You’ve decided to get married? Congratulations! Now comes the really big decision: where to get married. Obviously, we’re big fans of island weddings, and if you’re considering a destination “I do” in Jamaica, here are the hotels we think you should consider for your special day. These are, from small hotels to large resorts, the Best Jamaica Weddings.

Half Moon Resort & Spa The options are seemingly endless at this classic Montego Bay cloister, which has six outdoor venues and 10 indoor ballrooms that can accommodate parties up to 450 people. The impressive Fern Tree Spa, golf course and equestrian center provide plenty of diversions before and after the big day — and great photo spots, too.

Round Hill It’s hard to find a more classic (and classy) spot for your nuptials than this villa resort just outside Montego Bay. Tie the knot poolside at a private villa, on the beach or on am oceanview carpet of manicured grass. And since the resort hosts only one wedding a weekend, you’re assured of attentive (and flawless) service.

Couples Sans Souci In Ocho Rios, this elegant resort from the company that pioneered the all-inclusive resort in Jamaica is an excellent choice, whether you’re on a budget or want a big blowout. Stay three nights or more and the One Love package is complimentary. Or pony up around $5000 for a rollicking celebration for up to 40 people on the private island at sister resort Couples Tower Isle.

Beaches Negril Get everyone in the mix at this all-inclusive resort that has something to keep every member of the family entertained before and after the ceremony. The Beautiful Beginnings package is free with stays of three nights or more; upgrades include everything from cupcakes to bamboo chuppahs; and “Weddingmoon” packages combine ceremonies with complimentary honeymoons.

 

Rock House Hipsters, creative types and modern bohemians will love the vibe at this Negril cliff’s-edge boutique, where locations include an oceanfront deck and an overwater bridge, and stunning sunset ceremonies are all but guaranteed. And since there are only 34 rooms here, you don’t have to have a huge guest list to pull off a hotel buy-out.

Rose Hall Great House Superstitious types beware; this supposedly haunted plantation house is not for you! But if you don’t believe in ghosts, consider starting married life at this stunning 18^th-century estate set on 6,600 lush hillside acres. While you can’t tie the knot inside the historic house, you can get married on the lawn with the building as your backdrop – guaranteeing drop-dead (ahem) gorgeous wedding photos.

 

Sandals Royal Caribbean Want to get married on a private island? No problem! Seal the deal at on a sandy spit just offshore from this Montego Bay all-inclusive where an impressive selection of themed décor packages mean that your ceremony location will look as beautiful as you do.

Strawberry Hill Head for the hills above Kingston and enjoy a cooler-than-cool ceremony for up to 150 people at this plantation-style mountain retreat, which boasts several indoor and outdoor venues, including the iconic infinity-edge pool.

The post The Best Jamaica Weddings appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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St. Lucia’s agricultural sector is getting a high-tech boost.

It’s called the Virtual Agricultural Clearing House, and it’s a digital platform through which the island’s hotels, restaurants and distributors can get info on the availability of crops.

The VACH, which is a project by the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association’s Tourism Enhancement Fund, has already seen sales of 42,318 pounds of produce in its first three months in operation.

That’s brought in revenue of $127,044, according to the SLHTA.

The figures directly reflect reported purchases by hotels and distributors from local farmers on the island.

One local farer, Moses Rene, said his sales had increased “considerably” from the program.

“This is tourism dollars directly in the pockets of our farmers,” the SLHTA said in a statement.

The post A High-Tech Boost for St. Lucia’s Farmers appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Grand Bahama, particularly the island’s western end, was one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew earlier this month.

Now, the process of rebuilding has begun, as an assessment continues of the state of the island’s hotel infrastructure.

“We have to be honest about Grand Bahama because that’s the only way we can move forward,” said Bahamas Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe. “Tourism on the island has come to a grinding halt. Hotels, restaurants and tour operators have all been affected by Hurricane Matthew, but there is hope and Grand Bahamians are resilient. Everywhere you go on this island people are working. People are working on their homes; people are working at the hotels to fix those properties. Grand Bahama will rise again, better and stronger.”

Here’s the current state of the island’s hotel product, according to tourism officials:

Based on initial damage assessments, Viva Wyndham Fortuna said it expects to open on November 14.

Castaways, which had roof damage resulting in 32 rooms being out of order, remains open. The hotel has water, wifi and limited electricity.

