By the Caribbean Journal staff

Turks and Caicos’ rapid rebound from last month’s storm continues.

Another resort, Providenciales’ Ports of Call resort, is reopening its doors on Nov. 25.

The property had been closed for originally scheduled renovations and repairs following Hurricane Irma.

Ports of Call, which bills itself as the most affordable resort in Turks and Caicos, is located in the Grace Bay area of Providenciales.

The property includes 98 junior suites in a two-building complex; amenities include a pool, a poolside bar and lounge, patio seating and towel service, among others.

Guests at Ports of Call have designated beach access on Grace Bay Beach, with lounges, umbrellas, stand up paddleboard and kayaks. (It’s about a 300-yard walk from the resort to the beach, with a shuttle running each hour).

Ports of Call also includes a shopping plaza with restaurants, bars, gift and clothing shops and a spa.

The post Turks and Caicos’ Ports of Call Resort Reopening This Month appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

It’s the most legendary New Year’s Eve party in the Caribbean, and it’s back on for Dec. 31.

The British Virgin Islands’ world-famous Foxy’s Old Year’s Night party is going ahead as planned this year, as the destination continues its rapid recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board announced this week.

Last year’s party.

This year’s event, hosted at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on the island of Jost Van Dyke, will have the theme “Fall of the Roman Empire.”

Yes, that means a Toga Party in the heart of the BVI, taking what’s already one of the region’s liveliest parties to another level.

The musical guest has not yet been announced, but recent years have seen music superstars like Bunny Wailer take the stage.

The post Why to Spend New Year’s Eve in the British Virgin Islands appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Bob Curley
CJ Contributor

Negril may not be Jamaica’s hippy hangout like it was back in the 1970s, but it still retains a mellow vibe that’s a nice departure from the more in-your-face tourism towns of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. And while it’s true that luxury and all-inclusive resorts have become a fixture along Seven Mile Beach and Bloody Bay, there’s still a place for free spirits to enjoy a budget vacation in Negril — and perhaps embrace the “free love” spirit that first drew people to the west coast of Jamaica decades ago.

Whatever your vacation tastes run to, there’s a way for you to do Negril right:

New: The Royalton Negril Resort & Spa, opened in January 2017, is the biggest thing to hit the beach in Negril in several years. This 407-suite all-inclusive resort is a luxury hideaway with free-flowing premium drinks and seven restaurants, four pools, a kids’ club, tennis courts, and a daily bill of entertainment. The Royalton offers three distinctive vacation experiences: standard service, the butler-served Diamond Club, and the adults-only Hideaway.

The post 6 Ways to Experience Negril appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Hilton Barbados has completed a major renovation project, the property announced this week.

The resort-wide enhancement was overseen by design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, which covered all of the eight-story property’s 350 guest rooms and suites.

Additionally, the Hilton Barbados has added a new 24/7 butler service program.

“The debut of our butler program and new room design allows us to offer guests an elevated experience, ensuring we remain the premier upscale resort on the island,” said George Stanfield, general manager, Hilton Barbados. “The unique, relaxed approach to the design will provide our guests with a superior room product complete with innovative flourishes and abundant luxurious touch points.”

The butler program is certified by the American Butler School, with butlers selected for the property having attended a training course detailing what the resort is calling “five diamond standards.”

Butlers can assist in everything from orchestrating wedding proposals to booking dinner reservations and even packing luggage or arranging dry cleaning.

The post Hilton Barbados Completes Renovation, Launches Butler Service appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

Atlantis’ ultra-luxe resort has relaunched in a big way.

The Paradise Island destination officially debuted the new The Cove, Paradise Island this weekend, highlighted by the launch of a pair of significant new culinary additions to the Bahamas: eateries by Chefs Julie Lightbourn and Jose Andres.

The launch party included a performance by music superstar Fergie.

The Cove’s transformation is centered around its sparkling new “poolscape” that is a reimagining of what has long been Nassau’s most bustling beachside hotspot.

Lightbourn has brought her famous Harbour Island eatery Sip Sip to The Cove, while the world-renowned Andres is debuting Fish, which will feature Bahamian favorites from lobster to lionfish.

Lightbourn opened Sip Sip at The Cove over the weekend, overlooking The Cove’s redesigned poolscape with views of the sea.

The new poolscape at The Cove.

Both Sip Sip and The Cove’s private cabanas will serve what Lightbourn calls “Caribterranean” fare.

“My husband and I dreamed of having a place that was true to Harbour Island’s legacy of friendly hospitality, a place where locals and tourists would come for a home-grown, Bahamian-inspired meal and the perfect rum punch,” Lightbourn said. “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with The Cove to bring the spirit and tastes of Sip Sip Harbour Island to Paradise Island. It’s even more exciting that the resort wanted to capture our open-air, laid-back vibe, featuring Bahamian artwork. The new beach deck overlooking The Cove’s lovely beach and the turquoise water is the icing on the cake.”

The restaurant was designed by local architect Mark Henderson with input from Jeffrey Beers International.

The new poolscape is a design by designer Lulu DK that includes 20 upgraded cabanas decorarted with Lulu’s art and fabric designs, along with surfboards and complementary sun products.

A look inside the cabanas.

The party piece, though, just might be Sacred Space, a permanent installation on The Cove’s sandy peninsula designed by The Bahamas’ greatest living artist, Antonius Roberts, focusing on seven dancing women who each represent a vision to help conserve Bahamian heritage.

“I am creating this Sacred Space to be a specific, historical memorial in this location and to reflect and embody my personal philosophy about art and how it can be used interactively. It also embraces my profound interest in the conservation, preservation and transformation of our environment, and the 700 islands of The Bahamas,” Roberts said.

The Cove’s relaunch is another big step in what is a property-wide relaunch of The Bahamas’ best-known resort, which includes the recent debut of The Coral, a revitalizing of what was formerly known as the Coral Towers.

Andres’ restaurant will make its debut in February.

“Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the ocean – whether it’s enjoying the freshest delicacies of the local waters or going diving. The Fish brand tells the story of this beautiful, mysterious thing we call the sea, through food — and my team and I are very excited to create this new experience at The Cove,” Andres said. “The new Bahamian team is as committed as I am to supporting sustainable fishing practices and the protection of the Bahamian coral reefs.”

The relaunch of The Cove is the latest big news for Paradise Island in a week, followed by last week’s announcement that the island’s signature Ocean Club resort would become a Four Seasons.

The post Atlantis Relaunches The Cove, Paradise Island appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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