Kempinski is set to open its third luxury hotel in the Caribbean next week, with a new resort in Cancun.
Kempinski is taking over the former Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, which removed Ritz-Carlton as its brand over the summer.
In the interim, the hotel has been operating as the “Grand Hotel Cancun managed by Kempinski.”
The brand change officially takes effect on Dec. 9, a spokesperson for Kempinski told Caribbean Journal.
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It’s a significant change for the 360-room resort, which had for years been one of the top luxury resorts in all of Cancun.
It’s set in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone.
Kempinski now has three luxury hotels in the Caribbean region: the Cancun property, the Cabrits Kempinski Resort Dominica and the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski in Havana, Cuba.
The hotel has planned extensive programming for the upcoming holiday season, from a Christmas vacation option to a fun-filled New Year’s Day celebration.
The resort will also be holding regular presentations on traditional Mexican Christmas Posadas throughout the holiday season.
Ritz-Carlton’s departure removed what had been the only Ritz-Carlton in all of the Mexican Caribbean, a region that continues to see major luxury hotel growth.
Marriott does have a JW Marriott still operating in Cancun.
Hyatt is opening a new adults-only resort on the tiny island of Isla Mujeres on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.
And now it has an official opening date.
The new all-inclusive Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres will welcome its first guests on March 15, 2023, according to parent company Apple Leisure Group, which is part of the Hyatt portfolio.
It’s a major branded boost for tiny Isla Mujeres, one of the most beloved small islands on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
It will have a decidedly intimate feel, with 125 rooms, all of which will be suites, all with views of the ocean — and all with butler service.
The resort will feature eight different dining concepts, along with nine different bars, from a “water lounge” called Hamaca to a rooftop bar called The Top. And yes, there will be a swim-up bar, too, called Barecito.
Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres will also be home to a signature Secrets Spa, with six treatment rooms, three of which are specifically designed for couples, along with Hammam therapy.
Perhaps the most unique amenity is the private boat service option from the mainland of Cancun, with travelers arriving at a special waterfront bar called the “yacht welcome lounge” to kick off their stay.
It’s the latest addition to Hyatt’s growing all-inclusive portfolio — and AMR Collection’s fast-expanding group of luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, buoyed by Hyatt’s acquisition of Apple Leisure Group last year. More notably, the resort is also part of the World of Hyatt loyalty program.
What one of the restaurants will look like. This one is called La Vista.
When it opens, it will be the 14th Secrets-branded resort in Mexico alone. The AMR Collection has a total of 18 Secrets resorts in the wider Caribbean region.
Prices at Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres will start at $473.50 per person per night, according to the company.
What can’t be argued is that the island of Curacao is in the midst of a full-fledged tourism renaissance, welcoming record-breaking numbers of travelers.
And the island just hit another milestone, topping 400,000 visitor arrivals in the first 10 months of 2022.
That was yet another month in which the island topped its record highs from 2019, before the onset of the pandemic.
“The recovery of the pre-pandemic performance continues as we move towards the end of this year,” the Curacao Hotel and Tourism Association said in a statement.
But the biggest change, one that does happen to coincide with the arrival of Sandals, is a surge in travel from the United Sates.
For years, Curacao struggled mightily to attract American visitors — this summer, though, that started to change significantly, with record US visitation every month since the opening of the all-inclusive.
In October, for example, the island reported 9,166 American visitors – more than double the 4,040 Americans that came to destination in October 2019.
For the year, visits from the US and Canada are up by 171 percent compared to the first 10 months of 2019. That includes a rebound from Canada, now that Air Canada and WestJet have resumed flying to Curacao.
That’s not to stay that Europe is not still the island’s tourism stronghold, however, with European arrivals to Curacao seeing similar surges compared to the pre-pandemic era.
“Curaçao continues to see a great performance from its top three main markets; The Netherlands, United States of America and Colombia,” the Curacao Hotel and Tourism Association said.
If the next two months follow suit, Curacao tourism officials expect to see an all-time record for travelers in a calendar year, more than the previous high of 467,538 arrivals back in 2019.
St Maarten has everything: the beaches, the restaurants, the nightlife, the shopping, the gaming. It’s one of the most diverse, cosmopolitan, fun-filled places in all of the Caribbean.
And this is the island’s epicenter: Maho Beach, the heartbeat of St Maarten, where the planes make their spectacular landings, the sand sparkles an impossible white and the energy never stops.
It’s fitting, then, that Maho is also home to St Maarten’s two best resorts, both of which happen to be of the all-inclusive variety.
The Sonesta is set in the epicenter of St Maarten.
This is the Sonesta St Maarten, an all-inclusive destination that comprises two resorts: the signature Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino and Spa and the adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point Resort.
First there’s the Ocean Point, set on one of the most stunning perches in the Caribbean, high above Maho Beach, with a sleek, crisp design, outstanding food and a serene (but energetic) ambience. It’s also home to a clutch of swim-up suites.
