Hotels

Above: the new Riu Palace Antillas

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Aruba’s newest resort opened its doors on Oct. 11.

The new Riu Palace Antillas resort has debuted on Aruba’s Palm Beach.

The adults-only, all-inclusive property has a total of 482 rooms for an 18+ audience.

The property also has three restaurants, Krystal, Rimini and Malmok, joined a pool restaurant, two bars and a nightclub.

It is adjacent to Riu’s existing Riu Palace Aruba hotel.

Source by: http://caribjournal.com/2014/10/13/arubas-newest-resort-opens-doors/

Thompson Hotels is coming to the Caribbean

By Alexander Britell

Thompson Hotels is expanding to the Caribbean.

The company announced the planned opening of its new Thompson Playa del Carmen this fall on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, the brand’s first hotel in the Caribbean region.

The property will be located on the city’s bustling La Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue). The 92-room hotel will include a 30,000-square-foot rooftop with an infinity pool.

Built to resemble a billowing sail, the stunning architecture of Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai makes it one of the most photographed in the world. All rooms are luxurious suites spanning two floors with state-of-the art everything and incredible views. And beyond the unique over-the-top amenities like the attached heliport and hovering tennis courts, there is a vast array of futuristic dining and nightlife options. Their guest care is also seriously intensive. Upscale extras include in-suite check-in, 24/7 personal on call butlers, and a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce fleet, all catering to an extremely well-heeled VIP clientele that often includes royalty.


Source by: http://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/world/top-10-most-luxurious-hotels-world

A new boutique hotel in the Dutch Caribbean

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

There’s a new place to stay in Curaçao.

Bayside Boutique Hotel opened this summer at the Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort, less than 10 minutes from Willemstad.

The hotel has 36 rooms and suites, some with terraces and fully equipped kitchens. Amenities include Pictures, a Mediterranean restaurant and bar; a fitness center; infinity pool.



That’s in addition to two tennis courts; complimentary WI-FI; and free golf on the 18-hole Blue Bay course




Blue Bay beach is steps away from the property.

Source by: http://caribjournal.com/2015/10/29/curacao-has-a-new-boutique-hotel/

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Anguilla’s Zemi Beach House has begun taking bookings ahead of its February 2016 opening.

The property launched bookings Nov. 9 for stays commencing Feb. 1, 2016.

The boutique hotel will open with 70 keys, with an eventual expansion planned to 129 keys comprised of 54 hotel rooms and 50 luxury residences in a rental program managed by Trust Hospitality.

“As the Caribbean continues to heat up, Anguilla is experiencing a surge of growth and high demand by celebrities and the global jet-set community,” said Jeffrey Goldstein, partner at the Goldstein Family Partnership, the resort’s developer.  “Like many New Yorkers, we fell in love with Anguilla years ago and saw the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind resort that mirrors the transcendent nature of the island.”

Deluxe rooms with ocean views will start at $699 per night, according to the property.

Source by:http://caribjournal.com/2015/11/09/anguillas-zemi-beach-house-starts-taking-bookings/

By the Caribbean Journal staff

In a major boost to Haiti’s burgeoning tourism sector, Marriott International has announced that its Autograph Collection is expanding to Haiti.

The Habitation Jouissant boutique hotel in Cap Haitien will join the Autograph Collection in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The property will be Autograph’s third hotel in the Caribbean and will be Marriott’s second hotel in Haiti. Marriott opened its first Haiti hotel, the Marriott Port-au-Prince, earlier this year.

“We look forward to welcoming Habitation Jouissant to our growing global collection,” said Julius Robinson, Vice President & Global Lead, Autograph Collection Hotels.  “As we approach welcoming our 100th property by early next year, we know Habitation Jouissant will bring both a unique and culturally rich perspective to the portfolio when it joins in 2017.”

The property will undergo a “comprehensive overhaul” that will include the addition of 87 rooms, bringing the hotel’s total number of guest rooms to 100.

The hotel will see a new presidential suites, two restaurants, two pools, a fitness center and meeting rooms.

“We continue to seek out opportunities to bring leading hotel brands like Autograph Collection Hotels to Haiti in order to accommodate the impressive wave of international travelers visiting the region, specifically in Cap Haitien, “said Tim Sheldon, President of the Caribbean and Latin America, Marriott International.  “The opening of Habitation Jouissant reaffirms our commitment to the great nation of Haiti and to the global presence of Autograph Collection, one of our company’s fastest growing and most unique brands.”

Miami-based Hamed Rodriguez Architects will lead the expansion plans for the property, with International Design Concepts spearheading the interior design strategy.

“It is with a great deal of pride that we join Marriott International in their first venture in Cap-Haitien”, adds Fred Béliard, Chairman of the Fatima Group, and owner of Habitation Jouissant. “We are thrilled to not only be a part of Cap-Haitien’s history but we are also very proud to be part of its emergence and radiance with this new partnership. The North is a jewel. Its development, both touristic and economic, is essential to Haiti’s success. We are confident that our partnership with Marriott International is a turning point that will mark the beginning of many great endeavors for us and for our fellow members of the tourism industry in the North.”

Source by: http://caribjournal.com/2015/11/18/marriott-is-adding-a-second-hotel-in-haiti/

Major new project in Cayman

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

Kimpton Hotels has announced a November 2016 opening date for Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman.

It will be the San Francisco-based brand’s first hotel outside the continental US, and the first new development along Grand Cayman’s marquee beach in more than a decade.

The resort, which broke ground in 2012 and was recently topped off, is designed to be a “playful and sophisticated escape,” with an inventory of 266 accommodations (including rooms, suites, family suites, and beachfront bungalows), all featuring spa bathrooms, kitchenettes and ocean views.

There will also be two pools; a retail and restaurant promenade; and a spa. Owners of the resort’s planned 62 beach-view residences will enjoy access to the hotel’s amenities, a private social rooftop, and concierge service.

Part of the Intercontinental Hotels Group, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants operates more than 60 hotels and 70 restaurants in 30 North American cities, and is credited with introducing the boutique hotel concept to the United States.

The resort is owned by Dart Realty, a Caymanian investment and management company with more than 1 million square-feet of built assets, which includes the mixed-use development, Camana Bay.

Source by:http://caribjournal.com/2015/11/11/grand-caymans-kimpton-hotel-has-a-name-and-an-opening-date/

A new hotel has opened its doors in Negril, Jamaica.

The Cliff Hotel, overlooking the cliffs of Negril, officially opened on Tuesday.

The new property is a “reinterpretation” of the former Moon Dance Resort.

The hotel includes 33 suites and villas in a main building and four adjacent cottages.

“Our vision for this resort is to deliver an exceptional kind of luxury paradise that is second to none,” said Managing Director Mary Phillips. “The Cliff is an exclusive hideaway offering high-quality experiences for those who want to escape the outside world and indulge in great culinary offerings enveloped in a relaxed atmosphere. We will work hard to ensure that The Cliff is among the best hotels in Jamaica and the Caribbean.”

The property also includes the Ki’Yara spa, which focuses on using indigenous Jamaican ingredients including botanicals and herbs.

The property has a pool and offers special access to a nearby beach club on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach.

Source by:http://caribjournal.com/2015/12/01/negrils-newest-hotel-is-now-open/