s Cuba too trendy for its own good? The nation continues to play host to visiting American celebrities – most recent of whom was actor-producer Kevin Costner, who attended a private screening in April of his recent movie “Thirteen Days,” for the big kahuna himself, Fidel Castro. The film about the Cuban missile crisis was a box office flop at home (perhaps in part because of Costner's shrill interpretation of a New England accent), but news reports said that Castro was quite animated during the screening, identifying scenes and American officials that led to the removal of Soviet missiles in 1962. But don't look for a commercial release of the film in Cuba anytime soon. The following night, a sold-out public screening of “Thirteen Days” at the Charles Chaplin cinema received a lackluster response, with attendees comparing it to a typical Hollywood view of the world.

more current battle appears to be nearing a close. The eight-year-old confrontation between the U.S. and the European Union over bananas – with several Caribbean islands caught in the crossfire – is about to end, according to a recent announcement. In a nutshell, the dispute centered around the E.U. exporting bananas from its former European territories in the Caribbean at prices that subsidized frail island economies; the U.S. wanted bananas exported from less costly Latin American producers, which, not coincidentally, favored those controlled by Chiquita and Dole. The trade dispute resulted in $191 million in U.S. sanctions against E.U. exports, ranging from batteries to handbags. But the new kiss-and-make-up mood should have a positive effect on the economics of St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Dominica among others – islands that were heavily dependent on banana exports prior to the start of the trade imbroglio in 1993.

irline news. Air Jamaica is starting daily nonstop flights to Montego Bay on June 7, this includes almost daily flights from Boston. As a reminder, although AJ offshoot ECXpress folded last month, you can still use Montego Bay and Air Jamaica to get to other destinations in the Caribbean, including Cuba, St. Lucia, Barbados and Bonaire. Speaking of which, Bonaire – one of our favorite hideouts – will be served daily by American Eagle from San Juan, Puerto Rico, starting June 1. This special little island has always been hampered by minimal air access, but now will benefit from the increased airline service.

ut perhaps you want to stick around Jamaica? We want to give you a heads up on two hotels that we'll be adding to the next edition of R&R. Neither is exactly new, but one recently opened to guests, the other recently popped onto our radar. They are both in the Ocho Rios area, a city we have previously avoided sending you to, due to its crass embrace of cruiseship (and other) tourists. But as mega-boats take over an increasingly larger chunk of the Caribbean each year, Ochi (as it's called locally) is starting to stand out less. And both of the following spots will sequester you well away from the hustle-bustle.

Goldeneye, the one-time estate of Ian Fleming, is the newest addition to the Island Outpost empire of boutique hotels. If you've read through R&R properly, you know that Island Outpost runs three other Jamaican properties (and in the Bahamas and South Beach, Miami): Strawberry Hill, the Caves, and Jake's. We love how owner Chris Blackwell (who started Island Records – the company that imported Bob Marley to the masses, and later U2), imparts chic style without obliterating the distinctly Jamaican ambiance of these locales. Located just east of Ocho Rios, Goldeneye includes the former home of Fleming, which is still adorned by many of the author's original furnishings – even including the desk where James Bond novels were created. The three-bedroom home includes a high-tech media room, splendid outdoor bathtub and an elegant new pool. Original Goldeneye callers included Elizabeth Taylor and Errol Flynn; more recent guests include Martha Stewart, Jim Carrey and Harrison Ford, most of whom have planted a tree bearing their name (Ford's original tree didn't live long, so he planted another on his second visit – the trees also signify a $1,000 donation to a local charity). Island Outpost added a cluster of four new villas on the 15-acre estate; these are beautifully decorated with batiks, outdoor tubs and handcrafted sinks. A tiny private beach is located under the rooms, and watersports are also available; nearby activities include visits to Noel Coward's home Firefly, and rafting trips on the Rio Grande. Year-round rates: $600 for one-bedroom villas, including three meals daily, drinks, tax and service; $3,000 for the Ian Fleming house.

Hotels that hitch guests to a dining plan aren't usually places we gravitate to. After all, do you really want to be chained to your resort for all your meals considering the good restaurants available on some islands? One exception is the stalwart Jamaica Inn, which somehow produces a palatable combo: hefty summer discounts that incorporate a meal plan and good food. The hotel is the last of a breed – it's one of the classic resorts built in Jamaica in the 1950s that drew regulars like Winston Churchill and Alistaire McLean. Although the hotel is sometimes knocked as old fashioned or a bit stuffy, today's celebrity sightings might include I.M. Pei or Kate Moss, both of whom typify its eclectic but decidedly au current clientele. Fortunately, the resort broke with the jacket-and-tie policy last year and has gingerly spruced up the property by adding things like a fitness room, etc. But some things haven't changed: the periwinkle blue and white color scheme, bullshots on the beach (bullion and vodka) and, upon check-out guests are still presented by a hand-written bill rather than a computer print-out. It doesn't hurt that the pretty, cove-like beach is sequestered by peninsulas on each end that keep the riff-raff out. High season rates start at $600 – remember, that includes three meals daily – or a bargain $325 in summer.

e have been following the reopening of Sandy Lane on Barbados with – at first – great anticipation, then an increasingly muted outlook as the construction dragged on, and on, and costs mounted into the stratosphere. During the last three years, the famed resort has been entirely rebuilt from the ground up, and the final price tag is now estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars – with 114 rooms, it is surely the most expensive hotel ever built in the region (on a per-unit basis). The property finally, and very quietly, reopened a few months back. The result? Well, Sandy Lane has gone from being the most expensive hotel stay in the Caribbean to – well, even more. The cheapest room now starts at an eye-popping $1,400 a night in high season ($1,000 a night in summer). What does that price include? Well, with a rate card highlighting things like “complimentary fruit in-room on arrival, unlimited use of tennis courts, and weekly manager's cocktail party” – things that most above-average island resorts offer their guests – we were definitely wondering. We look a little further in the brochure description and discover that the 28 Orchid Suites (the least expensive berths on offer) encompass 779 square feet (bigger than many one-bedroom apartments), offer garden views, and have 21’ x 14’ marble bathrooms. Of course, other categories offer even larger accommodations, but all have plasma wide screen TVs, DVD player, stereo system, private bar, fax machine, and personalized butler service.

e still feel like saying “prove it” when it comes to determining it Sandy Lane is worth it. But we wouldn't turn down a stay if they offered it our way.

See you next month!