In a significant boost to its tourism, the Dutch Caribbean island of Statia has opened its first full-fledged resort hotel. 

The new Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort officially opened its doors at the beginning of this month. 

The resort has a mix of rooms and suites, with amenities including a pool with a sun terrace, a spa, a restaurant, in-room dining a fitness center. 

“Great strides have been made in Statia despite the different setbacks in the tourism hospitality and travel sector caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Charles Lindo, Director of the St Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation. “The local government has made great progress in enhancing the infrastructure (roads, internet service,  reliable stable electricity) along with a brand new airport and tower building. The addition and recent opening of the Golden Rock Resort is proof that Statia tourism will definitely bounce forward.”

Deluxe rooms have a kitchenette, while suites have full kitchens. 

That’s along with a mini golf course, a soccer field, a tennis court and a playground for kids. 

The resort also offers the option of daily grocery delivery. 

It’s also home to what has become the island’s signature restaurant, Breeze, which offers an international menu with everything from truffle risotto and tuna tataki to Caribbean lobster and Thai red curry. 

The resort is set at the base of Statia’s famous Quill volcano, long one of the region’s most sought-after hiking destinations. 

The reopening comes after Statia recently reopened its borders for tourism.

“Travelers are welcome, vaccinated and non vaccinated with specific restrictions for both groups,” Lindo told Caribbean Journal.

You can find more about how to visit Statia here. 

For more, visit the Golden Rock. 

— CJ

The post A Brand-New Resort Just Opened on the Island of Statia appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Martinique is mostly known for its magnificent beaches, its hikes and its impressive waterfalls; the impetuous volcano Mount Pelée; the rum, the colors, the music; l’art de vivre. 

But we often forget to talk about what is happening under the sea — Martinique’s underwater island ecosystem, so sensitive and yet so rich.

But travelers can visit this part of Martinique without a scuba tank. 

That’s because this French Caribbean island is quietly one of the region’s greatest snorkeling destinations. 

Equipped only with a mask and snorkel, you can, just a few meters from the shore, discover a wide variety of species.

There are fish, starfish, eels, lobsters, corals and sponges in a thousand colors — and turtles, too. 

You’ll see the French or royal angelfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, the flying gurnard, the lionfish (the Caribbean’s unwelcome visitor). 

And then there is the the sergeant-major fish which will surely come say hi out of curiosity.

It’s a true natural aquarium. 

But the island’s biggest snorkeling stars are easily the turtles. 

There are five species of turtle present in the waters of Martinique; but you will especially have the chance to meet two of them during your snorkeling excursions.

First, the green turtle: it’s very easy to meet one near the beaches, especially those of Anses d´Arlets. 

It is mainly found in the middle of the herbaria on which it feeds.

This turtle is listed as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Second, the hawksbill turtle: This turtle is the only species of reptile known to have a spongivorous diet, that is to say that it feeds mainly on sea sponges. 

It is easily recognizable by its beak which allows it to tear off those sponges.

You can find her during her lunch in the middle of a coral garden but also on the beaches during the egg-laying season between March and October.

Unfortunately this turtle is classified as “critically endangered.” 

Because while sea turtles have lived in the oceans for over 150 million years, they’re are now endangered — and it’s more important than ever to protect them and their habitat. 

All these creatures add up to what is perhaps the great undiscovered gem of Caribbean snorkeling. 

Martinique will offer exceptional “water hikes” that you will never tire of.

With each dive you will meet new species and if you take the time to take a closer look between the corals, an incredible miniature world will open up to you.

Stacy Hate is one of the top underwater photographers in Martinique. For more of her photos and videos you can follow stay_sea_rhums_lovers on Instagram. 

It’s getting easier to travel to Martinique this winter, with American Airlines’ relaunch of flights from Miami to Martinique in the first week of November. You can find more about how to visit the island here.

— CJ

The post Why Martinique Is the Best-Kept Secret in Caribbean Snorkeling appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Elite Island Resorts’ portfolio of Caribbean all-inclusive resorts now requires all guests 16 and over to show proof of vaccination. 

The new policy, first announced last month, officially took effect this week. 

The company had initially set the threshold at 12 years of age, but increased the limit to 16 and up “to better accommodate regional differences in vaccine availability, travel requirements, and ongoing health studies,” according to a statement from the company. 

“Our goal, as always, is to help protect and conserve local medical resources, and thereby keep travel and tourism open and enjoyable in all our island destinations,” Elite Island Resorts said in a statement. 

Elite Island Resorts’ portfolio includes resorts in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines in Panama. 

