Yes, the beach town of Grand Case in St Martin is known, rightly for its food. It’s got the best collection of top-level restaurants in the whole Caribbean, a veritable Mecca for foodies around the world.

But there’s more to Grand Case than just food — including a number of terrific little bars both on Grand Case Boulevard and on the beach. But none is better than Calmos Cafe, an always-energetic bar that is the best place to spend a late evening in the town.

They’ve got it all, from frequent live music to their own homemade punch to clever cocktails, all set on a preferred perch on the sand.

Here’s a little look at what it’s like.

The post VIDEO: The Best Beach Bar in Grand Case St Martin appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Ocean by H10 Hotels has announced the appointment of Elia Cruz as the hotel chain Marketing Manager, and Blanca James as Commercial Director for the chain’s new project, Ocean Riviera Paradise.

The new resort will be inaugurated in the Riviera Maya in December 2016, adding 974 new rooms to the destination and to the hotel chain’s portfolio.

Blanca Jaimes brings to her role over 20 years of industry sales experience, including her time as Sales Manager of Riu Hotels in the Mexican Caribbean, and Sales Director for Avalon Resorts.

Elia Cruz holds more than 10 years of experience in the industry, and has collaborated as a Marketing coordinator for Original Resorts.

She has led brand positioning and publicity efforts for all sales areas of the Ocean by H10 Hotels chain, after developing her career as the online marketing and social media supervisor for Excellence Group Luxury Hotels and Resorts.

“We’re very happy to have Blanca and Elia as part of our company. The purpose is to fortify all the team with competent and strong professionals,” said Oscar Serrano, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Ocean by H10 Hotels.

— Dana Niland

The post Ocean by H10 Names New Marketing Manager appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It’s home to several of the best hotels in St Barth (Le Guanahani and Le Sereno), but it’s also a throwback to St Barth as it once was — Grand Cul de Sac Beach, a quiet stretch of white sand that reminds of St Barth’s tranquil roots as a fishing village.

This is what it’s like to walk on the beautiful Grand Cul de Sac beach.

The post VIDEO: Walking on Grand Cul de Sac Beach, St Barth appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Jimmy Buffett’s newest Caribbean hotel is Margaritaville Grand Cayman

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

Attention all Parrotheads! Here’s something to squawk about: Margaritaville Grand Cayman Beach Resort has just released the first renderings of the 285-room hotel, scheduled to debut on Seven-Mile Beach in December 2016.

Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of Caribbean-loving singer Jimmy Buffett, “the resort will reflect the warm, authentic Caymanian hospitality consistent with the island’s well deserved reputation as the world’s friendliest country,” said the hotel’s owner and developer HHG Cayman Ltd.

A rendering of a room at the soon-to-open resort in Cayman

HHG had purchased the former Treasure Island resort property in Cayman from Scotiabank last year.

The “casual-luxe’ design theme will be reflected in the open-air lobby, which will be decorated using a soothing color palette reminiscent of the beach, and in the lounge and License to Chill bar, designed to immediately put guests in the vacation state of mind.

The “License to Chill” Bar at Margaritaville Grand Cayman

The beachfront resort will also feature a Margaritaville Coffee Shop; the oceanview all-day eatery, Banana Wind Café; a swim–up bar at the main pool; a charcuterie; and a signature restaurant, YARA (the Taino word for “place”). Further details about Margaritaville Grand Cayman Beach Resort’s other amenities (including a spa, two pools and retails space) are expected to be released in the coming months.

Margaritaville Grand Cayman Beach Resort is managed jointly by HHG Cayman Ltd. and Trust Hospitality, and is designed by Deforma Studio of Miami, with strategic design counsel provided by The McBride Company.

The hotel will become the first Margaritaville-branded hotel in the Caribbean.

There are already Margaritaville vacation clubs in St Thomas and Puerto Rico.

The post The Margaritaville Grand Cayman Resort Is Coming Soon appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Puerto Rico is seeing a jump in meetings and convention business, according to the latest numbers released by Meet Puerto Rico.

The March-to-May period saw 57 new booked pieces of business including events, conferences, annual meetings and sports activities from now through 2017.

That represents a total projected spend of around $20.4 million into the local economy, according to Milton Segarra, president and CEO of Meet Puerto Rico.

Meet Puerto Rico is the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) responsible for attracting meetings, conventions, trade shows, sporting events and incentive groups to Puerto Rico.

“The groups and conventions segment in Puerto Rico is a major driver in the tourism industry,” Segarra said. “Groups booked range from multinational companies, to medical, educational conferences and sporting events, among others. An estimated 25,000 new hotel-room nights in total have been booked.”

Segarra said the numbers showed “the confidence the meetings industry has in Puerto Rico and how our (MPR and our members) very focused educational efforts have paid off.”

The post Puerto Rico Reporting Strong Meetings Business appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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