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{ HOTEL } { TECH } Know Thy Spotify S { By K.A. Murray } ince its U.S. launch in July, U.K.-based streaming-music service SPOTIFY (Spotify.com) has won over many a music fan with its simple functionality, deep music library (15 million tracks and counting, free to stream) and — for users who spring for the $10 a month Premium subscription — porta- bility. (Just sync tunes to your mobile device over Wi-Fi and you can listen anywhere, in- cluding in the subway or on a plane.) And thanks to a partnership with Facebook that allows users to broadcast recently played tracks and dig through friends' favorites, chances are that even the tech holdouts in your life are now dabbling in music stream- ing. Once you've joined the club, here are three ways to get the most out of Spotify: TAKE A COURSE IN MUSIC SNOBBERY. Don't have the time or the know-how to uncover the next best indie artist? Spotify recently added apps, with music-critic heavyweights like Rolling Stone, Billboard and Pitchfork serving up reviews and play- lists right on the music service's platform. It's now nearly impossible to claim to be "out of the loop." DISCOVER YOUR FAVORITE NEW BAND. Still prefer a slightly more old-school ap- proach? When you're in the mood for some- thing new, try one of the many sites devoted to Spotify playlists. Start with SPOTIBOT.COM, where simply typing in a favorite artist gen- erates a drag-and-drop list of similar sounds. Spotify.com lists many similar sources. SHARE THE LOVE. Spotify makes sharing playlists a seam- less endeavor. CREATE A PARTY PLAYLIST with friends via the collaborative feature, which allows multiple users to add tracks. Then send your playlists to friends through Facebook, Twitter or email. Get the latest Spotify news and tips on the company's official page or through unofficial (but in-the-know) sites like Pansentient.com St. Thomas Update { By Rima Suqi } Perched on a ridge between Pacquereau and Morningstar bays on the Caribbean island of St. Thomas is the FRENCHMAN'S REEF MARRIOTT & MORNING STAR BEACH RESORT. And it's held this enviable position, overlooking Charlotte Ama- lie harbor and vulnerable to the elements, just long enough to need "a little work." So last year, Frenchman's Reef was closed for six months to undergo a $48 million renovation. It completely transformed the property, inside and out. The hotel's 302 rooms have been redesigned in el- egant Caribbean shades of light blue, sage and cream (all rooms also give guests a view of the island, the harbor, two pools and the twinkling lights of the city beyond). Of the property's three pools, one is an adults-only infinity pool with a swim-up bar; another is located in the new 4,000-square-foot Lazule Sea Spa, which also has seven treatment rooms and the requisite outdoor massage cabanas. Two of the resort's eight res- taurants were re-envisioned in terms of design and menu, while Presto's Market, the gift shop and snack bar, was completely remerchandised. Some things, however, haven't changed: There's still an hourly shopping ferry to take guests into town, plus unexpected activities like night kayaking. And the island remains one of the few in the Caribbean that Americans can travel to without a passport. From $269, (800) 524-2000, www.frenchmansreefmarriott.com AA.COM/AMERICANWAY JANUARY 15, 2012 19

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