Over the last few years, Antigua and Barbuda has developed into one of the Caribbean’s hottest hotspots, thanks to an energetic mix of world-class hotels, exotic beauty and what just might be the best airport in the entire Caribbean. Antigua is a robust, rich destination, meaning that it’s filled with different kinds of vacations for every traveler: families, yachters, honeymooners and foodies can all find an Antigua trip that will suit them snugly.

So what are you waiting for? Here are six great reasons why Antigua should be your next Caribbean destination.

Valley Church beach in Antigua.

The Beaches You may have heard that there are 365 of them here, and they’re all spectacular. Whether you’re on the tranquil sands of Dickenson Bay or spending the day in awe of the brilliant turquoise of Valley Church beach, Antigua’s beaches really are worth the trip. And if you doubt the 365 number, well, there’s only one thing to do: a recount.

Galley Bay in Antigua.

The Adults-Only Resorts Antigua has one of the more rarefied collections of resorts in the region, with a diverse mix of luxury resorts, all-inclusives, boutique hotels and classic beach stays. But the adults-only offerings are particularly good, highlighted by the legendary Galley Bay, the hip Cocobay and the classic Pineapple Beach Club.

The beach at the Inn at English Harbour.

The Family Resorts Led by the luxe, lovely Curtain Bluff, Antigua’s family resorts are many. The Verandah is the perfect place for a large family getaway (with a wonderful water sports offering) while smaller beach hotels like the Inn at English Harbour can provide a different kind of family vacation. You can’t go wrong at any of them.

The History There are few UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Caribbean, and Antigua’s Nelson’s Dockyard, the onetime haunt of Admiral Horatio Nelson, is one of the best. It’s a charming old town, walkable and breezy, that’s also home to a pair of terrific boutique hotels set in historic buildings: the Copper and Lumber and the Admiral’s Inn. Venture further out and you’ll get to the Shirley Heights Lookout, home to a weekly block-party-style event that marries magnificent views with one of the island’s most popular get-togethers.

Sheer Rocks is Antigua’s must-visit place to eat.

The Food There are many ways to explore Antigua, and one of them is on a plate. The island’s flagship eatery is Sheer Rocks, a tapas-style restaurant that is member of the Caribbean’s culinary pantheon, and the gastronomic quality extends across Antigua, from the venerable Le Bistro to the local spots in St John’s.

The Barbuda Belle.

Barbuda Whether you go for the day or for a week, Barbuda is this destination’s ultimate party piece. Just a short ferry or flight from Antigua, Barbuda is some of the most marvelous beaches in the entire Caribbean, the sort of castaway-style, empty, endless stretches of sand that you thought didn’t exist anymore. And if you want to stay longer, choose a stay at the eco-chic Barbuda Belle.

The post 6 Reasons to Make Antigua and Barbuda Your Next Caribbean Getaway appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Turks and Caios’ Beach Enclave has named a new director of sales and marketing.

The luxury brand, which is behind several residential resort developments in Providenciales, has appointed Valerie Lund to the role, group director Joshua Torai announced.

Lund was most recently with sales consulting firm Inspire Journeys.

“There is nothing more stimulating than to be able to build and create an independent brand as we are doing with Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos,” Ms. Lund notes. “This is just the beginning as we now have the freedom to explore ideas, curate experiences, and design bespoke services for luxury travelers through our exciting brand ethos.”

Beach Enclave most recently launched another new development in Turks and Caicos called Beach Enclave Long Bay, set on Provo’s prestigious Long Bay Beach.

— CJ

The post Turks and Caicos’ Beach Enclave Names New Marketing Director appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hyatt Hotels has officially made its debut at the Coco Beach development in Puerto Rico.

The company’s newest Caribbean resort is The Resort at Coco Beach, a Hyatt Affiliated Hotel, a rebranding of the former Gran Melia Puerto Rico resort in Rio Grande.

For now it’s called an “affiliated hotel,” though it will eventually be rebranded into a full-fledged Hyatt Regency resort after what Hyatt is calling an “extensive” renovation.

The property includes a collection of beachfront “bungalows.”

The family-friendly resort, managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, is set in the heart of the massive Coco Beach development near Puerto Rico’s El Yunque rainforest.

It’s perhaps best known for its pair of Tom Kite-designed championship golf courses, currently the home of the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open.

Dining options include a Caribbean buffet, the Nori Asian Grill and Prime 787, an American-style steakhouse, along with nearly 37,000 square feet of meeting space.

The main pool at the resort.

There are 579 rooms at the resort, all with balconies or terraces with either garden, pool or ocean views (deluxe suites boast 1,075 square feet and their own outdoor jacuzzis).

Renovated suites are part of a light renovation Hyatt has so far undertaken at the property.

The debut marks the first true Hyatt resort in Puerto Rico, which is already home to several of Hyatt’s other brands including Hyatt House and Hyatt Place.

Rio Grande is about 25 miles outside of San Juan.

It’s just the beginning of what is pegged as a transformative new development in Coco Beach, one that could mean as much as $1.5 billion in new tourism investment and as many as 2,500 new hotel rooms, according to Carla Campos, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

For more, visit the Resort at Coco Beach.

— CJ

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The soon-to-be-upgraded Celebrity Constellation cruise ship is headling Celebrity Cruises’ return to Tampa Bay.

The Celebrity Cruises ship, which had been stationed in Asia, will be homeporting at Port Tampa Bay for the winter 2020 season.

“Our guests and travel advisors have been asking us to return to Tampa since our last call there in 2007,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “While ‘Celebrity Cruises’ fleet is undergoing a massive modernization with the Celebrity revolution, the beautiful City of Tampa is also experiencing quite a renaissance. How fitting for our evolving brand to return to an evolving city with a completely ‘revolutionized’ ship?’”

Celebrity Constellation will be sailing three itineraries around the region, including a 10-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, an 11-night Southern Caribbean cruise and an 11-night itinerary that will include a stop at the Panama Canal.

“We are very excited to welcome Celebrity Cruises to the Tampa Bay market. In 2020 Celebrity Cruises will offer a variety of itineraries from Tampa that will include stops at exotic locations in southern and eastern Caribbean. The addition of this premium brand to the explosive growth that Tampa Bay is experiencing will add an extraordinary adventure to the many choices vacationers have in Tampa Bay,” said Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson.

Constellation will be heading to dry dock in May 2020 for a major modernization project, part of a wider $500 million fleet enhancement project by the company.

— CJ

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