It seems there was a bright spot in what was a sluggish year for Mexico tourism in 2019: the Riviera Nayarit. 

The destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast saw more than 780,000 travelers last year, representing a very strong 4.7 percent growth in arrivals compared to 2018. 

The strong visitation comes as the area is in the midst of a hotel development boom, with new brands coming on stream ranging from Ritz-Carlton to Rosewood to Conrad, among others. 

They’re part of a total of 15 new projects approved for 2020 and beyond, tourism officials told Caribbean Journal. 

“We are beyond grateful for the increasing support and interest we continue to receive every year from North American travelers,” said Marc Murphy, managing director of Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The properties debuting in the next couple of years are part of our efforts to continue to match the superior standards expected by guests visiting the destination. We are excited to further develop Riviera Nayarit as a world-class tourism destination.”

The Riviera Nayarit will add a total of 575 new rooms this year, with more than 3,500 new rooms in the pipeline by 2025. 

The former will be headlined by the launch of the new Conrad Punta de Mita, which will open with 325 rooms in May. 

— CJ

The post The Riviera Nayarit Is Mexico’s Hottest Tourism Destination appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The most highly-anticipated hotel opening of 2020 is here: the new Eclipse at Half Moon, Jamaica’s new standard-bearer luxury hotel, which has officially launched in the heart of Montego Bay.

The 57-room beachfront hotel is a major new addition to what has long been one of the Caribbean’s iconic places to stay, Half Moon.

“Eclipse is a distinct luxury experience, and one that honors and complements Half Moon’s legacy and character,” said Guy Steuart III, chairman of the board at Half Moon. “Guests will discover our unique spirit of character and culture amidst traditional, elegant architecture inspired by our surroundings, and dimensioned within an abundance of roamable beach and gardens.”

The new Eclipse, which was designed by renowned architecture firm Hart Howerton, is centered around a “Great House” garbed in vintage family photographs and vibrant colors, along with custom murals depicting Caribbean life.

The hotel is a mix of “Great House Open Suites,” “Estate Homes,” each with up to four bedrooms, along with 32 “prestige ocean rooms,” all of which are set in low-profile cottages with views of the sea.

In a nice touch, every ocean room has artwork from students of Jamaica’s Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The culinary program is broad: there’s the North Pointe Bar and Grill, overlooking the hotel’s infinity pool and beach; the casual beach grill called Spice; the Hammock Bar, the action-station-filled Hayward’s, along with a grab-and-go cafe called Maakit.

That’s joined by a Half Moon institution, Lester’s Bar, along with the signature eatery at Eclipse, Delmare, a “refined Italian seafood culinary experience.”

Half Moon’s signature Fern Tree, A Salamander Spa, provides the centerpiece wellness destination for the hotel.

“Eclipse is a remarkable addition to Half Moon and the Caribbean’s luxury landscape,” says Sheila Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, which was tapped to manage Half Moon last year. “Its design and artwork, along with our commitment to delivering superior culinary and wellness experiences, will make this one of the Caribbean’s most appealing destinations.”

Eclipse is now part of a three-resort complex that includes the rebranded original resort, Founders Cove at Half Moon, along with the Rose Hall Villas at Half Moon, the island’s top villa resort.

The properties are all set on the massive Half Moon campus, which is accentuated by a leading Caribbean golf course, the Robert Trent Jones, Sr-designed Half Moon Golf Club, dubbed the “Caribbean Augusta.”

The new hotel takes Half Moon’s jet-set age historic charm into the 21st century, a serious infusion of energy into what is one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations.

For more, visit Eclipse at Half Moon.

— CJ

The post The Caribbean’s Hottest New Hotel Is in Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Anguilla is an island that’s meant to be lived. Not visited. 

It’s a place for discovery.

For long, lazy afternoons on Rendezvous Bay (Garvey’s rum punch, anyone?) 

For beach bar hopping at Sandy Ground. For little trips to Sandy Island and Scilly Cay, for morning croissants at Le Bon Pain. 

And that’s why it’s such a perfect villa destination. 

Anguilla is for people who will rent a car, get out there and live the island, who will go to the market and experience what the place is all about. 

And if you’re going to choose a villa, pick this one. 

It’s called Tequila Sunrise, a stunning ultra-luxe villa in on Lover’s Cove in Dropsey Bay, and it’s one of the island’s hottest places to stay. 

Like any great villa, it’s the kind that gives you all of the amenities of a resort, and that’s decidedly the case here. 

It’s high design across the board, from the great room with its spectacular views out to St Martin to some of the most marvelous, hewn travertine bathrooms you’ll see — including outdoor showers. 

Every bedroom comes with a king bed — along with a private patio. 

And then there’s the place you’ll be spending most of your time: the infinity pool deck, home to what is one of the most remarkable vistas on the whole island: you can see the gorgeous, green-hilled beauty of St Martin and, depending on the weather, St Barth and even St Kitts, too, in the distance. (And a two-minute stroll takes you to a cozy beach that’s great for snorkeling). 

That’s along with a 24-hour concierge, daily maid service (including turndown), an on-demand chef and butler and laundry service among others. 

And true to its name, there’s tequila, with a rather delightful amenity: a Patrón dispenser, with free-flowing, chilled tequila on tap, all day long. 

And in a new amenity, every guest gets a complimentary membership at Anguilla’s Styler’s Fitness Center, one of the leading gyms on the island. 

Sophisticated travelers know that Anguilla is, at its heart, a villa destination — and this is where you should make your plans. 

And on an island that is designed for getting out and exploring, this is the rare villa that can make you never want to leave your house. 

For more, visit Tequila Sunrise Villa. 

The post A Must-Visit Caribbean Villa in Anguilla appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Carina Mörzinger, who sent in this lovely shot Mount Christoffel on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao. 

Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean?

Send it to news@caribjournal.com with CPOTW in the subject line, including your first and last name and the location of the photo. 

It could be the next Caribbean Photo of the Week!

— CJ

The post Caribbean Photo of the Week: High Up in Curacao appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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