Goldeneye, the Jamaica hotel set at the estate where author Ian Fleming created James Bond, has officially reopened, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

Chris Blackwell’s legendary Island Outpost retreat began its post-shutdown life on Aug. 21, a spokesperson for the property confirmed. 

The 52-acre luxury resort is set in the town of Oracabessa, about 10 miles from Ocho Rios on the northern coast of Jamaica. 

Fleming, a former British intelligence officer, bought the compound in 1946, eventually calling it Goldeneye in tribute to the naval operation that first brought him to Jamaica. 

He created the Bond character and wrote all 14 of the James Bond novels at the property, and the beachfront bungalow where he lived and wrote is now known as the Fleming Villa. (A James Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan was titled Goldeneye in a nod to the property.).

Now, it’s a mix of rooms, villas, cottages and, most recently, “beach huts.”

Jamaica has long played an important role in the Bond films, from its star turn in Dr. No to its use as a filming location for Live and Let Die (where then-007 Roger Moore used a Half Moon cottage as his room in the movie).

The next James Bond film, “No Time to Die,” which will be released in November, will be filmed in part in Jamaica. 

Jamaica officially reopened for tourism in mid-June. For more on how to visit the island, check out the destination’s travel protocols for entry. 

For more, visit Goldeneye. 

— CJ

The post Jamaica’s Goldeneye Hotel, the “Birthplace” of James Bond, Is Open Again appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Legendary reggae band The Wailers has released their first new album in more than 25 years. 

The new Sony Music Latin album, One World, has 14 songs, including the single “One World, One Prayer” produced by Emilio Estefan. 

Also featured on the new album include Julian Marley, Natiruts, Emily Estefan, Kush Gad and Frederic Yonnet, among others. 

“The band is excited and can’t wait for the release. It’s a great album. We give thanks to everyone who has paved the way for our future. My father Aston (Familyman) Barrett has been a great inspiration and teacher, who guided me to this point where we were able to meet Emilio Estefan. Now we have a first class album which we are all proud of,” said Aston Barrett Jr. 

The Wailers’ history is of course tied to the iconic Bob Marley, whose Bob Marley and the Wailers band recorded and toured from 1972 to 1981. 

The new members of the group today include a mix of existing members, their children and new additions like the aforementioned Estefans. 

They include producer Aston Barrett Jr; guitarists Donald Kinsey and Wendel “Junior Jazz” Ferraro; lead vocalist Josh David Barrett; and Owen ‘Dreadie’ Reid and Andres Lopez, among others. 

For more, visit The Wailers. 

— CJ

The post The Wailers Just Released Their First Album in 25 Years appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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LVMH’s Belmond brand will be reopening two of its Caribbean resorts in November, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

That includes the Belmond Cap Juluca resort in Anguilla, which will reopen Nov. 1, and the Belmond La Samanna in St Martin, which is slated to reopen Nov. 2. 

Both properties have been shuttered since the beginning of the pandemic. 

While Anguilla has reopened its borders for tourism with a series of strict protocols, French St Martin remains closed to tourists. 

Belmond’s other Caribbean resort, the Belmond Maroma Resort in the Riviera Maya on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, is reopening on Sept. 15, as Caribbean Journal previously reported. 

For more, visit Belmond. 

— CJ

The post Belmond to Reopen St Martin, Anguilla Resorts in November appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Dominican Republic has more hotels currently open to international visitors than any other Caribbean destination, and there are more to come if all continues to go well with the country’s COVID-19 reopening.

The Dominican Republic initially reopened to tourism on July 1, and beefed up its entry requirements on July 29 by adding a requirement that all visitors produce a negative COVID-19 PRC test taken within five days of departure.

Those without a test result taken before departure will receive a rapid COVID-19 test at airports in the Dominican Republic free of charge, but also risk being quarantined if they test positive.

As part of the reopening plan, all Dominican Republic hotels and resorts are required to comply with COVID-19 protocols that include:

• Taking the temperature of each guest at check-in and having them sign a declaration of health
• Providing guests with masks and disinfectant gel
• Redistribution of hotel spaces to maintain distance in all common areas (reception, restaurants, swimming pools, )
• Baggage disinfection
• Elimination of self-serve food and beverage, so that utensils are handled only by establishment personnel
• Special protocols for the care and isolation of guests with symptoms.

More hotels are open in the capital city of Santo Domingo —which gets a mix of business and leisure travel — than some of the more tourist-oriented parts of the country.

According to ASONAHORES, the Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association, the following hotels are now open, grouped by destination.

The post Here Are the Dominican Republic Hotels That Are Open Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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