The privacy of a luxury villa paired with the services of a full-service resort is a special kind of heaven for a romantic or family vacation, and it’s a marriage of service and amenities that you’ll find at some of the top resorts in the Caribbean, including:

The Shore Club, Turks and Caicos There are no more spectacular resort villas than those at the Shore Club Long Bay, the leading resort in Turks and Caicos. A resort’s Estate Villas are set on 850 feet of beachfront on Long Bay; each villa has 8,800 square feet of living space, with either four, five or six-bedroom configurations. The decor is marvelous; each comes with its own private butler and dedicated housekeeper and, of course, its own private pool. 

La Samanna, St. Martin

The three- and four-bedroom Pool Villas at La Samanna include private terraces, fully-equipped kitchens, rain showers, infinity pools, and access to 24-hour villa host service, daily gourmet breakfast, food and beverage stocking services, and full use of all resort amenities, including yoga, pilates, and beach bootcamp classes. Sweetening the pot is chauffeured golf cart transportation around the resort and a private wine tasting session.

Four Seasons Resort, Nevis

The Private Retreats at Four Seasons Resort Nevis are located in a private enclave of six “neighborhoods” on Pinney’s Beach. Villa guests get the services of dedicated resort ambassadors, pre-arrival provisioning services, private pools and kitchens, in-home fitness facilities, and full access to all resort services and amenities.

Palm Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

This private island resort in the Grenadines has a pair of private villas that include all-inclusive access to all resort amenities including meals, drinks, tips, snorkeling, kayaking, and boat tours. The beachfront Sea Feathers Villa has three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, patio, and includes the use of a golf cart to get around the island. You get the golf cart with the Southern Cross Villa, too, but this two-bedroom villa is set atop a bluff with long ocean views from its three decks, one of which has a 10×20-foot infinity edge pool.

Jumby Bay, Antigua

The 14 villas at this luxury all-inclusive resort in Antigua includes in the price of a stay a la carte dining at the resort’s seven bars and restaurants, rum tastings and cooking classes, watersports, boat trips, a Kids Club, fitness facilities and tennis courts. Jumby Bay also has one of the best spas in Antigua. Villas range from two to four bedrooms, and the resort also has 22 private residences that also offer the option of all-inclusive dining or butler and chef services.

Ambergris Cay, Turks & Caicos

Guests who fly into this private island resort off of Providenciales can settle into one of 10 gorgeous beachfront villas with individual pools and enjoy all-inclusive dining and activities. The island has a restaurant serving three meals daily, but many guests opt to dine in their suites; likewise, cocktails or even a bottle of local rum can be delivered on demand. Villas include golf carts for exploring the largely undeveloped island and an impressive lineup of activities, from bone fishing trips to sandbar picnics, daily spa treatments, guided nature walks, and sports from tennis to snorkeling and kayaking.

Calabash Cove, St. Lucia

This small, low-key all-inclusive resort features local cuisine at the Windsong Restaurant, beach picnics, a fitness center and spa, and room service and a stocked bar in rooms and villas. The latter include nine Bali-inspired waterfront cottages with plunge pools, jacuzzis, outdoor rain showers, and outdoor hammocks.

Windjammer Landing, St. Lucia

A lot of private villas can arrange for butler service or private chefs, but guests staying in the one-, two-, three-, or four-bedroom villas at the Windjammer Landing resort can sign up for an all-inclusive package that includes dining at five on-site restaurants, unlimited drinks, and access to amenities such as motorized and non-motorized water sports and on-land activities. For a small fee, meals also can be delivered to your villa — a nice option when rooms are perched on a steep hillside and you might rather relax by your private plunge pool and enjoy the view rather than taking a shuttle down to dinner.

Eden Rock, St. Barths

St. Barths may be one of the few Caribbean destinations where more visitors stay in villas than in hotels, and this legendary St. Barths resort has a collection of more than 150 villas across the island. Butler and chef services are available, of course, but booking an Eden Roc villa also includes concierge and maid service, breakfast and newspapers delivered to villas, and access to the facilities at the resort, including picnics arranged by beach butlers and spa access.

The post From Turks and Caicos to St Martin, 9 Resorts With Their Own Luxe Villas appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Jamaica’s S Hotel brings South Beach swag to Montego Bay with a stylish rooftop bar, see-and-be-seen pool area fringed with cabanas and day beds, and a vibrant lounge scene with a DJ spinning tropical club tunes for a scene-y young crowd. Yet there’s also a place here for families, whether that’s enjoying the inclusive, upscale buffet breakfast and dinner service or relaxing on a fine stretch of palm-shaded beach.

