Marriott has opened its first-ever AC Hotel in the Caribbean: the AC Hotel by Marriott San Juan Condado.

Set in the increasingly chic residential district of Condado, the design-heavy hotel has 233 brand new guestrooms, including 46 suites.

Onsite amenities include the AC Kitchen, AC Lounge restaurant, a fitness center, a business center and a rooftop bar and swimming pool.

A balcony at AC San Juan.

AC is Marriott’s European-inspired design brand, which has until now focused largely the United States, Europe and Latin America. (AC was founded by hotelier Antonio Catalan in Spain in 1998)

The new hotel is the result of a “comprehensive” renovation of what was the former Radisson Ambassador Plaza & Casino, a project that broke ground in the summer of 2016.

And it’s just the beginning of what could be a wider push for the brand in the Caribbean, led by a high-profile partnership Marriott signed with Sandals Resorts International to open an AC Hotel in Kingston.

And it’s part of a small but burgeoning trend in the Caribbean toward hipper, more “authentic” hotels, from the Curio Collection by Hilton’s expansion in Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Belize to the growth of Hyatt’s Centric brand, which is planning to expand to Barbados.

— Alexander Britell

The post AC Hotel Opens in San Juan’s Condado Neighborhood appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

It’s one of the most famous stretches of sand in the Caribbean: Bavaro Beach, the white-sand strand that rims the edge of the tourism capital of the Dominican Republic: Punta Cana.

It’s home to some of the Caribbean’s most famous places to stay, and is the most popular destinaiton in the Caribbean.

This is what it’s like to walk on the beach.

— CJ

The post VIDEO: A Walk on the Beach in Bavaro appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

The Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo has completed a major renovation project.

The project included a complete revamp of the hotel’s 196 guestrooms, its Club Floor, conference rooms, reception and lobby, along with modernization of the property’s pool and popular Kaffeto’s coffee shop.

The hotel has also added a new lobby bar, Level1.

The project was part of a wider series of plans for a series of major renovations to its properties in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Crowne Plaza, which is part of InterContinental Hotels Group, said the plans were part of a wider $200 million investment into properties throughout the Americas.

The multimillion-dollar renovations include upgrades to guestrooms, lobbies, restaurants, facilities and public areas, including meeting rooms, business centers, gyms and technology.

“Owners of IHG hotels continue making significant investments to modernize their hotels because they trust and have tremendous confidence in the Crowne Plaza brand,” said Jorge Apaez, chief operating officer for Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. “Today’s Crowne Plaza renovations, upgrades and implementation of new programs fall directly in line with the standards and hallmarks we offer our loyal guests: a brand promise and service designed to help modern business travelers accomplish what’s important both at a professional and personal level.”

The post Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo Completes Renovation appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Grenada is getting a new kind of hospital.

The country’s Prince Alice Hospital is soon to be upgraded to a “climate smart” facility, with a wave of upgrades that will make the hospital both greener and less vulnerable to disasters.

The changes include everything from the installation of a new hurricane-resistant roof; a new automated electrical backup power system and an improved water storage and supply system that will advance the hospital’s capability to deliver care during disasters.

The project is being jointly executed by the government of Grenada and the Pan American Health Organization, at a cost of more than $800,000.

Here’s hoping the rest of the region runs with the idea.

— Caribbean Journal staff

The post Grenada Is Getting a Climate-Smart Hospital appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

We’ve made no secret in these pages of our love for tiny islands, the teeny, micro, minuscule places that overflow with melt-your-heart charm and carefree vibes. Because while some islands may have more hotels, more activities or just more square footage, these particular islands draw with their personality. Here are five little islands we think you’d love to visit right now.

Cooper Island It doesn’t get much smaller than this diminutive island in the heart of the British Virgin Islands. But it’s also one of our favorite places in the Caribbean. Home to some private homes and the 12-room Cooper Island Beach Club, this is a famous stop for boaters, but it’s even better if you spend a week. The quirky, lovable micro-hotel (which has a solar-powered brewery and one of the Caribbean’s top rum bars) has become a destination in its own right.

The post 5 Little Islands to Visit in the Caribbean Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico