There’s a dynamism in the Caribbean now, a movement. The region is at once reinventing itself and delving even deeper into the beauty of its traditions and its culture. There are new hotels, new restaurants, new destinations and new ideas. It’s a wonderful thing for travelers and for the millions of people who benefit every day from the region’s most powerful economic driver. And, more importantly, the Caribbean is putting the challenges of 2017 far into the rear-view mirror.

And with this momentous fifth annual edition of the Caribbean Travel Awards, we again celebrate the best of Caribbean travel, from the hotels and destinations that are surging to the people who are making a difference every day, with our editorial team of the world’s leading Caribbean travel experts scouring the region to select the winners.

“This is an exciting time in the Caribbean,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal. “The region’s tourism offering has never been more diverse or more energetic. It’s a message to the world that the Caribbean isn’t just back — it’s better than ever.”

Congratulations to the all of the winners of the 2018 Caribbean Travel Awards!

Abaco in The Bahamas.

Caribbean Destination of the Year: The Bahamas While several destinations have particularly strong growth in 2018, none has been more impressive — or more broadly impactful — than The Bahamas. That’s because while the destination has seen surging airlift growth (and a powerful increase in arrivals thanks to the full-fledged debut of the Baha Mar megaresort), this year has seen something unique for the destination: universal growth. That means growth that has been felt beyond the traditional pole of Nassau and New Providence. Indeed, islands across the Out Islands (and, crucially, Grand Bahama) are seeing strong growth — a clear sign that The Bahamas’ tourism growth is being realized across 700 islands and cays. And that’s a very powerful thing.

The post The Caribbean Travel Awards 2018 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of Bequia’s top hotels has named a new executive chef.

The Bequia Beach Hotel has appointed Swedish Chef Nils-Bertil Hansson to the role, in which he will oversee the signature eatery Bagatelle.

Hansson, known affectionately as “Nizze,” most recently spent six years leading the Marsvinsholm Bistro and Cafe in southern Sweden.

The beachfront Bagatelle serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a menu featuring “internationally inspired cuisine with Caribbean influence.”

“Nizze’s goal is for Bagatelle to be ranked the best-rated restaurant in the Grenadines, and we share that vision,” said Bengt Mortstedt, owner of the Bequia Beach Hotel.

The 57-room hotel is set on Friendship Bay in Bequia.

— CJ

The post A New Chef at the Bequia Beach Hotel appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Prime Minister Gaston Browne has invited the competent authorities of the Bank of Nova Scotia to a meeting by January 7, 2019, to discuss the purchase of the bank’s branch holdings in Antigua and Barbuda. The invitation is contained in a letter sent on December 13 by the prime minister to […]

The post Antigua-Barbuda PM invites Scotiabank to early meeting to discuss purchase of Antigua holdings appeared first on Caribbean News Now.

Powered by WPeMatico

By Ray Chickrie Caribbean News Now contributor PARAMARIBO, Suriname — Thirty-year old Nisha Madaran, an artist from Suriname, who began singing at age 16 in her family band, made history last week by becoming the first Surinamese, and perhaps first in the Caribbean diaspora to sign a Bollywood playback singing contract. Madaran signed the contract […]

The post Surinamese singer signs Bollywood contract appeared first on Caribbean News Now.

Powered by WPeMatico

By Alexander Britell

The Condado neighborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico has quietly become one of the Caribbean’s capitals of cool in recent years, with a diverse but uniformly sophisticated hotel offering and a modern, urban energy that’s largely unique in the Caribbean.

And now, the husband-and-wife team that helped turn the area into a hotspot are at it again with a truly gorgeous new property.

Loisse Herger and Fernando Davila, who opened the stellar O:Live Boutique Hotel back in 2012, have debuted their new 26-suite stunner: the O:LV Fifty Five.

Just steps away from the original O:live, it’s a remarkably designed, new-build property “designed to make you feel the energy of creative cities worldwide like Amsterdam, London, Copenhagen and Hong Kong,” Herger says.

A suite at the new O:LV.

The 26 suites, most of which feature “L” shaped oversized balconies with panoramic views of the Condado Lagoon, feature black and white marble floors, film-noir art and a sophisticated, forward-thinking aesthetic.

“Guests will be wowed by O:LV Fifty Five,” said Herger, the founder of O:live Hotels. “We love so many of the features, from the jaw-dropping, two-tiered rooftop, the design of the suites, the custom made ebony and brass furnishings to the surprising artwork — resulting in the feel of staying at a designer’s home.”

The amenities are vast, led by the aforementioned rooftop with a climate-controlled infinity pool and a solarium with a modern jacuzzi.

It’s a huge new addition to Puerto Rico’s fast-expanding hotel sector — particularly as the island continues its post-Maria recovery.

“We take how Puerto Rico is presented to the world very seriously,” Herger says. “Following the recent disaster with Hurricane Maria, the opening of O:LV Fifty Five has taken on a bigger role in our hearts; it represents resiliency, pride, bold new moves and the love for what we do here on the island.”

It’s a voluptuous, modern version of a grand European hotel.

It’s another sign of just how far Condado has come — and how, in many ways, it’s now a full-fledged destination in its own right.

For more, visit O:LV Fifty Five.

— CJ

The post Puerto Rico Has a Stunning New Hotel: The O:LV Fifty Five appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico