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Caribbean celebrity hot spots
Has the Caribbean gotten sunnier or is it the extra wattage from all the stars there? We're not the only ones who love the crystal blue water, powdery sand beaches and laid-back lifestyle—celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Mel Gibson and Brad Pitt are flocking to the Caribbean as well. A quick plane ride from anywhere on the East Coast, the area provides an easy getaway for red-carpet walkers needing to recharge their batteries. Whether on a honeymoon or on vacation, high-profile VIPs choose from a variety of luxury resorts and out-of-the-way islands that provide a welcome break from the limelight.
One of the most well-known yet exclusive vacation spots is Richard Branson's estate on Necker Island. Although it's his own private island in the British Virgin Islands, the manse can be rented out (for a steep rate, of course), and A-listers like Mel Gibson and Oprah Winfrey have enjoyed its open, Balinese-style guesthouses.
See our slideshow of Island Hopping with The Stars.
As a vacation home spot, the Caribbean tops the list for the kind of traveler who can buy instead of rent. For instance, when New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg visits his estate on Tucker's Point in Bermuda, his neighbors include Ross Perot and Michael Douglas. Those more interested in setting sail often spend a considerable amount of time in the Caribbean on their yachts. Two other billionaires who can be regularly found there are Microsoft founder Paul Allen, who docks in St. Barthélemy in the French West Indies, and Oracle's Larry Ellison, who favors the Yacht Haven Grande, a marina in St. Thomas.
The privacy and luxury of the Caribbean's elite resorts nurture a blooming romance—which make them perfect honeymoon spots. The Seinfelds and the Afflecks both honeymooned at Parrot Cay in the Turks & Caicos while Courtney Cox Arquette and husband David Arquette paid La Samanna in St. Martin a post-nuptial visit. To escape the Hollywood glare, stars often plan a destination wedding, like Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber's ceremony at the One&Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas. Likewise, Tiger Woods and wife Elin Nordegen tied the knot at Sandy Lane in Barbados.
The slow pace of life and laid-back attitude of the Caribbean draw many travelers who are looking to unwind. Perhaps this explains the region's popularity among celebrities with fast-paced lives. Some choose total seclusion on a private island like Cayo Espanto off the coast of Belize, which has welcomed Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart and Tiger Woods. Other stars prefer resorts tailored to their lifestyle. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt stayed true to their do-gooder's mission by vacationing at the luxe eco-resort Caneel Bay on St. John.
For those of us without bold-faced names, the Caribbean offers experiences that are as close to the A-list life as you can get—minus the movie credits. With its rich showbiz past and present, the Gloria Vanderbilt suite at the Hotel El Convento in Puerto Rico might sprinkle your life with some fairy dust. Or a stay at the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Suite at Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort could have you thinking about re-painting your house white. Go where the stars are: read on for more ideas about celeb-spotting in Caribbean.
See our slideshow of Island Hopping with The Stars.
Round Hill
A native of Montego Bay, Kinsley started as a bellman at the hotel in 1972 and is now Chef Concierge.
BEST RESTAURANT
House Boat.
BEST GIFT FOR A SPOUSE
A diamond bracelet from Casa de Oro.
BEST GOLF COURSE
The White Witch Golf Course at the Ritz Carlton, Rose Hall.
BEST DAY TRIP
A visit to the colony of Maroons at Accompong.
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