By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hyatt has opened its first-ever hotel in Colombia’s capital: the Grand Hyatt Bogota.

The new 372-room property is set in the heart of Bogota’s Ciudad Empresarial Sarmiento Angulo commercial district.

“We are thrilled to announce the opening of the first Grand Hyatt hotel in the country and are confident that Grand Hyatt Bogota will exceed expectations of all who visit the hotel,” said Myles McGourty, senior vice president, Latin America & Caribbean, Hyatt. “The hotel offers an iconic experience for worldly guests who seek first-class hospitality, best-in-class food and beverage and a luxurious stay.”

It’s yet another new property in Colombia, which has become one of the Caribbean Basin’s hottest investment destinations.

The 372 rooms include 50 suites, along with a Japanese eatery called Ushin Japanese, along with a cafe and the Ilustre Bar.

That’s along with the Zaitania Spa, which includes 11 treatment rooms and 32,000 square feet of space.

“I feel honored and proud to be part of the more than 350 colleagues who have made this great achievement possible,” said Philippe Frey, general manager, Grand Hyatt Bogota. “With the opening of Grand Hyatt Bogota, we are committed to elevating the standard of hospitality in this cosmopolitan capital in South America and delivering an extraordinary experience every day.”

— CJ

The post Grand Hyatt Opens in Bogota appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell and Guy Britton

Scrub Island, the private-Island resort in the British Virgin Islands, is getting ready for its big reopening.

The resort and marina is planing for a full reopening on Oct. 1, and Caribbean Journal got a sneak peek at the property this week.

The popular pool at Scrub.

The 52-room resort is set a short boat ride from Tortola’s Beef Island International Airport, with a large marina, several beaches and a great-house style main building — along with a top-level Ixora Spa.

It also includes several private villas, currently being renovated themselves.

It’s a decidedly modern alternative for travelers to the BVI, with a marina resort ambience and a focus on family travel (its water slide has long been one of the most beloved attractions in the destination.

The relaunched resort will include a resurfaced pool, a fully renovated 55-slip marina and new lighting.

Scrub had been operating some of its amenities over the summer on a limited basis, including its main pool bar, along with a smaller number of rooms.

Its return is yet another boost for the BVI, which will see another top private island, Guana, reopen on the same date.

The Cooper Island Beach Club, another popular island destination reopened earlier this year and will relaunch Oct. 25 for the season.

— CJ

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By Alexander Britell

There’s the sort of soundtrack you’d expect to find in Peckham or Paris, with panoramic views of brilliant green hills and tables hand-built from wine barrels.

On a hot afternoon in Tortola, this is the coolest place in town, a who’s who of Road Town and a buzzing culinary hotspot.

If you recognize the uniforms, it’s because they’re inspired by those from the legendary Calmos Cafe in St Martin, a favorite of Chef Regis Bourdon.

This is The Rooftop by Brandywine, and it’s the newest hotspot in the British Virgin Islands.

If you recognize the name, that’s because The Rooftop is from the same team behind Tortola’s legendary Brandywine Estate restaurant, which closed after last year’s storms and is now on the road back to recovery.

A lunchtime appetizer of foie gras.

When Brandywine shuttered, its chef, Regis Bourdon, spent months spearheading an effort to feed meals to local kids and helping repair roofs in the BVI — and when the time came, he saw this empty rooftop in the Cutlass Building in Road Town, the next step pure inspiration.

Chef Regis Bourdon.

Bourdon and his team built the entire restaurant themselves: the box-shaped kitchen, the wine-barrel tables, everything.

The eatery has also been graced by artwork from local watercolorist Riona Welford, who has adorned the walls with intricate murals.

Bourdon and his team built all the tables by hand.

Today, it’s a chic bistro, with Mediterranean fare and a host of creative tapas dishes, including excellent French-focused fare.

“It’s very laid back,” Bourdon tells Caribbean Journal. “I like that it’s easy to move around the tables, you have easy access. It’s a place where people can buzz around.”

It’s become the place to see and be seen in Road Town, perfect for a meal or just some wine and tapas, a place where you can spend all afternoon.

So what will happen when Brandywine reopens?

Bourdon, a native of the South of France, says The Rooftop is here to stay.

Because it’s a place where staying for awhile is exceptionally easy.

— CJ

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Marriott has officially debuted its newest resort on the Sea of Cortez.

The new Solaz Resort, part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, has 128 rooms in a beachfront location midway between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

“A top resort destination, Los Cabos is rich in culture and acts a gateway for our Global Explorers to connect with the indigenous offerings of Mexico.” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection. “The Luxury Collection’s guests seek destinations with enriching qualities and there is a magnetic attraction to this Baja oasis. As the seventh Luxury Collection hotel in Mexico, Solaz Resort showcases the brand’s commitment to expanding its footprint and enhancing its offerings for discerning travelers to the destination.”

A room at the Solaz.

The strikingly-designed property has five swimming pools, a 10,000-square-foot spa with eight treatment rooms; and a state-of-the-art fitness center, among other amenities.

But it’s the meetings sector that is a big target for Solaz; the resort has the largest meeting space of any hotel property in Los Cabos, with a total of 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space, with capacity for 1,000 guests, the company said.

That includes the 11,000-square-foot Calypso Ocean Front Deck and the 3,400-square-foot Cousteau Ballroom.

Solaz is the Luxury Collection’s first hotel on the Baja California peninsula.

— CJ

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