Monthly Archives: October 2017

Sandals Planning to Open Two Resorts in Tobago

 

By Alexander Britell

Sandals Resorts International is expanding to a new Caribbean island: Tobago.

Sandals has signed a memorandum of understanding to bring both its Sandals and Beaches brands to Tobago.

Sandals Resorts International Chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart said plans were underway to develop two resorts on a site he called “magnificent.”

Tobago remains one of the Caribbean’s under-the-radar destinations.

“We look forward to being a part of the Tobago hotel community as it’s a place I have been interested in for 14 years,” Stewart said in a statement. “It’s an incredible island with warm people and they have a lovely hotel community. We have been very comfortable dealing with the various officials on the island and look forward to what the future holds.”

Tobago would be the first new destination for Sandals since it first opened Sandals Barbados in 2015.

The company has several other properties in the works, including the soon-to-debut Sandals Royal Barbados, an all-suite resort, and a Beaches property in Barbados.

Sandals Resorts International operates resorts under the Sandals brand on six islands with 16 resorts, with a total of three Beaches branded resorts in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos.

The post Sandals Planning to Open Two Resorts in Tobago appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Rum Journal: Tasting Grenada’s Westerhall 10XO

 

It’s the late afternoon in Grenada, and just about any rum would work well while bobbing in the sparkling waters of Grand Anse Beach, but this one is special.

This is Westerhall 10XO, perhaps the best rum from Grenada (competing with Clarke’s Court #37 expression for that honor) and it’s, well, terrific.

Grenada has long been one of the Caribbean’s under-the-radar rum destinations, thanks to a rather broad portfolio of rums across three main brands: Clarke’s Court, Rivers (produced at the legendary River Antoine distillery) and Westerhall.

It’s the last one that primarily focuses on the rum connoisseur, with elegant bottling and refined expressions.

While Westerhall’s rum itself comes from Trinidad, the Westerhall Estate’s specialty is in the blending and bottling of rums, and that’s why the rum stands out.

Westerhall 10XO is a blend of rums aged for a minimum of 10 years, and the result is a complex but eminently drinkable expression.

10XO has a sweet aroma of candied fruit and a hint of citrus peel. The flavor profile includes velvety hints of orange peel, spice, black pepper, candided fruit, oak, banana and a a finish that’s tart at its core but ultimately proves to be sweet and round.

The verdict? A Grenadian star.

Rum Journal Rating: 93 points.

The post Rum Journal: Tasting Grenada’s Westerhall 10XO appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Disney’s New Cruises in the Caribbean

 

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Disney Cruise Line is expanding its offerings to the Caribbean for 2019, the company announced this week.

The new slate of sailing is highlighted by three special “Disney Wonder” cruises from San Juan to the southern Caribbean, with six and seven-night voyages in January 2019.

Disney is also offering a wave of options from Port Canaveral, with Disney Fantasy sailing seven-night Caribbean voyages and Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

In 2019, Disney Magic will sail four and five-night voyages to the Bahamas. along with five-night trips to the Western Caribbean.

All cruises departing from Florida between January and May stop at Disney’s Castaway Cay private island in the Bahamas.

The post Disney’s New Cruises in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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VIDEO: Checking in to the Ritz-Carlton, Aruba

 

By Guy Britton and Alexander Britell

There’s something very civilized about a cold beer delivered right to the beach by waiter on a Segway.

And it doesn’t hurt when that happens on one of the world’s greatest beaches.

This is Palm Beach, a sparkling stretch of almost blindingly white sand that’s home to the leading luxury resort in Aruba: The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, a 320-room property that’s a simply terrific execution of a beach resort.

And then there are the amenities: the 15,000-square-foot spa, the superb new coffee bar, the casino, the lobby lounge, and, perhaps most importantly, BLT Steakhouse, which just might be the greatest steakhouse in the region.

A classic luxury hotel, a magnificent beach: that’s a special combination that adds up to what is the most luxurious resort in Aruba – and one of the Caribbean’s greatest beach resorts.

See more in the latest Caribbean Journal video at the top of the page.

The post VIDEO: Checking in to the Ritz-Carlton, Aruba appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Palace Resorts Planning Punta Cana Expansion

 

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Palace Resorts is expanding with another new resort project in the Caribbean.

The company has announced plans to open a new Punta Cana all inclusive in the Dominican Republic.

The move was first announced by Gibran Chapur, executive vice president at Palace Resorts during the company’s recent global conference in Jamaica.

The company has not revealed the size or specific location of the project yet.

The Dominican Republic will be the third destination for the brand, which has a total of 10 resorts across Mexico and Jamaica, under the Palace, Moon Palace and Le Blanc brands.

The post Palace Resorts Planning Punta Cana Expansion appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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