By the Caribbean Journal staff

It was one of St Martin’s legendary beach bars: Calmos Cafe, the always-happening nightlife and culture hub in the heart of the French Caribbean town of Grand Case.

But as it did for much of the island, Hurricane Irma destroyed Calmos, leaving the bar and its staff looking for new hope.

But you can help.

A new fund has been set up to help rebuild Calmos Cafe.

“With this fundraising we hope to rebuild what once was, and again will be, the fabulous Calmos Cafe.”

For more information, visit the Calmos Fund.

The post This St Martin Beach Bar Was Destroyed By Irma. Here’s How to Help Rebuild It. appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

As Puerto Rico works to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Maria, one hotel on the island has already announced its reopening date.

The Verdanza Hotel, a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts’ Lifestyle Collection, said it suffered “no significant structural damage,” with impact limited mainly to water and landscaping.

The property has not lost water service, while a generator is providing power for all hotel operations.

As such, the Verdanza has announced plans to reopen its doors for visitors starting Oct. 15.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the passing of Hurricane Maria,” said Ricky Newman, general manager. Newman explained that Verdanza Hotel is operational; however, the property is currently serving as a home base for first responders and representatives from the local and federal agencies working on recovery efforts. “As always, we stand in solidarity with our community, committed to once again play a part in the recuperation and rebuilding of Puerto Rico.”

The property’s Hurricane Policy is now in place for those whose vacation at Verdanza has been disrupted by the hurricane. Reservations for stays before October 15th may be rescheduled or cancelled without penalty.

The post Puerto Rico’s Verdanza to Reopen in October appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

A game-changing resort has opened its doors in Jamaica.

Set on a private cove in the heart of Montego Bay, the beautiful Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa officially debuted this week as a new kind of all inclusive resort in the Caribbean.

Indeed, Jewel Grande is the first all-suite, all-inclusive in Jamaica, with large, well-equipped rooms that are unique in the Caribbean — in other words, they’re the Caribbean’s first all-inclusive residences.

Even better? Every suite has butler service.

It all adds up to a property that immediately raises the bar for hotel design and all inclusive expectations in Jamaica, with a truly impressive design and the kind of luxurious feel that’s hard to find at many all inclusives in the Caribbean, right on a classic white sand beach.

A collection of three beachfront towers (along with 11 large villas), Jewel Grande has a total of 217 accommodation options, with a culinary offering that will include eight restaurants, meeting space totaling 25,000 square feet and one of the Caribbean’s most innovative spas.

The project is managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, which operates a portfolio of five hotels in Jamaica owned by X Fund Properties, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sagicor Real Estate X Fund Limited.

“This is the crown jewel of all of them,” said Rich Cortese, senior vice president of Caribbean operations at Aimbridge Hospitality.

And that’s clear from the moment you walk in — the build quality is exceptional, the design is modern but authentically Caribbean and the overarching feel is one of true luxury.

That’s in part due to the project’s roots as a condominium hotel, until it was transformed by Sagicor and Aimbridge, mostly in the last year.

And then there are the little touches: the lobby piano, the bluetooth charging stations in the bedrooms and, perhaps most welcome, guest bracelets that you can actually take on and off (and also function as the room key).

The impressive pool area.

“It is an honor to launch one of the most exciting luxury all-inclusive resort openings in the Caribbean,” said Aimbridge President and CEO Dave Johnson. “This bespoke beachfront location provides the ideal backdrop for our distinctive and curated experiences that are personalized for all of our guests. Unparalleled hospitality is our inspiration with the new Jewel Grande.”

The food and beverage options will soon total 12, from white-tablecloth venues to casual poolside bars to a French brasserie.

“Driven by Jamaica’s deeply rooted tradition of hospitality and cultural vibrancy, we wanted to deliver a sophisticated travel experience that’s uniquely our own,” said Rohan Miller, CEO of Sagicor Real Estate X Fund Limited. “That said, we’ve tailored all touchpoints throughout our all-inclusive journey to provide elevated relaxation infused with local charm.”

The spa, which boasts 30,000 square feet, is helmed by Jamaican yoga instructor (and founder of “Reggaelates”) Sienna Creasy, offering everything from traditional spa treatments to Jamaica’s only Himalayan Salt Halotherapy Lounge.

“This is one of the great resorts I’ve been able to be associated with,” Cortese said.

Of course, the story is really the massive rooms, from junior suites to three-bedroom units that are effectively villas, the sort of accommodations you simply don’t find at an all inclusive resort.