Pelican Bay had minor roof damage to its conference center, which is currently being repaired. The property is taking corporate business and restoration teams only and is not open to leisure guests. Its restaurant, Sabor, is also open.

Work on Memories Resort is expected to begin soon and the company said in a statement released on Tuesday it is expected to open on December 10. Until then the 500 staff members will undergo extensive customer service retraining ahead of its proposed opening date.

The Grand Lucayan, which includes the Lighthouse Pointe and Breakers Cay, had water damage and roof damage. Lighthouse Pointe is expected to open November 7.

Flamingo Bay Resort had minor damage and is awaiting the restoration of power before opening.

Taino Beach Resort received extensive damage and officials there gave no timeframe for opening.

The Old Bahama Bay Resort sustained minimal damage and will open once power and water have been restored.

A team of workers are currently assessing the damage to the Ocean Reef Resort and no opening date has been given at this point.

Cruise lines have begun making adjustments, while Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is still carrying passengers to Freeport.

The post Grand Bahama Tourism Begins Rebuilding After Hurricane appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Summer’s over and the Christmas holiday is quickly approaching. Trinis love a good holiday celebration, especially when it comes to the food. Pastelles are a traditional delicacy during the Christmas season in Trinidad even though they are also consumed at other times throughout the year. Although widely found around the Caribbean, pastelles actually originated in Venezuela.

Typically, pastelles are made from cornmeal that is steamed and filled with meat and other ingredients, such as olives and raisins, then wrapped in banana leaves. Throughout the years, pastelles have taken on many variations as the tastes of the public have changed; they have taken on the names of chicken, fish, vegetarian and soya pastelles with flour rather than cornmeal used. Locals would not call these versions pastelles as their beloved original is made strictly with cornmeal and stuffed with minced beef. No matter how the pastelles are made, the crucial step that stays the same is wrapping them in banana leaves, which have been lightly placed over an open fire to reduce stiffness. Twine is tied like a bow around the wrapped pastelles to keep the banana leaves in place while boiling.

Here’s my favorite pastelles recipe:

Filling
1 lb. minced beef
2 onions, finely chopped
1 bunch chive
1 bunch big leaf thyme
1 hot pepper to taste, finely chopped
1 pimento pepper, finely chopped
1 stalk celery
2 cloves garlic
20 leaves chadon beni
1 bunch fine leaf thyme
Salt to taste
¼ cup roucou (or ketchup)
2 tbsp. capers (optional)
2 tbsp. raisins (optional)
8 olives chopped finely (optional)

Dough
2 cups yellow cornmeal (very fine)
3 cups lukewarm water
4 tbsp. vegetable oil or coconut oil
¼ lb. butter
1¼ tsp. salt

Wrapping
2 -3 large fig (banana) leaves
String to tie

This recipe was submitted by the Hyatt Regency Trinidad’s executive chef Fernando Franco and his team, which are members of this year’s ‘Caribbean National Team of the Year’ at Taste of the Caribbean in Miami.

The post How to Make Trinidad’s Famous Pastelles appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Four Seasons has opened its newest resort in the Caribbean: the new Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla.

The resort, which is a rebranding of the former Viceroy Anguilla in Barnes Bay on the southwestern corner of the island, becomes Four Seasons’ second Caribbean property along with its flagship resort in Nevis.

The hotel has a total of 181 total accommodations, including 24 villas, four townhomes and 33 residences, along with five restaurants and lounges, a superb spa, a fitness center and there heated outdoor pools.

A number of the spacious, modern rooms also come with a special perk: a private plunge pool, while even basic rooms have marble bathrooms, deep soaking tubs, walk-in showers and large outdoor sundecks.

The pools at the Four Seasons in Anguilla are one of the property’s standouts, thanks to an elevated infinity pool that has one of the Caribbean’s most spectacular views, adjacent to the hotel’s Sunset Lounge.

That’s joined by restaurants including Cobà, a seafood grill, the Half Shell Beach Bar and the Bamboo Bar & Grill, which has a Mediterranean culinary focus.

This has long been one of the Caribbean’s most architecturally stunning hotels, highlighted by its Kelly Wearstler interiors and a design by Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG).

If the company’s Nevis property is any indication, Four Seasons should bring a new level of service to one of the region’s toniest destinations.

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