By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Caribbean’s hottest all-inclusive destination has welcomed another new resort.

Blue Diamond’s Royalton Antigua has officially opened its doors on the island’s beautiful Deep Bay, another all-inclusive in the destination’s enviable portfolio.

The new 294-room all-inclusive has a range of amenities, from a kids’ club to a signature spa.

For now, it’s a soft opening, with some amenities like the casino and some eateries still finishing up construction.

It’s set about 30 minutes from Antigua’s VC Bird International Airport, with a family-friendly focus, a private beach and signature brand amenities like 24-hour room service, “DreamBeds” and weekly themed pool and beach parties.

Still to come? A group of spectacular overwater bungalows, which will be the first of their kind in Antigua, slated to open in June.

It’s part of a growing Caribbean collection for Royalton, which has embarked on a rapid regional expansion that has seen new hotels in destinations including the Dominican Republic, Cancun, Jamaica and Saint Lucia, among others.

The new resort comes as an even more highly anticipated property, the Hammock Cove boutique adults-only all-inclusive will be making its debut later this year in Antigua.

Heading to Antigua? Here are six resorts to try right now.

For more, visit Royalton Antigua.

— CJ

The post A New All-Inclusive Opens in Antigua appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Jason Phrance, who sent in this lovely shot of sunset at Grand Anse Beach in Grenada.

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: Sunset in Grenada appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… three terms as governor of Puerto Rico.
Hernandez Colon, 82, died … leaders in the history of Puerto Rico, a Puerto Rican icon, a treasure of … as the father of modern Puerto Rico.
One of the most moving … the death of a great Puerto Rican hero, who was, on …

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You can call it cask-finishing or barrel finishing or secondary aging or whatever you like.

But it’s no secret that using the barrels that once held other spirits to give different personalities to rum is an increasingly prominent trend in the rum world.

It’s one that remains best executed in Martinique, where distilleries like Rhum Depaz and Rhum HSE continue to set the global standard for their cask-finished rums.

And while we’ve seen all kinds of finishes, from port to sherry to Highland whisky, there’s one spirit that has not thus far given its personality to any rum: tequila.

But master blender Toby Tyler, the man behind the celebrated Afrohead — and, more recently, the Jamaica by way of Harbour Island Bahamas rum called One Drop, has pushed the envelope again with a new expression finished in Tequila barrels.

It’s called, fittingly, “Cactus & Cane.”

It’s a limited edition One Drop that takes seven-year-old Jamaican rum and sends it for nearly eight months in ex-tequila barrels.

It’s a seriously robust rum, with the proof pushed to 102 and the result is, well, something totally new in the rum world.

So what’s it like?

The rum has a pale golden color, with an aroma dominated by honey, anise and white pepper.

And for even a seasoned rum aficionado, it takes a few moments to understand this tequila-rum dance.

You can taste the One Drop, but this Mexican-Jamaican symphony quickly heats up, the tequila whispering at you as the timpani of this high-proof Jamaican juice hits you right in the face.

Yes, it’s One Drop, but it’s gotten even funkier, spicier and bolder.

It becomes a full-on jam session, resulting in a manifestation of rum you’ve never experienced before.

If a rum can be called rock and roll, it’s this, something bursting with personality.

It’s different, unique, and it marries tequila’s troublemaking character with the drinkability and power of rum.

It’s an inspired expression — and something we want to see more of.

Rum Journal Review: 92 points

One Drop Tequila Finish Limited Edition

— CJ

The post Rum Journal: From the Bahamas, a Tequila-Finished Rum appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

American Airlines is ramping up its service to the island of Saint Lucia this summer.

The carrier will be resuming its second daily nonstop flight from Miami to Saint Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport this summer, with service set to resume on June 6.

The flight will join the existing year-round flight from Miami to Saint Lucia that departs daily at 11:13 AM.

The second flight, which will depart at 8:45 AM, will give travelers a full afternoon to enjoy on their first day on the island.

Planning to visit Saint Lucia for a summer getaway? Don’t miss our recent look at seven ways to experience Saint Lucia, or check out the island’s full-fledged destination resort, the Marigot Bay Resort.

— CJ

The post American Airlines Ramping Up Saint Lucia Flights This Summer appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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