Vacationing like a star

Photo credit: Urbanite

By Emily Mathis

Special to amNewYork

Celebrities are luxury travel gurus. With mind-blowing budgets and flexible schedules, they’re well-versed in global jet-setting. Here is a list of up-and-coming and tried and true celebrity hotspots, with some suggestions for us mere mortals. Dubai: This playground for the richest of the rich boasts the world's only seven-star hotel, Burj Al Arab. David Beckham gave an $8 million Dubai mansion to his in-laws, and is looking to a buy a unit in the Burj Dubai — set to be the tallest building in the world.

Despite the country’s stand against homosexuality, Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson are reportedly looking at a $1.5 million property at the famed Palm Island development.

Splurge like a celeb: Designed to look like a billowing sail, the Burj Al Arab is the most luxurious hotel in the world. The pampering begins from the moment a chauffer picks you up in a Rolls Royce. Nights cost anywhere from $1,300 to $13,000. http://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/Destinations/Dubai/Burj-Al-Arab/

For mere mortals: The four-star Country Club Hotel, sandwiched between beautiful beaches and the city, offers rates for just $110/night. TheCountry-Club-Dubai.hotel-rez.comEleuthera, Bahamas: Surrounded by the Atlantic to the east and Great Bahamas Bank to the west, this one-mile wide island is certainly off the beaten track. The island’s pink sand beaches, ancient coral reefs, and relative seclusion are just a few of the reasons Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer chose it as the site of their Valentine's Weekend getaway.

Splurge like a celeb: The on-again off-again couple stayed at Gregory Town, where many private luxury homes are available for rental including the famed, Windemere Island, where the royal family used to stay. Average rate is $2,000/week. For mere mortals: Prices for villas and cottages at Gregory Town are more manageable: The Oceanfront Bahamas Villa can be rented for $995/week. La Tera Resort offers rooms and apartments for anywhere between $85-$185/night. Cheaper still is a dorm option during off-season at The Island School on Cape Peninsula. Contact school for pricing IslandSchool.org.

Eleuthera-map.com

St. Lucia

Earlier this year, English singer Amy Winehouse took an extended break from her tumultuous London life and found peace on this Caribbean Island.

Splurge like a celeb: With its "“Gives us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind," motto it isn't hard to see why Winehouse holed up at the posh Le Sport hotel. The hotel's Body Holiday package promotes wellness, relaxation and rejuvenation through exercise, good food, great facilities, and anything else your heart could desire. Book by April 30th for travel through October for rates as low $230/night. 800-544-2883 or TheBodyHoliday.com

For mere mortals: The plantation-style Bay Gardens Hotel is offering $77/night rates on their standard rooms.

BayGardensHotel.com

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