. Though scuba rentals incur an additional charge, snorkeling equipment is included in the resort's all-inclusive vacation package. The Fiesta Kids Club offers land-based activities to keep young guests occupied during their parents' dive times.



The La Terraza Tennis Center at Casa de Campo, a five-star resort on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, has been compared to the fabled courts of Wimbledon. Thirteen clay courts await at this coastal complex, with nine teaching pros, 16 private instructors and 32 ball boys on hand to optimize racquet time. Night play is available for diehards looking to perfect their game under a starry Caribbean sky, while a pro shop offers equipment rentals and new tennis gear. Other recreational diversions at Casa de Campo include golf, bicycling, horseback riding, skeet shooting and an array of water sports.



Taste the tropics at the CuisinArt Resort and Spa, the premiere gourmet destination in Anguilla. Guests can sample the sensational fare at any of the resort's three restaurants and tapas bars. For a hands-on approach, you can participate in cooking classes and daily preparation demonstrations, just a few of the foodie activities available for would-be chefs. An on-site hydroponic farm and a series of organic gardens provide fresh Caribbean herbs, fruits and veggies, and guests can pick up a few tips for growing their own at home. The five-star CuisinArt Resort also offers the only full-service spa in Anguilla, with treatments inspired by produce harvested on-site.



The all-inclusive Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort in Cancun provides an ideal home base for exploring the Yucatan Peninsula. Guests of the five-star property who enjoy history and archaeology will be close to the region's most storied Mayan ruins, including sites at Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum. Palace Resorts bundles unlimited free tours of the ruins into its Palace Passport program, allowing all guests booked for three nights or more to trace the growth of ancient Mexico. The perks also include a $50 voucher toward a round of golf on a private Jack Nicklaus course and a $15 coupon toward any treatment at the resort spa.



Atlantis, the Bahamas' 2,300-room, five-star megaresort on Paradise Island, boasts the largest casino in the Caribbean. The gambling complex spans the length of the hotel's seven-acre lagoon and contains 800 slot machines and 78 Vegas-style table games. There also are simulcasts and wagers on live U.S. sporting events. Skill levels vary among games, but the casino offers daily lessons in baccarat, craps and Caribbean stud poker for novice players. In the coming months, Atlantis will sponsor a series of blackjack tournaments and guest giveaways with cash prizes between $25,000 and $100,000. In addition to cash winnings, casino guests are able to earn complimentary resort services, discounts on future room rates and invitations to special gaming events.



Peer through Las Ventanas al Paraiso -- "windows to paradise" -- and see some of the most indulgent spa treatments available at this 5.5-star retreat in Los Cabos, Mexico. In a secluded garden setting of desert flora, guests can pamper themselves with holistic treatments and native healing rituals to mend body and soul. Above and beyond traditional massages, Las Ventanas provides treatment sessions that incorporate aromatic oils, local herbs, plant medicines, soothing milk-and-honey baths and relaxing therapies for a full physical and mental makeover. Guests swear by the resort's array of stone therapy treatments, which bond humans with the healing rhythm of the Earth.

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