By the Caribbean Journal staff

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is adding a new hotel in the Caribbean.

The luxury hotel brand is partnering with San Francisco Investments, a subsidiary of Valorem, to open a new luxury hotel and private residences project in Cartagena on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

The hotel will be set across a series of historic buildings in the centuries-old heart of Cartagena, including Cloister of Saint Francis that includes the 16th-century Saint Francis Church; the Club Cartagena, a 1920s Beaux Arts building; and four renowned theaters, Teatro Cartagena, Teatro Calamarí, Teatro Bucanero and Teatro Rialto.

Set in the city’s Getsemani neighborhood, the property will be a new kind of luxury hotel in the old town.

“This new Hotel and Private Residences is the perfect project for us to expand our presence in South America, providing us with the rare opportunity to convert such an exceptional collection of historic buildings within a marquee location in one of the region’s most alluring cities,” says Bart Carnahan, Executive Vice President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Together with our partners at Valorem, we look forward to bringing the very best in luxury hospitality to Cartagena.”

The 131-room hotel will include six food and beverage concepts, an atrium lounge, a rooftop pool and a Four Seasons spa, among other amenities.

The residential component will be comprised of 16 private residences, the first branded residential units in the historic town.

“We are proud to partner with the iconic Four Seasons brand to build a new luxury Hotel and Private Residences in the vibrant city of Cartagena,” said Carlos Arturo Londoño, President of Valorem. “Paired with Four Seasons exceptional service, the newly restored Hotel and Private Residences will be the most sought-after destination to live and visit and will transform the hospitality landscape in Cartagena.”

The Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena will also have 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

The project is yet another infusion of energy into what is one of the hottest centers of hospitality investment in the wider Caribbean region.

Interiors will be designed by Francois Catroux and Wimberly Interiors.

The two companies have not announced a planned opening date.

Four Seasons’ Caribbean portfolio currently includes properties in Anguilla, Nevis and The Bahamas, with another planned project in Belize.

— CJ

The post Four Seasons Is Opening a New Caribbean Hotel in Cartagena appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

Part of a growing trend of hotel investment in Jamaica’s capital, Hilton has announced the planned opening of a new Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel in Kingston.

The new 168-room ROK Hotel, owned by PanJam Investment Limited, is slated to open its doors in 2020 in a multi-purpose complex on the Kingston waterfront.

The wider project will include retail, entertainment and commercial office spaces.

“Strategically focused on our expansion across the Caribbean and Latin America, we value the opportunity presented with Tapestry Collection by Hilton,” said Juan Corvinos, vice president, development, Caribbean and Latin America, Hilton. “With Tapestry Collection, we open the door to owners with unique, upscale hotels, who seek to maintain their property’s distinctive character, but also seek the benefits of the Hilton engine and our award-winningHilton Honors program.”

Kingston, Jamaica at sunset.

Hilton said the project was part of a broader push in Jamaica’s capital to revitalize the Kingston waterfront.

It’s part of a transformation of the former Oceana Hotel that first opened in 1977.

“Following a year of impressive growth since the brand’s launch, including the signing of our first two properties in Peru, we are energized by our expansion in the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Jenna Hackett, global head, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. “With its deep roots in the community, the ROK Hotel, Kingston will offer guests an authentically local experience coupled with the warm and welcoming hospitality of Jamaica.”

The property will feature an “expansive” pool deck on its first floor, along with other amenities like a fitness center, a restauarant, a bar, a lounge area and a cafe.

It will also include flexible meetings and event space.

“As Hilton continues to expand its presence throughout the Caribbean, we are excited to have the opportunity to support their growth and debut the Tapestry Collection brand in the region,” said Stephen Facey, chairman and chief executive officer of PanJam. “We recognize the value in collaborating with a well-respected global hospitality company such as Hilton, particularly as we work together to introduce travelers to authentic Kingston experiences, while offering them the brand’s upscale accommodations.”

It becomes one of several major hotel project currently underway in Kingston, most notably the AC Marriott that is the product of a partnership between Sandals and Marriott along with a 220-room Wyndham-branded hotel.

And it’s yet another new project for Hilton, which has been rapidly expanding its Caribbean footprint so far in 2019.

The post Jamaica Is Getting A New Hilton Hotel in Kingston appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The PGA Tour is set to add the island of Bermuda to its schedule next season.

The world’s highest level of tournament golf will debut the Bermuda Championship from Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2019, the first-ever PGA Tour event on the island.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority has signed a five-year agreement, through 2023, with the tour, as the title sponsor of the event.

“We are excited to add the Bermuda Championship to the PGA TOUR beginning next season,” said Ty Votaw, Executive Vice President, International for the PGA TOUR. “Bermuda is an appealing year-round destination, and the players will love visiting in the fall, plus we will be hosted by an outstanding golf course. It promises to be a wonderful opportunity to showcase Bermuda – a beautiful island destination that embodies genuine hospitality — to the world.”

It’s a boon for the island, and follows similar successful models by islands like The Bahamas that have pushed sports tourism and seen significant marketing benefits from focused TV attention.

“The Bermuda Tourism Authority is thrilled to have secured this pinnacle event in golf for Bermuda’s tourism industry and community,” said Kevin Dallas, CEO of the BTA. “We’ve had our sights set on a PGA TOUR partnership because of the significant economic benefit the event itself will generate for Bermuda’s economy as well as the worldwide exposure to their audience that perfectly aligns with Bermuda’s visitor targets.”

The tournament will be played at the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, designed by Robert Trent Jones, a par-71, 6,539-yard course. It’s not yet clear whether the course will be lengthened ahead of the event. 

— CJ

The post Bermuda Is Getting a PGA Tour Event appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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