Category Archives: Island Life

Hyatt to Open New Adults-Only Resort on This Caribbean Island 

Hyatt is opening a new adults-only  resort on the tiny island of Isla Mujeres on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. 

And now it has an official opening date. 

The new all-inclusive Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres will welcome its first guests on March 15, 2023, according to parent company Apple Leisure Group, which is part of the Hyatt portfolio. 

It’s a major branded boost for tiny Isla Mujeres, one of the most beloved small islands on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

It will have a decidedly intimate feel, with 125 rooms, all of which will be suites, all with views of the ocean — and all with butler service. 

The resort will feature eight different dining concepts, along with nine different bars, from a “water lounge” called Hamaca to a rooftop bar called The Top. And yes, there will be a swim-up bar, too, called Barecito. 

Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres will also be home to a signature Secrets Spa, with six treatment rooms, three of which are specifically designed for couples, along with Hammam therapy.

Perhaps the most unique amenity is the private boat service option from the mainland of Cancun, with travelers arriving at a special waterfront bar called the “yacht welcome lounge” to kick off their stay. 

It’s the latest addition to Hyatt’s growing all-inclusive portfolio — and AMR Collection’s fast-expanding group of luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, buoyed by Hyatt’s acquisition of Apple Leisure Group last year. More notably, the resort is also part of the World of Hyatt loyalty program.

What one of the restaurants will look like. This one is called La Vista.

When it opens, it will be the 14th Secrets-branded resort in Mexico alone. The AMR Collection has a total of 18 Secrets resorts in the wider Caribbean region. 

Prices at Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres will start at $473.50 per person per night, according to the company. 

For more, visit Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres

The post Hyatt to Open New Adults-Only Resort on This Caribbean Island  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Travelers Are Flocking to Curacao Right Now 

It’s hard to say precisely when the renaissance began. 

It might have been in March, when Curacao became one of the first Caribbean destinations to remove its pre-testing requirements. 

Or perhaps it was June, when the new Sandals Royal Curacao opened its doors as the brand’s first resort in the Dutch Caribbean. 

What can’t be argued is that the island of Curacao is in the midst of a full-fledged tourism renaissance, welcoming record-breaking numbers of travelers. 

And the island just hit another milestone, topping 400,000 visitor arrivals in the first 10 months of 2022. 

The Baoase Luxury Resort in Curacao, recently named Best Luxury Resort in the Caribbean.

That was yet another month in which the island topped its record highs from 2019, before the onset of the pandemic. 

“The recovery of the pre-pandemic performance continues as we move towards the end of this year,” the Curacao Hotel and Tourism Association said in a statement. 

But the biggest change, one that does happen to coincide with the arrival of Sandals, is a surge in travel from the United Sates. 

For years, Curacao struggled mightily to attract American visitors — this summer, though, that started to change significantly, with record US visitation every month since the opening of the all-inclusive. 

In October, for example, the island reported 9,166 American visitors – more than double the 4,040 Americans that came to destination in October 2019. 

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Best Western’s new hotel in Curacao.

For the year, visits from the US and Canada are up by 171 percent compared to the first 10 months of 2019. That includes a rebound from Canada, now that Air Canada and WestJet have resumed flying to Curacao. 

That’s not to stay that Europe is not still the island’s tourism stronghold, however, with European arrivals to Curacao seeing similar surges compared to the pre-pandemic era. 

“Curaçao continues to see a great performance from its top three main markets; The Netherlands, United States of America and Colombia,” the Curacao Hotel and Tourism Association said. 

If the next two months follow suit, Curacao tourism officials expect to see an all-time record for travelers in a calendar year, more than the previous high of 467,538 arrivals back in 2019. 

The post Travelers Are Flocking to Curacao Right Now  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in St Maarten

St Maarten has everything: the beaches, the restaurants, the nightlife, the shopping, the gaming. It’s one of the most diverse, cosmopolitan, fun-filled places in all of the Caribbean. 

And this is the island’s epicenter: Maho Beach, the heartbeat of St Maarten, where the planes make their spectacular landings, the sand sparkles an impossible white and the energy never stops. 

It’s fitting, then, that Maho is also home to St Maarten’s two best resorts, both of which happen to be of the all-inclusive variety. 

The Sonesta is set in the epicenter of St Maarten.

This is the Sonesta St Maarten, an all-inclusive destination that comprises two resorts: the signature Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino and Spa and the adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point Resort.

First there’s the Ocean Point, set on one of the most stunning perches in the Caribbean, high above Maho Beach, with a sleek, crisp design, outstanding food and a serene (but energetic) ambience. It’s also home to a clutch of swim-up suites. 

Swim-out rooms at the Sonesta Ocean Point.

It’s as good as an adults-only experience gets in the Caribbean, with 130 suites in a “resort within a resort” concept that means Molton Brown amenities, an ultra-chic beach-style rooftop pool and personalized concierge and butler service for the top-level suites. 

