By the Caribbean Journal staff

More and more travelers to Bermuda are looking to homesharing options like Airbnb, according to new data released by the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

The number of visitors to Bermuda who chose vacation rentals last year surged 133 percent compared to 2016, according to the data, which was provided by Airbnb.

“Bermuda represents an incredibly important and growing market for Airbnb. Through our partnership agreement with Bermuda’s government and tourism authority we have significantly grown our supply and increased the number of visitors for Bermudian homeowners. In 2018 we plan to further develop our partnership in Bermuda and engage the community with more home sharing educational seminars across the island.”

While the number increased dramatically, vacation rental stays accounted or about 10 percent of total visitors last year, according to the BTA.

Indeed, hotel occupancy actually increased, with year-end hotel occupancy in Bermuda passing the 60 percent mark for the first time since 2007.

Hotel occupancy rose by 9 percent to 63 for the year.

“While the Bermuda hotel sector as a whole requires further growth to reach sustainable profitability levels, the performance in 2017 was the best in a decade,” the BTA said.

The post Bermuda Seeing Surge in Airbnb Travel appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

Another day, another new hotel project.

If it seems like the Dominican Republic is dominating the hotel investment sphere in the Caribbean, that’s because it is.

While the country has long been the most popular Caribbean tourism destination by volume, it’s also outpacing the rest of the region in hotel growth.

According to the most recent Caribbean-Mexico hotel pipeline report from analytics firm STR, the Dominican Republic had 3,525 rooms in construction in January, more than any other destination in the Caribbean.

So why is the DR able to succeed in attracting investment?

“The Dominican Republic has been successful for a few key reasons,” Javier Coll, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Apple Leisure Group, told Caribbean Journal. “The country boasts several easy-to-reach beach destinations North American travelers can get to via nonstop flights within one to five hours. In addition to the country’s mix of culture and scenic beauty, it also boasts several destinations that appeal to a variety of travelers, from those seeking an adults-only experience to those craving family-friendly vacation time. Lastly, there is still beachfront land available for hotel development.”

Indeed, Apple Leisure Group’s AMResorts subsidiary has 14 all-inclusive properties in the Dominican Republic, with plans for more.

But it goes beyond the tourism infrastructure, according to Coll.

Javier Coll, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Apple Leisure Group.

“The Dominican Republic is committed to working with the private sector and its government wants to continue growing its hospitality sector, as the tourism industry is currently the strongest job creator,” he said. “In addition to the country’s competitive tax incentives and exemptions for hotels, it offers easy connectivity as several airlines serve cities across the country bringing travelers from major U.S. cities including New York City, Boston, Fort Lauderdale and more. These conditions make the country highly attractive to potential hotel investors.”

Crucially, Coll said, the Dominican Republic has a “fairly well delineated” application process for new projects, “comparably easier than practically any other Caribbean island, and about the same or better than Mexico.”

It shouldn’t be a surprise, then, that the Caribbean coast of Mexico alone has 3,914 rooms in construction, according to STR.

But there’s a price for fast hotel development – potential oversaturation of the market.

That means the need to focus on brand conversion, Coll said.

“Converting a hotel property to a strong brand with experienced hotel or resort management leaders can bring lasting benefits: improved marketing support, a strong network of travel leaders to drive occupancy and rates, and the vision and tools to upgrade your services and your site,” he said.

But he thought that the Dominican Republic might in fact be able to handle all of this growth.

“The country has created a reliable infrastructure that can absorb the increase of visitor numbers,” he said. “For this reason, we are looking at several different opportunities to expand the AMResorts footprint on the island and provide our customers with more alternatives – that includes new builds as well conversion properties.”

The post Why Apple Leisure Group is Bullish on the Dominican Republic appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of the Caribbean’s most anticipated hotel openings of 2018 is coming in June.

The new Rosewood Baha Mar at the Baha Mar resort complex in Nassau is opening June 1, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The resort is now taking reservations on its Web site.

Rosewood Baha Mar will feature 185 rooms and suites, along with  a collection of five four-bedroom beachfront villas, featuring exclusive services and their own private pools.

The property will also include Sense, a Rosewood Spa, with a focus on “island-inspired” signature treatments.

Dining concepts will include Commonwealth, a farm-to-table eatery; the Pool Grille; Bar Riva and The Library Lounge.

Other amenities will include two pools, two al-fresco event areas and a fitness center. Guests will also have direct and private beach access.

The resort become Rosewood’s second resort in the Caribbean, along with the Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands, a property that is currently closed renovations.

Rosewood also has a property in the Mayakoba development on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, and recently announced plans to open a new resort in Antigua.

The resort become Rosewood’s second Caribbean resort in the Caribbean, along with the Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands, a property that is currently closed renovations.

Rosewood also has a property in the Mayakoba development on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, and recently announced plans to open a new resort in Antigua.

Rosewood Baha Mar will join the already-opened Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and the SLS Baha Mar, the latter of which made its debut in The Bahamas at the end of 2017.

For more info, visit Rosewood Baha Mar.

The post Rosewood Baha Mar to Open in June appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Where does a rum begin?

Is it in the yeast? Is it in the still? In the case of a rhum agricole, is it in the cane itself?

But it’s just as important — if not more important — where a rum ends.

In recent years, a number of rum producers have been exploring the universe of barrel aging — particularly, using barrels that previously housed other wines and spirits.

At the forefront of this movement has been Rhum HSE, the Martinique-based rum producer that’s among the most innovative spirits companies, well, anywhere.

Where the magic happens at HSE.

For several years now, HSE has been experimenting with a range of “special finish” expressions, finishing their rhums in everything from sherry casks to Islay whisky casks.

What they’ve shown again and again is just how much the barrel matters — from the charring to the type of oak to, of course, the duration of aging.

But that’s just the beginning — the team at HSE has taken the art to new levels — from ultra-specific charring profiles for the barrels to even looking at barrels made exclusively with oak from particular forests. 

One of HSE’s more unique expressions is particularly lovely, though.

This is the HSE Chateau La Tour Blanche Finish.

After eight years of aging in American oak barrels, it spent an additional year maturing in barrels that formerly housed Chateau La Tour Blanche, the famous Bommes-based dessert wine.

So what is it like?

The color is a classic golden amber, with a mild aroma of oak, caramel, brown sugar and a hint of dried apricot.

The flavor profile is marked by dried apricot, a hint of orange zest, black pepper, white wine, cane sugar, tropical fruit, even a hint of Moscato.

This is a classically velvety rhum from HSE, with a slightly bold but well balanced finish.

The sweetness of the Sauternes is in there, to be sure.

But it doesn’t overwhelm like so many other special finish rums.

It’s subtle, dancing around the flavors, never taking over. But it adds so much.

It’s the most important ending for a rum — in your glass.

Rum Journal Rating: 95 Points

— CJ

The post Rum Journal: This Martinique Rhum Is Finished in Sauternes Barrels appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of the Caribbean’s coolest places to stay is making its triumphant comeback from last year’s hurricanes

The Cooper Island Beach Club in the British Virgin Islands has announced plans to reopen on April 1.

The reopening will include guest rooms, the hotel’s restaurant, its boutique, its famous rum bar, coffee shop and microbrewery “all open for business,” according to a statement.

The property, which is also quite popular with boaters, has a total of 10 beachfront rooms.

For more information, visit the Cooper Island Beach Club.

The post The Cooper Island Beach Club Is Reopening in April appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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