Sister property to the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston — itself acclaimed as the top lodging address in the Jamaican capital — the S Hotel is unlike any other hotel on MoBay’s Hip Strip. Guests enter via a circular drive graced with a 1953 Singer convertible once owned by screen legend Katherine Hepburn, which sits alongside equally posh luxury rides belonging to current guests.

A long, tall-ceiling lobby affords immediate views back to the resort courtyard, with its bright red loungers and umbrellas set in high relief against the sparkling blue waters of the main pool. Along the straight stroll from the front door to the water’s edge are comfortable indoor and outdoor seating areas, a high-end cocktail lounge adorned by holograms of bobbing jellyfish, and the Rocksteady restaurant, serving breakfast and dinner daily. Painted in lively Rasta colors, the poolside bar and grill is a casual spot for local curry and jerk dishes along with rum drinks and perhaps a little competition on the outdoor pool table.

Located on the upper floors, guest rooms at this Small Luxury Hotels of the World property are accessed via bright balcony walkways, with colorful displays at each floor highlighting the history of prominent Jamaican leaders and entertainers, from Marcus Garvey to Jimmy Cliff. As with the artwork from local artist Michael Thompson that adorns the restaurant walls, the restrained decor of the hotel provides a gallery like setting that establishes a sense of place without detracting from the S Hotel’s sleek, modern vibe.

Guest rooms are bright, clean and spacious, with white bed linens neatly tucked into dark wood platforms and slatted headboards trimmed in oak and gently contrasted with wicker seats. A phonograph — alas, non-working — is queued up with a Bob Marley record, and a Red Stripe bottle corked with a flower as an impromptu vase. Our fifth-floor room had a balcony big enough to sit comfortably and enjoy the views of the pool and beach, and the bath was equipped with both a soaking tub and a two-person shower.

We appreciated two unique touches in the room: a low bench before the vanity useful for boosting little ones up to sink level or perhaps leaning closer to the mirror to put finishing strokes on makeup; and a third shower head over another bench in the shower. (Sadly, we didn’t get to put the latter to use during our stay, as we found the water controls a bit inscrutable.)

Our Sky Club level room afforded easy access to the rooftop pool and bar, each with enviable sunset views of the beach and the Caribbean Sea; unique among hotel guests, we also enjoyed 24-hour access to the roof pool thanks to our elevated status.

The crowded and busy streets of Montego Bay offer little hint that there’s even a beach on the other side of the shops, hotels, and restaurants, but we found the stretch of sand behind the S Hotel surprisingly pretty and sedate. The hotel’s full service spa is another great place to unwind, with all guests invited to take a soak in the Irie Baths — a series of subterranean plunge pools with different temperatures — and book additional treatments, from massage to facials to baths infused with curative local ingredients like lemongrass and lavender.

In fact the hotel as a whole presents as an oasis amid the bustle of MoBay, yet providing easy access to Hip Strip attractions like Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records sports bar just across the parking lot, and Margaritaville and other drinking and dining options a few steps further down the street. And of course the hotel concierge can arrange for tours to any number of area attractions.

For more, visit the S Hotel.

The post Montego Bay, Jamaica’s Stylish and Serene S Hotel appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Joe Pike, Special Contributor to CJI

Foxwoods El San Juan Casino, representing Foxwoods Resort Casino’s debut in the Caribbean, will have a soft opening later this fall in Puerto Rico, with a grand opening set for early 2022, said Rodney Butler, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation chairman.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation is a federally recognized American Indian tribe in the state of Connecticut. The casino, located in the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, also marks Foxwoods first move outside of the mainland United States.

“When Foxwoods El San Juan opens its doors, guests will be able to experience an array of the newest slot machines and table games as well as first-class service that complements the resort’s well-appointed luxury accommodations and amenities,” Butler told Caribbean Journal invest (CJI).

CJI was virtually on hand for a press conference held back in January at the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel when it was announced that the renowned hotel’s casino will receive a multi-million dollar renovation before rebranding as the Foxwoods El San Juan Casino.

“Our intent when revitalizing this property was to maintain the rich history and culture of the venue while ushering in a new and exciting future with Foxwoods El San Juan Casino,” said Butler. “We truly believe the casino’s new identity beautifully pays homage to the casino’s legendary past – as well as the feel of Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT, one of the strongest casino brands in the world.”

Andre Nodarse-Leon, co-owner of the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel and founder and CEO of LionGrove, said earlier this year that about $125 million had already been invested in renovations to the hotel stemming back to 2015, along with another $15 million that was invested this year.

Those additional renovations include practically doubling the size of the current casino floor and also reopening a nearby entertainment venue.

