It’s hard to think of anyone who has better distilled the dream of island living than Jimmy Buffett. And Buffett’s empire has expanded far beyond music, from the famous, ubiquitous Margaritaville restaurants and bars to a fast-expanding portfolio of branded resorts, including in the Caribbean. 

Margaritaville’s resort portfolio, which includes properties under several different sub-brands in the region, is a chance for travelers to experience the Margaritaville ideal in vacation form, from 5 O’Clock Somewhere bars to on-site breweries and splendid swim-up bars.

The latest expansion is the result of an alliance between Margaritaville and Karisma Hotels and Resorts, one that has led to a number of new brands (and several more new resorts currently in the pipeline).

We’ve gathered our five favorite Caribbean resorts under the Margaritaville umbrella for you, including the company’s freshest new all-inclusives, a unique boutique resort and even a vacation club. Whether you’re a full-fledged Parrothead, a beach seeker or a Caribbean aficionado, you’ll find a group of well-run, thoughtfully-designed resorts that exemplify the best of the beach life. 

Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Cap Cana, Dominican Republic If there’s a “flagship” Margaritaville resort in the Caribbean, it’s this 228-stunner in the tony Cap Cana enclave of the Dominican Republic’s tourism hub of Punta Cana. The resort, which is also home to 40 villas (all of which have their own private balcony pools), is set on the spectacular Juanillo Beach, with a signature St Somewhere Spa, a Gourmet Village with a number of restaurants and bars in a walkable format and even the only Landshark brewery in the Caribbean. 

The post The 5 Best Margaritaville Resorts in the Caribbean  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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British Airways is headed for the Dutch Caribbean. 

The British flag carrier is adding its first-ever service to the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba next spring. 

Beginning in March 2023, British Airways will be operating twice-weekly flights out of London Gatwick Airport. 

The new service complements existing UK service to Aruba on TUI. 

While the TUI service is only seasonal, British Airways will be flying to Aruba year round, with two weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays. 

The service is direct but not nonstop, with a brief stopover at Antigua’s VC Bird International Airport. 

British Airways will be operating the service on Boeing 777-200ER aircraft with 32 Club seats, 52 World Traveller Plus seats and 252 economy seats. 

The flight also opens up local connections to nearby Dutch Caribbean destinations like Bonaire and Curacao for British travelers.

In a statement, the Aruba Airport Authority said the new service was the product of nearly seven years of talks with British Airways. 

“Another milestone for the island’s tourism industry with a direct year-round scheduled service between London Gatwick Airport and Aruba,” said Joost Meijs, CEO of the Aruba Airport Authority. “The introduction of this direct service is a goal we have long been working towards and we are thrilled that our air service development efforts have borne fruit. In a highly competitive arena, it is essential to have a direct year-round scheduled service and easy connections from major markets.”

The Airport Authority also announced that for this year, a total of almost 780,000 passengers were handled at Aruba’s Reina Beatrix International Airport. 

That represents a recovery of nearly 91 percent compared to 2019. 

The post British Airways Is Launching Its First-Ever Flights to Aruba  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Colombia’s Caribbean coast is buzzing, with new hotels, new visitors and a wave of new investment. 

And while much of that activity has been centered in Cartagena and the offshore island of San Andres, another destination has been heating up: Barranquilla. 

And that now includes Marriott, which just opened its newest Caribbean hotel in the city of Barranquilla. 

The new Barranquilla Marriott Hotel, set in the “Golden Gate of Colombia,” has a 191 rooms and nearly 20,000 square feet of meeting space. 

“Colombia is a destination known for its lively and rich culture with Barranquilla being a bustling seaport and the capital of Cumbia music. We are excited to expand the company’s presence in the country with the opening of Barranquilla Marriott Hotel,” said Brian King, President, Caribbean and Latin America at Marriott International. “Marriott Hotels has always been a place where guests can seamlessly blend work and relaxation, and Barranquilla, with its vibrant business community, charming heritage, and ever changing food scene, all perfectly located on the banks of the Magdalena River, is the ideal home to this new state-of-the art hotel.”

The new hotel has several dining concepts, an outdoor pool, a fitness center and special accommodations for pets. 

That includes two eateries: Amira, serving “elevated local cuisine,” and Meira Cafe, which showcases a coffee ritual and an assortment of local breads and pastries. 

And then there’s the Rum Room, a rum-used bar that showcases both Colombian and regional rum selections, with regular tastings and pairings, a nod to Colombia’s growing rum industry. 

That’s along with M Club, a Marriott brand signature that “exclusive space to rest, recharge, and refocus, every day at any time. A range of complimentary food and beverage options featuring hot breakfast, evening drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and premium beverages are offered throughout the day.”

“We are thrilled to bring Marriott Hotels to Barranquilla and continue expanding our global footprint in enriching destinations,” said Jason Nuell, Senior Vice President, Premium Brands, Marriott International. “The Marriott Hotels name is synonymous with hospitality, earning the trust of travelers around the globe, and Barranquilla Marriott Hotel is poised to continue the brand’s living legacy with its sophisticated spaces, exceptional service, and elevated experiences.”

“We are pleased to welcome global travelers and locals alike to our new hotel with an enriching experience inspired by the local and cheerful culture of the city of Barranquilla,” said Marcela Steffens, General Manager, Barranquilla Marriott Hotel. “Offering a prime location whether traveling for business or leisure or a blend of the two, we look forward to delivering excellence at every turn with heartfelt service.”

While Cartagena is Colombia’s best-known Caribbean destination, Barranquilla has quietly seen more and more new hotel development, along with new flights from carriers like Spirit Airlines.. 

For more, visit Marriott Barranquilla.

The post Marriott’s Newest Caribbean Hotel Is In Colombia appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is opening a new all-inclusive resort in the Mexican Caribbean, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The company’s newest all-inclusive resort is the Wyndham Grand Cancun All-Inclusive Resort and Villas, which is slated to open its doors on Nov. 1, 2022. 

The resort is the product of a franchising agreement with Mexico-based Grupo Cancun. 

The 364-room property, set in the heart of Cancun’s famous Hotel Zone, has seven eateries, along with five bars, four pools, a spa, a beach club, tennis courts, a kids club and retail shops, among other amenities. 

It’s part of a growing collection of new Cancun all-inclusive resorts, both in the Hotel Zone and in newer areas like Puerto Cancun. 

“Wyndham Grand resorts offer everyday travelers experiences in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, which now includes Cancun,” said Scott LePage, President, Americas at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Travelers can expect an upscale experience in the heart of the destination and immerse themselves in the Mexican culture through the resort’s wide range of dining experiences and activities.”

Wyndham has been steadily growing its all-inclusive footprint after debuting a pair of all-inclusives on the Caribbean coast of Mexico last year under the Alltra brand. 

The company says its research shows that 75 percent of travelers believe staying in all-inclusive is the best way to travel right now. 

“With more than three decades of experience, we see that we are in an increasingly globalized world and recognized an opportunity to strengthen our international position through working with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts,” said Abelardo Vara, President of Grupo Cancún. “As the world’s largest hotel franchising company, Wyndham has a strong sales and reservation system, which helps guide guests who are dreaming of their next destination to visit. As the resort converts to Wyndham Grand Cancun All-Inclusive Resort & Villas, we look forward to partnering with their highly professional team.”

The Wyndham Grand Cancun will be part of the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program, the company said. 

For more, visit Wyndham. 

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