By the Caribbean Journal staff

Canadian travel giant Sunwing has launched its first-ever nonstop flights to Bonaire.

The weekly service out of Toronto will operate on Sundays through April 15; it is currently the only nonstop flight between Canada and the Dutch Caribbean island.

“Saving our customers time and money by providing them with direct access to the most popular sunshine destinations is central to our commitment of delivering an exceptional vacation experience,” said Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations at Sunwing. “We are therefore extremely pleased to be able to add this unique Caribbean island to our roster, and are sure that it will prove to be a popular choice amongst our customers.”

Kralendijk, Bonaire.

The new flights come on the heels of the announcement that American Airlines would be launching new service between Miami and Bonaire this summer.

“We are excited to develop and deepen our partnership with Sunwing,” said Maurice Adriaens, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. “We feel the addition of this flight service, together with the option of vacation packages at many of our most popular resorts, will give Bonaire greater exposure in the Canadian market and ensure the island is amongst the top Caribbean destinations to visit this winter.”

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To the right, the imposing Diamond Rock.

To the left, the sandy shores of the beach town of Le Diamant.

Just ahead, Caribbean blue.

It’s the sort of view you can stare at all day long, in the sort of villa you never want to leave.

This is the Villa Blue Moon, a modern, strikingly-designed villa perched on a cliffside on the outskirts of Le Diamant.

And it isn’t just one of the most spectacular villas in Martinique — it gives the rest of the Caribbean a run for its money, too.

There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms and capacity for eight guests.

The pinnacle of indoor-outdoor living.

It’s a remarkable indoor-outdoor design — the panoramic sliding doors quickly convert the villa into a breezy, outdoor space.

Of course, the center of it all is the sparkling pool, the perfect vantage point for a ti’ punch afternoon.

And then there are the little touches: the Nespresso machine, the Sonos audio system, the powerful fans that make the outdoor areas feel air conditioned.

The beaches of Diamant are a short drive.

Martinique is a destination that begs for a villa vacation, thanks to its magnificent infrastructure, food shops and restaurants and driving accessibility.

The perfect ending to the day.

And Blue Moon is situated in the increasingly chic beach town of Le Diamant, meaning you can try a different restaurant every night of the week — or grill fresh fish at the pool. The choice is yours.

Because here, every choice is the right one.

For more information, contact la-vie-facile@orange.fr.

See more in the video at the top of the page.

— CJ

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Luxe villa company Ani Villas has expanded its operations to the Dominican Republic.

The company’s new Dominican Republic oustpost, called Ani Villas Dominicana, is a fully-staffed and serviced 14-bedroom estate set on its own peninsula.

The property was designed by noted Dominican designer Sarah Garcia, perhaps best known for designing the ultra-luxe Casa Colonial boutique hotel in Puerto Plata.

Ani Villas, located on the north central coast of the Dominican Republic, offers a private chef, 24-hour butler service, water slides, a tennis court, swimming pools and even a spa.

It’s the second Caribbean location for Ani Villas, which also has a property in Anguilla.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Nassau’s Baha Mar is continuing its culinary push with the debut of another new restaurant: Shuang Ba.

The eatery at the Baha Mar in the Bahamas aims to showcase “authentic tastes” and offer travelers the flavors of contemporary Chinese haute cuisine.

“Our vision is to create an immersive dining experience that transports guests across the world through taste, aesthetic and ambiance,” said Graeme Davis, president, Baha Mar. “Our exceptionally curated team will deliver the highest level of Chinese taste profiles – both food and design – to a sophisticated audience interested in cultural experiences.”

Baha Mar

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar’s flagship eatery will focus on a menu of flavors that “meld traditional and contemporary,” from “cherry foie gras” to traditional peking duck to Chaozhou-style truffle and vegetable dumpling, among others.

Shuang Ba is led by executive chef Brent Martin, who hand-picked a slate of 15 chefs from some of China’s most esteemed hotels, including the Park Hyatt Beijing and the Wynn Palace Macau.

“Inspired by connectedness to local culture and passion for creating extraordinary experiences, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar caters to world travelers seeking international tastes,” said said Scott Allen, general manager, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. “Shuang Ba will uphold the Grand Hyatt brand’s legacy by embodying the highest standard of international luxury and cultural culinary experiences.”

It’s one of several new high-end eateries to debut at Baha Mar, following the debut of the Japanese restaurant Katsuya and Michael Schwartz’s Italian-focused Fi’lia.

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Ocho Rios has long been one of the best destinations in Jamaica for travelers willing to journey the extra mile, and that’s still the case today. Ocho Rios, which means “eight rivers” in Spanish, is a fascinating enclave of Jamaica teeming with natural beauty, all centered around one of the country’s more bustling small cities. Yes, Ocho Rios has a little bit of everything for travelers, from ATV safaris to the natural beauty of Dunn’s River Falls to tucked-away shopping stalls.

So where do you stay? Ocho Rios has a range of accommodation options: hotels, everything-included options and more, and we’ve narrowed the wide product down to a few great choices.

Here are our favorite places to stay in Ocho Rios.

Jamaica Inn One of Jamaica’s most legendary places to stay, this iconic property (that first opened its doors back in 1950) is all about old-school Jamaican hospitality accompanied by a world-class stretch of beach. It’s charming, it’s intimate and it makes for the perfect Ocho Rios vacation. Even better? Every cottage and suite has ocean views.

Goldeneye One of Chris Blackwell’s signature Island Outpost properties, Goldeneye is famous as the onetime residence of James Bond creator Ian Fleming, who wrote all 14 of the Bond novels at the still-extant desk in the Fleming Villa at Goldeneye. The property, set on picturesque Oracabessa, features a mix of beach huts, cottages and private villas (there’s even a real estate component). And yes, you can even splurge and stay in the villa itself. Either way, it will be an unforgettable stay.

Jewel Dunn’s River This adults-only option is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, and spares no amenity: that means six restaurants, two pools, an impressive spa and, perhaps most importantly, five bars. And the private beach is terrific, made even better by the fact that watersports are included. See more information here.

Sandals Royal Plantation Maybe you’ve been to a Sandals. Well, Sandals Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios is a different kind of Sandals. It’s boutique, it’s endlessly charming and it’s, well, truly beautiful. This is a different side of Sandals, and it’s an experience that can only happen at Sandals’ best-kept secret.

Beaches Ocho Rios Looking for a family vacation in Ocho Rios? Look no further than Beaches Ocho Rios, one of the region’s most entertaining resorts, with everything from world-class golf to a water park to three pools. Beaches has made the Caribbean family getaway something of an art form, and that’s nowhere more true than here.

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