By Alexander Britell and Guy Britton

After a meal of fresh local snapper and white wine, you walk past the brilliant blue view and the striking cliffs beneath your feet and it’s very easy to forget you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort.

It’s only the absence of the bill that gives any clue, here at the Sonesta Ocean Point in St Maarten, a revamped resort that is quietly redefining the all-inclusive experience.

Perched high above St Maarten’s iconic Maho Beach, there’s a rarefied air up here, where sleek, crisp design makes for a very different, very welcome, experience.

And yes, it’s a beautiful property, set on a cliffside that makes for a very different vantage point of St Maarten, where the views often take over, concocting a wonderful feeling that you’re halfway between St Maarten and somewhere in the Mediterranean.

You’ll never tire of the blue.

But it’s the details that take what would already be a cool all-inclusive resort and turn it into something more.

Because luxury is always in the details.

It’s in the Molton Brown amenities in the bathrooms, in the Pellegrino the Acqua Panna you get at the restaurants, in the Nespresso machines that are in every room.

Splurge for the swim-up rooms.

Or the nightly, comprehensive turndown service or the (optional) candle-lit clifftop dinners.

Or the smart swim-up rooms, some of which come with the aforementioned sweeping cliffside views.

It’s a resort where you get the feeling that you’re cared for, that your indulgences are indulged, a place that knows you’re here on vacation and wants to give you the little touches to make your stay that much sweeter.

St Maarten is in the midst of a renaissance of its own, and the transformed Sonesta Ocean Point (along with its similarly reimagined Sonesta Maho next door) are at the forefront, offering a new, next-level experience for St Maarten’s loyal visitors — and those who are discovering the island for the first time.

They’ll be very happy with what they find.

For more, visit the Sonesta Ocean Point.

The post VIDEO: The All-Inclusive Sonesta Ocean Point in St Maarten appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Popular Italian eatery Scarpetta, which has locations around the world, is now opening its first-ever restaurant on a cruise ship.

The new Onda by Scarpetta will make its debut on the still-in-production Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore ship, joining a portfolio of Scarpetta-branded eateries in New York, Miami, Las Vegas, The Hamptons, London, Philadelphia and Newport.

It’s the product of a collaboration between NCL and LDV Hospitality.

Norwegian Encore.

“We are passionate about delivering innovative and exceptional experiences to our guests, and this exciting collaboration with LDV Hospitality showcases that commitment beautifully,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Onda by Scarpetta will be the perfect complement to the variety of spectacular offerings available on our soon-to-launch Norwegian Encore.”

Norwegian Encore will sail seven-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean beginning this November.

The ship will also sail a combination of four, five and seven-day itineraries to Bermuda in April 2020, along with a return to the Caribbean for the 2020 winter season.

— CJ

The post Scarpetta Is Coming to Norwegian Cruise Line appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Washington — Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló is … San Juan, Puerto Rico. Thousands of people across Puerto Rico are still … an ardent supporter of Puerto Rican statehood, also believes the … under the 23rd Amendment. Puerto Ricans who move to the …

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

The celebrated Four Seasons Resort Nevis has kicked off the final chapter of its multi-phase, two-year-long renovation project.

the latest enhancements will include the redesign of the resort’s main signature pool, construction of a new restaurant concept, On the Dune, that extends out on to the sand; and the unveiling of additional improved spaces around the property.

“These new areas will continue to evoke the fresh take on a timeless Caribbean experience that we began rolling out in 2018,” says Gonzalo Güelman Ros, general manager of the Four Seasons Nevis. “We are excited to bring the entire Resort enhancement full circle to fulfill our vision of a luxury Caribbean playground, offering infinite perfect places in one perfect paradise.”

The resort’s signature pool will be completely reconstructed and raised to create one long sight line from the Great House lobby straight out to the Caribbean Sea horizon.

The new, 3,300-square-foot infinity edge pool will be the centerpiece of the property, featuring 86 new loungers and four luxury pool cabanas equipped with seating and furnishings, wi-fi connectivity and power.

The pool’s 5,350 square foot hardwood deck will be highlighted by a new feature fire pit that will be installed to the west of the pool, towards the beach.

Replacing the existing Cabana restaurant, On the Dune will be a 7,300 square foot outdoor restaurant with seating for 138 and additional capacity at the bar.

The new venue will serve as the new signature pool and beach dining option, offering casual fare throughout the day with views leading out to the Caribbean Sea, the Narrows Channel and the neighboring island of St Kitts.

In the evening, the restaurant will transform into a vibrant beachfront party atmosphere providing indoor and outdoor elements, accented by an extended, shaded covered seating area with the option of retracting the awning for views of the stars at dusk.

The menu will consist of a “farm to table” blend of Caribbean and American cuisines, using fresh regional seafood and produce.

The 4,000-square-foot covered bar area will complement the overall feel of the pool experience during the day and focus on a selection of wines by the glass and a cocktail program in the evening.

Most of the renovation work will continue through Sept. 30, during which period the property will remain closed.

There will be select villa availability, however, according to the resort.

The post Four Seasons Nevis Set to Complete Major Renovation appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

There’s another new way to get to the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba.

American Airlines has officially begun operating a new nonstop service from New York’s Laguardia Airport to Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport.

The Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort in Aruba.

The new weekly service is operating on Saturdays, part of a growing flight network to the popular Caribbean destination.

American Airlines is operating the service on Boeing 737 aircraft.

The flight departs each Saturday morning at 8:20 AM, with a flight time of just under five hours, according to American Airlines.

Boca Grandi, Aruba.

It’s yet another boost for an island that has seen more and more new routes in the last several years, from new Southwest Airlines flights from Fort Lauderdale to Aruba to a pair of weekly routes on American Airlines from both Chicago and Dallas.

The new flights come as Aruba has continued to evolve as a destination, deepening the visitor experience beyond what are already some of the region’s most beautiful beaches into new worlds of culture, music and gastronomy.

Screaming Eagle is Aruba’s destination eatery.

That includes the burgeoning cultural capital of San Nicolas on the island’s southeastern tip, an increasingly hip downtown in both Oranjestad and its outskirts and a culinary scene that includes several of the Caribbean’s destination restaurants, from the acclaimed Screaming Eagle to Chef Dennis van Daatselaar’s Wilhelmina.

That’s without mentioning the island’s rugged, fascinating eastern coast.

Heading to Aruba? Learn more about some of the hottest places to stay.

— CJ

The post Aruba Gets New Nonstop Flights from New York appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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