The San Juan Marriott has appointed a new top chef: Marcelo Dante Filosi Bordenave.

The new hire will be executive chef and director of food and beverage, with a mandate to build on the property’s “urban resort” concept.

He had most recently served as the executive chef and director of food and beverage at the JW Marriott Hotel Bogota in Colombia and at the Renaissance Sao Paulo Hotel in Brazil.

“We are thrilled to have Chef Dante join our San Juan Marriott family, and we are confident his culinary experience and unique approach will take the resort’s F&B to the next level of excellence,” said General Manager José González-Espinosa.

To book a stay at the San Juan Marriott, click here.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

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JetBlue has added another big name to its Mint premium cabin experience.

The carrier has announced a partnership with New York City-based culinary company Milk Bar, which specializes in desserts and baked goods.

Beginning in April, all JetBlue Mint travelers will receive a pre-arrival Milk Bar cookie, while redeye flights will include Milk Bar’s HardBody green juice and bagel rounds.

“I spend a lot of time on airplanes lately,” said Christina Tosi, founder and CEO of Milk Bar. “My secret travel trick when traveling to our Milk Bar stores and kitchens in NYC, DC, Las Vegas and beyond is to sneak a Milk Bar cookie on board to help me power through the flight. That’s why I was beyond pumped when JetBlue approached us with the opportunity to make their Mint experience a little sweeter. Whether it’s one of our signature Milk Bar cookies, Hard Body cold-pressed juice, or everything bagel round after a redeye, Milk Bar has you covered – on the ground or all the way up at 30,000 feet!”

JetBlue currently operates its Mint premium cabin service to a host of destinations in the Caribbean, including Aruba, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Maarten.

“We have some of New York’s best hometown brands on board JetBlue Mint and Milk Bar will fit right in,” said Jamie Perry, vice president of marketing.“The bakery, known for its delicious delights, broad culinary following and loyal fan base compliments Mint’s unique menu and will have our customers tickled Milk Bar pink with every sweet or savory treat they receive.”

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Eden Roc at Cap Cana has completed the addition of 26 two-bedroom beachfront suites, rounding out an expansion that has already revealed a renovated Beach Club with infinity pool; ocean view fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art machines, aero yoga and wellness areas; BLUE Grill + Bar; and refreshed private beach with bar.

One of just four Relais & Chatêaux properties in the Caribbean, Eden Roc hosts a diversity of offerings, including casita-style Boutique Suites and two multi-bedroom villas, all with private pools and other amenities, and now premium beachfront suites.

Two new room types include Beachfront One-Bedroom Suites and Beachfront Two-Bedroom Suites.

The rooms are decorated with a rustic palette of sand and gray tones, natural woods and chic fabrics– staying true to the destination with handmade Dominican art and sculptures in each suite.

All suites have a full ocean view with a terrace or balcony.

Each is stocked with plush goose down duvets and pillows by Hanse, with luxurious bed linens, plush bathrobes and slippers by Rivolta Carmigani.

Bedrooms and living spaces feature satellite TV on 55-inch LCD flat screens, entertainment system with Bose surround speakers, and a smart technology iPad to control light, electronics and sound via the resort’s dedicated app.

A work area, full kitchen and dining set for six people round out the new accommodations experience.

As with every Eden Roc at Cap Cana stay, all rooms include private transportation from and to Punta Cana International Airport, full American breakfast (served daily at the BLUE Grill + Bar and Mediterraneo restaurants), Wi-Fi, and daily housekeeping and concierge service.

The private Beach Club extends the resort out to the Caribbean Sea and provides an intimate setting shaded by palm trees, thatched umbrellas and daybeds.

In addition, the resort features three dining outlets, spa and fitness facilities, and access to the amenities of the Cap Cana community.

Guests will enjoy golf, a full marina, equestrian center and outdoor pursuits from zip lining to water sports, and more.

To book a stay at Eden Roc at Cap Cana click here. 

— CJ

The post How to Stay on the Beach in Cap Cana appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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When a company like Mount Gay releases a new rum, there’s a lot riding on it.

For the self-styled birthplace of rum, the epicenter of rum-making in the English-speaking Caribbean, a new rum has to honor, celebrate and, ultimately, transcend its pedigree to be judged a success.

That’s why it was such a delight to see Mount Gay’s flagship 1703 rum take home the Rum of the Year crown in last year’s Rum Awards.

But the company’s latest release takes things to a different level — the new 2017 edition of 1703.

It’s now been rebranded as the 1703 Master Select blend (it was formerly 1703 Old Cask Selection), still a blend of copper column and pot still rums from reserves ranging between 10 and 30 year-old rums.

Mount Gay Master Blender Allen Smith is the man behind this blend, which is released in just one batch each year with only 12,000 bottles distributed worldwide and sets the standard for rums in the English-speaking Caribbean and the wider region.

So what’s it like?

The color is the classic Mount Gay amber, with a light, sweet aroma.

The flavor profile is marked by almond, vanilla and caramel, nut and even a hint of marzipan.

But what sets this rum apart even from last year’s release is its exceptional lightness.

Last year’s edition was a bit more robust, a bit bolder, a bit, dare we say, rougher around the edges.

This one is exquisitely smooth, harmoniously balanced and almost impossibly delicate.

It’s the latter that’s remarkable for a rum — it achieves transcendence through its delicacy, melding flavor and texture into a new kind of dimensionality for rum.

It’s an impressive feat.

In short, the newest 1703 is a masterwork — and it lives up to the legacy of Sir John Gay Alleyne.

— CJ

The post Rum Journal: Mount Gay 1703 Master Select appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Viceroy Hotel Group today announced the segmentation of its portfolio into three tiers: The Viceroy Icon Collection, The Viceroy Lifestyle Series and Urban Retreat Collection.

The group says the new structure is a natural evolution for the modern luxury brand, and that it will help guests find what they are looking for more easily.

“We celebrate the differences in our portfolio and know that our guests love diversity, authenticity and personality,” said Kelly Kang, AVP of Brand Management at VHG. “The introduction of our new brand architecture offers an intuitive way to choose a Viceroy destination that fits the unique personality of our guests and their vibe.”

The Icon Collection features properties with a dramatic flair set in breathtaking destinations, including Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort in St. Lucia, Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills and Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai.

The Lifestyle Series hotels revolve around the “needs and desires of the modern traveler.”

Locations include Viceroy Santa Monica and Viceroy Central Park New York.

The Urban Retreat Collection is made up of boutique hotels, each with their own identity.

Locations included Hotel Zelos San Francisco, Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco, and Cassa Hotel New York.

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