By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Nickelodeon hotel brand is expanding to the Mexican Caribbean.

Karisma and Viacom have announced the planned debut of the new Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya in the spring-summer of 2019.

The property will be the second Nickelodeon-branded resort in the region, following the debut of the Nickelodeon Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

Nickelodeon Riviera Maya will feature 276 suites, along with four penthouses on the top floor of two six-story buildings.

The property’s broad entertainment offering will include Aqua Nick, a 500,000-square-foot family-friendly complex including a lazy river, waterslides, a splash park and mini relaxation pools.

“We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with Karisma Hotels & Resorts and open this incredible resort along a stunning stretch of white sand beach, providing guests with an authentic vacation experience centered on five-star luxury, playfulness and the warm hospitality that makes Mexico such a beloved destination” said Gerald Raines, Senior Vice President, Location Based Experiences for Viacom International Media Networks.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

It’s long been one of the best places for families to stay in Nassau — and it’s getting even better.

Comfort Suites Paradise Island says it is aiming to welcome more families with children in 2018.

The all-suite hotel is ofering a children’s meal incentive, allowing children 11 and under to dine free at its Crusoe’s Restaurant accompanied by paying adults, among other features geared toward families.

“With family and multi-generational travel on the rise, we invite this important segment to experience all that we have to offer,” said Director of Sales Yasmine Mills-Strachan.

“At Comfort Suites Paradise Island, we place a strong emphasis on catering to our guests’ needs, and we really want families to feel at home,” she said.

A daily complimentary full American breakfast buffet is available to all guests.

In addition to the hotel’s in-house amenities, guests also have free access to the adjacent Atlantis Paradise Island Resort with its 11 pools, three beaches and one of the largest water parks in the Caribbean.

The hotel offers options to schedule outings and activities whether guests are visiting the Bahamas on a family vacation or bringing the kids along while they attend a conference.

“An on-site tour representative is on hand to plan outings for the family, whether it be to Blue Lagoon Island; the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre; or the many other attractions that are a short distance from here,” Mills-Strachan said.

“Comfort Suites Paradise Island looks forward to keeping families together when they travel, whether it’s for business or for pleasure,” she added. “We want to make 2018 the friendliest year yet for our visiting young ones and their families.”

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By Alexander Britell

SAN JUAN — St Maarten is continuing its recovery from Hurricane Irma.

The destination’s Tourism Minister, Cornelius de Weever, addressed the media at the recent Caribbean Travel Marketplace conference in Puerto Rico, briefing reporters on the island’s tourism recovery.

“We are open for business,” de Weever said, detailing both recovery and rebuilding efforts.

According to de Weever, the country is “serene and safe,” the road network is cleared of debris, a host of bars and restaurants are open and beach access is free and clean.

That’s along with the destination’s booming cruise sector, which has seen the quickest recovery.

According to de Weever, the destination is receiving daily flights from both Miami and New York, and there will be a phased reopening of the terminal building at St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport in the second half of 2018.

As for the hotel sector, several larger properties are slated to be open in the latter half of this year, he said, while Philipsburg’s shopping haven is 95 percent open.

In another bit of positive news, St Maarten’s Heineken Regatta is going on as planned in March.

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By Alexander Britell

Fresh on the heels of the debut of Park Hyatt’s first Caribbean hotel, the island of St Kitts is poised for another major hotel development.

A Ritz-Carlton hotel is coming to the island in 2021, according to St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris.

Marriott’s Ritz-Carlton resort in St Kitts will, like the Park Hyatt, be located on St Kitts’ lush southeastern peninsula.

The 125-suite resort will include 25 branded villas and residences, along with a luxury spa, swimming pools and indoor and outdoor dining facilities.

“What is important is that they tell us that the Ritz-Carlton Resort will create over 300 new jobs when construction starts – and they expect to start later on this year in 2018,” Harris said at a press conference this week.

The news comes after Ritz-Carlton announced last summer that it was opening another hotel in the Eastern Caribbean, the Ritz-Carlton Saint Lucia, also slated to debut in 2021.

Marriott already has a property on St Kitts, the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, which recently completed a significant renovation project.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Canadian air carrier WestJet is returning to St Maarten, according to the country’s Ministry of Tourism.

The carrier will begin weekly scheduled service between Toronto and St Maarten as of April 23, and every Saturday thereafter.

Canada had been St Maarten’s fastest-growing source market before Hurricane Irma.

“During the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, we had discussions with WestJet representatives and they were impressed with the updates that we provided about the destination’s recovery,” said Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications Cornelius de Weever. “The return of visitors from the Canadian market is a very positive development for the destination and stakeholders on the island.”

WestJet has been expanding rapidly in the Caribbean, with new flights to destinations including, most recently, Belize.

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