By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hilton is continuing its Caribbean expansion with a pair of major new projects on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.

Hilton has announced plans to open both a luxury Waldorf-Astoria and an all-inclusive Hilton in Cancun.

Developed by Parks Hospitality, the properties are slated to make their debut in 2021.

The neighboring properties will be set on 100 acres of Caribbean beachfront.

The announcement comes a few days after Hilton opened its its new Curio-branded Mahogany Bay in Belize.

“With more than half of our Latin America portfolio present in Mexico, we are proud to announce the plans for Waldorf Astoria Cancun and Hilton Cancun as we continue to introduce distinguished properties in the world’s most sought-after destinations,” said Juan Corvinos, vice president, development, Latin America and the Caribbean, Hilton. “Representing our luxury and upscale brands respectively, Waldorf Astoria Cancun and Hilton Cancun will offer guests a taste of Mexican culture fused with Waldorf Astoria’s uncompromising sophistication and Hilton’s flagship hospitality.”

Hilton earlier this year announced plans for another Waldorf Astoria in the Caribbean, a new project in Antigua.

The Waldorf Astoria Cancun will include 150 rooms and suites, with waterfront or mangrove-facing terraces and private balconies.

The beachfront Hilton Cancun will include 600 guest rooms with panoramic views.

“Through this collaboration, we are excited about expanding our portfolio in Cancun, one of Mexico’s top tourist destinations,” said Charles Elmann Fasja, CEO of Parks Desarrolladora. “We recognize the tremendous value in working with a respected industry leader such as Hilton and we look forward to building upon this alliance in the future.”

Design firms SB Architects, EDSA and HBA have been tapped to create a “fluid transition between indoor and outdoor spaces throughout both the Waldorf Astoria Cancun and the Hilton Cancun properties,” according to a statement.

The project will be located near Benito Juarez, about 10 minutes from Cancun International Airport.

The post Hilton, Waldorf Astoria Projects Coming to Cancun appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The new air traffic control tower at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport will become fully operational next month, according to the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority.

“Our team in Montego Bay is ready to move over. Parallel operations will be done over the next two weeks, following which there will be a full transition to the new tower,” said Nari Williams-Singh, director general of the Jamaica CAA.

Parallel operations involves the simultaneous use of the old and the new towers to direct air traffic in and out of the airport.

This is done to facilitate a smooth transition of air traffic control services, once the new facility goes into full operation

“The towers will greatly enhance the reliability and efficiency of our air navigation system, in addition to enhancing the work environment for the air traffic controllers,” Wiliams-Singh said.

The post A New Air Traffic Control Tower in Montego Bay appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Turks and Caicos is one of those rarefied destinations in the Caribbean, and that’s in large part due to the sheer number of top-level Turks and Caicos resorts.

It’s a destination where the pace is just a bit more relaxed, the beach is just a bit more beautiful and the ambience is just a bit more chic. It all adds up to an effortlessly chic but unmistakably relaxed destination.

While it starts with the unmatched natural wonder of Grace Bay Beach, it extends to a terrific culinary scene, a vastly underrated shopping offering and an ease of getting around that makes the TCI so rich to explore — whether taking jaunts around Providenciales or hopping around to the Turks and Caicos’ other, largely undiscovered islands and cays.

So if you’re looking for a getaway to Turks and Caicos, this is where to start: our 10 favorite Turks and Caicos resorts right now.

The Shore Club There’s a new flagship among Turks and Caicos resorts: The Shore Club, the simply stunning resort on bucolic Long Bay Beach in Providenciales. The construction quality is superb, the food sublime and the design is a marvelous marriage of South Beach and authentic West Indies.

The post The Top 10 Turks and Caicos Resorts to Visit Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Disney Cruise Line is returning to Port St Maarten in January, another positive step for a port that welcomed its first commercial cruises since Hurricane Irma this week.

The Disney Fantasy cruise ship will be returning in January, calling on St Maarten as part of seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises.

Disney Fantasy will also be making port calls in St Maarten in February and March, according to St Maarten Tourism Minister Mellissa Arrrindell-Doncher.

The 130,000-ton Disney Fantasy, which entered service in 2012, has a passenger capacity of 4,000 and carries 1,458 crew.

The post Disney Cruise Line Returning to St Maarten appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Cancun has long been Mexico’s most famous (and infamous) tourism destination, but that also means there’s no shortage of great hotel and resort options. But finding the right Cancun hotels for you means sifting through a mix of large and small properties, independent and brand-name hotels and quaint out-of-the way spots. Fortunately, there are Cancun hotels that fit just about every kind of traveler, at just about every price point, from the names you know to some under-the-radar getaways. Here are our five favorite Cancun hotels right now.

Nizuc This 274-suite stunner still, surprisingly, remains a bit under the radar, but that likely won’t be the case much longer. The standard-bearer for luxury Cancun hotels, Nizuc is a sleek, modern contemporary place with world-class food, an excellent spa and a mix of accommodations with wings that appeal to either adults or families. Want to really splurge? Go for Nizuc’s private villas, boasting their own infinity pools.

The Ritz-Carlton Cancun An institution among Cancun hotels, this luxury property remains among the leading options for those in search of a full-fledged luxury experience. All of the Ritz-Carlton standards are here — the spectacular lobby, the nine restaurants, the impeccable service. And that’s all without mentioning 1,200 feet of sugar-white sand beach. This is as good as it gets in Cancun.

JW Marriott Cancun This 448-room standout is set on a beautiful stretch of beach in Cancun’s hotel zone, with well-appointed rooms, marble bathrooms and, perhaps most importantly, a truly stunning oceanfront infinity pool. And then there’s the breadth of dining options, from the authentic Mexican eatery Sedona Grill to Mikado Japanese Teppan Yaki.

On the beach at Casa Turquesa.

Casa Turquesa Yes, you can go boutique in Cancun. This exceptionally relaxing all-suite hotel has just 30 suites, where the focus is on a remarkably broad collection of artwork. Despite its size, though, it’s got all the features of a far larger hotel, from 24-hour room service to five food and beverage options.

Westin Lagunamar Solid rooms, great beachfront space and a mix of pools all accompany the standard Westin service and design you’re used to. But it also features Westin’s focus on wellness — with everything from the brand’s “SuperfoodsRX” health-conscious menu to a wide selection of juices and smoothies in partnership with The Juicery. (The spa is stellar, too).

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

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