Lounging by the pool at any Caribbean resort is a good thing, but at San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Condado Plaza Hilton, the essential experience is getting even better.

That’s because the Avenida Ashford hotel has just launched a pair of packages designed to elevate poolside relaxation from “pretty good” to “almost perfect.”

The new VIP half-day pool package includes use of lounge chairs, a side table and umbrella; a hammock for afternoon snoozes; and chilled water delivered to your chaise by a personal attendant.

Guests can also take advantage of a 10-percent discount on hour-long massages in the pool cabana, and on one-hour watersports rentals at Iguana Water Sports.

Choose the full-day VIP experience and you’ll reap all the benefits of the half-day package, as well as a fruit platter, bottle of red or white wine, and a 20 percent discount on a one-hour poolside cabana massage.

The pool packages cost $100 for a half-day and $200 for a full day.

To book a stay at the Condado Plaza Hilton click here.

The post How to Have a Pool Day in Condado appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Carenage waterfront boulevard in St George’s, Grenada is one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful urban settings.

And now it’s even better.

The Grenada Tourism Authority has spearheaded a local art project on the Carenage featuring a major new wall mosaic mural at the entrance to the boulevard.

The work of art is by a young, local Grenadian artist, Akym Pierre, who captured the life of the Carenage in four distinct scenes: Scene One depicts the Georgian brick facade of the buildings; Scene Two, an image of a lady vending with a fruit basket on her head; Scene Three, a classic scene of the Carenage from the fort to the hills with the boats in the bay; and Scene Four is the artist’s impression of the future– showing the growth of the Carenage with the branches and leaves in the colors of Grenada.

The project was facilitated by the Product Development Committee of the GTA, chaired by Director Candice Lalsingh and implemented by Kirl Grant-Hoschtialek, Product Development Manager.

Several private partners also contributed to the project, including: Jonas Browne & Hubbards, Acers Sanitary Ware, Green Spaces, LL Ramdhanny & Erlon’s Wrought Iron Workshop.

“We are delighted to showcase the talent of this young man as well as uplift the Carenage with this work of art,” said Grenada Tourism Authority CEO Patricia Maher. “We have received a lot of positive feedback from the general public since it was installed last week.”

“It is certainly a gem and we hope to cherish and preserve it with the community’s help,” Lalsingh said.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

The post Grenada’s New Urban Art Project appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Integra Realty Resources Caribbean has expanded in the region.

The company has announced the debut of a new office in San Juan, Puerto Rico, following its merger with REAdvisors, PSC, a valuation and advisory firm in San Juan.

The Puerto Rico office will be led by appraisal experts Carlos Velez and Juan Rivera-Vega.

The Puerto Rico office is part of the company’s larger Caribbean practice that includes offices in the Cayman Islands, the Virgin Islands and the Bahamas.

— Caribbean Journal staff

The post IRR Caribbean Expands to Puerto Rico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Whether you’re searching for a culinary retreat or a luxe getaway, now’s as good a time as any to come to the Caribbean — for whatever kind of trip you’re looking for.

Because the Caribbean just keeps getting better, with an increasingly diverse tourism product and more and more high-quality travel offerings from gastronomy to culture to throwback luxury.

As always, though, you’re probably searching for something new.

And we have you covered, with some new faces and established places that are worth a new look.

Here are nine islands to visit this spring.

Greenwood Beach on Cat Island.

Cat Island

This sparsely-populated Bahamian island is perhaps most famous as the childhood home of Sidney Poitier. But it should be on your radar for far more, from some of the Caribbean’s greatest untouched beaches to world-class kitesurfing to some classic tiny beach resorts. Simply put, there aren’t many places like this left, in the Caribbean or otherwise. And that’s a magnificent reason to go.

The post 9 Caribbean Islands You Should Visit Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Sandals Resorts has officially unveiled its newest over-the-water bungalows.

The all-inclusive giant debuted its new over-the-water bungalows at the Sandals Royal Caribbean resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica over the weekend.

The bungalows include “glass vision” floor panels, lit water, outdoor tranquility soaking tubs, overwater hammocks and indoor amenities like walk-in rain showers, hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings and smart TVs.

Above: Sandals opened its first overwater bungalows late last year.

Guests staying in the new bungalows, which opened after the debut of Sandals’ overwater villas (also at Royal Caribbean), get 24/7 butler service, room service and direct resort access via a “Royal Duffy” boat.

Those who book the bungalows also get amenities like personal airport greeting with expedited immigration services; private luxury airport transfers, a welcome gift, Molton Brown bathroom amenities and free Wi-Fi, among others.

The bungalows are built along a heart-shaped boardwalk and are connected to Sandals Royal Caribbean’s offshore private island.

Rates start at $1.078 per person per night.

— CJ

The post Sandals Opens New Over-the-Water Bungalows in Montego Bay appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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