The newest resort in St Maarten is set for a June opening, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The highly-anticipated The Morgan resort is already taking reservations for a June 1, 2021 opening date. 

The hip new resort is set in the heart of Simpson Bay, with 124 rooms and suites overlooking the sea. 

Each of the rooms will feature spa-style bathrooms with glass walk-in showers; floor-to-ceiling windows with private balconies or terraces, free Wi-Fi and 55-inch flat-screens, among other touches. 

Amenities will include a “beach-style” infinity edge pool with private cabanas and a waterfall and slide; a wedding gazebo, a full-service salon and spa and a fitness center, among others. 

The culinary program is led by “Top Chef” alum Ron Duprat, long one of the Caribbean’s leading chefs, joined by Executive Chef Davdi Seeman. 

The menu at the resort’s signature SALT eatery will have a focus on French Caribbean food, “blending bold flavors with healthy dishes and locally-sourced seafood.”

SALT will be joined by two bars, including a pool bar. 

The Morgan will join a growing portfolio of luxury resorts on the Dutch side of St Maarten, headlined by the Coral Beach Club. 

St Maarten has been open for tourism since last summer. Here’s what you need to know before visiting. 

For more, visit The Morgan. 

– CJ

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Marriott International has officially opened its first-ever resort in Belize: the new Alaia Belize. 

The 155-unit residential resort, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, is set on more than 20 acres, with more than 1,000 feet of beachfront access in Belize’s popular Ambergris Caye. 

The San Pedro Town-area project, owned and developed by Andrew Ashcroft, is the hottest opening in Belize in years. 

“With deep family roots in Belize and the hidden gem being my home for over 20 years, I wanted to ensure that Alaia Belize captured the lively spirit, genuine hospitality and friendliness of the destination and locals,” Ashcroft said. “My team and I worked closely with the Marriott International team to bring it all to fruition and allow our future guests and owners an opportunity to immerse themselves into the Belizean culture. No detail went unnoticed as we wanted to ensure that our travelers will be able to experience a new level of luxury on one of the world’s most photogenic yet untapped destinations. We are now ready to show the world all that Alaia Belize has to offer and take the country to new heights.”

The resort includes the first-ever suspended rooftop pool in Belize; it’s also the only luxury resort in Belize that allows guests to receive on-site PADI diving certification. 

That’s along with the K’in Spa and Wellness Center; a piano bar with a self-playing baby grand piano; a kids’ club; an “adventure concierge”; swimming pools with live DJs; branded golf carts and bicycles and a live art gallery with local weavers, woodworkers and pottery makers. 

Alaia includes five dining concepts: the signature eatery is Sea Salt, which will feature high-quality seafood with a Belizean twist; The Deck and Beachbar; the Piano Bar and the Terrace Bar. 

The property’s residential component includes 71 units, a mix of studios, two-and-three-bedroom condo minus and eight oceanfront villas. 

Owners can place their property into a rental program booked through Marriott’s reservation system. 

For more, visit Alaia Belize. 

— CJ

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Anguilla is set to reopen its borders for tourism on May 25, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The island had closed its borders for a month to manage a cluster of active cases identified on April 22. 

Anguilla said it had successfully contained the recent cluster. 

“We acted swiftly and implemented a number of proactive measures to manage and contain this cluster of infections, along with an expanded vaccination outreach.  The result is that we are confident we can now safely reopen while protecting the health of our residents and visitors,” said Quincia Gumbs-Marie, the island’s Permanent Secretary for Tourism. 

Anguilla had recently announced plans to modify its entry protocols for vaccinated travelers, and the island will push ahead with those plans. 

That includes the reduction of quarantine period for vaccinated travelers from 10-14 days to 7 days, depending on country of origin. 

On July 1, Anguilla will require all visitors who are eligible for vaccination at home to be fully vaccinated at least three weeks before arrival, along with the elimination of quarantine for vaccinated visitors. (Visitors will still have to produce a negative test within 3-5 days of arrival). 

Anguilla is in the midst of a vaccination push, targeting 70 percent of the island’s resident population. 

So far, 58 percent of the island’s target population has received their first vaccine dose. 

“Anguilla remains a desirable and sought-after destination, which is reflected in our solid forward bookings for the Memorial Day weekend and beyond,” said Anguilla Tourism Director Stacey Liburd. “We look forward to welcoming back our many repeat guests and introducing a host of new friends to Anguilla, who will discover for themselves what makes our island a Beyond Extraordinary destination.”

For more, visit Anguilla. 

— CJ

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Marriott International is set to open another new hotel in the Caribbean this summer. Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The new AC Hotel Punta Cana will be the first-ever AC Hotel in the Dominican Republic, set in the country’s tourism hub. 

The new hotel is slated to open its doors in Punta Cana in August, according to Marriott International. 

The Highgate hotel property will have a total of 129 rooms across four floors.

Dining concepts will include an AC Lounge and a Spanish-inspired AC Kitchen restaurant called “Saladero,” with the latter open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Amenities will include a fitness center, a pool and inclusions like free Wi-Fi.

Marriott has been steadily growing its AC Hotel brand in the Caribbean region. 

In recent years, Marriott opened AC Hotels in destinations including the Condado district of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Panama City; and the high-profile AC Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. 

The new AC joins a growing portfolio of Punta Cana properties that include the Four Points by Sheraton Punta Cana Village, the Westin Puntacana Resort and Club and four Royalton-branded all-inclusive resorts.

For more, visit AC Hotel Punta Cana. 

— CJ

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