Kú, Anguilla
The same team that guides nearby Cap Juluca, the "Today" show's destination wedding location last year, has now introduced Kú, a lower budget sister. This place had the same cachet but with white sandy beaches for less. There are 27 beachfront suites, situated on Shoal Bay East, on the northeast coast of Anguilla, which is eight miles from St. Martin. Lowest daily rate is $295 for an ocean/garden view suite. Kids under 7 are free when staying in the same room as the folks. Kú also offers packages for the New Year, available Jan. 3 through March 31. Rates for the seven-night Love at Kú range from $2,270 to $3,850, and from $1,205 to $2,110 for the four-night Escape to Kú, depending on time of year and type of accommodation.

Love at Kú includes accommodation for two, Continental breakfast daily and four dinners for two (drinks not included), a bottle of wine on arrival, a one-hour massage for two, sunset cruise, one-day car rental, welcome rum beverage, accommodation tax, service charge and arrival and departure taxi transfers. Package rates per couple range from $3,180 to $3,850, Jan. 3 through March 31 and from $2,270 to $2,540, April 1 through Dec. 14, 2006, depending on type of accommodation.

For a short getaway, Escape to Kú includes double accommodation, two dinners for two (drinks not included), a bottle of wine on arrival, sunset cruise, welcome rum beverage, accommodation tax, service charge and arrival and departure taxi transfers. From Jan. 3 through March 31, per couple package rates range from $1,725 to $2,110 and from April 1 through Dec. 14, 2006, $1,205 to $1,360, depending on accommodation. A maximum of two children under the age of 7 are free when staying in the same suite as their parents. Older children are $170 each and adults $410 or $505, depending on the season.

Air-conditioned suites feature an oceanfront or ocean view balcony, dining and living room with pullout couch in most suites, full kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. White and pale aqua walls and white tile floors form an understated backdrop for white furnishings and fabrics. All suites have a television, radio, DVD/CD player, ceiling fans and safe.

For reservations and more information, call Kú, 1-800-869-5827 or 1-264-497-2011; e-mail ku@anguillanet.com or, visit the Web site, KuAnguilla.com.

Cheapskate tools and trends
Holiday Home Exchanges
You can look for a job or post a toaster, a baby gate, furniture — just about anything is for sale on craigslist.com, the umbrella name for 190 community classifieds sites now available in all 50 U.S. states, and 35 countries. A very popular and growing listing is housing swaps, where people advertise their very own homes, looking to exchange them for vacation homes all over the world. Best of all, you post it for free, unlike homelink.com or intervac.com which charge a listing fee. One caveat, make sure that your homeowners’ insurance will cover you for a mishap in your home. Also, be sure to investigate the integrity of those you are swapping with. Another site, rentalo.com, is a search engine for rental properties worldwide and hooks up travelers directly with home or villa owner.

Cruising at the last minute
Cruise lines don't like to publicize it, but some, such as Carnival, allow you to show up at the pier with your luggage and ID and get on a cruise for cheap. There are many homeports located around the perimeter of the country, meaning passengers are just a drive away from a Caribbean cruise this holiday season. This can be risky because there are no guarantees, but it's worth it if you can be flexible. Sometimes you are better off just calling the cruise line a day ahead to see what last-minute discounts are being offered.

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