By the Caribbean Journal staff

Barcelo Hotel Group is expanding in the Dominican Republic by reviving one of the country’s legendary hotels.

The company has relaunched Santo Domingo’s venerable El Embajador hotel as the El Embajador, a Royal Hideaway Hotel.

The property, which first opened in 1956, was used as the filming location for several major movies, including The Godfather, Part II and The Lost City, among others.

Barcelo acquired the property in 2015 and embarked on a two-year, $40 million renovation that was recently completed.

The changes include rejuvenated suites, a pair of new restaurants and a new wellness and spa center that includes a private pool, four treatment rooms and a gym.

An updated room.

The property has also added 10,000 square feet of ballrooms.

The post Barcelo Revives Venerable Santo Domingo Hotel appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Celebrated New York eatery Casa Nonna is coming to Aruba.

Casa Nonna, the Italian dining destination just south of Manhattan’s Theater District, is set to open early next year at the Ritz-Carlton, Aruba.

The restaurant offers a mix of traditional Roman and Tuscan fare and will join another major restaurant with a New York connection at the hotel: BLT Steak.

“We are thrilled to present Casa Nonna at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba as the restaurant’s second location outside of New York City,” said Steven Redkoles, the hotel’s general manager. “We continually strive to create authentic and memorable experiences for our guests. Casa Nonna is as authentic as you can get, with its inviting ambience and thoughtful menu that’s a tribute to true Italian cuisine.”

Casa Nonna at the Ritz-Carlton Aruba will include everything from salumi, cheese and antipasti platters to house-made pastas and wood-fired pizzas, available either a la carte or family style.

“We are extremely excited to bring everything that makes Casa Nonna such a wonderful experience to The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba,” said Keith Treyball, President, ESquared Hospitality. “Just as The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba keeps guests coming back year after year, Casa Nonna holds a special place in our guests’ hearts, and we are thrilled to bring our cuisine and ambience to this luxury resort in a destination as exceptional as Aruba.”

The debut comes after the property recently opened another food and beverage concept, the Ritual Coffee Culture cafe.

The post New York Eatery Casa Nonna Coming to Ritz-Carlton Aruba appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Celebrity is readying the debut of its new Celebrity Edge ship, and the company has announced a major new amenity: a state-of-the-art meeting space.

It’s called The Meeting Place, and the 1,970-square-foot venue is a new kind of offering on a cruise ship, with sweeping views, soundproof dividers, advanced audiovisual tech and even private office space for event planners.

The venue, which was designed by Wilson Butler Architects, is going for a “hip lounge” vibe rather than that of a conference room, according to Scott Butler, founding partner at Wilson Butler.

“The word that defines The Meeting Place is ‘connected’,” Butler says. “It facilitates guests getting connected to one another; to the latest technology and to the greatest new ideas. It also happens to connect to other venues on the ship that vastly expand the opportunities for groups.”

The setting can be configured in a number of ways, including theater-style, classroom style, U-shaped or with a circular layout.

“Of course, the most advanced ship we’ve ever designed would include the most exciting venues for get-togethers, including The Meeting Place,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service, Celebrity Cruises. “When you host events at sea, you really elevate your brand. Imagine the spectacular conferences, trade shows, weddings, and reunions you can plan with the gorgeous Celebrity Edge as your setting and an ocean as your brilliant backdrop.”

Celebrity has already launched bookings for Edge, which will sail itineraries to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean beginning in late 2018.

The post Celebrity Edge Will Have a Hip “Meeting Place” For Events appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

There’s a new adults-only resort in Jamaica: Breathless Montego Bay Resort and Spa.

The latest new all-inclusive property for Apple Leisure Group subsidiary AMResorts held its officially ribbon cutting this week during the JAPEX Jamaica tourism conference.

The 150-suite resort, which also offers guests access to the nearby Secrets Wild Orchid and Secrets St James resorts, has a range of amenities from the only rooftop pool and bar in Jamaica to fire pits and a dedicated beach club.

This week’s ribbon-cutting was attended by a number of tourism luminaries, including Isabel Bardón, President of Grupo El Fuerte; Salvador Luque, Chairman of the Board for SeawindKey Investment; Alex Zozaya, CEO of Apple Leisure Group; Gonzalo del Peón, President of AMResorts and John Hutchinson, COO of Apple Leisure Group, along with Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

The wine cellar at Breathless.

“Jamaica tops travelers’ lists as a sought-after destination on a consistent basis,” said Gonzalo del Peon, President of AMResorts. “The introduction of the adults-only Breathless Resorts & Spas brand presented an amazing opportunity for a larger presence in the proven successful destination.”

AMResorts is the Caribbean’s fastest-growing hotel company, with six brands across the Caribbean region and Central America.

Its Breathless brand targets travelers looking for a “more social” experience, with a party atmosphere that’s unique for all inclusives.

The property is surrounded by the Montego Bay marine park.

The post Adults-Only Breathless Resort Opens in Montego Bay appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Anne Campbell, who sent in this lovely shot of Hillsborough Beach on the Grenadian island of Carriacou.

Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean? Send it to news@caribjournal.com with CPOTW in the subject line, including your first and last name and the location of the photo.

It could be the next one!

— CJ

The post Caribbean Photo of the Week: On the Beach in Carriacou appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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