Hotels

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

A major new condo-hotel project is coming to the Bodden Town area of Grand Cayman.

The project comes as a result of an agreement between the government of the Cayman Islands and Beach Bay Land Limited.

The estimated $200 million project could be another boon for the island’s Eastern Districts, which most recently saw the debut of the much-celebrated Health City healthcare hub.

“We recognize – no, we know – that all of our districts have to be a part of the sustainable development that epitomizes the economic future of the Cayman Islands,” said Cayman Premier Alden McLaughlin. “This development is going to be one of the largest of its kind east of Seven Mile Beach for which the Cayman Islands is so popular.”

The project will include a five-star hotel at St James Point in Bodden Town, the first of its kind in the area.

“This is the first major hotel and condo development for Bodden Town, helping us fill out needed hotel room stock giving our visitors a tranquil experience away from the hustle and bustle of George Town and Seven Mile Beach,” the Premier said.

Source by:  http://caribjournal.com/2015/10/12/a-major-new-hotel-project-in-the-cayman-islands/

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The San Juan Marriott has a new general manager.

The Puerto Rico property has named Jose Gonzalez its new GM, it announced this week.

Gonzalez comes to the hotel after previously serving at the JW Marriott Caracas.

“We’re delighted to have Jose join our executive team,” said Joaquin Cruz, Director of Marketing at San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. “His experience across different Marriott properties is invaluable and will be key to our team’s ongoing success.”

Gonzalez’s previous stops include serving as general manager at the Renaissance Hotel and Resort Costa do Sauipe in Brazil and, before that, General Manager at Renaissance Jaragua Hotel and Casino in Santo Domingo, among others.

“I’m thrilled to make the move to ‘la Isla del Encanto’ and very much look forward to collaborating with my new team to continue to provide a memorable and cultural experience for our guests,” said Gonzalez.

Source by: http://caribjournal.com/2015/10/31/san-juan-marriott-names-new-general-manager/

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Dominican Republic’ Eden Roc at Cap Cana resort is undergoing a major renovation of its beach club.

The $5 million project includes renovations and refurbishments to the beach club facilities.

The first phase of the project is slated to be unveiled Dec. 1, with new elements including thatched roofs, natural woods and coralina stone, among other features.

The second phase will see the existing Grill restaurant “refashioned” into a new destination including Nikkei and Robata cooking techniques, a cigar cellar, a wine showcase and live music.

The project is being accompanied by the addition of 52 new beachfront suites at the hotel.

Source by: http://caribjournal.com/2015/11/01/eden-roc-at-cap-cana-is-transforming-its-beach-club/

By Guy Britton MONTEGO BAY — We had questions. Was it Zilara and Ziva or Ziva and Zilara? And which one was which?  Apparently others have the same questions, so on a recent trip to Jamaica we made a reservation at the new Hyatt Ziva and Zilara to see what all the fuss was about.




After all, these are just new rooms at a remodeled Ritz Carton, right?  Wrong! What they did at this property is nothing short of extraordinary. What they managed to pull off was maintaining the best parts of the former Ritz Carlton property and creating two new hotels on either side.  Joined but unique, separate and quite simply beautiful.



The Ziva has 386 suites with 25 swim-up suites and accommodates guests of all ages.  The Ziva has nightly entertainment, a swim up bar, a rooftop bar, sports bar and shopping.

Source by: http://caribjournal.com/2015/11/07/exploring-hyatts-all-inclusive-resorts-in-jamaica/

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/