For years it was Aruba’s most beloved “small hotel,” a tiny oasis of 14 rooms just across from Palm Beach. 

Now, after a major transformation project, Aruba’s family-owned Boardwalk has officially relaunched as a full-fledged boutique hotel, the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel. 

The new Boardwalk has reopened its doors following a significant expansion project that resulted in 32 new “casitas” on the lush grounds of a former coconut plantation called Plantage Tromp. 

The new Boardwalk has a fitness and spa, a new lobby, a lobby cafe and what the property is calling a “multi-experience” pool. 

The hotel’s existing 14 casitas also underwent a refurbishment. 

All of the property’s bungalow-style casitas have large patios, hammocks, barbeue grills and modern kitchens. 

The new poolscape has several pool decks, an overwater hammock, water features, kid-friendly pool entry and daily poolside bar service, too. 

The Boardwalk also features a second, more secluded pool, along with a beach club on Palm Beach.

 “We have tried our utmost in the design and lay-out of the extended property, to keep our unique Caribbean character and laid-back vibe intact and integrate as much local touches as we possibly could,” said Kimberly Rooijakkers, one of the owners of the hotel. 

The expansion project totaled $10 million and nearly three years of work, the property said. 

It also came with a renewed focus on being green. 

“All new casitas are so-called Green Houses, constructed with Nudura and Insuldeck insulating materials, using solar panels, ultra-efficient energy management systems and 100% LED lighting. All of this to enhance our eco-friendly hotel operations,” Rooijakkers said. 

What it all means is that what has long been Aruba’s leading small hotel is now the hottest boutique hotel on the island. 

For more, visit Boardwalk Aruba. 

— CJ

The post This Is Aruba’s Hottest Boutique Hotel appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… after the Panthers took down Puerto Rico-Bayamon by the score 81 … after the Panthers took down Puerto Rico-Bayamon by the score 81 … after the Panthers took down Puerto Rico-Bayamon by the score 81 …

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Frontier Airlines has launched three new routes to Puerto Rico’s capital of San Juan. 

The low-cost carrier has launched new thrice-weekly flights from Miami to San Juan’ new daily service from Newark Liberty International Airport to San Juan; and four new weekly flights from Tampa to San Juan. 

The Miami-Puerto Rico flights will run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. 

The Tampa-Puerto Rico flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 

All of the new routes officially launched this week. 

“Frontier’s considerable service expansion this week is another milestone in our tremendous growth story,” said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial for Frontier Airlines. “We’re especially excited to begin service in Newark, growing our presence in the New York City area and creating new travel opportunities for our customers. In addition, we continue to expand our presence in exciting destinations like San Juan.”

The new flights are part of what has been a veritable airlift boom to Puerto Rico so far this year.

— CJ

The post Frontier Launches Three New Routes to Puerto Rico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The British Virgin Islands is seeing a major tourism rebound so far this year, according to the latest data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

The British Virgin Islands reported 172,776 stayover tourist arrivals in the first half of 2019, representing a 93.5 percent increase over the same period in 2018.

That amounts to a strong recovery for the destination in the last two years since the impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on the BVI.

Cruise tourism is also surging, with a total of 352,768 cruise passengers reported in the first half.

That represented a nearly 900 percent jump in the same period, the highest increase in cruise tourism of any Caribbean destination in the first half.

Indeed, the BVI’s tourism product has seen a significant renaissance over the last two years, as more and more hotels have reopened and charter sailing and yachting operations continue to strengthen.

In January, the BVI’s signature hotel, Rosewood Little Dix Bay, will be reopening its doors as well.

— CJ

The post British Virgin Islands Tourism Is Surging appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… Puerto Ricans 46-24 in the paint.
“Hats off to Puerto Rico … O’Neill led Puerto Rico with 21 points.
Jazmon Gwathmey … earn the win over Puerto Rico.
“Puerto Rico came out strong and … ‘s bench outscored Puerto Rico 30-17. Canada also dominated …

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