If you want to find the perfect casino in the Caribbean, you shouldn’t have to roll the dice.

While there are some great casinos scattered around the region, some islands have a far better offering than others.

That’s why we’ve collected the top five casino destinations in the Caribbean right now, with a focus on the quality and diversity of the gaming experience, along with other factors like food and beverage and hotel options.

The verdict? Right now, Nassau remains the king of the casino in the Caribbean, but there are some great options around the region worth checking out.

The casino at the Baha Mar is the biggest in the Caribbean.

Nassau Paradise Island The island of New Providence was long the gaming capital of the Caribbean thanks to its flagship Atlantis resort — but it just got even better. The debut of the Baha Mar, a place we’ve called the Las Vegas of the Caribbean, has made Nassau the center of the Caribbean casino world. And get this – the Baha Mar is even better. While Atlantis has a total of 64,814 square feet, the Baha Mar’s sparkling casino has 100,000 square feet of casino space (including a superb sports book), with a high-end, Vegas feel. This is a significant casino destination, not just for the Caribbean, but for the world.

The casino at the Ritz-Carlton, Aruba.

Aruba This Dutch Caribbean hotspot gets the nod for what is a remarkably broad gaming offering, with a different casino on just about every corner, from the boutique-y Casino at the Ritz-Carlton on Palm Beach to the Hyatt casino to the Renaissance in the heart of Oranjestad’s downtown. And because just about every casino is tied to a resort, it makes the gaming experience that much easier.

San Juan, Puerto Rico It’s always surprised us just how far under the radar San Juan flies as a gaming destination — because it’s terrific (of course, we’re still waiting for a major gaming player like MGM to enter the market). There are casino options all over the capital, from the excellent Stellaris Casino at the San Juan Marriott to the elegant, 24-7 casino at the La Concha in Condado. When it reopens, El San Juan should be on your list, too.

The casino at the Curacao Marriott.

Curaçao The Dutch Caribbean’s best-kept secret has a range of gaming offerings, concentrated in its fascinating capital of Willemstad. And while there are casinos all over the downtown area and beyond (including favorites like the Marriott), the center of gaming here remains the Renaissance’s Carnaval Casino, where you can play slots or table games until the wee hours of the morning and then shop to your heart’s content the next day with your winnings. (And with Wind Creek’s purchase of the property, it should be getting even better).

Why not combine some of the region’s best gastonomy with gaming?

Martinique Martinique? Yes, the center of the French Caribbean world has a pair of solid casinos, both in the tourist hub of Trois-Ilets and on the outskirts of the capital, Fort-de-France. This is the essence of French-style gaming, meaning you can also find great food and drink right inside the casino. (Indeed, one of the island’s best rum bars is inside the Casino Trois-Ilets.

The post The Top 5 Casino Destinations in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Melia’s newest luxury brand is making its debut in the Dominican Republic — and it will be its most exclusive property yet.

Circle by Melia, a new “brand experience” the company says is a “whole new level” of accommodations, will open its first property at the Paradisus Palma Real resort in Punta Cana this year.

But it won’t be open to all travelers — The Circle will be a members-only resort, according to the company.

Circle is part of a special membership program Melia has launched, with three categories: Infinite Blue, Infinite Red and Infinite Black Experience, opening up members to “a whole new world of flexibility and thousands of destinations.”

Circle aims to offer a kind of bespoke, customized resort experience, with everything from custom pre-stocked minibars to an “infinite butler.”

For more information, visit Circle by Melia.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

There’s another real estate project coming to one of the Caribbean’s greatest beaches.

Baraud Developments has announced the launch of the new Eleven Parc project, a collection of luxury townhomes on Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman.

The new Cayman Islands’ newest boutique real estate project includes just 17 units, with each home featuring a private garage, a gourmet kitchen and a swimming pool, among other amenities.

Eleven Parc, which is located in the Parkway neighborhood in the Seven Mile Beach corridor, has a range of units from 1,800 to 2,000 square feet, with features like hurricane windows, high ceilings, Italian porcelain floor tiles and gourmet kitchens with granite countertops.

They’re also high-speed fiber ready.

The post A New Real Estate Project on Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Sure, Punta Cana is known for its admittedly impressive collection of all-inclusive resort properties. But beyond them are some very special Punta Cana hotels, unique properties tucked away on its white-sand beaches, places to stay that offer a different kind of experience from the typical Punta Cana vacation.

So where do you stay if you’re looking for the other side of Punta Cana hotels, the side that doesn’t involve the crowds?

We have you covered, with five greater Punta Cana hotels that offer the best of the region’s most popular travel destination.

Eden Roc at Cap Cana The greatest hotel in the Dominican Republic is in the heart of Cap Cana, the tony enclave on the edge of greater Punta Cana. This Relais & Chateaux boutique is the standard for luxury in the country (and, some would say, in the Caribbean), with a combination of suites (including beachfront options) and a remarkable culinary program that includes six concepts, from the strikingly-designed Mediterraneo to the breezy, romantic La Palapa. And while we love the newer beachfront rooms, we’d still go for the plunge pool suites for the ultimate Eden Roc experience.

Tortuga Bay The hotel that designer Oscar de la Renta put on the map just underwent a dramatic transformation, but the results are the same — a rarefied, refined hotel that is a boutique oasis in the heart of the Puntacana Resort and Club. Whether you want access to some of the region’s best golf or just want to laze on a perfect white sand beach, Tortuga Bay has it all.

Westin Puntacana The Puntacana Resort and Club’s other signature hotel, the Westin is a modern, sleek option for travelers looking for a more active vacation in Punta Cana. That means world-class olf, a Six Senses spa, and Westin’s signature Workout fitness studio program. Of course, at the end of the day, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself in the Don Cueco Cigar and Rum Bar, a spot that’s one of our favorites among all Punta Cana hotels.

Blue Beach Punta Cana One of the newest addition’s to Punta Cana’s hotel product, Blue Beach is a new kind of luxury hotel experience for the Cabeza de Toro section of greater Punta Cana, particularly when it comes to the spectacular room product: there are two room categories: crisply designed luxury suites (junior and master) and, more uniquely, a section of family luxury suites, which include two and three-bedroom suites with a residence-like design — making them particularly good option for family travel in Punta Cana. Of course, that’s all joined by a great stretch of beach and two pools, along with three restaurants, including the newest addition, the signature Sur Le Mer eatery.

Le Sivory by Portblue Boutique Okay, so this is still technically an all-inclusive — but it feels a world away from the megaresorts of Punta Cana. Calling it an all-inclusive wouldn’t really do it justice.

This adults-only boutique hotel has a total of 55 rooms, all of which have free Wi-Fi, music docks and flat-screens. But the food might be the star of the show, thanks to a menu by Michelin-star chef Rafa Sanchez.

The post The Top 5 Punta Cana Hotels to Visit Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Thomas’ Cyril E. King airport is set for a major transformation.

United States Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp has announced that he will soon unveil the plans for a $230 million modernization of the island’s airport.

It’s a huge step for an airport that recovered quickly in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

“We have a very bright future ahead,” Mapp said during a visit with the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands. “But it will require hard work, real tough decisions and creating, establishing and maintaining very strong, vibrant, and positive relationships with our private partners.”

Mapp said the public would soon be invited to meetings with the Virgin Islands Port Authority to discussed the planned airport improvements.

The plans will likely be unveiled in June, according to Mapp.

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