By the Caribbean Journal staff

It’s a very different project for the Caribbean, and a very different project for the Dominican Republic.

But that’s what makes it so fascinating.

The Alta Vista Group has officially broken ground on a new $45 million project called the Alta Vista Mountain Village, a vision for a real estate community and “mountain hotel” in the Bayacanes community of the La Vega province.

The eco-luxe project will consist of just under 2 million square feet of development in five “pillars”: a restaurant, a mountain-lodge-style boutique hotel, villas, condos and apartments, according to Franklin Liriano, president of Alta Vista Group.

If the name of the company sounds familiar, it should – it’s the group behind the famous Altavista eatery in La Vega, a destination restaurant that has long offered some of the most remarkable views in the Caribbean.

The Alta Vista Mountain Village, designed by architect Denis Lockward, will be set off the road between La Vega and Jarabacoa, with sweeping views of the Cibao Valley and the Dominican Republic’s central mountain range.

The property will feature anti-seismic design and an earthy style with finishes in precious woods, stones, glass and concrete, according to the company.

Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina leading the groundbreaking ceremony in La Vega.

It isn’t a beach hotel — and that’s the point, putting a new spotlight on a beautiful but still largely undeveloped tourism destination that’s unique for the region.

The post $45 Million Mountain Lodge Project Coming to Dominican Republic appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

United is launching more nonstop flights to Cancun for the summer season.

The carrier is launching new weekend nonstop flights from both New Orleans, Louisiana and San Antonio, Texas to Cancun beginning June 9.

The flights will operate seasonally on Saturdays, according to a statement from United.

It’s the latest addition for what has become a booming airlift destination in the Mexican Caribbean, as carriers, led by Southwest Airlines, have significantly ramped up their route networks to Cancun.

The post United Adding More Cancun Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The highly-anticipated new residential resort project Rock House is slated to break ground in Turks and Caicos later this year, a spokesperson for the project confirmed to Caribbean Journal.

The project is the latest residential hotel by Grace Bay Resorts, which just announced its acquisition of the Point Grace boutique on Grace Bay.

The interior of a two-bedroom cottage.

The real estate component of the project has already eclipsed the 50 percent sales mark.

Rock House, which bills itself as the first “hillside luxury” property in Turks and Caicos, will be set on the north coast of Providenciales on a 14-acre oceanfront site with hills up to 95 feet above sea level.

It will be a mix of cottages and studio units, with a total of 41 units along with plans for an additional four villas in its second phase.

It’s part of what has become a booming real estate market in Turks and Caicos, one that should only see continued growth with the launch of a wave of new luxury projects.

The post Turks and Caicos’ Rock House to Break Ground This Year appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Norwegian Cruise Line has officially broken ground on a new dedicated cruise terminal at PortMiami.

The 166,500-square-foot terminal will accommodate ships of up to 5,000 passengers, with technology aimed at speeding up faster embarkation and disembarkation (and expedited security and luggage check-in), according to the company.

The terminal will also have a dedicated lounge and service area for guest arrival, along with a new parking garage and valet area.

“This iconic terminal represents our continued partnership with Miami-Dade County, our commitment to excellence and Miami as a world capital,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.. “As a global cruise company we’re transforming and elevating guest experiences through design and innovation on our ships, and this new terminal at PortMiami is the next step in that journey. We are honored to be here today alongside the team dedicated to making this dream a reality.”

The project, which will be built to LEED Silver standards, was designed by Bermello Ajamil and Partners, which sought to create an “iconic” Miami destination, inspired by the Fibonacci nautilus shell.

“As Miami continues to develop as a global tourist destination, we view investing in PortMiami’s infrastructure as imperative to sustainable growth,” said Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez. “The construction of a new cruise terminal with the capacity to berth an additional 5,000-passenger cruise ship allows for the creation of thousands of jobs and increased opportunities for our community. We are eager to witness the incredible beauty the terminal will bring to our city skyline and grateful for Norwegian Cruise Line’s steadfast partnership.”

Last year, another cruise power player, Royal Caribbean, broke ground on its own $247 million dedicated terminal at PortMiami, aimed for completion before this fall.

Both will be major new hubs for cruises to the Caribbean region.

The post Norwegian Cruise Line Breaks Ground on New Terminal in Miami appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of the top boutique hotels in The Bahamas is on the market.

The Carriearl Hotel, a boutique hotel on the island of Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands of The Bahamas, has been listed for sale.

The 6,000-square-foot property is listed for $2.4 million with Daniel Lowe of MCR Bahamas Group Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The beachfront hotel has four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, along with a cocktail lounge and bar, a full restaurant, a large dining room-salon and an exterior patio.

It’s perched on Sugar Beach Bay, one of the most striking white-sand beaches in The Bahamas.

The 50-foot x 20-foot freshwater pool was first built by the onetime owner of the hotel, Earl Blackwell.

There is currently an owner’s quarters that can be used as a fifth unit, with room for an expansion of at least seven more rooms.

It’s an opportunity to help transform Great Harbour Cay, once one of the hotspots of the Caribbean in the 1960s that was the haunt of celebrities from Cary Grant to Brigitte Bardot.

Great Harbour Cay is one of the untouched gems of The Bahamas.

The property also has potential to facilitate guests for VIP excursions from Norwegian Cruise Line’s nearby Great Stirrup Cay and Royal Caribbean’s nearby Coco Cay.

For more information, see the listing here.

The post This Caribbean Beachfront Boutique Hotel Is For Sale appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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