PHOTO: A from-above view of the tiki bar and beach scene at the Hilton Curacao in Willemstad. (photo courtesy of Antonio Nakasato/Flickr)

Caribbean resorts are heading into the key winter season with new accommodations, amenities, facilities and services.

Several of the developments are centered in St. Maarten. For example, the Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino recently completed in-room renovations including new teak tables and chairs on balconies, new mini bars, and WiFi access, plus personal butler service for guests in Miramar Wing suites.

Meanwhile, the Towers at Mullet Bay is nearing the completion of a multi-million dollar renovation scheduled to conclude the first week of February. The renovation will include room upgrades plus a renovation of the hotel's bar and redesigned exterior landscaping.

Another St. Maarten property, the Sapphire Beach Club Resort, recently unveiled a newly-renovated bar and restaurant. Also Baker's Suites, an all-suites boutique hotel, recently opened in the Simpson Bay district.

The Hilton Curacao in Willemstad recently completed a renovation of its 196 guest rooms, which includes new executive floor rooms and an executive lounge offering sweeping ocean views plus daily continental breakfast and light snacks and beverages throughout the day to guests in executive accommodations.

The resort’s refurbished rooms feature new wood-toned furnishings and redesigned bathrooms with stone vanities, porcelain tile, glass showers and new fixtures. All accommodations feature high-definition LCD televisions, alarm clock with MP3 player connections and high-speed Internet access.

Breezes Bahamas opened The Banana Boat, a nautical-themed restaurant that replaces the resort’s former main dining room. The new $1.5 million facility seats 300 and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and a midnight buffet. The buffet-style restaurant features a sushi bar, carving station, cheese and wine station, and salads, antipasto, bread, soup and daily specials.

The Banana Boat also offers the Captain’s Table, a private dining option seating up to 10 with waiter service in an alcove off the main restaurant.