It’s the perk of having your own peninsula: every day you can choose a different beach. 

Because here on the St James’s Club and Villas’ 100-acre property in the southeastern corner of Antigua, it’s all about the water. 

It’s about mornings swimming off the white sands of Coco’s Beach, then afternoons paddling the calm waves of Mamora Bay. 

It’s about spending the day with Mamora Bay Divers, Antigua’s top diving operation, and experiencing one of the Caribbean’s great undiscovered scuba spots. 

Or there’s kayaking, paddle boarding or even pedal boats; Mamora Bay is an endlessly serene corner of Antigua, with water that’s still enough for paddling, but with the breeze you need for a Hobie Cat. 

A vacation here becomes a daily aquatic ritual, with every day a different adventure on the water. 

And in the new age of travel, it’s everything travelers want: the natural environment, the joy of being outdoors; and, perhaps most importantly, privacy. 

And that’s what you get on your own peninsula; St James’s really does feel more like it’s your own private club than just a resort; where each day you get to know your fellow guests — a group of active, energetic travelers seeking the authentic Caribbean. 

The resort, part of the Elite Island Resorts collection, has another thing travelers want: a strong emphasis on health and safety, requiring all travelers 16 and up to be fully vaccinated.

And that’s true across Elite’s Caribbean portfolio, including its strong presence in Antigua with resorts like Hammock Cove, Galley Bay, Pineapple Beach Club and The Verandah.

And Elite has turned the beach vacation into something of art form.

Of course, there’s one more thing: it’s an all-inclusive, the concept that more and more travelers are seeking out, particularly in the Caribbean; that means all the convenience you want, the meals, the drinks, the waterfront dinners and afternoon tea, and even an on-site Cafe called Mamora Bay Coffee House, among other inclusions.

It all adds up to the quintessential island vacation, a break from cold winters, a portal to the Caribbean fantasy. 

Isn’t that why we all come here in the first place?

For more, visit the St James’s Club and Villas. 

— CJ

The post In Antigua, the Art of the All-Inclusive Beach Vacation appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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One of the Caribbean’s leading luxury resorts reopened its doors in the Cayman Islands last week following an extensive refurbishment.

Marriott’s Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman officially reopened on December 15, the same date it celebrated its 16th anniversary.

Renovated spaces feature an updated color palette that highlights deep blues and shades of green inspired by the islands’ botanical gardens. The guest rooms and suites’ feature local artworks, fixtures and natural textures.

Also, the resort’s Silver Palm Lounge features completely new interiors and a custom-built hardwood cabinet, which will offer guests a collection of rare rums and premium hand-rolled cigars.

“Our forward-looking ownership group, Dart, invested heartily into our treasured property, the result of which will now be visible for guests to enjoy,” said Marc Langevin, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

“Seeing the pause in travel as an opportunity,” he continued, “we are grateful that Dart took advantage of this time to expand the original renovation plan, manifesting a cohesive and modern property suited to the demands of today’s most sophisticated travelers.”

In addition to the public spaces and guest accommodations, the resort’s meeting spaces were updated as well.

“The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman will once again raise the bar for luxury in the Caribbean,” Tom Ludington, General Manager, USA att the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, told Caribbean Journal. “Now that the Cayman Islands have reopened our borders to vaccinated visitors, guests will be amazed at the refreshed splendor of this iconic property.”

An impressive collection of commissioned and collected local artwork fosters a deeper connection with the culture, history, and creativity of Cayman. Complementing the public art collection is The Gallery, the longstanding art exhibition space. The Gallery will continue to highlight Grand Cayman’s vibrant visual arts culture.

“The reimagined look and feel of the resort is an outstanding example of The Ritz-Carlton brand’s design ethos, which is to provide our guests with a refined and modern experience that is also reflective of what makes a destination unique,” said Donna McNamara, vice president and global brand leader for The Ritz-Carlton, in a written release.

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman offers 369 rooms designed by Champalimaud Design.

It includes the La Prairie spa, which offers a collection of treatments, while five restaurants present guests with a diverse array of dining experiences.

In addition to a Greg Norman-designed nine-hole golf course, the resort also offers golfers an indoor simulator using Trackman technology. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is also home to one of the island’s largest ballrooms in the Caribbean, as well as an interactive culinary studio.

Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment family programming allows guests of all ages to discover the flora and fauna of Cayman. There is also the Starfish Cay water park, tennis and basketball courts, and an indoor game room.

For more, visit the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

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