By the Caribbean Journal staff

Another jewel of St Barth tourism is planning a relaunch.

LVMH’s only Caribbean hotel, the Cheval Blanc St Barth Isle de France is planning to reopen at the end of 2018, according to a statement from St Barth Tourism.

The launch is timed with what is expected to be a major winter season, with many of St Barth’s hotels primed to reopen in the last quarter of 2018.

The Cheval Blanc, long one of the Caribbean’s most exclusive places to stay, is set on Flamands Bay.

— CJ

The post St Barth’s Cheval Blanc to Reopen in Late 2018 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

This year’s Saint Lucia Jazz Festival will have a special sound.

The 2018 edition of the leading jazz festival in the Caribbean will showcase the female jazz movement at the forefront in the United States, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom.

This year’s festival will be highlighted by female jazz artists including Lalah Hathaway, Zara McFarlane, Pauline Jean, Carolyn Malachi, Jazzmela Horn and Avery Sunshine, among others.

Lalah Hathaway.

“There are so many outstanding female jazz singers who belong to any Jazz Hall of Fame, sharing their messages of love, resistance, hope and humanity through unforgettable songs,” organizers said in a statement. “There is no doubt now that a new jazz wave has emerged – a growing movement led by artists who feel empowered and are inspired by the reality of the times.”

The festival will feature a broad range of styles, from Jean’s Caribbean-focused sound to Malachi’s reggae and hip-hop-infused jazz influences.

For more info, visit Soleil Saint Lucia.

The post In Saint Lucia, a Focus on Female Jazz appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

It’s a very different project for the Caribbean, and a very different project for the Dominican Republic.

But that’s what makes it so fascinating.

The Alta Vista Group has officially broken ground on a new $45 million project called the Alta Vista Mountain Village, a vision for a real estate community and “mountain hotel” in the Bayacanes community of the La Vega province.

The eco-luxe project will consist of just under 2 million square feet of development in five “pillars”: a restaurant, a mountain-lodge-style boutique hotel, villas, condos and apartments, according to Franklin Liriano, president of Alta Vista Group.

If the name of the company sounds familiar, it should – it’s the group behind the famous Altavista eatery in La Vega, a destination restaurant that has long offered some of the most remarkable views in the Caribbean.

The Alta Vista Mountain Village, designed by architect Denis Lockward, will be set off the road between La Vega and Jarabacoa, with sweeping views of the Cibao Valley and the Dominican Republic’s central mountain range.

The property will feature anti-seismic design and an earthy style with finishes in precious woods, stones, glass and concrete, according to the company.

Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina leading the groundbreaking ceremony in La Vega.

It isn’t a beach hotel — and that’s the point, putting a new spotlight on a beautiful but still largely undeveloped tourism destination that’s unique for the region.

The post $45 Million Mountain Lodge Project Coming to Dominican Republic appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

United is launching more nonstop flights to Cancun for the summer season.

The carrier is launching new weekend nonstop flights from both New Orleans, Louisiana and San Antonio, Texas to Cancun beginning June 9.

The flights will operate seasonally on Saturdays, according to a statement from United.

It’s the latest addition for what has become a booming airlift destination in the Mexican Caribbean, as carriers, led by Southwest Airlines, have significantly ramped up their route networks to Cancun.

The post United Adding More Cancun Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Norwegian Cruise Line has officially broken ground on a new dedicated cruise terminal at PortMiami.

The 166,500-square-foot terminal will accommodate ships of up to 5,000 passengers, with technology aimed at speeding up faster embarkation and disembarkation (and expedited security and luggage check-in), according to the company.

The terminal will also have a dedicated lounge and service area for guest arrival, along with a new parking garage and valet area.

“This iconic terminal represents our continued partnership with Miami-Dade County, our commitment to excellence and Miami as a world capital,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.. “As a global cruise company we’re transforming and elevating guest experiences through design and innovation on our ships, and this new terminal at PortMiami is the next step in that journey. We are honored to be here today alongside the team dedicated to making this dream a reality.”

The project, which will be built to LEED Silver standards, was designed by Bermello Ajamil and Partners, which sought to create an “iconic” Miami destination, inspired by the Fibonacci nautilus shell.

“As Miami continues to develop as a global tourist destination, we view investing in PortMiami’s infrastructure as imperative to sustainable growth,” said Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez. “The construction of a new cruise terminal with the capacity to berth an additional 5,000-passenger cruise ship allows for the creation of thousands of jobs and increased opportunities for our community. We are eager to witness the incredible beauty the terminal will bring to our city skyline and grateful for Norwegian Cruise Line’s steadfast partnership.”

Last year, another cruise power player, Royal Caribbean, broke ground on its own $247 million dedicated terminal at PortMiami, aimed for completion before this fall.

Both will be major new hubs for cruises to the Caribbean region.

The post Norwegian Cruise Line Breaks Ground on New Terminal in Miami appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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