The Caribbean’s roster of high-design, forward-thinking, fun-loving hotels continues to grow. 

Everyone has a different definition of what’s cool — particularly when it comes to hotels. 

But a cool hotel should have an x-factor, a special quality that turns it into something more than just a collection of rooms — whether that’s from the way it looks, the way it sounds or the way it feels. 

Our eighth annual edition of the Cool List takes you on a journey across the Caribbean, with some hotels you may know and a host of hidden-away gems just begging to be discovered. 

Here is the 2020 edition of the CJ Cool List. 

The Fred, St Croix St Croix’s first new hotel in decades has injected major new energy into the heart of Frederiksted, and this playful, hip boutique continues to raise its game. The adults-only hotel has everything from a spa to a great stretch of beach to some of the most avant-garde decor you’ll see in the Caribbean Even better, it’s the perfect gateway to one of the buzziest destinations in the Caribbean, an island with a thriving culinary scene, beautiful beaches and a funky, forward-thinking vibe. It all adds up to our favorite “cool” hotel for 2020. 

The post The Cool List: The Coolest Caribbean Hotels for 2020 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship will make its debut in the Caribbean in November. 

The new Odyssey of the Seas will launch in the Mediterranean this summer before heading to Fort Lauderdale for its first Caribbean sailings in November. 

Odyssey of the Seas will be the first of its class, Quantum Ultra Class, to cruise in the Caribbean. 

It’s slated to visit Caribbean destinations including Curacao, Aruba, Grand Cayman and Mexico, sailing both six and eight-night itineraries out of Fort Lauderdale. 

Royal Caribbean said Odyssey of the Seas would be returning to Fort Lauderdale in November 2021 as well. 

The new ship will feature some of Royal Caribbean’s newest concepts, from the SeaPlex indoor entertainment venue to a surf simulator and “North Star” glass capsule. 

For more, visit Royal Caribbean.

— CJ

The post New Royal Caribbean Ship Coming to Caribbean in November appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Long a well-kept secret for travelers in the know, Belize has quietly become a full-fledged Caribbean hotspot in recent years, buoyed by one of the region’s fastest rates of tourism growth. 

And now it’s borne out by the data — Belize just set a new all-time record for tourism arrivals to the destination, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The buzzing destination on the Caribbean coast of Central America topped the half-million mark for stayover viistor arrivals for the first time last year. 

The Belize Tourism Board confirmed that the country welcomed 503,177 overnight visitors last year, a 2.8 percent increase compared to 2018. 

While growth slowed compared to its double-digit growth of the previous year, Belize still managed to set the new record. 

“This is a significant accomplishment which is testament to the fact that Belize’s tourism industry continues on an upward trend,” Belize Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia, Jr said. “We now look forward to building on this achievement in 2020, as we continue to work with our valued industry partners and stakeholders, to further develop and enhance Belize’s tourism product.”

Belize tourism officials have set out a goal of 556,000 annual overnight visitors by the year 2030 — a number that now seems eminently attainable.

“With 10 years remaining, the 2019 figure is representative of already attaining more than 90 percent of this 2030 vision,” the Belize Tourism Board said in a statement. 

Most importantly, the half-million number represents 100 percent growth in stayover arrivals since 2010, when Belize reported 241,119 overnight tourists, according to Heredia. 

David Benzaquen, general manager of the Cayo Espanto private-island resort, has seen the destination’s growth up front.

“Belize has long been one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean. With a vast array of underwater life, tropical landscape, natural world wonders like the Great Blue Hole, Mayan ruins and more, it is a diverse destination for visitors,” Benzaquen told Caribbean Journal. “Having opened the doors to Cayo Espanto more than 20 years ago, we have been able to experience the immense amount of growth and recognition the country has gained and are thrilled to be a part of the thriving destination.”

The growth, in large part due to continued success in attracting new airlift to Belize, comes as the destination has quietly become one of the most popular hotel development hubs in the wider Caribbean, too.

Indeed, Belize’s hotel pipeline is exceptionally diverse, with new projects on the way ranging from Margaritaville to Marriott’s Autograph Collection to a highly-anticipated new Four Seasons Resort on Caye Chapel. (The latter will include a collection of overwater bungalows.)

The new properties will add to a large collection of mostly boutique-sized hotels and resorts, from private destinations to adventure retreats like Chaa Creek and the Hamanasi Resort. 

That dichotomy exemplifies Belize’s product, which is really two different destinations: inland, lush jungles and classic, beachy outposts like the popular Ambergris Caye and, more recently, the sizzling area of Placencia. 

— CJ

The post Belize Has Quietly Become a Caribbean Hotspot appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

A new casino resort destination is coming to Punta Cana, the most popular tourism destination in the Dominican Republic. 

Serenade Caribbean Hotels has announced plans to open a 603-room all-inclusive casino resort (yes, there will be swim-out rooms as an option) on Punta Cana’s Playa Cabeza de Toro, with a targeted opening date in June of this year. 

In fact, Serenade just rebranded the project to reinforce its position as a new gaming destination in the country. 

“In order to convey a complete vacation experience for guests, we have decided to update the name of our first resort to Serenade Punta Cana Beach, Spa & Casino Resort,” said Aimee Tejeda, director of sales and marketing.

The casino will be one of the centerpieces of the resort, with a total of 6,800 square feet, including table games and slots. 

“Our guests can have a vacation that encompasses the beauty of the beach and Caribbean Sea, the rejuvenating elements of a spa treatment and the thrill of nighttime entertainment which includes our luxurious casino. We are designing Serenade Punta Cana to offer five-star amenities at a price that doesn’t break the bank and provides value to our customers,” Tejeda said.

Serenade Punta Cana will also include a 9,000-square-foot spa called Etra Spa. 

The project is the first Caribbean resort for a Spain-based hotel company called Best Hotels. 

It’s the latest in what has been a surging hotel development pipeline in Punta Cana. 

For more, visit Serenade Punta Cana. 

— CJ

The post Punta Cana Is Getting a New Casino Resort appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico