By the Caribbean Journal staff

Fast-expanding all-inclusive company Playa Hotels and Resorts has completed its acquisition of five all-inclusive properties in Jamaica.

The deal with Sagicor Group Limited also includes two adjacent oceanfront land sites on the north coast of Jamaica.

The Jewel Runaway Bay.

The portfolio includes four existing resorts including the 495-room Hilton Rose Hall, the 268-room Jewel Runaway Bay, the 250-room Jewel Dunn’s River and the 225-room Jewel Paradise Cove.

The transaction also includes an 88-room hotel tower and spa, two land sites and a hotel management contract at the Jewel Grande Montego Bay.

The Jewel Grande Montego Bay.

Playa paid $100 million cash and 20 million shares in common stock to Sagicor, a deal that amounts to almost $320 million.

Two Sagicor nominees also joined Playa’s board of directors.

“The closing of this transaction with Sagicor elevates Playa into a strategically dominant position in Jamaica, diversifies our resorts portfolio and will allow for several years of strong profit growth as we execute our rebranding, expansion and renovation projects.  We are excited to welcome our new Jamaican team members and Sagicor as a valuable new investor and partner,” said Bruce Wardinski, Chairman & CEO of Playa Hotels & Resorts.

It’s a huge expansion for Playa, which has been rapidly increasing its presence in the Caribbean, largely under the Hyatt Ziva and Zilara brands.

The Hyatt Ziva Cancun.

Playa also recently debuted resorts under the Panama Jack brand name on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.

The company also manages the Sanctuary Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic.

The deal makes Playa one of the largest resort owners in Jamaica, both in the total number of rooms and the number of brands under management.

“This business combination will be a great benefit to the country of Jamaica, and represents a unique opportunity for growth and development for the people of Jamaica and the tourism sector,” said Richard Byles, Chairman of Sagicor. “Through this transaction, Playa will leverage Jamaica’s hospitality assets of tropical climate, attractive beachfronts, culture, airlift, proximity to US markets, high stabilized occupancy levels versus other Caribbean destinations, and supportive government agencies.”

The post Playa Completes Acquisition of Five Resorts in Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Princess Cruises has completed an “extensive” 10-day dry dock of its Crown Princess cruise ship, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The 3,080-passenger ship completed a series of enhancements during a drydock in Grand Bahama last month, part of the company’s wider $450 million fleet-wide enhancement program.

The changes include upgrades to dining venues, from the new Salty Dog Grill, formerly known as the Trident Grill; the new Slice pizzeria; and Coffee & Cones, a a gourmet ice cream shop, among others.

Princess also added its signature Princess Luxury Bed to all staterooms, while adding a range of new shopping experiences including a branded Effy boutique.

“Crown Princess first debuted in 2006 with several industry-first offerings, including our revered adults-only Sanctuary,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “Now, 12 years later, we’re continuing our commitment to offer Crown Princess guests the next evolution of signature Princess product innovations while they cruise to their bucket-list destinations.”

Crown Princess heads to the Caribbean this fall.

The post Princess Cruises’ Newest Renovation appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

It’s been a pretty big week for tourism in Los Cabos, with the opening of a second major branded resort in the area.

Montage Hotels and Resorts has opened its new Montage Los Cabos on Santa Maria Bay, following the recent debut of the new Viceroy Los Cabos.

Montage Los Cabos has a total of 174 ocean-view guestrooms, suites and residences, along with three signature restaurants, 30,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor event space and a 40,000-square-foot signature spa.

The 174 units include 122 rooms and suites along with 52 branded residences.

It’s the first property in the wider region for Montage, which manages a number of top U.S. hotels in destinations including Hawai’i and Laguna Beach, Calif., among others.

For more info, visit Montage.

The post Montage Expands to Los Cabos appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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We never get tired of saying it — the Caribbean is a wonderful summer destination. While the region’s allure as an escape from wintry climes never ceases, the summer months are a quieter, even more relaxing time to visit the region. Because the Caribbean is a year-round destination — period.

So we decided to put together of destinations to check out over the next few months, by specific beaches — not islands.

Because when you’re bobbing around in the waves on a perfect Caribbean beach, does it matter what month it is?

Here are 15 favorites to try now, from tiny cays to undiscovered coastlines to full-service party beaches.

Valley Church beach in Antigua.

Valley Church, Antigua There’s something almost uncannily intoxicating about the peculiar shade of blue of the water on Valley Church Beach. The water is calm, the sand is white and wide, and, well, you get the picture. The best part? There are 364 other beaches to try in Antigua and Barbuda if you ever want to diversify. It’s what makes Antigua such a remarkable beach destination.

The post 15 Caribbean Beaches to Visit This Summer appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Southwest Airlines is the latest carrier to announce plans to expand flights to Cuba.

The carrier will be launching a third daily nonstop flights between Fort Lauderdale and Havana beginning Aug. 7, the carrier announced this week.

The news comes after JetBlue announced a major expansion to Havana, including the first-ever flights between Boston and Havana, this November.

In April, United Airlines announced plans to expand its own service between Houston and Havana with new daily flights.

In light of the reimagined Cuba travel rules, it’s clear that Havana’s place as the central gateway for licensed US travelers to Cuba is only strengthening.

— CJ

The post Southwest Airlines Expanding Cuba Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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