By the Caribbean Journal staff

Marriott has kicked off 2019 with a new addition in the Caribbean.

The travel giant’s Renaissance Hotels brand has officially debuted its new Renaissance Cancun Resort and Marina, anchoring the new marina in Puerto Cancun.

The 180-room Mexican Caribbean property, which Marriott is describing as a “lifestyle resort,” is the new centerpiece of the Puerto Cancun development, a project that includes a Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course, a shopping center, eateries, movie theaters and the largest marina in the area.

A pool with a view.

The sleek hotel was designed by Estudio Lemus Arquitecetos in conjunction with idea Asociados.

“We have been on a journey to evolve our hotels’ design to reflect what the Renaissance brand offers today: a sense of clever theatricality and an open invitation to experience something a little unexpected during our guests’ travels,” said George Fleck, Vice President of Global Brand Marketing and Management at Renaissance.  “We are  thrilled to celebrate Renaissance Cancún Resort and Marina and its spontaneous high-low design that embraces the DNA of the locale and gives guests a new sense of the destination.”

The “whimsical” design includes everything from underground art by local urban artists to an aesthetic inspired by the Mayan underworld of “Xibalba.”

The bathrooms are filled with personality.

“Just as the Mayan underworld is a universe worth discovering, Renaissance Cancún Resort & Marina is a space full of stories waiting to be told,” said Karina Zuñiga, General Manager.  “Stories that will awake the explorer within us, when we allow ourselves to be inspired by the unexpected.” 

Tom Weiskopf, best known in the Caribbean for Paradise Island’s Ocean Club course, designed the championship track.

Dining concepts range from the Merotoro restaurant, with a focus on the cuisine of Baja California, Mexico led by Chef Jair Tellez to the Nuup Deli Cafe coffee shop to the locally-inspired Kaajal Restaurant.

That’s alongside the flagship Zek Bar, helmed by a DJ.

The Merotoro restaurant.

It’s a new kind of property for Renaissance, whose Caribbean portfolio has been focused on urban centers like those in Willemstad, Curacao and Oranjestad, Aruba.

The new Cancun outpost, set about 10 minutes from the city center, is a new look is a bit of a new personality for the brand, a bit more hip, a bit more like one of Marriott’s other brands: W.

It’s also an important step for Puerto Cancun, which has been years in development but in need of a flagship hotel.

Now, the highly-anticipated entertainment center of Cancun has a major new place to stay.

For more, visit Renaissance Cancun Resort.

— CJ

The post Marriott Opens Renaissance Cancun Resort appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

February 13, 2019
Puerto Rico’s electric grid would … Feb. 12 by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.
The 20 … must be vetted by the Puerto Rico Energy Commission, also calls … Stephen Spears, president of the Puerto Rico chapter of the Associated General …

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The highly-anticipated Virgin Voyages just crossed a major threshold.

It’s officially open for business.

Sir Richard Branson’s new adults-only cruise line launched bookings on Thursday for its new-build Scarlet Lady ship, which will be sailing out of PortMiami beginning in 2020.

The ship’s inaugural season will run from April 1 to Oct. 25, 2020.

A rendering of the Scarlet Lady ship.

“I’ve dreamed of starting my own cruise line since I was in my 20’s, and now the launch is finally getting close,” said Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Voyages. “We have taken the time to think about every detail and craft an experience that brings the Virgin brand to life and disrupts the travel industry.”

Virgin Voyages also announced another new destination: the island of Bimini in The Bahamas, just 50 miles from Miami, where it will run the “Beach Club at Bimini” Virgin Voyages experience.

Bimini joins three other ports of call that have already been announced: Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, Costa Maya on the Caribbean coast of Mexico and Havana, Cuba.

Virgin is looking to change the look of cruise ships.

Virgin has designed the new Beach Club at Bimini was designed with Miami-based architects EOA, with a large lagoon-style pool overlooking the ocean.

Virgin has also announced that Grammy winner Mark Ronson has been named the “founding DJ” for the Beach Club.

A look at The Beach Club at Bimini.

Virgin Voyages is looking to disrupt the cruise industry, from colorful, inventive design to new kinds of on-ship amenities from tattoo parlors to festival-style music events by popular producers and artists.

The company also said food would be free across the 20-plus eateries onboard the ship, along with complimentary group fitness classes, no gratuities or service charges, free Wi-Fi and free “basic” beverages like soda, sparkling water and coffee.

“At Virgin Voyages we are going beyond just great design, to defy and redefine luxury to be rebellious luxe,” said Tom McAlpin, President and CEO of Virgin Voyages. “This new luxury is about knowing you are taken care of, that you’re never being nickel and dimed, and what you want, even some of the things you didn’t know you wanted, are already taken care of for you.”

For more, visit Virgin Voyages.

— CJ

The post Virgin Voyages Launches Bookings, Reveals Bimini as New Destination appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Eleven years after its inception, Miami’s best rum festival is heading back to its roots.

This year’s Miami Rum Festival will return to Coral Gables, with two days of tasting of rums from around the globe — along with seminars by industry leaders and cocktail demonstrations.

“Rum is a spirit that brings people together,” said Robert Burr, festival organizer and producer of Robs Rum Guide and the Rum Minute YouTube channel. “Our mission is to help our friends learn about rum, learn how to taste rum, understand rum and shine a light on the very best rums in the world. We are experiencing a rum renaissance of epic proportions, with so many fine rums coming to market. This is a chance to learn, and better appreciate, the fascinating spirit of rum.”

This year’s festival will take place May 17 and 18 at the historic Coral Gables Woman’s Club.

The festival has grown into South Florida’s premier rum event, with rum producers, collectors, enthusiasts and neophytes making the journey.

It’s a natural fit, given that Miami is the number one local rum market worldwide, with Florida the top U.S. market for rum overall.

The festival will begin for trade members and VIPs at 2PM on Friday, with the festival opening to the general public at 4PM.

The following day will see VIP admission at 2PM and then open to the general public at 4PM.

For more, visit the Miami Rum Festival.

— CJ

The post Miami’s Best Rum Festival Returns to Coral Gables appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

… a federal judge has ordered Puerto Rico’s education secretary to submit … further details.
A spokesman for Puerto Rico’s Department of Education did …

Powered by WPeMatico