No-brainer Caribbean vacations

For those who like to walk to dinner
The essential luxury for Caribbean-loving foodies is to stay in a charming little resort within walking distance of an entire collection of noteworthy restaurants. Booking a room at any of the following properties places you lip-smack in the middle of one of the region’s three best dining scenes.

Grand Case Beach Club, St. Martin
You can’t fling a crepe in Grand Case without hitting a world-class chef (who will fill it with something delicious and feed it right back to you). At the north end of town, the homey Grand Case Beach Club lets you enjoy the beach by day and stalk sumptuous meals by night. No-Brainer restaurant picks among the village’s three dozen or so include: L’Auberge Gourmande, Le Pressoir, Rainbow, Le Cottage and Le California. From $135 per day in low season ($175 high). 800-344- 3016; www.grandcasebeachclub.com

Hotel Carl Gustaf, St. Barts
The hills of Gustavia make for especially good exercise after a great meal. With incredible views, sumptuous beds and private plunge pools, the “Carl” could easily be a romance No-Brainer, but a week of room service would be a waste when the town includes such bistros as Wall House, Pipiri Palace, La Mandala, Le Sapotillier and Le Select. And don’t forget the Carl Gustaf itself, Gustavia’s must-do sundowner spot as well as one of the island’s top restaurants. From $807 per day in low season ($1,367 high). 011-590-590-29-79-00; www.hotelcarlgustaf.com

Hotel El Convento, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Even the Carmelite nuns who resided in El Convento back in 1651 would have a hard time resisting the earthly temptations of the hot new restaurants firing up this fascinating section of San Juan. Get your fill of Spanish colonial history — both in the hotel and all throughout Old Town — as you sample the fare at Dragonfly, Parrot Club, Trois Cent Onze, Aqua Viva, Barú, Casa Borinquen and Amadeus. From $235 per day in low season ($365 high). 800-468-2779; www.elconvento.com

For those who want it all (included)
It doesn’t get more hassle-free than a stay at a resort that rolls meals, beverages, tips, entertainment and activities into one price. Today’s top all-inclusives offer multiple restaurants, plenty of sports (some even include scuba diving and golf) and lots of entertainment — all enjoyed without ever whipping out your wallet.

Riu Hotels & Resorts
This European chain offers three styles of resorts in the Caribbean: Classic (Paradise Island, Jamaica, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Dominican Republic, Cuba); the activity-oriented ClubHotels (Jamaica, Playa del Carmen, D.R.) and the more luxe Palace category (Aruba, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, D.R.). Sample rates: From $75 per person per day at Hotel RIU Naiboa, D.R. From $99 at ClubHotel RIU Tequila, Playa del Carmen, Mexico. From $321 at RIU Palace Aruba. 888-666-8816; www.riu.com

Sandals/Beaches
At the Caribbean’s dozen couples-oriented Sandals (located on Antigua, Nassau, Jamaica and St. Lucia), king-size beds anchor every room, and there are as many as eight restaurants at a single resort. Beaches is the family-style brand, with four resorts (Jamaica and Turks and Caicos) where little tykes can mingle with their Sesame Street heroes while Mom and Dad sip margaritas poolside. Sample rates (two-night minimum): From $235 per person per day at Sandals Inn, Jamaica; 888-726-3257; sandals.com. From $290 at Beaches Sandy Bay, Jamaica; 888-898-3628; www.beaches.com

Superclubs

Zach Stovall A couple walks on the beach at the all-inclusive, Sandals Negril.

From its six classic Breezes resorts (Nassau, Curaçao, Jamaica and D.R.) to luxurious Grand Lido Braco (Jamaica) and Grand Lido Negril to kid-friendly Starfish Trelawny (Jamaica) and adults-only, anything-goes Hedonism II and III (Jamaica), SuperClubs has you covered — whether you’re looking for a vacation that’s nice or naughty. Sample rates (two-night minimum): From $199 per person per day at Breezes Montego Bay, Jamaica. From $224 at Grand Lido Negril, Jamaica. From $135 at Hedonism III, Jamaica. From $99 at Starfish Trelawy, Jamaica. 877-467-8737; www.superclubs.comI

For those who dig cruise control
It’s tough to beat a cruise as a No-Brainer: You unpack once and then swoop around a large chunk of the Caribbean without ever having to leave your floating resort. You may not get more than a superficial taste of the destinations, but you do get to eat like every meal is your last. The single most important choice to make is the style of ship. There are basically three kinds, and one of them should be just right.

Boutique
Your billionaire buddy invites you to sail the Caribbean on his megayacht. He also asks along about 100 of his other friends, none of whom you know. In the intimate atmosphere, though, you all get along swimmingly. What? No billionaire friend? No invite? No worries — simply book a cruise on one of these ships:

Seabourn Legend: From $2,987 per person for a seven-day cruise. 800-929-9391; www.seabourn.com

Windstar Wind Surf: From $1,749 per person for a seven-day cruise. 800-258-7245; www.windstarcruises.com

Windjammer Barefoot Legacy: From $900 per person for a seven-day cruise. 800-327-2601; www.windjammer.com

Mid-size
These boats are less about the spectacle and more about the cruise, though they’re still big enough to provide passengers with a variety of dining and entertainment options. The best we’ve seen:

Regent Seven Seas Voyager: From $2,498 per person for a seven-night cruise. 877-505-5370; www.rssc.com Crystal Cruises Crystal Serenity: From $3,180 per person for a 10-night cruise. 888-722-0021; www.crystalcruises.com Holland America M/S Noordam: From $1,199 per person for an 11-day cruise. 877-724-5425; www.hollandamerica.com

Mega
There’s an arms race to put the most outlandish thing aboard one of these spectacular megaships to entertain the 1,500-plus passengers. Already, full shopping malls, ice rinks, climbing walls, bowling alleys and wave pools have hit the high seas. Next up, NASCAR races or Bullfighting rings? Three of our favorite big ships are:

Celebrity Constellation: From $999 per person for an 11-night cruise. 877-202-4345; www.celebritycruises.com Carnival Carnival Glory: From $429 per person for a seven-day cruise. 888-CARNIVAL; carnival.com Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas: From $429 per person for a five-night cruise. 866-562-7625; royal caribbean.com

Caribbean Travel & Life is the magazine for anyone in search of the perfect tropical getaway. Each issue presents expert insider’s advice on where to find the Caribbean’s best beaches and attractions, its finest resorts and spas, liveliest beach bars and activities, and its friendliest people.

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