Swim-out rooms at the Sonesta Ocean Point.
It’s as good as an adults-only experience gets in the Caribbean, with 130 suites in a “resort within a resort” concept that means Molton Brown amenities, an ultra-chic beach-style rooftop pool and personalized concierge and butler service for the top-level suites.
The all-inclusive offering even includes a stocked, daily-refreshed mini bar, along with special events, 24-hour room service and a high-tech fitness center.
Then there’s the 420-room Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, the family-friendly destination resort, the one with the Beach House Kids Club and Aqua Park, a tech-filled Teen Zone, a wonderful spa and a signature swim-up bar. That’s along with a rich menu of daily entertainment with everything from dance classes to poolside bingo to bocce ball and karaoke.
The main pool at the Sonesta Maho.
All-inclusive resorts are the hottest thing in Caribbean travel right now, with more and more brands entering the all-inclusive space as more and more travelers seek out resorts where they never have to take out their wallet.
But Sonesta has been doing this in St Maarten for decades, honing the art of the Caribbean all-inclusive.
An even on an island with so much to do, with so much calling you beyond your resort, the Sonesta strikes the perfect balance: you can stay all day at the resort, or you can venture out for unique experiences or haute cuisine dinners.
Either way, you’ll never forget you’re in St Maarten.
It’s an island that has everything — just like the Sonesta.
The Cayman Islands has always been a great destination for a luxury beach or dive vacation, appealing to both romantic couples and families. But with travel restrictions finally lifted this summer, there are even more reasons to start planning a winter getaway in the Caymans.
The event draws some of the world’s top chefs, including host Eric Ripert.
The Return of Cayman Cookout
The grills and ovens at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman went cold for two years during the pandemic, but the Cayman Cookout food festival is coming back in 2023. Scheduled for Jan. 9-15, this elite event gathers top chefs and mixologists from all over the world to show off their talents and share their food during a series of exclusive demonstrations. A handful of demos are priced around $100, but prices go up with name recognition at an event that attracts the like of Emeril Lagasse, Tom Coliccio, and Jose Andres. If you want to have event host Eric Ripert cook you a meal aboard a private jet, it will set you back a mere $25,000.
Little Cayman in the Cayman Islands.
Fly Nonstop from the West Coast
Hawaii and Mexico are the usual sun-and-sand vacation go-to destinations from the West Coast, but Cayman Airways is making it easier for travelers to choose the Caribbean instead. On Nov. 6, the airline launched nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) in Grand Cayman, with introductory fares starting at $399. The flights will operate through March 2023, with weekly departures from LAX (Saturdays) and Grand Cayman (Sundays). Onboard amenities will include rum punch service and Business Class seating.
Rum Point Reopening
As posh as Grand Cayman’s west coast is, Rum Point has always been a lower-key option. The frozen mudslides will start flowing again on the north shore, with the Wreck Bar and Grill set to start serving up jerk pork and fish and chips fried in Caybrew batter again this winter. Grab a hammock or hop on a Red Sail Sports charter to Stingray City, then settle into the dining room at the Rum Point Club for ceviche and seafood hot pot. Closed since October 2021, Rum Point is expected to be fully reopened by the end of 2022.
A New Waterpark at the Kimpton
The SPLASH waterpark is the newest amenity at the family friendly Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman. Opened in June 2022, the aquatic play area includes kid-sized waterslides, splash areas, and fountains. Alongside the fun is an educational mission, with park elements designed around local flora and a host of interactive features, like a spinning rock made of Grand Cayman’s native limestone.
Crystal Caves Eyes Some Added Zip
Most of the attractions at Crystal Caves have understandably been underground, but one of the Cayman Islands’ most popular attractions is casting its eyes skyward with plans to add a new zip line along with an underground restaurant. Meanwhile, Crystal Caves reopened in November 2022 and resumed its 1.5-hour limestone cave tours, which are paired with a half-hour nature walk through the surrounding tropical forest.
Stay on Seven Mile Beach for Less
Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach is loaded with upscale resorts, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to stay there. The Hampton by Hilton Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach hotel, which opened in late 2019, has room rates starting under $300 a night (trust us, that’s a bargain), and also accepts Hilton Honors points as payment for stay. In addition to a pleasant pool area and freshly made over rooms, stays include a daily hot breakfast.
Go Veggie (or Vegan) on Grand Cayman
Vegetarians and vegans can dive into great food in the Cayman Islands. The new Edgy Vedge restaurant in West Bay is a fully plant-based eatery and marketplace with indoor and outdoor seating, and joins Island Naturals, VIVO, and Bread and Chocolate as Grand Cayman restaurants offering vegetarian and vegan dining. In addition to meat-free comfort food, Edge Edge serves cocktails, beer and wine and has as marketplace for when you prefer to bring your meal to your beach or room rather than dining in. Also new on the island are San Si Wu Noodle Co. in George Town, which has handmade Chinese noodles and dumplings made fresh daily.
