By Dana Niland

CJ Contributor

Puerto Rico’s El San Juan Hotel will officially reopen its doors on October 1, 2018, following its closure due to the impact of Hurricane Maria.

The 388-room property in Isla Verde, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, is undergoing a restoration of its guest rooms, oceanfront villas, public spaces, pools and outdoor landscaping.

“Rooted in timeless elegance, El San Juan Hotel will once again stand as the premier luxury destination in Puerto Rico,” said Craig Waterman, Vice President of Openings and Transitions, Two Roads Hospitality. “Both rich in history and effortlessly stylish, the hotel has served as the beating heart of the island since it debuted in 1958 and we’re thrilled to reopen with a rejuvenated look, incomparable amenities and authentic, Puerto Rican hospitality.

The hotel is managed and operated by Two Roads Hospitality, which said it was committed to maintaining El San Juan’s original look and feel.

The reopening will feature various restored areas of the property, including the ornamental hand-carved mahogany that covers the lobby ceilings, property columns and vaulted arch over the registration area.

All guest rooms will be restored to El San Juan’s classic interior aesthetic, bringing a blend of historic and modern design.

Guests and locals can expect a renewed appearance throughout all public spaces including Chandelier Bar, the Grand and Gold ballrooms, Meat Market Miami steakhouse, Caña by Juliana Gonzalez, Aquarelle on the beach and pool areas, Well & Being Spa and the tri-level Fitness Center.

Currently, El San Juan Hotel is hosting groups of first responders and aid workers following the storm.

The post Puerto Rico’s El San Juan to Reopen in October appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Dominica welcomed the MV Mein Schiff 3 this week, both the first major cruise ship to call on Dominica — and the first call to the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth — since Hurricane Maria.

The TUI Cruises ship brought more than 2,000 passengers to Dominica’s capital.

“Dominica’s ability to welcome visitors to the island after the level of devastation experienced just over four months ago has been described as an incredible achievement and has instilled much hope among its citizens and stakeholders within the tourism sector,” the Discover Dominica Authority said in a statement.

Dominica has been making a huge push to restore its tourism sector, with more than $3 million in investment on restoration of access, rehabilitation and upgrading of sites and clean-up in the wake of the storm.

Passengers on Mein Schiff 3 went all over the island, taking shore excursions to everywhere from the Emerald Pool to Trafalgar Twin Falls to a whale watching adventure.

“The call of Mein Schiff 3 created an opportunity to contribute to the economy as vendors, taxi drivers, tour operators, tour guides and many other tourism stakeholders were impacted by Hurricane Maria,” the DDA said.

The MV Mein Schiff 3 is expected to make five more calls to Dominica during this cruise season.

The post Cruise Tourism Returns to Dominica in a Big Way appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

SAN JUAN — One of Puerto Rico’s leading resorts is relaunching in March.

The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf and Beach Resort is reopening March 1 after a brief closure during Hurricane Maria.

The resort will unveil the results of a multimillion-dollar renovation, including refreshed spaces and new culinary offerings.

The latter includes the debut of the Caicu Rum Bar, a new venu focusing on rum cocktails, and a selection of rare private reserve rums.

The property’s Marbella restaurant also underwent a $1.2 million renovation that includes a new menu with a mix of American favorites and local specialties.

Additional offerings that will be available after the relaunch include Palio, an Italian eatery; and Hole in One on the golf course; 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill and the refreshed beachfront Tiki Hut and Pool Bar, along with the Barista Cafe.

“We are proud of the dedication, strength and perserverance that [General Manager Nils Stolzlechner], our leaders and associates at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort have demonstrated over the last several months,” said Mark Kukulski, president of Wyndham Hotel Group’s management organization. “After more than 10 years in Puerto Rico, we continue our commitment to this wonderful island and welcome vacationers and convention guests with open arms.”

The relaunch was revealed during the CHTA’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace conference in San Juan this week.

The post Puerto Rico’s Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Reopening in March appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

The highly anticipated Paradise Found hotel project in Barbuda on track, according to Antigua tourism officials.

The project, the brainchild of Hollywood legend and hospitality investor Robert De Niro, is “still on track,” according to Colin James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.

The originally planned $250 million project is part of a wider recovery effort for Barbuda, which was devastated by Hurricane Irma.

“Mr De Niro is very much committed to that project,” James told media during the Caribbean Travel Marketplace event in San Juan.

De Niro has served as a special economic envoy for Antigua and Barbuda for several years.

The project had planned to break ground last year but was set back by the storms.

Barbuda is being reimagined as a totally green island, James said, aiming to position itself as one of the few fully-green destinations in the world.

The post Robert De Niro Hotel Project “Still Going Ahead” in Barbuda appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

There’s a particular delight in the feeling of having found a destination before everyone else.

In the Caribbean, it’s something that’s not that easy to do anymore. Or is it?

Enter Grenada, the lush, gorgeous Eastern Caribbean island that’s just now finding itself in the spotlight, thanks to its intoxicating blend of beautiful beaches, diverse topography and a growing luxury hotel product that’s getting a major boost next month with the debut of the new Silversands hotel.

BBC Beach in Grenada.

But now’s the time to go, because Grenada is booming.

Last year, the island welcomed 146,359 stayover tourists, an eight percent increase that was one of the highest in the Caribbean.

That was buoyed by a 16 percent increase from the crucial United States market and a six percent jump from Canada.

“We are even more excited about the fact that Grenada is trending as a destination in the global tourism industry,” said Patricia Maher, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority. “The future for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique looks bright.”

All these travelers have been drawn to an island that has something for everyone, from its place as the Caribbean capital of chocolate, to an impressive slate of local rums and a host of uncrowded, picture-perfect beaches, an impressive selection for a relatively small island.

And then there’s the varied hotel product, ranging from the luxe boutique Calabash, home to the island’s destination restaurant, Rhodes Restaurant (the brainchild of top British Chef Gary Rhodes) to the funky, authentic True Blue Bay resort to the all-inclusive Sandals LaSource Grenada.

Next month sees the debut of Silversands, a new kind of hotel for the island, ultra-chic and sleek, already a member of Leading Hotels of the World.

It’s part of a wave of new properties that also includes Kimpton’s second Caribbean property, Kawana Bay, set to open in 2019.

So what are you waiting for?

See more in the latest CJ video at the top of the page.

The post VIDEO: Why You Need to Visit Grenada Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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