By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hotel chain HM Hotels is adding a new resort in the Dominican Republic, according to the country’s Ministry of Tourism.

The new 280-room property will be located in the area of Bayahibe on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic.

A room a the Whala! Bayahibe.

The new property among Dominican Republic hotels will operate under the Whala! [sic] brand, which first launched in 2012.

It will be a combination of two former properties, the Sol and Blue Dominicus hotels, which had previously been managed directly by each of their owners, according to Toni Horrach, director general of HM.

The rebranded property is slated to open Nov. 1.

HM has a total of 16 properties in Spain, Mexico and the Dominican Republic (its other DR property in located in Bavaro).

The post HM Opening New Resort in Dominican Republic appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of St Barth’s most legendary nighttime spots has reopened in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

Le Ti St Barth, the edgy, always-bustling restaurant-lounge, opened its doors again this weekend.

The reopening night at Le Ti St Barth.

Le Ti St Barth, which first opened in 1995, had what it called a “crazy opening” featuring a brass band concert.

It’s another very strong sign for the island’s tourism recovery.

For more information on St Barth’s bounceback, see our feature on how to visit St Barth this winter.

The post Le Ti St Barth Reopens appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

Sandals Resorts International is expanding to a new Caribbean island: Tobago.

Sandals has signed a memorandum of understanding to bring both its Sandals and Beaches brands to Tobago.

Sandals Resorts International Chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart said plans were underway to develop two resorts on a site he called “magnificent.”

Tobago remains one of the Caribbean’s under-the-radar destinations.

“We look forward to being a part of the Tobago hotel community as it’s a place I have been interested in for 14 years,” Stewart said in a statement. “It’s an incredible island with warm people and they have a lovely hotel community. We have been very comfortable dealing with the various officials on the island and look forward to what the future holds.”

Tobago would be the first new destination for Sandals since it first opened Sandals Barbados in 2015.

The company has several other properties in the works, including the soon-to-debut Sandals Royal Barbados, an all-suite resort, and a Beaches property in Barbados.

Sandals Resorts International operates resorts under the Sandals brand on six islands with 16 resorts, with a total of three Beaches branded resorts in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos.

The post Sandals Planning to Open Two Resorts in Tobago appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Disney Cruise Line is expanding its offerings to the Caribbean for 2019, the company announced this week.

The new slate of sailing is highlighted by three special “Disney Wonder” cruises from San Juan to the southern Caribbean, with six and seven-night voyages in January 2019.

Disney is also offering a wave of options from Port Canaveral, with Disney Fantasy sailing seven-night Caribbean voyages and Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

In 2019, Disney Magic will sail four and five-night voyages to the Bahamas. along with five-night trips to the Western Caribbean.

All cruises departing from Florida between January and May stop at Disney’s Castaway Cay private island in the Bahamas.

The post Disney’s New Cruises in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It’s the late afternoon in Grenada, and just about any rum would work well while bobbing in the sparkling waters of Grand Anse Beach, but this one is special.

This is Westerhall 10XO, perhaps the best rum from Grenada (competing with Clarke’s Court #37 expression for that honor) and it’s, well, terrific.

Grenada has long been one of the Caribbean’s under-the-radar rum destinations, thanks to a rather broad portfolio of rums across three main brands: Clarke’s Court, Rivers (produced at the legendary River Antoine distillery) and Westerhall.

It’s the last one that primarily focuses on the rum connoisseur, with elegant bottling and refined expressions.

While Westerhall’s rum itself comes from Trinidad, the Westerhall Estate’s specialty is in the blending and bottling of rums, and that’s why the rum stands out.

Westerhall 10XO is a blend of rums aged for a minimum of 10 years, and the result is a complex but eminently drinkable expression.

10XO has a sweet aroma of candied fruit and a hint of citrus peel. The flavor profile includes velvety hints of orange peel, spice, black pepper, candided fruit, oak, banana and a a finish that’s tart at its core but ultimately proves to be sweet and round.

The verdict? A Grenadian star.

Rum Journal Rating: 93 points.

The post Rum Journal: Tasting Grenada’s Westerhall 10XO appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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