Monthly Archives: September 2016

Big Changes at Sandals Montego Bay Resort in Jamaica

 

Sandals is continuing its Caribbean-wide renovation push with a major upgrade at its Sandals Montego Bay resort in Jamaica.

The property has unveiled a number of new changes, along with the completion of the Palms building, the introduction of new Romeo & Juliet signature Love Nest suites, a new bar and new beachfront “Millionaire” one-bedroom butler villa suites.

“We continue to invest in our product in order to exceed our guests’ expectations,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “The renovations at Sandals Montego Bay will offer guests our highest standard of luxury and unprecedented services, providing them with the best possible vacation experience.”

Sandals Montego Bay

The new Romeo & Juliet suites include king-size bed and HD smart TV, along with a spa-style bathroom with an overhead rain shower, a soaking tub for two and twin vessel sinks, while the extra-large balconies include the company’s “Tranquility Soaking Tub” for two.

The new Palms building includes a beachfront one-bedroom butler suite, a beachfront honeymoon walkout one-bedroom butler suite and honeymoon walkout club level junior suite.

That’s along with several more changes on the way, including a brand-new reception and lobby, new oceanfront swim-up butler suites and a new Water’s Edge honeymoon walkout club level room.

Sandals has been on a major push to upgrade its resorts across the region, with the biggest changes at its Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Jamaica.

The post Big Changes at Sandals Montego Bay Resort in Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Caribbean Hotels Occupancy Continues Decline

 

Caribbean hotel occupancy fell year-over-year last month for the 10th month in a row, according to hotel analytics firm STR.

The region’s occupancy was 66 percent in August, down 2.4 percent from August 2015, although the 2.4 percent drop was less than the 6.1 percent and 5.5 percent drops the region showed in June and July, respectively.

Average daily rates were down 10.8 percent in August, while RevPar, or revenue per available room, fell 12.9 percent last month.

For the year, hotel occupancy stood at 69.7 percent in August, down 3.6 percent from the first eight months of 2015, while ADR was down 3.4 percent to $228.03 and RevPar was down 6.9 percent to $158.88.

STR’s data surveyed 1,916 properties comprising 239,232 rooms in the wider region.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

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VIDEO: Screaming Eagle, the Best Place to Eat in Aruba

 

Finding the best restaurant in Aruba is simple: it’s Screaming Eagle, the eatery helmed by star chef Erwin Husken. Screaming Eagle is a hip, cutting-edge restaurant with a lounge layout (including, yes, beds) with a marvelous French fusion menu.

best place to eat in aruba

It’s a destination in its own right, and was our number one restaurant in the Caribbean in 2015. Here’s a look.

The post VIDEO: Screaming Eagle, the Best Place to Eat in Aruba appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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A New Music Festival on Anguilla’s Sandy Island

 

A new way to party on Sandy Island

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

The hand-painted sign on Anguilla’s Sandy Island famously states that music is provided by the “Seagulls, Wind and Waves Band.” But Mother Nature’s aural trio will have some stiff competition come November, when the idyllic offshore oasis hosts the first annual Livin’ In The Sun music festival.

Scheduled for November 11 to 13, the event will highlight “global music with EDM [electronic dance music] at its core,” says Simone Connor, who manages the sun-drenched .6-acre spit that lies just five minutes from the village of Sandy Ground and who conceived the idea for the festival. Headliners Walshy Fire of Major Lazer and Italian electro house duo Supernova will be joined by 11 other deejays from as far afield as Australia, France, and South Africa, who’ll perform alongside Anguilla’s top turntable talent DJ Sugar and Sandy Island’s house mixmaster, Yooshe.

The five-event schedule combines daytime concerts on Sandy Island with nighttime parties at the Dune Preserve, Anguilla Great House and Nat’s Place.

“Although this started as an initiative for Sandy Island, we’re working to make this a collaborative annual national event that will kick-start Anguilla’s tourist season a full month early, and therefore benefit everybody,” said Connor.

Tickets for nighttime events are $50, and the Sandy Island all-day concerts are $200, inclusive of food and drink.

Hotel partners include Zemi Beach House Resort & Spa, CeBlue Villas, LA Vue, Paradise Cove Resort and The Pavilion Inn.

For more information go to livininthesun.com.

The post A New Music Festival on Anguilla’s Sandy Island appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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VIDEO: A Caribbean Drive-in Volcano

 

It’s the only one of its kind in the world: a full-fledged drive-in volcano.

The Soufriere Volcano in St. Lucia is one of the island’s must-see attractions, a bubbling crater of sulphuric steam and rocky wonder that you can actually take your car into.

The crater itself collapsed almost half a million years ago, leading to its current state.

But its boiling evidence remains in sulphur springs that boil to 340 degrees — but if you want to take a dip, nearby springs are a little cooler and people-friendly.

And the latest CJ Video takes our drone right into the heart of the volcano.

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