Count down to 2010 with a glittering beach-side party

Exclusive villa enclave Cotton Bay Village in Saint Lucia will welcome in 2010 with a huge gala dinner, to celebrate the end of its first year since being comprehensively revamped under new management.

Guests booking for New Year’s Eve before October 31 can take advantage of an early bird offer and enjoy the evening’s festivities free of charge, plus seven nights for the price of six – a total saving of over £300 per person.

Celebrations will kick off with a cocktail party reception at 8pm, after which guests can choose between a five course menu in the resort’s fine dining restaurant, Piano Piano, or a more informal surf ‘n turf feast right by the shore at The Beach Club 14° 61°. The party will continue after dinner when the dancing gets underway, with fire eaters and a centrepiece bonfire on the beach from 11pm. A dazzling firework display will mark the stroke of midnight, with the party set to continue into the early hours.

Younger guests will have their own special celebrations, with a dedicated menu for children aged 12 and under served at 6.30pm at The Beach Club 14° 61°, followed by a party at the Hummingbird Kids’ Club - including watching live coverage of London’s magical midnight festivities at 8pm local time. Kids can then rejoin their parents for the Cotton Bay Village beach spectacular at 11pm.

Carrier (carrier.co.uk) offers a New Years Eve package at Cotton Bay Village from £1,860 per person staying in a Tamarind Residence, based on two sharing.

The package includes seven nights accommodation for the price of six, return economy British Airways flights departing from London Gatwick, private transfers, and complimentary New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, including wine and Champagne served at the cocktail reception and dinner – saving over approximately £300 per person.