It was long the best resort in Guadeloupe, but now the chic La Toubana resort has taken things to another level. 

La Toubana, set in the hip beach town of Sainte Anne, has officially become the first five-star resort in Guadeloupe, following its official certification this month by France’s national hospitality rating body. 

The upgrade comes after the property completed a two-year, nearly $14 million transformation that also expanded the luxury resort. 

La Toubana now includes 32 bungalows, 12 suites and three villas, the latter of which are the true party piece. 

They’re a mix of one and two-bedroom units, all with stunning views of Marie Galante and designed by noted architect Guy Benoit. 

There are three villas: Villa Ura, Villa Idikia and Villa Ayiti, each with private pools, full kitchens and concierges. 

The villas are worth the splurge, with all of the hotel’s amenities and the space and freedom to enjoy the livability, culture and food that make Guadeloupe so unique. 

In a diverse destination filled largely with smaller hotels, La Toubana is a major addition, well timed for this winter’s highly-anticipated arrival of JetBlue Airways to the destination. 

There’s also a signature Spa, with three single treatment rooms, one double treatment room and one room for Thalassa-style treatments, along with a fitness center and an available personal trainer. 

The property is set in Sainte-Anne, a bustling beach town that just so happens to be the food-truck capital of Guadeloupe, best known for its trucks specializing in Guadeloupe’s most popular local dish, the “bokit” sandwich. 

The relaunched hotel is the best gateway for travelers those looking to explore a destination that is one of the most fascinating in the region, but one which still remains largely unknown to U.S. tourists. 

It’s also a great jumping off point to discover some of Guadeloupe’s other wonderful islands, from its rum capital of Marie Galante to the charming islet of Terre de Haut. 

For more, visit La Toubana. 

— CJ

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There’s a major new culinary destination in one of the Caribbean’s most beloved beach towns. 

New York couple John and Sarah Joyce are launching The Danforth this week, a new eatery in the beach town of Coral Bay in St John. 

The Brooklyn couple recently quit their jobs to “follow their dream of moving to the Caribbean to open a restaurant,” they told Caribbean Journal. 

“Millions of people dream about quitting their job and moving to a tropical island but very few people actually do it. The last 8 months have been quite the adventure,” said Sarah Joyce.

The new eatery, set on the waterfront in Coral Bay, specializes in seafood and local cuisine. 

It will officially open Nov. 1. 

“Food is a huge part of Caribbean culture and we have always felt that local cuisine was underrepresented in the St. John dining scene,” she said. “Our goal at The Danforth is to create a unique culinary experience where you can indulge your senses in Caribbean flavors, sights, and sounds.”

The restaurant will be open every day for happy hour from 3PM to 6PM, with a menu featuring dishes like lobster tostones and sushi rolls. 

The cocktail menu includes a drink called the Peter Bay, blending local hero Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay rum with mango and fresh lime juice. 

“Our menu was created by drawing inspiration from the vibrant flavors found in traditional Caribbean dishes and elevating them using the freshest local ingredients. The result is an unparalleled dining experience; it is unlike any other on St John,” said Gil Turturici, the restaurant’s executive chef. 

Dinner service runs from 5 to 9PM, with dishes like live Caribbean lobster, mahi mahi, braised oxtail and mofongo, among others. 

There’s local music every night, too. 

It’s a welcome addition to one of the coolest corners of the USVI. 

For more, visit The Danforth. 

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A new $150 million Margaritaville resort project is coming to the Dominican Republic. 

The new Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Cap Cana has broken ground in the tony Cap Cana section of Punta Cana. 

The all-inclusive property is the first-ever Margaritaville in the Dominican Republic and the product of a partnership between Margaritaville and Karisma Hotels and Resorts. 

Set on Cap Cana’s Juanillo Beach, the family-focused Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Cap Cana will have a total of 228 rooms and suites. 

It will feature a total of seven eateries and three bars, including the brand’s signature Five o’Clock Somewhere bar. 

“Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Cap Cana marks Karisma’s second property in the Dominican Republic and is especially significant to me as I was born and raised here,” said Rafael Feliz, Chairman of Karisma Hotels & Resorts.  “We look forward to introducing the ultimate luxury vacation for families, couples and singles to escape and have fun beachfront while enjoying authentic touches and unforgettable ‘wow’ moments.  We are equally excited to offer 2,100 jobs across our two resorts, and further invest in the future of this spectacular destination.”

The guest experience will include a team of “Island Ambassadors,” a combination of concierge and vacation planner, on-call for questions and guest requests throughout their stays. 

The Margaritaville Island Reserve has a broader regional development pipeline that includes planned properties in Mexico’s Riviera Cancun and Riviera Maya, along with a planned resort in Jamaica. 

“We are excited to introduce the Margaritaville Island Reserve brand to Cap Cana – one of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world,” said John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville  Holdings. “Our partnership with Rafael and the Karisma team – a match made in paradise – will create the ultimate island destination experience, all about fun, relaxation, incredible food, service, entertainment and our Margaritaville state of mind.”

The new project is part of a surging development pipeline in Cap Cana, which will soon see the debut of two Hyatt-branded all-inclusive hotels. 

For more, visit the Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Cap Cana. 

— CJ

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