The tiny Dutch-Caribbean territory of Bonaire is big with divers, who flock to its fish-filled waters, thriving coral reefs and 89 dive sites. And there’s plenty for landlubbers to enjoy as well (see our recommendations, here). But whether you dive or you don’t, you’re going to need somewhere to stay. So here are our picks of the Best Bonaire Hotels.

Harbour Village Beach Club Bonaire’s biggest (and only five-star) resort has 34 condo-style rooms and suites, so it’s perfect for families. It’s own white-sand sweep; the waterfront, ship-shaped Balandra restaurant (order the tuna tartare); and a location just a 15-minute kayak ride from offshore islet Klein Bonaire add to its appeal.

The post The 10 Best Hotels in Bonaire appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Marcia Mayne, who sent in this lovely shot of rafts on the Martha Brae river in Jamaica.

Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean?

Send it to news@caribjournal.com with CPOTW in the subject line.

It could be the next one!

— CJ

The post Caribbean Photo of the Week: Jamaica’s Martha Brae River appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Changes at Jamaica’s best new hotel

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

The Cliff hotel in Negril, Jamaica is less than a year old but it’s already making improvements.

When the retreat reopens after the off-season break on October 1, it will be with a new yoga pavilion and fitness center, the final phase in the multi-million-dollar reimagining of what was Moon Dance Cliffs.

“There is no other place in the world like The Cliff, and with the recent investments and renovations, it’s clear the hotel’s ownership (Avra Jain, Joseph Del Vecchio and Dalia Lagoa) are committed to offering a luxury, exclusive and authentic Jamaican experience,” said Diandra Shand, assistant general manager.  “We are so proud to welcome guests this fall to enjoy the fully completed resort and the soulful ambiance of the local community in Negril.”

Earlier this year we named the boutique hotel, which features 33 rooms in suites, cottages and villas that punctuate five waterfront acres on Negril’s West End, among the best new hotels in Jamaica.

The post The Cliff Hotel in Negril Is Making Improvements appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Caribbean tourism businesses must adapt to succeed, according to the President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Karolin Troubetzkoy.

Troubetzkoy sees the upcoming Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum as an opportunity for hotels and tourism-related businesses to take stock and to “open our eyes to the bigger picture, which is so important if we want to succeed not only as individual businesses and destinations but also as a region.”

Speaking to reporters in Miami, where the CHTA is headquartered, she said the second annual forum, which is slated for the El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico from September 30 to October 2, 2016, will build on the success of last year’s forum.

She said the upcoming exchange is an especially important one since 2016 and proven so far to be a year of significant change and challenges for the Caribbean hospitality industry.

At the forum, hoteliers will also explore the impact of the growing sharing economy led by Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway.

With the Caribbean region poised to surpass the 30 million mark in visitor arrivals for the first time this year, Troubetzkoy believes the traditional accommodations industry must be prepared to understand shifting consumer motivations and find creative ways to make the sharing economy work to its advantage.

High on the agenda of issues currently impacting the region’s tourism sector are: the effects of Zika, the Brexit outcome, increases in global terrorism risks, high airfares, rising hotel operating costs, and effective marketing efforts.

“At CHIEF there will be a healthy dose of peer-to-peer exchanges to flush out ideas and best practices. There is no doubt that Caribbean hotels and destinations which adapt to change and are prepared to deal with uncertainty are better positioned to come out ahead,” Troubetzkoy said.

The post CHTA President: Caribbean Tourism Businesses Need to Adapt appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The fire that broke out aboard the 561-foot passenger ferry vessel Caribbean Fantasy off San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday was still active on Thursday. The fire reportedly began in the engine room of the ship and spread to other compartments on board.

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