Until now.

It’s a new level of all inclusive in the Caribbean, and a new level of resort for Jamaica.

For more information, visit Jewel Grande.

The post Jewel Grande, a Major New All Inclusive Resort in Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Guy Britton

ATLANTA — The Caribbean was well represented at one of the longest running and largest travel agent educational events of the year last week: Delta Vacations University, which took place at the Georgia International Convention Center and showcased over 200 destinations, hotels and product representatives. The event was sold out again this year drawing over 1,300 delegates from the US and Canada.

The event showcases Delta Vacations, which is managed by MLT Vacations, one of the largest vacation providers in the United States, making it a major force in the Caribbean travel industry in particular.

The educational seminars were well attended in fact some were standing room only. Comprehensive destination information was presented by professionals in the seminars and several Caribbean tourism offices attended sessions.

More importantly, the Caribbean was clearly one of the more popular areas of the trade show.

Interim Director of Tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board, Donnie Dawson talks to agents.

So what’s next for Delta Vacations in the Caribbean?

Caribbean Journal had the opportunity to sit down with senior executives and discuss Delta Vacations’ plans for growth in the Caribbean and just how important the Caribbean is for them.  Jennie Ho, President, Elizabeth Moriarty, VP of product development, Eric Fandek, Senior Director of Product Development shared insights and discussed plans with us in the interview below.

Why are Travel agents more important today than ever before?

Jennie Ho:  In our line of business as the vacation package provider, our travel agent partners are in a position of trust and are focused on the customer. Travelers are investing in high-value vacation packages for their families and their loved ones. Even though there is so much information available in so many channels, customers count on agencies for important, all-encompassing services.  That human connection is so important and at the core of what we value.

What are Delta Vacations’ plans for new Caribbean destinations?

Elizabeth Moriarty:  Overall we continue to grow capacity and are bullish on the Caribbean region.

Eric Fandek:  We try to match inventory with demand. Right now we are seeing growth in a number of areas including multi-generational family travel and demand for all inclusive product. When new inventory or newly-renovated product comes available there is great interest in those destinations. We are seeing more Demand in Nassau Bahamas due to interest in Baha Mar and renovations at Atlantis.

Overall we continue to grow capacity and are bullish on the Caribbean region.”

In what ways does Delta Vacations support destinations?

Elizabeth Moriarty:  The number one way we support destinations is by flying our planes to the destination. Nobody is driving to the Caribbean. We also support new service and work with governments to understand and support the need grow service.  We also work with out hotel, destination management companies to market the destination and sell product.

A big crowd at Delta Vacations University.

What are Delta’s and Delta Vacations’ largest growth destinations in the Caribbean? 

Elizabeth Moriarty:  That does vary year to year but what we are seeing right now is growth, particularly in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.  We are also seeing good growth in Nassau and Aruba. For us as a company, the Caribbean continues to be a strength destination and the Caribbean continues to be very important to us. One of the great things about the Caribbean right now is the refreshing of the product offering. Great things are happening in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and we continue to be bullish on the region.

Which Caribbean Destinations might see see additional bookings because of Irma and Maria?

Elizabeth Moriarty First of all, our hearts go out to all the people in the affected areas. What we are seeing right now is a slight shift to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic

Jennie Ho, President, Elizabeth Moriarty VP of product development, Eric Fandek, Sr Director of Product Development.

How will technology change travel in the coming months and years? 

Elizabeth Moriarty   There is so much information out there that the customer can become confused. So we are working on ways the customer can quickly identify what they are looking for, improve the customer interface and customer experience to make it easier and more intuitive to book. We are also working in many cases on direct connectivity with out partners so we have access to booking and inventory control in real-time.

Jennie Ho:  We only sell Delta so our customer benefits from all the investments Delta is making in things like mobile check-in and testing of new technologies like retina scanning for faster boarding, security and a better customer experience.

The post Delta Vacations’ Caribbean Plans appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

American Airlines has resumed its flight service to the Turks and Caicos Islands, the carrier announced in a release.

Flights to Providenciales resumed on Saturday, Sept. 23, according to the company, with flights from both Miami and Charlotte hubs arriving and departing safely.

Flights had been suspended during the passage of Hurricane Maria through the British Overseas Territory.

Most of Providenciales’ resorts are planning to quickly return to operation.

The post American Airlines Resumes Turks and Caicos Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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