The all-inclusive offering even includes a stocked, daily-refreshed mini bar, along with special events, 24-hour room service and a high-tech fitness center. 

Then there’s the 420-room Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, the family-friendly destination resort, the one with the Beach House Kids Club and Aqua Park, a tech-filled Teen Zone, a wonderful spa and a signature swim-up bar. That’s along with a rich menu of daily entertainment with everything from dance classes to poolside bingo to bocce ball and karaoke. 

The main pool at the Sonesta Maho.

All-inclusive resorts are the hottest thing in Caribbean travel right now, with more and more brands entering the all-inclusive space as more and more travelers seek out resorts where they never have to take out their wallet. 

But Sonesta has been doing this in St Maarten for decades, honing the art of the Caribbean all-inclusive. 

An even on an island with so much to do, with so much calling you beyond your resort, the Sonesta strikes the perfect balance: you can stay all day at the resort, or you can venture out for unique experiences or haute cuisine dinners.

Either way, you’ll never forget you’re in St Maarten. 

It’s an island that has everything — just like the Sonesta. 

For more, visit Sonesta St Maarten

The post The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in St Maarten appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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7 Reasons to Visit the Cayman Islands This Winter

The Cayman Islands has always been a great destination for a luxury beach or dive vacation, appealing to both romantic couples and families. But with travel restrictions finally lifted this summer, there are even more reasons to start planning a winter getaway in the Caymans.

The event draws some of the world’s top chefs, including host Eric Ripert.

The Return of Cayman Cookout

The grills and ovens at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman went cold for two years during the pandemic, but the Cayman Cookout food festival is coming back in 2023. Scheduled for Jan. 9-15, this elite event gathers top chefs and mixologists from all over the world to show off their talents and share their food during a series of exclusive demonstrations. A handful of demos are priced around $100, but prices go up with name recognition at an event that attracts the like of Emeril Lagasse, Tom Coliccio, and Jose Andres. If you want to have event host Eric Ripert cook you a meal aboard a private jet, it will set you back a mere $25,000.

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Little Cayman in the Cayman Islands.

Fly Nonstop from the West Coast

Hawaii and Mexico are the usual sun-and-sand vacation go-to destinations from the West Coast, but Cayman Airways is making it easier for travelers to choose the Caribbean instead. On Nov. 6, the airline launched nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) in Grand Cayman, with introductory fares starting at $399. The flights will operate through March 2023, with weekly departures from LAX (Saturdays) and Grand Cayman (Sundays). Onboard amenities will include rum punch service and Business Class seating.

Rum Point Reopening

As posh as Grand Cayman’s west coast is, Rum Point has always been a lower-key option. The frozen mudslides will start flowing again on the north shore, with the Wreck Bar and Grill set to start serving up jerk pork and fish and chips fried in Caybrew batter again this winter. Grab a hammock or hop on a Red Sail Sports charter to Stingray City, then settle into the dining room at the Rum Point Club for ceviche and seafood hot pot. Closed since October 2021, Rum Point is expected to be fully reopened by the end of 2022.

A New Waterpark at the Kimpton

The SPLASH waterpark is the newest amenity at the family friendly Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman. Opened in June 2022, the aquatic play area includes kid-sized waterslides, splash areas, and fountains. Alongside the fun is an educational mission, with park elements designed around local flora and a host of interactive features, like a spinning rock made of Grand Cayman’s native limestone.

Crystal Caves Eyes Some Added Zip 

Most of the attractions at Crystal Caves have understandably been underground, but one of the Cayman Islands’ most popular attractions is casting its eyes skyward with plans to add a new zip line along with an underground restaurant. Meanwhile, Crystal Caves reopened in November 2022 and resumed its 1.5-hour limestone cave tours, which are paired with a half-hour nature walk through the surrounding tropical forest.

Stay on Seven Mile Beach for Less

Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach is loaded with upscale resorts, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to stay there. The Hampton by Hilton Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach hotel, which opened in late 2019, has room rates starting under $300 a night (trust us, that’s a bargain), and also accepts Hilton Honors points as payment for stay. In addition to a pleasant pool area and freshly made over rooms, stays include a daily hot breakfast.

Go Veggie (or Vegan) on Grand Cayman

Vegetarians and vegans can dive into great food in the Cayman Islands. The new Edgy Vedge restaurant in West Bay is a fully plant-based eatery and marketplace with indoor and outdoor seating, and joins Island Naturals, VIVO, and Bread and Chocolate as Grand Cayman restaurants offering vegetarian and vegan dining. In addition to meat-free comfort food, Edge Edge serves cocktails, beer and wine and has as marketplace for when you prefer to bring your meal to your beach or room rather than dining in. Also new on the island are San Si Wu Noodle Co. in George Town, which has handmade Chinese noodles and dumplings made fresh daily.