That includes an island-leading five properties in Antigua: Hammock Cove, Galley Bay, Verandah, Pineapple Beach Club and St James’s Club; The Club, Barbados; Palm Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines; St James’s Club Morgan Bay in Saint Lucia; and the Los Establos Boutique Inn in Panama. 

That includes St James’s Club, Morgan Bay in Saint Lucia, which reopens its doors on Oct. 1.

It’s an industry-leading move by Elite Island Resorts Chairman Rob Barrett, one that sets a new standard for the Caribbean region; we’ll see how many properties in the Caribbean now follow suit. 

It’s also a nod in particular to Antigua and Barbuda’s strong tourism reopening, one that kicked off in June 2020 and has been a model for the wider region. 

For more, visit Elite Island Resorts. 

— CJ

The post These Caribbean Resorts Require Proof of Vaccination For Guests 16+ appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

It doesn’t happen overnight. It doesn’t grow in a week. It can take years. It can take decades. 

Or, in the case of the legendary Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica — it can nearly three quarters of a century. 

Since its beginnings in the early 1950s, Half Moon has been one of the Caribbean’s grandest, most glamorous, most charming places to stay. 

So when Half Moon debuted its new Eclipse resort right before the onset of the pandemic, just before the tumult of 2020 began, that was the biggest question. 

Would it still have that indescribable ambience that once drew the likes of JFK and Queen Elizabeth II? 

Would a brand-new resort still feel like Half Moon? 

The answer is a resounding yes. And more.

This is Eclipse, the stunning, superlative new centerpiece of the resort, a modern property for the contemporary luxury traveler that expertly shapes its grandeur and pedigree of one of the Caribbean’s most legendary places to stay into a fresh, hip, buzzy property. 

The 57-room resort is set around two main anchors: the grand, modern Great House; and a spectacular beachfront infinity-edge pool that is in many ways the “town square” of the resort, the epicenter, the place to see and be seen. 

The rooms are plush, comfortable and sleek, marrying classic charm with modern convenience.

The food and beverage program is excellent — whether you’re eating superb fish and chips with a side of Appleton 12 at the edge of the pool or taking in an evening at the enchanting Sugar Mill.

And the beauty is, you get all of the resort’s amenities and space – that means you can take your bike and find a corner of the resort just for you, whether it’s the quiet sands of the West Cottages or the lush serenity of the Hibiscus Pool. 

Or you can play 18 at the property’s eponymous Robert Trent Jones, Sr-designed golf course, dubbed the “Caribbean Augusta.”

Eclipse is the Half Moon for the 21st century — and it’s a reminder, a message, a bold statement: great hospitality is timeless. 

After nearly 70 years, something new has come to the front of Half Moon. 

And it’s a very welcome Eclipse. 

For more, visit Eclipse at Half Moon. 

You can find more in the latest CJ Video at the top of the page.

— CJ

The post Eclipse at Half Moon, Jamaica’s Stunning New Luxury Resort appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

The most highly anticipated new all-inclusive in Cancun in years has revealed its opening date, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The Royal Uno All-inclusive Resort and Spa, the newest addition to the Royal Resorts portfolio, is slated to open its doors on Feb. 28, 2022, the company confirmed this week. 

The 540-room resort is the follow up to the celebrated Grand Residences Riviera Cancun, the celebrated family focused property in Puerto Morelos; that property recently announced it would be joining Wydham’s Registry Collection. 

All of the rooms at Royal Uno will have their own private ocean view terrace or balcony; smart TVs; bluetooth speakers and minibars, among other options. 

That’s along with Romances Suites featuring jacuzzis, and ground-floor beachfront suites with their own private plunge pools. 

Royal Uno aims to deliver a “new way to vacation,” based on a commitment to provide an “an ‘authentic Cancun’ experience, in lavish and comfortable surroundings,” according to a statement from Royal Resorts. 

It’s a nod to a pair of buzzing travel trends: authenticity and all-inclusive, both of which are right at the top of the list when it comes to what travelers are looking for right now.

Amenities will include four bars and nine restaurants, along with two oversized pools, a children’s pool with a water play area, a spa, a kids club and a family room for video games and movies. 

The resort represents a significant new addition to Cancun, a destination that has been the most popular travel hotspot in the wider Caribbean amid the pandemic. 

Royal Resorts’ other Mexican beach resorts include The Royal Cancun, The Royal Islander and The Royal Sands in Cancun and the Royal Haciendas in Playa del Carmen. 

For more, visit Royal Uno All-Inclusive Resort and Spa. 

— CJ

The post A New All-Inclusive Beach Resort Is Coming to Cancun appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico