Dance & Beaches in Grenada & Jamaica - The Lazy, Crazy Guide to Sand Land

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The Lazy, Crazy Guide to Sand Land
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By Granville Greene


	A thin slice of paradise: Grenada's Sandy Island (Corel)

JAKE'S JAMAICA: Eclectic Jake's, part of the super-chic Island Outpost group (owned by Island Records' Chris Blackwell), is an intimate jumble of adobe buildings—accented by a thumping reggae soundtrack—atop a south-coast cliff near Treasure Beach's dark sands. Denizens of cool are many here—you could bump into Bono in the mosaic-tiled saltwater pool if you're not lazing about in Seapuss, Sweetlip, or one of the 11 other brightly painted gingerbread cottages done up with island paintings. Be sure to try Jake's pumpkin soup at the restaurant (doubles from $95; 800-688-7678, www.islandout post.com/jakes).

BEST DANCE CLUB

Salon Rosado de La Tropical
This is the hottest salsa venue in Cuba—and therefore the world. You can't help but get your bacon shakin' at this giant outdoor arena, where you can catch white-hot acts such as NG La Banda, Los Van Van, Paulito y su Elite, and other Cuban greats along with thousands of gyrating fans. Salon Rosado is in a barrio of Havana on 41st Avenue between 46 and 44, Municipio Playa.

HOTEL DESEO, MEXICO: Pack the Gucci shades—this "hotel and lounge" on Playa del Carmen's Fifth Avenue places a heavy emphasis on the lounge part of the equation. Note the Euro-tinged accents wafting through the air as bronzed gods and goddesses sun away last night's party on daybeds lining the upstairs deck. Grab a cerveza at the bar, then hop in the outdoor Jacuzzi. The 15 elegantly sparse guest rooms—grooviest on the Mayan Riviera—feature marble toilets and clawfoot tubs (doubles from $118; 011-52-984-879-3620, www.hoteldeseo.com).

LALUNA, GRENADA: Sixteen airy villas—each with a Balinese four-poster bed and an expansive private deck that includes a plunge pool—cover a hillside above Laluna's secluded beach. Welcome to an Italian-owned and -designed enclave of fabulousness near Morne Rouge. When you're not diving or kayaking, sample the fresh Mediterranean pasta in the beachside restaurant and keep an eye peeled for former megamodel Jerry Hall (doubles from $270; 473-439-0001, www.laluna.com).

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