… start Puerto Rico on a path to Statehood. Advocates such as former Puerto Rico … statehood for Puerto Rico would also be devastating. In seeking statehood, Puerto Rico will … the Puerto Rican government. In September of 2017, Hurricane Maria completely ravaged Puerto Rico …

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It’s Mexico, but it’s also the Caribbean. The Mexican Caribbean is a whole different universe on the western side of the Caribbean Sea, with a different energy, culture and hospitality philosophy. And just as the eastern Caribbean is filled with world-class all-inclusive vacations, the eastern coast of Mexico has some spectacular all-inclusive options of its own, from more traditional large hotels to up-and-coming all-inclusive boutiques. Here are our favorite all-inclusive Mexico resorts to try right now, from the Riviera Maya to Cancun to Playa Mujeres.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya The grande dame of all-inclusive Mexico hotels (and, some would say, the whole Caribbean), this endlessly impressive property has 539 suites, from traditional Zen Grand units to the popular Ambassador Pool suites, along with an 89,000-square-foot spa, 30,000 square feet of meeting space. But the story here is truly the food, with a wide range of culinary concepts from Asian fusion to contemporary Mexican to Italian, all executed marvelously. This is a full-fledged foodie destination — with the kind of gastronomy you never imagined possible at an all-inclusive.

The post The Top 10 All-Inclusive Mexico Resorts appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

St Maarten’s landmark Maho Beach Resort has launched reconstruction in the wake of last year’s Hurricane Irma, the Maho Group announced.

This rebuild will be different, though, with plans for innovative, resilient, storm-resistant construction.

“While we always had a plan to rebuild, it was imperative to rebuild incorporating the best materials and latest storm resistant technology,” said Maho Group  President & CEO, Saro Spadaro. “We not only have the welfare of our staff and future guests to consider, but we also have a massive responsibility to the entire destination of St. Maarten to rebuild in a manner that pioneers hurricane-safe infrastructure.”

The resort’s Sky Tower building, which sustained the most damage, is undergoing a complete overhaul, stripping it down to its main structural frame.

The company is utilizing the work of TCK and LVKE building technology, a China-based, green technology consortium that is modernizing the construction industry by creating energy-efficient storm and fire resistant building materials.

The pre-fabricated, TCK and LVKE composite panels with an interior honeycomb reinforcement structure will be used throughout the hotel’s Sky Tower, including the building’s exterior envelope and all interior partitions such as the walls in guest rooms, public spaces and corridors, thereby increasing the building’s fire resistance.

In addition, new windows and sliding doors integrating argon gas filled air-gaps will be installed. TCK LVKE panels together with the new windows and sliding doors will significantly increase the building’s thermal insulation, reduce the energy required to cool the building and therefore reduce the building’s overall carbon footprint.

To ensure the proficiency and quality of these materials to withstand hurricane and earthquake conditions, The Maho Group enlisted the expertise of Reggio Calabria’s Building Future Lab, a University affiliated laboratory that tests advanced building performance simulating earthquakes and hurricanes in a controlled setting.

“We also choose these materials because it reduces construction time by as much as 30 percent when compared to traditional construction materials and we understand the importance of aiding St. Maarten’s come back as soon as possible,” Spadaro said.

The final rebuild of Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa will result in a modern new look and feel throughout the hotel, according to the company, while guestrooms will receive an enhanced layout that will create more comfort and better usage of the interior space including larger bathrooms allowing in natural light.

Designed by Galo Rosa, the same designer as St Maarten’s Sonesta Ocean Point, new furniture includes ultra comfortable bedding and European standard mattresses, with a wood-based bed-frame made from sustainably harvested forests, under the Forest Certification Encouragement Program. 

The post Sonesta Is Planning a New Kind of Rebuild in St Maarten appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

There’s a new all-inclusive option in the heart of the Mexican Caribbean’s hippest enclave: Playa del Carmen.

The Reef 28 has opened its doors on the Riviera Maya, a adults-only option just a short stroll from Playa’s bustling Fifth Avenue.

It’s a hip, colorful boutique-style destination that’s a marked departure from the traditional all-inclusive in Mexico.

The Reef 28 has a total of 28 suites, all of which boast high-speed Wi-Fi, a coffee machine, USB charging stations, 24 hour room service and a rainfall shower, among other amenities.

An ocean-view room.

Dining offerings include two restaurants, one buffet and three bars, from the Mexican eatery Cachito to the Asian-inspired El Asiatico.

Cocktail spots include La Cantina de Mezcal, Lounge Bar 28 and a rooftop bar called Arriba.

Cachito, the property’s Mexican eatery.

There’s also a full menu of spa services, including beachside massages.

Stays also come with access to Playa’s Mamita’s Beach Club, set on 650 feet of beachfront close to downtown.

— CJ

The post The Reef 28, a New All-Inclusive in Mexico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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