The post <strong>7 Reasons to Visit the Cayman Islands This Winter</strong> appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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9 Little Caribbean Islands For Your Next Vacation

They’re hard to get to and harder to leave, where you fall in love the moment you land (or step off the boat). We all dream about these tiny places scattered across the Caribbean, with few people, few hotels and infinite tranquility. 

We’ve gathered some of our favorite minuscule destinations in the Caribbean for your holiday planning, with a range of “little” islands as far north as The Bahamas and as far south as the edge of the Caribbean Sea. 

None of them can be reached directly; they all require either a second flight or a boat ride from the “mainland.” But journeys like these always reward travelers. 

Here are 9 “little” Caribbean islands for your imminent Caribbean getaway. 

Green Turtle Cay, The Bahamas It’s a short ferry ride from the “mainland” of Great Abaco: Green Turtle Cay, less than 1.5 square miles and long one of the best-kept secrets in The Bahamas. There are beautiful beaches, a pair of lovely hotels (The Bluff House and the Green Turtle Club) and a colorful town called New Plymouth with rich history — including the birthplace of the Goombay Smash. 

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Terre de Haut, Guadeloupe.

Terre de Haut, Guadeloupe Few travelers are familiar with the French Caribbean department of Guadeloupe, and even fewer realize it’s actually an archipelago. The crown jewel of the island chain is Terre de Haut, the headquarters of an even smaller archipelago called Les Saintes. It’s a slice of Brittany in the French West Indies, with a fishing-village vibe, terrific bars perfect for a ti’ punch and a quiver of secluded, stunning beaches, most notably the Caribbean’s minuscule “Sugarloaf.” 

The HIdeout on Jost Van Dyke.

Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands It is most famous for the world-renowned Soggy Dollar Bar, but this three-square-mile jewel is far more than just a beach bar. Sugar-white-sand beaches, lovely little eateries and, most importantly, a growing stock of boutique hotels, from the soon-to-debut Sandcastle (yes, you can actually sleep at Soggy) to the spectacular new Hideout, which in just a few months is one of the best hotels anywhere in the British Virgin Islands.

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Villa Bellissima in St Barth.

St Barth There’s no more luxurious — or glamorous — place in the Caribbean than St Barth, a slice of the French Riviera with a Caribbean soul. While you may know the super yachts and the luxury brands, tiny St Barth is an endlessly playful, fun-loving, breezy place, whether you’re at the island’s top hotel, Le Barthelemy, or tucked away in a WIMCO villa. It’s notoriously difficult to get to, with a tiny runway that doesn’t facilitate direct flights — but thankfully there’s luxury airline Tradewind Aviation that flies scheduled and charter service out of San Juan. 

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Little Cayman.

Little Cayman, Cayman Islands Yes, they mean it when they say little. There are less than 200 people living here full time, the sort of lovable place where chickens roam the runway and the there’s only one road. You’ll fall in love immediately with its elevated level of chill, and two beloved resorts: the Little Cayman Beach Resort and the Southern Cross Club. If you’re a diver, this is as good as you’ll find anywhere on earth. If you just want to laze on an empty beach all day with a cold beer, it’s just about perfect. 

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Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island in The Bahamas.

Harbour Island, The Bahamas Set just off the coast of north Eleuthera (and five minutes from North Eleuthera International Airport), this is The Bahamas’ capital of chic, a place where you get around on a golf cart, spend your afternoons on the world-class Pink Sand Beach and your evenings with breezy, water’s edge seafood dinners. Whether you’re at the legendary Dunmore resort or the historic Pink Sands, there’s no place in The Bahamas quite like it. 

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The Bequia Beach Hotel.

Bequia, St Vincent and the Grenadines It’s just seven square miles but it feels far larger. Bequia is a bucket-list destination for many Caribbean aficionados, and when you get here, you see why. The people are almost impossibly friendly, the beaches (and the beach bars) are superb and the island’s maritime history and centuries-old maritime history gives Bequia an almost New England-meets-the-Caribbean vibe. 

South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Turks and Caicos has been one of the hottest Caribbean destinations since the onset of the pandemic, but that demand is still almost exclusively concentrated in Providenciales. Venture farther off into the remote islands of TCI and you’ll discover an entirely different universe — like 18-square-mile South Caicos, home to three resorts, from the luxe Sailrock to the family-friendly East Bay Resort. It’s a secluded, raw, stunning island. 

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Culebra, Puerto Rico This isn’t the Puerto Rico you know. Far from the bustle of San Juan, this gem of the so-called Spanish Virgin Islands (along with Vieques) is a place to turn down the volume on your life. There’s just one notable hotel, Club Seabourne, and a cluster of villas scattered across the island. And then there’s the centerpiece: Playa Flamenco, the ultra-calm, impossibly white beach that’s among the best anywhere in the Caribbean. 

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