Anguilla is set for the second phase of its tourism reopening in November, marked by the reopening of hotels and resorts on the island. 

Phase Two, which will begin Nov. 1, means hotels, resorts and villas will have been added to the approved and certified accommodations categories for visitors to the island. 

That will soon include some of the island’s landmark hotels, starting with the Nov. 1 reopening of Anguilla’s signature Belmond Cap Juluca resort.

Also relaunching Nov. 1 is one of the island’s leading small hotels, the Frangipani Beach Resort.

That will be followed by the relaunch of the CuisinArt Resort on Nov. 14 and the Four Seasons Anguilla on Nov. 19, among others.

The government is also introducing a “bubble” concept, which allows properties to “safely offer their guests access to a variety of approved amenities, services, and activities while they stay in place.”

These activities range from waterspouts to beach yoga and other options, “provided that they are implemented in accordance with general COVID 19 protocols, such as social distancing, sanitizing and hygiene practices,” according to a statement from the Anguilla Tourist Board. 

Anguilla first opened its borders in August with a system that included an “application” process for visitors. 

That system will remain, with a revised fee schedule as low as $300 for individual travelers on trips of five days or less (that goes up to $500 for couples and higher for families).

For travelers looking to stay between six days and three months, the fee is $400 for individuals and more for couples and families. 

The fee covers two tests per person, along with surveillance and the costs associated with the requisite additional public health presence. 

Even since reopening, Anguilla is reporting no active or suspected cases on the island. 

All travelers must obtain a negative test result there to five days prior to arrival, along with COVID-related travel health insurance. 

Anguilla then performs a PCR test to all visitors on arrival, with an additional test (when applicable) on either day 10 or 14 of their trip, depending on their source country. 

Once travelers get a negative result on their second test, they are free to move about the island. 

For more, visit Anguilla. 

— CJ

The post Anguilla to Expand Reopening With Return of Hotels and Resorts appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Ports of Call resort in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos has completed what the property is calling a “major” renovation, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The upgrade project includes new tiling across the halls, room and suites; new corridor entrances and bathroom doors for all guest rooms; a significant makeover to the pool and deck area and the addition of a more “eco-friendly” waste system, among other change.s 

The resort is currently open and operating, with the addition of new cleaning and physical distancing measures amid the current realities of travel. 

The Papke family, which owns the resort said the enhancement will “assist with making a speedier recovery post-COVID.”

The family also said the adjacent Shops of Ports of Call is additionally undergoing a rebuild after extensive damage during a fire in May. 

All of the tenants, including three bars and restaurants; a dive shop, a car rental, a spa and clothing and gift shops are expected to be open by early December. 

For more, visit the Ports of Call resort. 

— CJ

The post Turks and Caicos’ Ports of Call Resort Completes Renovation appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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A group of the most legendary rum makers in the Caribbean is heading to St Barth in November for the Caribbean’s ultimate rum experience. 

This year’s Caribbean Rum Awards and St Barth Rum Festival will gather a who’s who of the rum world, including Mount Gay’s Trudiann Branker, Rhum Neisson’s Gregory Vernant; Rhum Karukera’s Gregoire Hayot and Ron del Barrilito’s Eduardo Bacardi. 

All of these legends of the rum world will be giving master classes to the VIP attendees of the Caribbean Rum Awards, which run in St Barth from Nov. 10-Nov. 15, 2020. 

The event is headquartered at the world’s leading Caribbean rum bar, The Rhum Room in the heart of Gustavia.

“We’re so excited about this lineup of boldfaced names in the rum world for this year’s Experience,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal and co-founder of the Caribbean Rum Awards. “This is an unmatched opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds in rum — and try an incredible selection of expressions.”

The socially-distanced, limited-attendance event will also feature a lineup of cigar and rum evenings with each of the aforementioned rum makers, with cigar pairings provided by Davidoff. 

That’s of course along with the Caribbean Rum Awards’ signature competition, tasting expo and ti’ punch seminar, culminating with a pair of festival rum cocktail-pairing dinners at the Quarter Kitchen and Cocktail Lab in Gustavia. 

“It is amazing to see the support we are receiving from these top-notch Caribbean distilleries representing both Agricole and Molasses-based rums, they are coming to our little island to share their passion and knowledge with connoisseurs and aficionados alike between the Expo, Master Classes and VIP tastings this is going to be quite a week,” said Christopher Davis, founder of the St Barth Rum Festival and proprietor of the Rhum Room and Quarter Kitchen and Cocktail Lab in St Barth.

This year’s Caribbean Rum Awards partners include WIMCO Villas; Tradewind Aviation; Les Ilets de la Plage; Davidoff; Accutron, Empire Social and SC Capital.

Only VIPs at the Caribbean Rum Awards have access to all of the Master Classes at this year’s event. 

You can find more on how to attend here. 

You can also visit the Caribbean Rum Awards.

— CJ

The post Why the Caribbean’s Top Rum Makers Are Coming to St Barth appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Warwick Paradise Island all-inclusive resort in The Bahamas is reopening in November, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The Paradise Island adults-only resort is slated to relaunch on Nov. 21, the property confirmed. 

“We look forward to welcoming guests back to Warwick Paradise Island – Bahamas where we continue to offer the highest level of service along with a premium all-inclusive vacation,” said Benjamin Davis, General Manager of the resort. “Vacationers will note our attention to detail with respect to the safety, health and comfort of our guests and staff members under our Warwick Cares guidelines.”

The reopening comes after The Bahamas’ Nov. 1 move into the next phase of its reopening plan, one which notably removes what had been a mandatory quarantine requirement. 

You can find more on The Bahamas’ travel protocols here. 

For more, visit Warwick Paradise Island Bahamas. 

— CJ

The post The Bahamas’ Warwick Paradise Island All-Inclusive Is Reopening appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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