Butler said Foxwoods would be an “economic driver,” and, in addition to other investments Nodarse-Leon said Puerto Rico is making, will help generate about $22 million back to the island.

“Puerto Rico was an easy choice for us – not only is the island stunningly beautiful, but we had an unparalleled opportunity to partner with LionGrove to help reinvigorate a wonderful gaming facility that meant so much to so many,” said Butler.

Butler said the new project will also create about 360 new jobs, roughly 150 of which will be casino-related occupations.

“Pairing the Tribe’s expertise with the rich local market experience between LionGrove and Fairmont, two strong and experienced hospitality leaders, together we knew we could deliver a new offering the residents of Puerto Rico and tourists will admire and enjoy,” said Butler.

So, can we expect a sports book when the casino opens its doors?

“Although there are no plans to open a retail sportsbook at this time,” said Butler, “we do hope to offer sports betting to our Foxwoods El San Juan guests – pending regulatory approval.”

And as far as other Caribbean expansions go, Butler told CJI Foxwoods is focusing on its Puerto Rico property for now.

“At this time, we’re focused on opening Foxwoods El San Juan Casino,” said Butler, “and remain committed to being a valuable economic driver for Puerto Rico.”

The post Foxwoods to Launch First Caribbean Casino appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Another major cruise ship has called on St Kitts’ Port Zante. 

Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion ship made the first of what will be 10 calls to St Kitts during the winter 2021-2022 season. 

Orion is the fourth ship to call since the restart of St Kitts and Nevis’ cruise sector. 

It’s also the first inaugural call of the 2021-2022 season. 

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Viking Orion,” said St Kitts and Nevis Tourism Minister Lindsay Grant. 

Grant said the visit was “symbolic of the continued relationship between Viking Cruises and St. Kitts, it demonstrates Viking’s confidence in St. Kitts the destination.”

“The restart of cruise globally requires all of us in the Federation to their part so old and new cruise visitors can experience our one-of-a-kind attractions, dynamic culture, rich history, simply the authentic Caribbean,” Grant said. 

— CJ

The post Viking Orion Makes First-Ever Visit to St Kitts appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Moorings’ new office at the Yacht Haven Grande marina in St Thomas is in a former Little Switzerland. 

And if you look closely, you realize that behind the TV monitor on the back wall is the door to a secret safe, a home for hidden jewels. 

And that’s no coincidence. 

Because amid the pandemic, St Thomas has emerged as a hidden jewel of its own in the Caribbean yachting industry, a fast-growing destination that’s drawing passionate sailors and yachters from around the world, eager to discover its treasures. 

St Thomas’ new buzz largely began in the 2020-2021 winter season, when The Moorings launched a major new charter base at Yacht Haven Grande. 

That led to a very strong 2021 peak season — a trend that has continued into the fall. 

“We’re off the hook,” says Simon Carey, Chief Operating Officer at The Moorings in St Thomas, along with the same role for &Beyond Yacht Charters. “We’re fully booked for next year — this place is taking off.”

The growth has come from a number of factors. 

First, there’s the United Sates Virgin Islands’ tourism boom amid the pandemic, buoyed by a region-leading Travel Health Screening system and surging visitors numbers. 

And then there’s the sheer ease of charter vacations in the USVI, given that the destination doesn’t require a passport for US citizens to visit. 

“You can fly here and get on your boat here,” Carey says. “You get here, you don’t need to have your passport. You get the drink in your hand on your boat.” 

In all, Yacht Haven has about 200 charter boats across five to six different companies. 

And the government is supporting the sector, too, with an ongoing project to install 200 new mooring balls in the St Thomas-St John corridor. 

For travelers used to neighboring yachting destinations, the USVI is uncharted territory — but it’s increasingly home to the kinds of marine destinations sailors seek out. 

That includes everything from the Pizza Pi boat-bound pizza delivery service to Lime Out, the floating taco bar off the coast of St John and the beloved Bikini Beach on St John’s Honeymoon Beach. 

A sailing itinerary in the USVI sees a launch out of St Thomas and a few days around St Thomas and St John, exploring the wonders of St John’s beaches and navigating the green-hilled splendor around the tiny islands and cays off St Thomas — straddled by stops at Magens Bay or Christmas Cove. 

“It’s easy [to navigate],” Carey says. “It’s not very well known yet. So you’re not getting the Soggy Dollars yet — but they’re coming. It will double in the next couple of years.”

The secret, in other words, is no longer safe. 

For more, visit The Moorings.

— CJ

The post St Thomas Is the Hottest Yachting Destination in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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