By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Mexican Caribbean hotspot of Cancun is about to get its first-ever all-inclusive Margaritaville resort, part of a broad expansion for Margaritaville’s new all-inclusive brand.

The new Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun by Karisma will be the first of a wave of new all-inclusive properties across the Caribbean and Mexico resulting from a deal between Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Karisma Hotels and Resorts.

They will all debut under the new Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma brand, with the Cancun property slated to make its debut this winter.

Other confirmed destinations include a second resort on the Riviera Maya; one in Jamaica and another in Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, according to the company.

The “Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma” will be Margaritaville’s first collection of “inclusive luxury resorts,” according to a statement.

“Our partnership with Margaritaville delivers inclusive resorts unlike anything that has been done before where guests will enjoy unforgettably luxurious vacations without any pretense,” said Mandy Chomat, President at Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive representative of Karisma Hotels and Resorts. “Margaritaville is an esteemed lifestyle brand that inspires guests to have a good time and relax.  Coupled with our commitment to delivering elevated inclusive resorts with extraordinary service and amenities, along with wow moments, Margaritaville Island Reserve will be the ultimate destination for travelers to escape and have fun in the world’s most stunning beach locales.”

The deal between Margaritaville and Karisma was first formalized in 2017.

“With breathtaking beach views, friendly and anticipatory service  and our signature Margaritaville state of mind, Margaritaville Island Reserve is truly the ‘Mi Casa es Su Casa’ experience guests deserve at an inclusive resort,” said Tamara Baldanza-Dekker, Chief Marketing Officer for Margaritaville. “We are thrilled to team up with Karisma Hotels & Resorts to create this collection of incredible  properties that deliver carefree Island Reserve Inclusive vacations in some of the most beautiful destinations in the world.”

Margaritaville already has a growing portfolio of branded EP hotels in the Caribbean, from the Margaritaville Beach Resort in Grand Cayman to the highly-anticipated Margaritaville at The Pointe in Nassau, with the later slated to debut in the next year.

The post Margaritaville’s Big Caribbean All-Inclusive Expansion appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Wyndham’s La Quinta hotel brand is planning a major expansion to the Dominican Republic.

Wyndham has signed an agreement with Caribbean developer Profusion Group.

 “With a top-performing Caribbean economy and millions of annual visitors, the Dominican Republic attracts a variety of travelers seeking the exceptional value, service and quality for which La Quinta by Wyndham is known in the U.S.,” said Tom Barber, Chief Global Development Officer at Wyndham. “We are committed to working with passionate, like-minded partners like Profusion Group to introduce the brand to new markets – and new travelers – around the world.”

The deal calls for a total of eight new-build La Quinta by Wyndham hotels in the Dominican Republic over the next five years.

Of that, four properties are slated to open in 2021, all of which will be managed by Wyndham’s international management division.

Barber said the expansion was due to increased demand for upper-midscale lodging, particularly in the Dominican Republic, “meeting the needs of the growing traveling class of 280 million households seeking trusted, value-driven travel experiences.”

Interestingly, the company said the hotels would open in destinations with the need for select-service hotels “as alternatives to the island’s upscale all-inclusive resorts,” along with up-and-coming cities with needs for hotel supply.

“The Dominican Republic’s leading position in the Caribbean’s hospitality sector, combined with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ leadership team, a strong and sustainable economy and growing middle class will add to La Quinta by Wyndham’s fast growing footprint,” said Edward De Valle II, CEO of Profusion Group.

Wyndham has been steadily increasing its Caribbean portfolio this year, from a new hotel in Belize to a relaunch in Puerto Rico. 

The post La Quinta Planning Major Expansion to Dominican Republic appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Kitts’ airlift boom has continued with the launch of a new weekly route from Dallas-Fort Worth.

American Airlines has begun operating the new nonstop service with a once-weekly flight on Saturdays.

The flight, which takes a little less than 5.5 hours, is part of a growing airlift network for St Kitts, which is seeing surging visitor arrivals so far this year.

The new seasonal summer service is being operated on an Airbus A319 aircraft, according to American Airlines.

American also just announced plans to add a second weekly flight from New York to St Kitts beginning this winter.

— CJ

The post More New Nonstop Flights to St Kitts appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

For years, it was one of Dominica’s signature places to stay: a high-level eco resort on an island renowned for its unsurpassed natural beauty.

And now, less than two years after the storms of 2017, the legendary Caribbean eco resort is back.

The transformed Jungle Bay, now in a new location on the southwestern corner of the island of Dominica, officially welcomed its first new guests with a soft opening this weekend.

What the new Jungle Bay’s villas look like.

“The Jungle Bay family is excited to begin hosting guests at our new wellness property in Soufriere, Dominica,” Jungle Bay developer Sam Raphael told Caribbean Journal. “Our proximity to hot springs, some of the region’s best diving as well as yoga overlooking the Caribbean Sea are highlights of the new location.”

The new property is a collection of eco-friendly luxury villas, with a decor “inspired by nature,” according to the resort.

Inside a villa.

This month, 30 units are open, a mix of two room types: full villas as well as villa rooms. (Jungle Bay will hold its official reopening and “vine-cutting” on June 30, according to a spokesperson for Jungle Bay. 

The plan is to expand further next year, with more villas and even a new zipline at the property.

All of the property’s amenities, which range from a pair of yoga studios to an infinity pool and an activities center,   are opening this month.

The historic property, which was the site of a famous lime plantation in the late 19th century, has everything from a banana plantation to a host of easily accessible walking trails. 

A reading nook in one of the villas.

Jungle Bay’s long-awaited return is a significant step for Dominica’s tourism renaissance, which has seen the return of many of hits top hotels, from the ultra-luxe Secret Bay (which is also expanding) to the popular Fort Young in the heart of Dominica’s capital, Roseau.

For more, visit Jungle Bay.

— CJ

The post Jungle Bay, a Legendary Caribbean Eco-Resort, Is Back appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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