It’s got all of the ingredients: a beach, a beach bar, perfect water.

But what turns a beach resort into the one you never want to leave?

The legendary Bolongo Bay Beach Resort has developed that into an art form, transforming a stretch of St. Thomas shoreline into one of the Caribbean’s most lovable resorts.

There’s a vibe here that somehow transcends even the most laid-back of beach resorts — whether you’re downing one of the always-creative cocktails at Iggies or going on a snorkeling hunt for rum.

And the story continues out on the water, from the popular sunset harbor cruise (it comes with any five -night all inclusive stay) to a vast array of watersports options from paddle boards to Hobie cats to aqua tricycles.

This place just has something going on, and you need to be a part of it.

And you’ll never want to leave.

For more information, visit Bolongo Bay.

The post VIDEO: Why You Need to Visit the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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There are few greater joys for Caribbean travelers than uncovering a secret beach. But that’s precisely the case at the largely untraveled Long Bay East Beach in Tortola.

It’s a beach that few tourists ever set their feet upon, and that means you typically find your own private beach for the afternoon.

This is what it’s like

— CJ

The post VIDEO: A Secret Beach in Tortola appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Luxury hotel company Fairmont is expanding in the Caribbean.

The new Fairmont Saint Lucia at Sunset Bay project broke ground last week, with a projected opening date of late 2019, the government announced.

The resort is slated to include 120 rooms and 40 private residential villas, with an eco-friendly construction.

The project, in partnership with GP Group JSC, will be located in the area of Choiseul on St. Lucia’s southwestern coast, will become the second Fairmont in the Caribbean, joining the Fairmont Royal Pavilion in Barbados.

A rendering of the project.

“We are thrilled to be announcing this exciting new resort development on Saint Lucia,” said Kevin Frid, Chief Operating Officer for North and Central America at AccorHotels. “Saint Lucia is a premium destination of choice in the Caribbean. Fairmont’s unique blend of exceptional design, location, luxury and hospitality will ensure that Fairmont Saint Lucia at Sunset Bay is a private and exclusive oasis for this stunning island, whose natural landscapes, breathtaking views, friendly locals and authentic culture will impress the most travelled individuals.”

Invest Saint Lucia Chairman Pinkley Francis said the resort was valued at $220 million.

While this resort is valued at US $220 million, the value of the investment to the island is far greater. The fact that the internationally acclaimed Fairmont Hotels and Resorts have agreed to brand this new resort is indeed a significant demonstration of investor confidence in Saint Lucia.”

WATG (which has the Four Seasons Anguilla on its resume) and Wimberly Interiors will be the designers on teh project, which will have four restaurants and bars, a 9,000-square-foot spa, three pools and a private marina.

It will also include around 10,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space.

The post Fairmont to Open Hotel in St. Lucia appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

At first you think it’s satellite radio or recorded music playing. Then as you approach the lobby bar on your way to dinner at Riu ClubHotel Negril, you realize it’s neither. You realize what you’re hearing is live. And what you’re hearing is Paul Sundal.

At 8 o’clock each evening, as guests wander through the lobby of the Bloody Bay hotel on their way to dine, most stop in their tracks when they hear Sundal, bartender at the resort’s lobby bar, belting out tunes with all the skill of a seasoned professional.

Dapper in his black shirt jacket with starched white cuffs and collar, Sundal sings an hour-long repertoire of classic ballads (“I like the lovey-dovey stuff,” he says), everything from “Unchained Melody” to “Lady In Red” to “Hello,” accompanied by backing tracks pulsing from a speaker tucked below the counter. Simultaneously, he shovels ice, pulls Red Stripe and mixes rum punch for guests’ refreshment, never missing a (literal) beat.

As his falsetto soars, onlookers whip out their smartphones, eager to broadcast his talents to the world via Facebook or Instagram. And when the song ends, Sundal is rewarded with enthusiastic applause. And guests, with the memory of a unique Jamaican concert.

The post The Singing Bartender of Negril appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It’s one of Caribbean Journal’s oldest traditions: we mark the Fourth of July with a celebration of the best rummaking in America. Because while you may not know it, rum was central to the American story of independence, and even George Washington himself marked his first inauguration with rum.

Happily, the American rum story continues to get better: more and more distilleries are popping up across the 50 states, and the quality of rum in American continues to improve, from Florida to the Pacific. And more people drinking rum is a good thing for Caribbean rum, too.

Here are our five favorite American-made rums for 2017 (excepting those in the US Caribbean territories, which we always feel should compete against their Caribbean brethren).

Here are our five favorite American rums right now.

Siesta Key Rum

This Sarasota, Fla. distillery (Drum Circle Distilling, to be exact) has long put out one of the best rums, not just in America, but anywhere, and distiller Troy Roberts’ loyalty to overwhelming quality continues, led by the flagship, simply spectacular Siesta Key Spiced Rum. Plainly, it’s just incredibly good rum.

The post Rum Journal: America’s Best Rums, 2017 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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