… -30, 2020 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. During this amazing sleepover retreat …

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It was long the best resort in Guadeloupe, but now the chic La Toubana resort has taken things to another level. 

La Toubana, set in the hip beach town of Sainte Anne, has officially become the first five-star resort in Guadeloupe, following its official certification this month by France’s national hospitality rating body. 

The upgrade comes after the property completed a two-year, nearly $14 million transformation that also expanded the luxury resort. 

La Toubana now includes 32 bungalows, 12 suites and three villas, the latter of which are the true party piece. 

They’re a mix of one and two-bedroom units, all with stunning views of Marie Galante and designed by noted architect Guy Benoit. 

There are three villas: Villa Ura, Villa Idikia and Villa Ayiti, each with private pools, full kitchens and concierges. 

The villas are worth the splurge, with all of the hotel’s amenities and the space and freedom to enjoy the livability, culture and food that make Guadeloupe so unique. 

In a diverse destination filled largely with smaller hotels, La Toubana is a major addition, well timed for this winter’s highly-anticipated arrival of JetBlue Airways to the destination. 

There’s also a signature Spa, with three single treatment rooms, one double treatment room and one room for Thalassa-style treatments, along with a fitness center and an available personal trainer. 

The property is set in Sainte-Anne, a bustling beach town that just so happens to be the food-truck capital of Guadeloupe, best known for its trucks specializing in Guadeloupe’s most popular local dish, the “bokit” sandwich. 

The relaunched hotel is the best gateway for travelers those looking to explore a destination that is one of the most fascinating in the region, but one which still remains largely unknown to U.S. tourists. 

It’s also a great jumping off point to discover some of Guadeloupe’s other wonderful islands, from its rum capital of Marie Galante to the charming islet of Terre de Haut. 

For more, visit La Toubana. 

— CJ

The post A New Five-Star Resort in the French Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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There’s a major new culinary destination in one of the Caribbean’s most beloved beach towns. 

New York couple John and Sarah Joyce are launching The Danforth this week, a new eatery in the beach town of Coral Bay in St John. 

The Brooklyn couple recently quit their jobs to “follow their dream of moving to the Caribbean to open a restaurant,” they told Caribbean Journal. 

“Millions of people dream about quitting their job and moving to a tropical island but very few people actually do it. The last 8 months have been quite the adventure,” said Sarah Joyce.

The new eatery, set on the waterfront in Coral Bay, specializes in seafood and local cuisine. 

It will officially open Nov. 1. 

“Food is a huge part of Caribbean culture and we have always felt that local cuisine was underrepresented in the St. John dining scene,” she said. “Our goal at The Danforth is to create a unique culinary experience where you can indulge your senses in Caribbean flavors, sights, and sounds.”

The restaurant will be open every day for happy hour from 3PM to 6PM, with a menu featuring dishes like lobster tostones and sushi rolls. 

The cocktail menu includes a drink called the Peter Bay, blending local hero Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay rum with mango and fresh lime juice. 

“Our menu was created by drawing inspiration from the vibrant flavors found in traditional Caribbean dishes and elevating them using the freshest local ingredients. The result is an unparalleled dining experience; it is unlike any other on St John,” said Gil Turturici, the restaurant’s executive chef. 

Dinner service runs from 5 to 9PM, with dishes like live Caribbean lobster, mahi mahi, braised oxtail and mofongo, among others. 

There’s local music every night, too. 

It’s a welcome addition to one of the coolest corners of the USVI. 

For more, visit The Danforth. 

The post There’s a New Dining Destination in St John appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… proclamation within 30 months making Puerto Rico the 51st state.
President Donald … political equality for Puerto Rico.
“The American citizens of Puerto Rico will have the … a 2012 vote, 61% of Puerto Ricans favored statehood over other alternatives …

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Carnival Cruise Line has brought its completely transformed Sunrise ship for a season of new Caribbean cruises out of Fort Lauderdale. 

Carnival Sunrise officially launched its season of four and five-day Caribbean cruises this week.

Each four-day cruise will be calling on the Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays destinations in The Bahamas, along with Grand Turk and the capital of The Bahamas, Nassau. 

Every five-day voyage will include stops in Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Grand Turk and The Bahamas. 

“We are pleased to bring Carnival Sunrise to Port Everglades, providing our guests with more options in sailing from South Florida,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “Since debuting earlier this year, the ship has received rave reviews from our guests offering exciting enhancements and the amazing service that our crew always deliver.”

The relaunched ship has everything from new fine-dining experiences to a new water park. 

Carnival also said it had updated all of the ship’s state rooms. 

— CJ

The post Carnival’s New Caribbean Cruises From Fort Lauderdale appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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