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INDAGARE’S GUIDE TO LAST-MINUTE HOLIDAY AVAILABILITY 2007

All of the openings listed are time-sensitive (many are recent cancellations) and will fill quickly. Act fast to reserve.

ST. BARTH’S

• Wimco has several villas available for the holiday period, ranging from one- to four-bedrooms. Most are only available until December 26/27, but Sib Mou, a 2-bedroom, is available for the entire period (for photographs for the property, click here)

THE GRENADINES

• Raffles Resort Canouan Island: Two Golf Villas, one with 3 and one with 4 bedrooms, are available as are some Personality Suites, which are great for large families (Raffles’ terrific Sugar Palm Kids Club draws nearly all families at the holiday season). Golf Villas: $10,000 a night; Personality Suites $3,250 a night. There’s a ten-night minimum during the holiday season (December 16-January 6) and guests must arrive on or before December 24. 800-768-9009; www.canouan.raffles.com.

MEXICO

• Costa Careyes: A great houses in this exclusive community is back on the rental market for and available for up to 14 days: Casa La Belle, an oceanfront six-bedroom ($75,000 for up to 14 days). There are also two 3-bedroom casitas available at Costa Careyes. Both have ocean view and small pools ($24,000 with daily maid service). +52 (315) 3510 240; www.careyes.com.mx.

• Punta Mita: Las Palmas de Punta Mita has 4 villas available for the holidays, including two 3-bedrooms, a 4-bedroom and a 6-bedroom. All are located within the gated community of Punta Mita and are located on the Four Seasons golf course. Villas offer fully-equipped kitchens, spacious living areas, outdoor patios and dining area, private infinity-edge pools, daily housekeeping. Guests have access to the Punta Mita Beach Club with pool, restaurant, sports equipment, etc. Private chefs and transportation can be arranged. 800-367-7052; www.premier-laspalmas.com.

ANTIGUA, WEST INDIES

• Jumby Bay: There are three Estate Homes available for the holidays on this exclusive 300-acre island resort: La Casa, Eagles Landing and Carisbrooke. Privately owned, these sumptuous homes have multiple bedrooms, gorgeous pools and private beaches, though guests also have access to all the island’s resort amenities (Jumby Bay is managed by Rosewood). There’s a full staff for each home. $165,000 inclusive for 10-nights. For more details and photographs of the houses, contact: www.jumbybayresort.com or 888-rosewood.

BAHAMAS

• Kamalame Cove: The more than 7,000-square-foot private villa on Kamalame Cay has just become available for the Christmas and New Year’s period. There is a 10 night minimum stay at the usual price of $6,000 per night. 5 night minimum stays will be considered up to and departing 27th December and 28th December – 2nd January, at a cost of $8,500 per night. If the stay is between 5 and 10 nights, the first 5 nights will be @ $8,500 per night and the remaining at the $6,000 rate. www.kamalame.com.

BARBADOS

• Two villas are available through Altman (www.aaaltman.com): The four-bedroom Mullins View at Sugar Bat (for photographs of the property, click here), at $1,700 a night. And two 2-bedroom units at the Palms at Schooner Bay (for photographs of the property, click here), at $1,100 a night.

NEVIS

• Nevis: Lee Lee (www.wimco.com), a villa rented through Wimco, is available unitil January 7 with a seven-night minimum. 800-449-1553.

ST. JOHN

• Wimco has four villas left, including the newly completed Mas Gin (www.wimco.com), and the five-bedroom Mas Yla (www.wimco.com), both available through January 5.

ST. MARTIN

• La Cure has three-, four- and five-bedroom villas available for two-week minimum stays on St. Martin. Rates range from $9,500 to $14,000 per week. Click here to see the four-bedroom www.lacurevillas.com. Contact: tim.roney@lacure.com.

ST. THOMAS

• Most Wimco villas on St. Thomas, all of which have a ten-night minimum during the season, are open only until December 27. Ma Sev (www.wimco.com), a one-bedroom is open until 12/31; and Ma Sir (www.wimco.com), an 8-bedroom has availability from 12/28 through 1/05.

• La Cure has a two-bedroom residence at the Ritz-Carlton (www.lacurevillas.com) and a three-bedroom residence at the Ritz-Carlton (www.lacurevillas.com). Contact: tim.roney@lacure.com.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

• There’s a 10-14 night minimum at Wimco’s five available villas on Tortola and most properties are only open through 12/27. Secluded three-bedroom Mat Tar (www.wimco.com) can be rented from 12/29 through 1/05.

• La Cure has a four-bedroom villa, which accommodates ten people, available on Virgin Gorda located on the Little Trunk Estate for a ten-night reservation at $17,000 per week. For photos, click here Contact: tim.roney@lacure.com.

ACAPULCO

• La Cure has a six-bedroom villa with a pool and staff in the Las Brisas enclave with views of Acapulco Bay. There’s a two-week minimum reservation at $4,340 per night. www.lacurevillas.com. Contact: tim.roney@lacure.com.