By Alexander Britell

The grande dame of Puerto Rico’s resorts is set for a highly-anticipated reopening.

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, long the island’s halo hotel, is officially reopening its doors at the beginning of next month.

The ultra-luxe retreat, the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Western Hemisphere, is planning its post-Hurricane Maria relaunch on Oct. 1.

The 110-room property is already accepting reservations beginning that date, Caribbean Journal confirmed.

When it reopens it will instantly take back its mantle as the island’s most luxurious hotel, crucial for the luxury travelers Puerto Rico is increasingly looking to attract.

October will not just be a reopening, but a relaunch, with new design touches, a new color palette, the addition of more than 300,000 new flora and fauna and the complete modernization of the property’s Su Casa five-bedroom villa.

Other changes include a new menu at the family-friendly Encanto Beach Club Bar and Grill; a new Omakase and Ceviche Bar; and a fully revitalized Spa Botanico, the hotel’s signature spa and wellness center. (The property’s impressive golf course collection is already back open).

The property’s signature restaurant and bar will have a new concept that will debut in mid-November, however.

“[The reopening] marks an exciting next chapter in the legendary history of our [hotel]. I am extraordinarily proud of our Ladies and Gentlemen, who have lovingly restored our treasured property with the same heartfelt care they show our guests,” said George Sotelo, General Manager at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, in a statement. “We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Dorado Beach as well as introducing the Reserve to a whole new set of guests experiencing the property for the first time.”

It’s the latest chapter in Puerto Rico’s recovery, one which has gone largely under the radar.

Indeed, the vast majority of the island’s airlift has returned, and most of its top hotels are already back open.

Ritz-Carlton’s other Puerto Rico property, the Ritz-Carlton San Juan, remains shuttered in the wake of last year’s storms.

No opening date has been released by parent company Marriott.

The post Puerto Rico’s Leading Resort Is Reopening Next Month appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

In an important boost for the Dutch Caribbean island, Sunwing is returning to Bonaire for a second season, the company said this week.

The travel giant is the only Canadian tour operator that will be operating direct flights to Bonaire, with service running weekly on Sundays from Toronto to Bonaire.

That service will begin Dec. 16 and run through April 14, 2019.

Bonaire’s varied landscapes continue to fascinate travelers.

Sunwing’s offering will include both accommodation and diving options for travelers, from better-known resorts like the Plaza and the up-and-coming Delfins Beach Resort to popular dive stays like the Buddy Dive.

It also includes some of Bonaire’s popular apartment-style accommodations like the Belmar and the Caribbean Club, among others.

“We are excited to welcome Sunwing once again this winter season as we continue our partnership. By providing more accommodation and diving options we look forward to welcoming many more Canadians and ensure the island is amongst the top Caribbean destinations to visit this winter,” a spokesperson for Bonaire said in a statement. “Bonaire declared itself as the World’s First Blue Destination, it has always been a worldwide leader in recognizing the important aspects and developments of sustainability as well as sustainable economic growth opportunities. The protection of its nature resources has always been a priority, therefore assuring a great outdoor experience, such as diving or eco-activities.”

The post Sunwing Is Returning to Bonaire appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Youri Kemp Caribbean News Now associate editor youri@caribbeannewsnow.com NASSAU, Bahamas — While the “unholy mess” appears to be subsiding at the Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) after the entire board was terminated, including the chairman, with some of those same board members being almost immediately re-engaged except the chairman and a new board put […]

The post Bahamas utility board carnage involves Shell Energy in unwelcome controversy appeared first on Caribbean News Now.

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By Caribbean News Now contributor MIAMI, USA — A tropical wave located between north-central Cuba and the central Bahamas is expected to produce locally heavy rains and gusty winds across the central and northwestern Bahamas during the next day or two. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, thunderstorm activity associated with system […]

The post Tropical wave brings heavy rains and gusty winds to The Bahamas appeared first on Caribbean News Now.

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