1 The Crane

Dudley “Sammy” King has been the Crane’s eye candy man for the last 30 years. Every morning, the 56-year-old rides his tricycle full of native flowers – birds of paradise, red ginger, orchids, anthuriums   across town to the island’s first ever resort, where he fashions the most fabulous arrangements. “I do about four or five arrangements a day,” he boasts.

Sammy’s blooms are just one of the delights of this dramatic clifftop hotel, which is a former private mansion, splendidly restored. Two new all-suite residences have 19th-century plantation details (12-foot pickled pine ceilings, coral walls and lots of sumptuous mahogany) and modern conveniences. (We particularly like the infinity pool in room 224A, not to mention the full-size kitchen and whisper-quiet central air conditioning.) Owner Paul Doyle (a Canadian) thought of everything, including the ocean view from your strategically located Jacuzzi bath. To dip a toe in the aquamarine surf, walk down the 94 steps to the pink sand beach. What more could you ask for – except a longer stay?

St. Philip, Barbados 246-423-6220 www.thecrane.com

2 Relaxing Hints

On Tobago, hanging out, alone or with friends, has been elevated to an art form – called “liming.” On the beaches of St. Martin, you can spend a day seeing who’s reading what. On Providenciales, or Provo, in the Turks and Caicos Islands, ask Captain Bill, the barman in the Grace Bay Club, for one of his concoctions, and go count sheep under the parasols. Or do absolutely nothing, nada – anywhere, any way.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos 1-800-946-5757 www.gracebayclub.com

3 Harl Taylor Bags

The client list for Harl Taylor’s haute straw totes (which incorporate traditional island weaving patterns) reads like a who’s who of high society, from Oprah Winfrey to New York socialite Nan Kempner. The 33-year-old Bahamian’s most recent project is the White Door restaurant, bar and atelier. You’ll find his bags there – and a good time too.

9 W. Hill St., Nassau, Bahamas 242-356-6782

4 Blanchard’s Chocolate and Apricot Bread Pudding

Bob is in charge of the dining room and the 3,000-bottle wine cellar; Melinda’s in the kitchen. Together, they bring life to Blanchard’s, Anguilla’s only four-star – but blissfully casual – beachside bistro. The couple, who sold their Vermont-based business to open the restaurant in 1994, make sure this place is pretense-free, from the menu (“I cook what I like,” says Melinda) to the decor (classic West Indian cottage-style).

Meads Bay, Anguilla 264-497-6100 www.blanchardsrestaurant.com

5 Covering All the Bases

The Caribbean World Series of baseball is on this month in Mazatlán, Mexico. You’ll need a good network of contacts to find decent seats, but the level of play is worth it. And every ball fan should make the pilgrimage to San Pedro de Macorís in the Dominican Republic. This town, 45 minutes outside Santo Domingo, has been manufacturing major leaguers for years. At Estadio Tetelo Vargas, you too can scout the next Guerrero or say “¡Hola!” to Elefante, the mascot of the hometown Estrellas de Oriente.

www.latinobaseball.com
Av. Circunvalación, San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic 809-246-4077 www.estrellasdeoriente.com