By the Caribbean Journal staff

After a strong rebound in October, Caribbean hotel occupancy saw a 2.8 percent decline in November, according to the latest data from hotel analytics firm STR.

The region’s occupancy was 64.4 percent in November, down from 66.3 percent in November 2016.

Average daily rates rose, however, with a 3.3 percent increase in November, while revenue per available room (RevPar) rose slightly by 0.3 percent to $114.75.

For the year, hotel occupancy in the Caribbean is down by 0.9 percent, although that number would be positive if not for a very slow September as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

STR’s data surveyed 1,932 hotels comprising 248,390 rooms in the Caribbean region.

The post Caribbean Hotel Occupancy Declined Last Month appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of the most famous spots in St Barth has reopened its doors in time for the holidays.

St Barth’s boutique Tom Beach Hotel, set on a beautiful stretch of sand in St Jean, has officially relaunched after undergoing repairs in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

“We are delighted to announce that Tom Beach Hotel is fully back on track,” the property said in a statement after welcoming its first guests since Irma.

The relaunch of the 12-room property has not come without some new additions, led by a new “garden lounge” perfect for breakfast or an afternoon drink.

Of course, while the hotel is terrific, Tom Beach is equally famous for its beach lounge, which now becomes the premier (and only) full-fledged beach lounge on the island right now (every room reservation comes with daily beach loungers included).

It’s the latest step in what has been a rapid recovery for St Barth in the wake of this fall’s major storms, with several other properties, including Le Village and Les Ilets de la Plage, already having reopened, along with a large number of villas.

For more information, email contact@tombeach.com.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

MSC Cruises’ new MSC Seaside cruise ship was unveiled in Miami this week with a naming ceremony headlined by Sophia Loren before its maiden Caribbean voyage on Saturday.

Seaside, the company’s new flagship, is the second ship MSC has launched in the last six months as part of a 12-ship expansion planned between now and 2026.

“MSC Seaside‘s naming embodies a pivotal moment for MSC Cruises and the industry overall. She is the first ship of the fifth new prototype that we have developed since we entered this industry only in 2003, and she introduces a wholly-innovative concept that has already set a new standard for the industry to follow,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman. “The distinctive and unique Seaside Class is designed to bring guests closer to the sea to enjoy cruising in warm weather, while pushing the boundaries of maritime and guest-centric technology – the way only a cruise line with over 300 years of maritime tradition could have done.”

MSC Seaside will sail year round from Miami to the Caribbean offering seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.

The post MSC’s Newest Ship Launches in Miami appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Sandals Resorts International’s major new resort in Barbados has officially opened its doors.

The new, all-suite Sandals Royal Barbados made its debut on the south coast of Barbados this week as the second Sandals-branded resort on the island.

The property includes a total of 222 concierge and butler-level suites, along with the brand’s signature Rondoval, Millionaire Butler, Skypool and Crystal Lagoon Swim-Up suite concets.

The new-build resort also adds three new restaurants, along with the company’s first-ever rooftop infinity pool, a gentleman’s barbershop and even a four-lane bowling alley.

The first guests at Sandals Royal Barbados.

“Every new resort we develop stands on the shoulders of what came before.  We keep getting better and better and for us, right now – Sandals Royal Barbados is a game changer,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts International.   According to Stewart, Sandals Royal Barbados was designed to complement the adjacent Sandals Barbados, with guests staying at either property having the opportunity to enjoy the amenities of both.

The resort offers six restaurants in total, combining with the adjacent Sandals Barbados to give guests 17 restaurants to choose from.

The new restaurants include the casual-dining American Tavern; the Asian-fusion Chi and Butch’s Steak and Seafood, a traditional a la carte steakhouse.

The aforementioned rooftop infinity pool is part of what the brand is calling its first-ever “rooftop infinity complex,” which includes 360-degree ocean views, a live music, a French restaurant and a cantilevered cocktail lounge.

In all, Sandals Royal Barbados will include five bars including a beer garden.

The post Sandals Royal Barbados Is Now Open appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Bitcoin mania has officially hit the sea, with the fast-growing crypotcurrency now entering the yacht brokerage market in the Caribbean.

Fort Lauderdale-based Denison Yachting has announced that it will now accept Bitcoin as payment for new yachts, following the completion of its first-ever sale of a yacht involving Bitcoin.

Dension will also begin taking Bitcoin directly as payment for its in-stock inventory, which includes a variety of Beneteau, Dufour and Fountaine Pajot yachts.

Denison Broker Wiley Sharp, who is based at the company’s St Thomas office, brokered the Bitcoin deal last week for a 48-foot Leopard sailing catamaran in the Virgin Islands.

The buyer used Coinbase to convert his bitcoins to the dollars he used to buy the yacht.

“Bitcoin is not just a ‘millennial’ fad,” said Bob Denison. “There are Bitcoin users of all ages, across all continents buying and selling luxury goods, including cars and villas. There’s absolutely no reason why a seller should be wary of accepting Bitcoin.”

The post You Can Now Buy Yachts With Bitcoin appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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