The all-inclusive landscape has been changing rapidly in the last few years, most recently with the acquisition of Apple Leisure Group by Hyatt. That move, which sent shockwaves throughout the industry, is part of a growing focus by major travel brands on all-inclusive. 

More and more travel leaders, from ALG’s Alex Zozaya to Posadas’ Jose Carlos Azcarraga, tell Caribbean Journal that the all-inclusive space is only growing — as more and more travelers simply continue to demand it. 

And if the all-inclusive sector has a capital, it’s Punta Cana: the most-visited hotspot in the Caribbean’s most-visited country: the Dominican Republic. 

Punta Cana’s resort product Is set in two unique destinations: Greater Punta Cana, which includes everything from the famous Bavaro Beach to Uvero Alto, and Cap Cana, the luxurious enclave of the area that’s known for world-class golf, a large marina and a rarefied, exclusive feel. The latter has seen a surge in all-inclusive development in the last two or three years. 

They both add up to the most popular travel destination in the Caribbean, home to nearly 50,000 hotel rooms. 

Understandably, sifting though the sea of properties isn’t easy — but there are some full-fledged gems for travelers. Here are our favorites to check in to right now. 

Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection Resort This is as complete an adults-only all-inclusive as you’ll find in the Caribbean, not to mention Punta Cana. Now part of the All-Inclusive by Marriott portfolio and the Autograph Collection, Hideaway has an enviable offering, from a refreshingly active ambience (with everything from beach yoga to poolside mixology classes) to on-the-sand shiatsu and Thai massages on a Hideaway-exclusive beach. 

Even better? You get access to all of the amenities and services at the adjacent Royalton Punta Cana and Royalton Splash Punta Cana, too. 

Secrets Cap Cana Since it first opened back in 2017, the 457-room, adults-only resort set a new standard for all-inclusives in Punta Cana. And that’s still the case for this flagship Secrets resort, home to seven gourmet eateries, six bars and lounges (including a Preferred Club bar) and a spectacular setting on the blindingly white sands of Juanillo Beach. 

While the rooms are all beautiful (all of which have their own hot tubs, 24-hour room service and daily-refreshed mini bars), the swim-up suites are very much worth the splurge. 

Live Aqua Punta Cana One of the newest all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana is also one of the best: Mexican company La Colleccion Resorts’ Live Aqua first resort outside of Mexico. The adults-only Live Aqua Beach Resort is a stunner, with its own beach, a sweeping infinity pool complex and 345 units, all of which are suites — some including their own private pools or swim-up access. 

TRS Cap Cana TRS Cap Cana Palladium Hotel Group first launched its highest-end TRS brand in the Mexican Caribbean, and its new Cap Cana outpost is at the same level. The adults-only resort has 115 suites, with a pair of restaurants, an Ibiza-style beach club and a pair of pools; it’s a sleek, crisp place to stay in the heart of chic Cap Cana. 

The Zentropia Palladium Spa and Wellness Center is a standout too, with a pair of hot tubs, steam rooms, and a host of private treatment rooms. 

Royalton Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection Resort Part of the broader Royalton complex in Punta Cana (and also part of Marriott’s Punta Cana all-inclusive options), this resort has just about everything for every kind of traveler. There’s the Genesis Casino; a water park; a teens’ club; a slate of activities that range from aquatic Olympic-style competitions to aerobic classes to ping pong and culinary lessons. There’s even an Escape Room called the Temple of Secrets. In other words, it’s a whole world in an all-inclusive. 

Paradisus Grand Cana Formerly known as the Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, this rebranded property still represents the best that the Paradisus marque can offer. And yes, there’ still the Reserve upgraded option that includes private concierge service, luxury suites and access to a Reserve-only private beach, among other amenities. And in the new age of travel, parent company Melia also offers free travel insurance and testing for guests. 

Serenade Punta Cana Another new addition to Punta Cana amid the pandemic, Serenade has 603 rooms across seven different buildings, with three categories: garden view, pool view and ocean view. The rooms are diverse, too, with solid options like swim-out suites and luxury ocean-view suites that come with their own outdoor jacuzzis. 

On the culinary side, there are eight eateries (one of which is a buffet) and five different bars. We also like the boutique-style waterpark, always a hit with the little ones.

Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana All-inclusive resorts are a completely different universe than they were even a decade ago; today, all-inclusive has become largely a technical term, not a qualitative one. 

Having said that, visitors to the Zoetry Agua Punta Cana won’t believe they’re at an all-inclusive resort. Everything here feels unique, authentic, boutique. There are just  96 suites here, but it feels even smaller. The thatched-roof architecture feels right at home in this lush corner of Uvero Alto. It’s just a beautiful place to be. 

Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana Instantly one of our Punta Cana favorites since it opened, it’s a terrific family-focused all-inclusive, highlighted by an impressive pair of waterparks, one for smaller kids and one for the bigger ones, with the latter including a lazy river. And that’s just the beginning of what we love about this property, including perhaps the best all-inclusive food you’ll find in Punta Cana. 

That’s along with a terrific Dreams Spa by Pevonia.

It’s now part of what ALG calls the AMR Collection, a rebranding of what used to be called AM Resorts.

Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Punta Cana Karisma Hotels and Resorts’ alliance with the Nickelodeon brand was nothing short of brilliant. Combining the classic all-inclusive experience with characters like Dora, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and SpongeBob Squarepants has turned this into one of the most sought-after Punta Cana resorts for families with kids. The 208-suite resort, has 10 restaurants, three bars and four pools and one other major amenity: the Paw Patrol. Translation: your kids will want to be here on the double.

