By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hotel giant Riu is expanding its offering in the Dominican Republic with a new 501-room addition in Punta Cana.

Riu is adding a new 501-room adults-only wing to its Riu Republica resort on Arena Gorda beach in the Dominican Republic’s tourism hub of Punta Cana.

A rendering of the expanded Riu Republica.

The new adults-only wing is slated to open on Nov. 18, the company announced in a statement this week.

What’s effectively a new Punta Cana all inclusive property adds to what was already a massive resort that boasted 1,000 rooms.

The new Splash Water Park.

The latest Riu Republica Adults-Only wing will include five new restaurants, including Indian, Spanish, Jamaican and continental options; four bars including a beach bar; three new swimming pools and the new Splash Water World.

It includes all of Riu’s traditional all-inclusive amenities, from free Wi-Fi to premium branded drinks across the property.

The latter is a concept that first debuted at Riu’s Punta Cana complex.

Caribbean Journal named the Riu Republica the region’s top affordable all-inclusive resort after it debuted in 2016.

The post Riu’s Adults-Only Expansion in Punta Cana appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Sbe Hospitality is embarking on a major new expansion push that will include another new property in the Caribbean, the company announced this week.

Sbe’s Mondrian brand will make its debut in Mexico’s Playa del Carmen with a licensing deal for a 100-key condominium hotel.

The hotel is expected to debut in 2021 in partnership with Howard Hospitality Group, another company that has been rapidly expanding its footprint in the Caribbean.

The Mondrian Playa del Carmen will be built in downtown Playa, with a ground breaking set to commence in the third quarter of 2018.

Sbe will soon debut the new SLS at Baha Mar in the Bahamas before the end of the year.

“Our pipeline demonstrates the versatility and strength of our brands on a global scale, and we look forward to continuing to develop our brands both domestically and internationally,” said Sam Nazarian, founder and CEO of sbe.

The post Mondrian Coming to Playa del Carmen appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville brand is coming to the Dominican Republic.

Karisma Hotels is planning a major new expansion in the Dominican Republic, highlighted by a new Margaritaville all-inclusive project in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina announced this week.

Karisma is also developing El Dorado and Sensimar-branded resorts, with a total planned investment of $300 million in the destination, according to the government.

The new Margaritaville will begin construction in 2018, with a projected total of 350 rooms and a family-friendly profile.

The new Margaritaville project comes after Karisma and Margaritaville announced a partnership at the beginning of 2017 to develop a portfolio of all-inclusive properties called Margaritaville, an All-Inclusive Experience by Karisma, a push that is likely to extend around the Caribbean.

“Our partnership with Margaritaville, an esteemed brand filled with flavor, fun, and a likeminded desire to delight travelers with unforgettable vacation experiences, allows us to introduce a collection of new casual luxury resorts set in stunning tropical destinations,” said Mandy Chomat, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive representative of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, in a statement after finalizing the partnership.

It would be the second Margaritaville-branded resort in the Caribbean, joining the Cayman Islands’ Margaritaville that opened earlier this year. (Karisma is not affiliated with that property, which is not all-inclusive.)

The post Karisma to Open Margaritaville Resort in Dominican Republic appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Aruba’s top adults-only resort has added a major new offering: romance concierges.

The property’s romance concierge can arrange for “relaxing, private moments” like turning couples spa treatments into oceanfront massages for two to exploring the island on off-road excursions.

Couples can learn a new water sport together or take a helicopter tour of Aruba.

Bucuti & Tara is rated as number one among Aruba hotels by Caribbean Journal.

“In a busy world, couples are often pressed just to make reservations for vacation. That’s where Bucuti & Tara’s romance concierges step in, plan the details and let the couple simply experience magic moments they’ll treasure forever,” said Ewald Biemans, owner and CEO of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort. “On any given day, couples from around the world stay at Bucuti & Tara and our romance concierges take our already stunning setting and help make it blissfully romantic for them.”

The post Aruba’s Bucuti & Tara Now Has “Romance Concierges” appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The holidays are fast approaching, meaning it’s time to start thinking about your next Caribbean vacation (that is, if you haven’t already planned a Caribbean trip in the meantime).

For us, there’s nothing better than Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s in the Caribbean. As those in wintry places dream of a White Christmas, why not dream of a White Sand Christmas?

Some destinations are tailor made for the holidays, thanks to that perfect combination of beaches, restaurants, nightlife and, most importantly, hotels, with an emphasis on accommodating multi-generational trips — because this time of year, it’s about spending time with family.

Here are the best holiday destinations in the Caribbean right now.

Aruba It’s as good of a family destination as there is in the Caribbean, thanks to spacious hotels, ease of getting around and a multitude of activities for travelers big and small. Whether you’re looking for a luxury getaway at the Ritz-Carlton or bringing a large group to the Aruba Marriott, there are a host of places on the island for the perfect holiday getaway. Looking for a romantic holiday season? Try the adults-only Bucuti Tara.

The post The Best Caribbean Destinations for This Holiday Season appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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