Luxury hotels are leading the Caribbean hotel construction pipeline, according to a new report from hotel analytics firm STR.

The luxury segment accounted for 23.3 percent of all rooms in the region in the “in construction” phase, according to the report.

That represented a total of 2,794 rooms in the pipeline.

Overall, the Caribbean-Mexico region showed 28,580 rooms across 180 projects under contract, a 4.5 percent decrease compared to June of 2015, and a 4.6 percent year-over-year decrease in rooms in construction.

The region reported 11,983 rooms in 76 projects in construction for the month.

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There’s often something special about a well-executed small hotel. It’s more intimate, it’s more personal, it’s more soulful. And the Caribbean is full of precisely such places, from hillside retreats to beachfront boutiques. These are places with personality, where quality reigns over quantity and where you can often find a deeper Caribbean experience. Here are 10 Small Caribbean Hotels to try right now.

Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, St Lucia

Cacao plantation? Check. One of the Caribbean’s best restaurants? Check. An infinity pool with a jaw-dropping view of Petit Piton? Check. Oh, and the luxe-rustic rooms are splendid, too.

The post 10 Small Caribbean Hotels to Visit Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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There’s a new must-visit café in historic downtown Nassau.

It’s called The Drawbridge, and it’s part of a major revitalization of West Hill Street by the owners of the Graycliff Hotel, Restaurant and Cigar Company, the Garzaroli family.

The colorful cafe has coffee, sandwiches and bites and, most importantly, a terrific selection of gelato.

The changes to West Hill Street, which include everything from a heritage museum to a new artists’ village, have been rather striking, transforming a once-quiet street into a must-visit destination in Nassau.

And yes, it actually has a real drawbridge.

— CJ

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One of Anguilla’s most hotly-anticipated hotels is coming soon.

The Reef by CuisinArt boutique hotel is slated to debut in November, the property announced today.

The beachfront hotel will include 80 suites directly on the sea; it represents an expansion of the existing CuisinArt property in Anguilla.

A rendering of a room at The Reef

“The Reef represents Anguilla’s newest luxury destination and the newest hotel addition to the CuisinArt family,” said Stephane Zaharia, Vice President and General Manager of both The Reef and CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa. “The property, replete with exciting ensuite amenities and distinctive features, will truly epitomize a chic beachside resort with an urban flair.”

The hotel will include 25 golfview junior suites and 25 seaview junior suites in the main building, with 30 accommodations spread across four beachfront buildings.

The hotel will also include a fitness center, a library and a boutique, and two hardcourt tennis courts.

The hotel will also include a pair of eateries: The Yacht Club and Breezes.

Guests will enjoy all the amenities of the CuisinArt resort.

The post The Reef by CuisinArt Set to Debut in Anguilla in November appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Viceroy Hotel Group is planning a major new overwater hotel in the Caribbean.

The company has announced plans to open the new Viceroy Bocas del Toro Panama resort and residences, slated to open in 2019 off the Caribbean coast of Panama.

The property will include 186 guestrooms, including 42 overwater villas along 457 acres of coastline that includes three miles of private white sand beaches.

Each of the overwater villas will include its own private plunge pool and direct access to the ocean by deck.

The hotel will feature eight restaurants and lounges, along with indoor meeting space, a fitness center, a cinema lounge, a library and a spa including private “rejuvenation pools” tucked into the rainforest.

The resort is the product of a partnership between IMI, West Resort and Hospitality Investors Group.

Zurcher Arquitectos will oversee the development, while Wimberly Interiors will concept all aspects of the hotel’s interior design.

The property will also have a real estate component, managed by IMI and Venegas International Group.

That will include 42 one and two-bedroom residences for sale to private owners, either as investment or for the resort’s rental program.

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