IHG’s fast-growing Holiday Inn Express brand has opened another new property in the region

The latest Holiday Inn Express has debuted in the city of Tuxpan on Mexico’s eastern shores on the Gulf of Mexico.

Located on the waters of the Tuxpan River, the property is about five minutes away from the beach.

It includes a 24-hour fitness center, indoor and outdoor children’s swimming pools, outdoor swimming pool for adults and meeting space.

“IHG is excited to announce the arrival of the Holiday Inn Express brand to Tuxpan, a city that projects strong tourism growth. This new hotel will deliver a smart lodging option to travelers who want connectivity and convenience when on the road.”

It also includes the complimentary Desayuno Express bar with a full range of breakfast items.

The property is owned and managed by Grupo Inmobiliario Ricsher.

— CJ Staff

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It’s dusk in Oranjestad, a bit past the bustle of rush hour when the light is a silvery blue and the streets have emptied out before night.

This is the time to sneak into Maroc before it gets too crowded, a way to see yet another example of the island’s increasingly exciting culinary scene.

Maroc is a tapas bar, the brainchild of Chef Dennis van Daatselaar, the man behind the island’s celebrated Carte Blanche and, more recently, Wilhelmina, the international-fare eatery that’s right next door.

The first thing that stands out here is the decor, wonderfully authentic and almost remarkably well appointed, to a standard you don’t often see in the Caribbean.

Sipping a glass of wine (or from the large selection of whisky), you’re instantly transported to North Africa, albeit in a modern-hybrid package.

But the food is outstanding, too.

There are more than 35 different kinds of tapas on the menu, from hummus and salted fish to heartier dishes like a superb chicken souvlaki, much of the food served on handy skewers.

Maroc is many things – a wine bar, a restaurant, a nightlife spot later on – but ultimately, it’s an escape – an energetic retreat from the mundane.

Maroc, Wilhelminastraat 74, Oranjestad, Aruba (right next to El Gaucho).

Phone, +297 583 0404

— CJ

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Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has named a new development officer for the Americas region, the company announced Tuesday.

Carlson Rezidor has appointed Terry Sanders as its chief development officer for the Americas, based in Minneapolis and reporting to Ken Greene, the company’s president for the Americas.

In the role, Sanders will “lead, build and deliver development and growth strategies for the region,” the company said in a release, along with managing strategic investments and leading merger and acquisition activity.

“We are delighted to welcome Terry to this very critical role in our organization,” said Ken Greene, President, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “As we look ahead, Terry’s extensive experience in franchise development and strategic investments will allow us to grow and strengthen our brands presence in the Americas.”

Carlson Rezidor is one of the world’s largest hotel companies, known mostly for its Radisson-branded properties, a marque that has been expanding in the Caribbean in recent years.

— CJ Staff

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Alaska Airlines has launched new flights to Mexico City, the carrier announced.

That means Alaska is now flying to Mexico’s capital out of two hubs: San Francisco and Los Angeles.

This fall, Alaska Airlines will also be launching flights from San Diego to Mexico City.

It’s the latest new route for the company, which has added 29 new destinations in 2017 alone.

“With nearly three decades of service to Mexico, we’re thrilled to return to the capital city of Mexico and continue to provide the most flights from California to Mexico of any U.S.-based carrier,” said Annabel Chang, vice president – Bay Area for Alaska Airlines. “Service into Mexico City is key to our strategy to becoming the go-to airline for travelers on the West Coast. We look forward to welcoming our guests onboard and becoming the only airline to offer service to Mexico City from the three largest cities in California.”

The year round nonstop service will operate once daily between San Francisco and Mexico City and twice daily between Mexico City and Los Angeles.

The San Diego flights, which will operate once daily, will launch Nov. 6.

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A glass of aged rum, a premium cigar, the sound of a steel pan.

It’s the recipe for a perfect evening in the Bahamas, and it’s what every night is like at the new Churchill Cigar & Rum Bar at the Baha Mar resort.

The bright-white bar, set at the edge of the property’s casino, has a broad selection of rums (along with other spirits like whisky, of course), is a classic cigar lounge: comfortable chairs, ready service and a selection of both locally-rolled Graycliff cigars and Cubans.

It’s also unique in that it’s an indoor-outdoor spot, with easy access to a large patio and the sounds of a live steel pan band that plays all evening long.

Yes, you can smoke outdoors, also.

It’s getting increasingly hard to find a place to smoke a premium cigar these days — and that makes Churchill an oasis.

— CJ

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