Oscar winners, sports stars and rock legends all flock to the Caribbean. Joanna Booth recommends hotels and resorts with star quality
It’s easy to see why celebrities love the Caribbean. Coral beaches and azure seas are perfect places to be snapped in that teeny bikini.
But even if you don’t have their budgets, it’s still possible to holiday like an A-lister. Here are some ideas.
St Lucia
St Lucia is a perennial favourite, hosting everyone from Amy Winehouse and Harrison Ford to Nelson Mandela.
Unless you’re a friend of Lennox Lewis and can kip at his pad, you’ll need a hotel. Footballer Sol Campbell chose the Jalousie Plantation near the Pitons and Ford went for Anse Chastanet.
Sample product:Abercrombie and Kent offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at Anse Chastanet from £1,185, including flights and transfers. The price is valid from October until November 15 (0845 618 2211).
Bahamas
Robert De Niro, Cameron Diaz and Keira Knightley have sunned themselves on the Bahamas’ palm-fringed beaches.
Mariah Carey reportedly got married there and tennis star Chris Evert wed golfer Greg Norman at the One&Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island in June.
Sample product:Kuoni World Class has seven nights at the Ocean Club, room only, including Heathrow flights and transfers, from £2,889 twin-share in November (01306 747 001).
Jamaica
JFK and Jackie O honeymooned here but these days you’re likely to spot a supermodel sunbathing. Kate Moss has checked in to the Strawberry Hill resort for a bit of rest and relaxation.
Sample product:Caribtours offers seven nights at Strawberry Hill from £1,582, including meals and British Airways flights, in October (020 7751 0660).
Barbados
Barbados has played host to both sporting royalty Tiger Woods, Michael Vaughan and Gary Lineker and the real kind, when Prince Harry romanced girlfriend Chelsy Davy there.
The Sandy Lane Resort is a celeb favourite, welcoming Wayne and Coleen Rooney, Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton, and Jemima Khan.
Sample product:Seasons in Style offers seven nights for the price of six at Sandy Lane in October from £2,490, including Gatwick flights, transfers, and a golf and spa package (four rounds and one massage per adult) (01244 202 000).
Antigua
Ben Fogle and James Cracknell spent 50 days racing across the Atlantic before they reached Antigua. But you can choose an easier option and fly like singer Leona Lewis, who has been spotted at the new Galley Bay spa resort.
Sample product: Caribtours offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at Galley Bay staying in a Gauguin Cottage from £1,709 including flights and private transfers, in October.
