Category: Island Life

The Caribe Hilton, a Caribbean Legend, Is Back

 

By Alexander Britell

When it opened its doors in 1949, it was the first Hilton outside of the continental United States.

And for decades, the Caribe Hilton was one of the Caribbean’s signature places to stay, how Conrad Hilton first sent San Juan into the jet-set era and defined Puerto Rico’s glamorous side.

And now the iconic Caribe Hilton is making history again, ready to unveil a dramatic $100 million transformation project when it reopens this week.

caribbean caribe hilton

The hotel first opened in 1949.

The sprawling resort, set on 17 acres on a peninsula on the northeastern coast of San Juan, has been undergoing a comprehensive, “top-to-bottom” transformation, one that included renovated guest rooms and suites, new-look event space, a new spa and upgraded food and beverage concepts.

P3 Design Collective led the makeover of what is the largest hotel in San Juan.

Caribbean Caribe Hilton

It’s a stunning waterfront location next to San Juan’s historic San Geronimo fortress.

All 652 rooms and suites have gotten a more colorful, crisper look, all including Wi-Fi, coffee markers, HDTVs and mini-fridges, from the basic rooms to the ocean-view suites. (There are a total of 917 guest rooms including the rooms, suites and Condado Lagoon Villas.)

Dining options include nine restaurants and lounges, from a Morton’s Steakhouse to a Starbucks, along with a lobby bar, Caribar, that is one of two purported birthplaces of the Piña Colada cocktail. (The other is San Juan’s legendary Barrachina, but you need to try both just to be thorough in your research).

Caribbean Caribe Hilton

The hotel, which is owned by Park Hotels and Resorts, is also launching a brand-new fitness center.

It all adds up to as complete a resort as you’ll find in Puerto Rico’s historic capital, with myriad pools, a private beach, tennis courts, tropical gardens, the Zen Spa Oceano and a swim-up bar, among others.

For more, visit the Caribe Hilton.

— CJ

The post The Caribe Hilton, a Caribbean Legend, Is Back appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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A New Way to Fly to Saint Lucia

 

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The island of Saint Lucia is set for a boost next winter with the launch of another new route from American Airlines, Caribbean Journal has learned.

American, the world’s largest airline, will launch a new Saturday-only flight between Chicago O’Hare and Saint Lucia.

The new seasonal service will begin on Dec. 21.

The route comes as Saint Lucia will soon see the addition of a second daily nonstop flight from Miami to Saint Lucia, set to begin June 6.

— CJ

The post A New Way to Fly to Saint Lucia appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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LSU works to help control invasive water weed in Puerto Rico

… citizen and a university in Puerto Rico to control an invasive South … AgCenter and the University of Puerto Rico are working to get permits …

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Caribbean Photo of the Week: San Salvador, The Bahamas

 

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Ken McCallum, who sent in this lovely shot from the Club Med Columbus Isle on San Salvador in The Bahamas.

Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean?

Send it to news@caribjournal.com with CPOTW in the subject line, including your first and last name and the location of the photo.

It could be the next Caribbean Photo of the Week!

— CJ

The post Caribbean Photo of the Week: San Salvador, The Bahamas appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Sun Country Is Adding a New Route to Jamaica

 

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Low-cost carrier Sun Country Airlines is adding a new route to the island of Jamaica, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board.

The airline is planning to launch a new route between Dallas-Fort Worth and Montego Bay beginning May 24.

The new service will be operating twice weekly, with service running on Mondays and Fridays through the summer season.

The new service comes as Sun Country is ramping up its presence in the Caribbean region, with new routes to islands including St Kitts and Belize, among others.

It also continues Dallas-Fort Worth’s growing position as a hub for Caribbean travel. (Indeed, Sun Country is also set to launch new service from Dallas-Fort Worth to St Kitts this spring.

— CJ

The post Sun Country Is Adding a New Route to Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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