Sandals is expanding its already-popular overwater bungalows in the Caribbean.

The company, which debuted its first overwater villas in Montego Bay, Jamaica earlier this year, as announced nine new “over the water honeymoon butler bungalows” set to open at its Sandals Grande St Lucian property in St. Lucia.

The nine new units are now available for bookings for travel beginning in May, the company said in a statement.

The new bungalows have glass-floor panels, a private outdoor tranquility soaking tub for two, a king-sized bed and overwater hammocks.

The bungalows’ bathrooms have his and hers sinks, a large backlit mirror with mosaic tile and a walk-in rain shower.

Each bungalow also has a private patio with a sun deck, outdoor shower, sun loungers and a bistro set.

Sandals’ “Butler Elite” service and 24-hour room service are included with each room.

See more on the company’s overwater bungalows from Caribbean Journal’s video above.

— CJ

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You can stay like a swimsuit model at Curacao’s Avila Hotel, where the “glamazons” featured in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue (on newsstands now) stayed while on location for the magazine.

Avila is one of the best places to stay on the island, with a great beachfront location and a wide range mix of accommodations from hotel rooms to larger apartments (or, if you want to splurge, the hotel’s Simon Bolivar suite).

That’s without mentioning the hotel’s famous Blues Bar & Restaurants, one of Curacao’s most happening spots.

To book a stay at the Avila hotel, click here. 

— Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, CJ Travel Editor

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The Caribbean’s most popular tourism destination continues to see strong growth.

The latest data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization show a total of 5.95 million visitors arriving in the Dominican Republic last year, a 6.7 percent increase compared to 2015.

It’s the kind of growth the destination will need to show to reach its stated goal of 10 million annual stayover tourists by 2023.

The country saw its strongest growth from international tourists outside of hubs in the US, Canada and Europe, meaning a large increase from the sought-after Latin American market.

Indeed, that segment accounted for 1.84 million tourists in 2016, the second-largest total beyond the country’s traditional primary source market, the United States.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

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The French Caribbean island of Martinique is seeing a tourism surge, according to the latest numbers from the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Martinique reported 519,304 stayover tourist arrivals in 2016, a 6.6 percent increase compared to 2015.

That was one of the fastest tourism growth rates in the Caribbean region in 2016, according to an analysis by Caribbean Journal.

The island has seen growth in large part due to some of the Caribbean’s most forward-thinking digital marketing, significantly increased airlift from carriers like American Airlines and Norwegian and even some new boutique accommodations like the French Coco.

It seems that the island’s efforts over the last few years have been paying off, as more travelers in the highly-targeted US market begin to see the allure of one of the Caribbean’s most fascinating destinations.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

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Puerto Rico has long occupied a unique niche in the world of Caribbean travel; while it’s been off the radar of the jet set for decades (something that is, happily, changing), it has found favor with adventure and culture aficionados drawn to places like the El Yunque rainforest and Old San Juan.

But Puerto Rico has also been unique for its decided lack of all-inclusives – in sharp contrast to its neighbors like the Dominican Republic.

While that’s beginning to shift (with a major new all inclusive Puerto Rico-based AMResorts property on the way on the southern part of the island, finding an all-inclusive Puerto Rico resort isn’t easy.

But it is possible.

There are three Puerto Rico resorts that do offer all-inclusive options (with both food and drinks covered), spread out across the island but all boasting name-brand recognition.

Here’s how to stay at a Puerto Rico all-inclusive.

El Conquistador, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

By far your best option for a Puerto Rico all-inclusive resort experience is this: the all-inclusive package at the El Conquistador resort in Fajardo. This sprawling property has a wide range of amenities, from a hillside funicular to a water park to its biggest perk: access to the spectacular private island called Palomino (easily accessed by regular hotel ferry service). And the all-inclusive package, which starts at less than $270 per person, is a great way to experience it all.

Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa

Still a bit of a secret, this Puerto Rico resort recently made its all-inclusive package a year-round option, meaning you get breakfast, lunch, dinner daily along with unlimited house brand cocktails, local beer, house wine by the glass and non-alcoholic beverages and bottled water during restaurant and bar hours.

This is also one of the Caribbean’s best places for golf, with a pair of world-class courses: The Ocean Course by Tom and George Fazio, and the River Course by Greg Norman.

Gran Melia Puerto Rico Golf Resort

If you’re a regular all-inclusive traveler, you’re familiar with the Melia name — but this isn’t a “traditional” all inclusive like many of the brand’s properties in places like the DR. But this Rio Grande-area hotel, which is Melia’s only Puerto Rico resort, does offer a full board option covering your food and drinks with meals.

So as you can see, while finding an All Inclusive Puerto Rico resort isn’t as easy as it is on other Caribbean islands, it’s definitely doable.

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