Hyatt Ziva-Zilara Cap Cana They’re really two separate resorts, in line with parent company Playa’s philosophy: that means the Zilara for couples, and the Ziva for families. Like the aforementioned Secrets, it’s set on what is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of the Dominican Republic: Cap Cana’s Juanillo Beach, worth the trip all by itself. 

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St Maarten will soon begin waiving pre-testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

Beginning Nov. 1, fully vaccinated visitors will no longer require a test, antigen or PCR, to enter St Maarten. 

It’s a major change for the destination, and St Maarten is now the only Caribbean destination to waive testing requirements for the fully vaccinated. 

Several Caribbean destinations had been waiving pre-testing but reimposed it after a global rise in cases over the summer. 

St Maarten will consider travelers fully vaccinated if they have received WHO-approved vaccines; full vaccination means it’s been more than 14 days since your final shot of a single or two-dose vaccine regimen. 

Approved vaccines include Moderna; Pfizer; Johnson & Johnson; AstraZeneca; Sinopharm and Sinovac. 

Unvaccinated travelers from the US will continue to have to show proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours or a negative antigen test within 48 hours before arrival.

“Research has shown that the viral load of a fully vaccinated person, who is infected with COVID-19, lowers much faster than a person that is unvaccinated. This means that while there are a few break through cases of fully vaccinated persons, the chances of these persons spreading the virus or becoming severely ill is tremendously low,” St Maarten Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley said at a press briefing. 

Ottley said the change was “something that the ministry has been monitoring for some time, and with  proven research has decided to proceed in this direction.”

Ottley said that the death rate in St Maarten for the fully vaccinated was 0.04 percent, with a similar percentage for hospitalization numbers. 

“This shows that the vaccine is highly effective and we can move towards allowing fully vaccinated persons to enter without requiring a test” Ottley said. 

For more, visit St Maarten. 

– CJ

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Delta Airlines is expanding its flights service to the Caribbean, headlined by a pair of major routes, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The carrier will be increasing its service to daily nonstop flights from New York to both St Thomas, US Virgin Islands and St Maarten. 

Both of those daily frequencies will kick off on Dec. 18, according to a statement from the company. 

Both of the routes will be operating out of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. 

It’s part of a broader Caribbean recovery for Delta, which will be operating more than 20 daily flights to 18 different destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean this winter. 

That’s about 85 percent of pre-pandemic levels, according to the carrier. 

“We’re adding 25% more capacity this fall to meet the significant demand for business and international travel going into next year,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s S.V.P. – Network Planning. “We continue to provide more choice and convenience while rebuilding our global connectivity and delivering what Delta does best – putting our customers first with exceptional, reliable service and a premium travel experience.”

And on Dec. 20, Delta will launch another new route to the region, with nonstop service from JFK to Panama City Panama (that’s along with a second Saturday flight to Panama out of Atlanta on Dec. 18). 

For more on how to visit the US Virgin Islands, check out the US Virgin Islands Travel Portal. For more on visiting St Maarten, see here.

— CJ

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Antigua and Barbuda has expanded its tourism opening with local vaccination rates continuing to rise. 

The twin-island country has eased on-island restrictions, meaning “visitors can look forward to enjoying some newly re-opened tourism experiences,” according to a statement from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. 

That includes the opening of water excursions, whether sailing to Barbuda or dropping anchor on a deserted beach. 

That’s along with kayaking, snorkeling and other water-based activities; land-based excursions have continued to operate. 

Restaurants have also reopened for dine-in service after a brief hiatus, with fully vaccinated diners able to “completely immerse themselves in Antigua and Barbuda’s rich, culinary experience.”

That includes the recent reopening of Antigua’s signature restaurant, Sheer Rocks, which, along with its sister restaurant Catherine’s Cafe, also just reopened.

Curfew hours have also shortened, now in place at 11 PM to 5 AM. 

All visitors to Antigua and Barbuda over 18 need to have received at least one shot of a World Health Organization-approved vaccine. 

All passengers ages five and up must also present proof of a negative PCR test result taken and received within four days of their flight. 

For more, visit Antigua and Barbuda Tourism. 

– CJ

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It’s back. 

The long-awaited return of the beloved Saba Rock private-island resort in The British Virgin Islands is here. 

The boutique private island resort officially reopened this week in the heart of the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. 

“Our doors are open and our resort is ready to welcome you,” Saba Rock said in a statement. 

The return of Saba Rock is part of a broader renaissance for the North Sound, often dubbed the Caribbean’s Billionaires’ Playground. 

That includes the recent news that the adjacent Bitter End Yacht Club is planning to reopen its first phase at the end of this year. 

So what’s at Saba Rock 2.0? 

On the hotel side, there are seven “beach chic” rooms, along with a pair of “Island Suites,” all with “sweeping ocean views.”

There are now two bars, one on each level of the property, along with a new open-air restaurant serving everything from ribs to seafood. 

That’s joined by a Saba Rock Boutique, an on-site dive shop and a home base for the kitesurfers for whom the North Sound is a Mecca. 

It’s a big boost for the BVI, particularly its yachting sector; the little island has long been a sought-after stop on any maritime itinerary in the archipelago. 

For more, visit Saba Rock. 

— CJ

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