A hip new boutique hotel has opened its doors in the Condado district of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The hip new 26-room hotel is the product of a $1 million investment by owner Rafal Pagan, who now has a portfolio of three hotels in Condado, including the Wave hotel and the El San Geronimo hotel. 

“Despite the challenges that global tourism is going through as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, in Puerto Rico we confirm the strength and resilience of this economic activity with an aggressive pipeline of new investments in the sector,” said Carla Campos, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. 

So what’s it like?

The sleek, crisply-designed Ivy has a a pool and sundeck, free Wi-Fi across the property and little touches like authentic Puerto Rican coffee in every room. 

The boutique proposition was an attractive one for Pagan. 

“The value I see in the boutique hotel segment is that the properties have a relatively low ceiling and strong operating margins, and as a result are more resilient during economic downturns” he said. “This is a major advantage compared to the larger hotel chains.”

More and more travelers are also seeking out authentic, intimate experiences, Pagan said. 

The Ivy is the latest in a burgeoning collection of design-forward hotels in Condado, one that kicked off in earnest with the debut of the O:live hotel by hotelier Loisse Herger, who followed that up with her most recent entry, the stunning OLV: Fifty Five.

Most recently, the former Serafina Beach Resort was transformed into the new Condado Ocean Club, which officially launched its rebranding this fall. 

And it’s yet another sign that it may be time for Puerto Rico to start marketing Condado as a unique destination in its own right. 

“The transformation of this property is key to continue raising the standards of the hotel offering in the heart of Condado ” Campos said. 

For more, visit The Ivy. 

— CJ

The post Puerto Rico Has a Hip New Boutique Hotel appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Bermuda has partnered with wholesale chain Costco to provide a new PCR testing option for Bermuda-bound travelers. 

The program includes self-administered saliva tests that deliver results within the island’s newly-implemented five-day turnaround period. 

Test kits are available online, managed by Costco Pharmacy, in partnership with AZOVA Health, which distributes the FDA-approved tests. 

Tests will soon be available at more than 100 Costco locations, centered in New York and Boston. 

Costco membership will not be required to obtain a test. 

Bermuda is the first destination to partner with Costco on the program. 

“We believe this marks a major step forward in facilitating access to pre-travel testing required for Bermuda visitors—it will be offered across the U.S., including major tourism markets with direct air service to the island,” said Bermuda Tourism Authority Interim CEO Glenn Jones. “The prospect for travel is still difficult for many. Everyday we’re working to make it a little easier.”

By the end of the year, travelers will also have the option of buying test kits at select Costco Pharmacies, where an on-site pharmacist will observe customers self-administering the test. 

“This is fantastic news for visitors and returning residents alike, and I wish to commend all involved for working to make this happen,” said Bermuda Health Minister Kim Wilson. “Ensuring timely access to pre-arrival testing such as this approved PCR saliva test under observation is a huge gain for Bermuda.”

For more on Bermuda’s entry protocols, see here. 

— CJ

The post Bermuda, Costco Partner on Testing Option for Travelers appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

The leading all-inclusive resort in Turks and Caicos has completed its comeback, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The all-inclusive Beaches Turks and Caicos, one of Sandals Resorts International’s family-friendly resorts, relaunched this week on Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales. 

The resort has reopened under Sandals’ new “Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness” health and safety program. 

“Our team and I are looking forward to having all of our incredible customers back home with us,” said Adam Stewart, Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. 

Lone one of the Caribbean’s top family resorts, it’s home to 10 pools, 21 eateries, a 45,000 square foot waterpark and five different accommodation “villages.”

It’s the second Beaches-branded resort to reopen, joining Beaches Negril, which reopened in Jamaica over the summer. (As for Sandals, all but five of the company’s myriad resorts in the Caribbean are open again).

The other Beaches resort in the Caribbean, Beaches Ocho Rios in Jamaica, is slated to open on Feb. 1, 2021, according to an update from the company. 

Turks and Caicos has been open for tourism since July; the destination is not requiring any quarantine for incoming travelers.

Visitors need a negative PCR test taken within five days before arrival and must purchase travel insurance from an approved provider; they then need to complete the destination’s TCI Travel Authorization (you can find the form here). 

For more, visit Beaches Turks and Caicos.

The post Beaches Turks and Caicos Is Open Again appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

It’s the most iconic sound of Puerto Rico: twilight song of the coqui frog.

And now the island’s tourism agency has launched a new program that offers the chance to “adopt” the coqui — and support Puerto Rico’s wildlife in the process.

The newest initiative from Discover Puerto Rico is called “Adopt a Coqui,” and proceeds benefit local environmental nonprofit Conservacion ConCiencia.

“In good time, you’ll plan a future visit to our forest to enjoy their serenade in person,” Discover Puerto Rico said in a statement. “But, in the meantime, you can virtually adopt a coquí and support on-Island sustainability and conservation programs.”

For $25, donors get a digital, keepsake adoption certificate with their name on it.

For more, visit Adopt a Coqui.

— CJ

The post Puerto Rico Launches “Adopt a Coqui” Program appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico