By Alexander Britell

There’s a new hotel in Montego Bay — and it’s rather unlike any of its neighbors.

In the heart of the tourism capital’s “Hip Strip” the new S Hotel Jamaica has opened its doors, a trendy, design-forward retreat on the sands of the island’s north coast.

It’s the second outpost in the country for Crissa Hotels, the company behind the popular Spanish Court boutique hotel in the heart of new Kingston.

And the brand has taken that urban buzz to Montego Bay’s famous Doctor’s Cave Beach, with a total of 120 rooms and a hip ambience centered around a signature pool scene.

That ambience extends to the stone-filled “Roman bath”-style Irie Baths and Spa to the ultra-sleek, sweeping lobby.

The lobby.

But it’s the “Wet Deck” pool that will be the biggest injection of energy, with swim-out cabanas, colorful chairs and umbrellas and a Mediterranean-style lounge experience.

As for the food, the property calls it “Fresh. Local. Jamaican,” and that will cover four dining concepts: the all-day Rock Steady, the Pool Bar and Grill and Tracks & Records, the first Montego Bay outpost of legendary sprinter Usain Bolt’s casual dining brand.

And then there’s the sky deck, a rooftop experience that will mirror the rooftop scene at the company’s Kingston outpost, one that has become one of the capital’s centers of cool. (The Sky Deck will be exclusive to those staying in Sky Club Suites.)

The hotel calls itself “South Beach with an irie vibe,” but it’s more than that — with colorful accents and inspired touches like a replica of the convertible Katherine Hepburn rode in during her visit to Jamaica in 1953 used for the launch.

The latter is no coincidence: the aim here is to help return Montego Bay to its days as a beacon for the Jet Set.

It’s an ambitious hotel — and one that could be a game changer for Jamaica’s most popular destination.

For more, visit the S Hotel Jamaica.

— CJ

The post Jamaica Has a Very Cool New Resort appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of the biggest names in the world of jazz is partnering with the Caribbean’s leading jazz festival.

This year’s Saint Lucia Jazz Festival will be produced in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center.

This year’s festival, which will take place from May 5-12, will feature some of the finest names in jazz recording, with a lineup including Gregory Porter, Dianne Reeves, Catherine Russell, Somi, The Baylor Project, Veronica Swift, members of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and a large number of regional talents.

“This collaboration between Saint Lucia and renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center reflects Saint Lucia’s exceptional reputation for consistently producing a world-class festival. The 2019 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival Produced in Collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center marks another monumental chapter in our small island’s history. We are excited to begin this partnership which will bring together some of the world’s best jazz artists in the world’s most beautiful destination,” said Saint Lucia Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee.

Saint Lucia has been hosting the festival since 1992.

“We are proud to support the re-establishment of the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival as the premier jazz festival in the Caribbean,” said Wynton Marsalis, Managing and Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to presenting music at the highest level of artistic integrity and quality, while also offering festival-goers a profoundly good time. Jazz has a unique power to bring people of all ages together and lift up communities.”

— CJ

The post Jazz at Lincoln Center to Team With Saint Lucia Jazz Festival appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

… fight over immigration policy, Puerto Rico’s plight remains an … is being perceived among Puerto Ricans who live in the … of Puerto Rico and work to ensure that Puerto Rico is … Mercader, executive director the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, said …

Powered by WPeMatico

By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Sun Country Airlines is expanding again in the Caribbean, with a pair of new routes to the region.

The low-cost carrier has announced plans to launch new seasonal service from Dallas-Fort Worth to Montego Bay, Jamaica beginning May 24.

The following day, Sun Country will launch new seasonal flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to St Kitts.

The latter comes after Sun Country launched new flights from Minneapolis to Belize and St Kitts late last year, part of a growing flight network in the region.

— CJ

The post Sun Country Is Adding More Caribbean Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

The chirp of tree frogs, the rush of the waves, the shimmer of a Caribbean moonscape.

It’s less than a month away — but is there anywhere more romantic to spend this Valentine’s Day than the Caribbean?

This year’s Valentine’s Day is on a Thursday, too, meaning it’s the perfect excuse to spend a long weekend in the islands for a classic getaway just for the two of you.

So where to go? We’ve put together a list of five spots that up the ante on the romantic, places full of irresistible charm, intoxicating beauty — and, perhaps most crucially, restaurants worthy of Valentine’s Day dinners.

Anegada This far-flung outpost in the British Virgin Islands brings you back to the reason why we all travel: the joy of discovery, of the frontier, of journeys that are rewarded. This BVI outpost is all about toes-in-the-sand dining, pristine coastlines and some very cool small hotels, none more romantic than the Anegada Beach Club, which consists of a collection of high-design solar-powered tents perched on the dunes that turn any long weekend into a full-fledged honeymoon. At night, you can choose from an almost endless number beachfront eateries serving the Caribbean’s best lobster.

The post 5 Great Caribbean Destinations for Valentine’s Day appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico