A pair of Caribbean destinations are leading the way with aggressive measures to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. 

That includes the French Caribbean department of Guadeloupe and the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands. 

In what is the most aggressive move by any Caribbean destination so far, Guadeloupe has suspended all international flights for the next 30 days. 

All international passenger flights to the destination’s capital of Pointe-a-Pitre will be suspended starting March 18. 

The move is in compliance with the broader European Union plan to close down its borders to stem the spread of the virus. 

In a statement, the Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board said United States citizens currently in the archipelago that had arrived on either American Airlines, JetBlue or Air France would be flown back. 

Those three airlines have been granted a grace period for return flights past March 18 “to get everyone home.”

Beginning Mach 22, Guadeloupe will be suspending all passenger flights connecting the territory with mainland France. 

Officials said there were currently 18 cases of the novel coronavirus, now called COVID-19 in Guadeloupe. 

Three of those people have been hospitalized. 

The Cayman Islands also announced a strong move this week, with the temporary closure of two of its airports: Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman and Charles Kirkconnell International Airport in Cayman Brac. 

The two airports will be closed for a period of three weeks, from March 22 running through April 12.. 

“As a government we recognize that this difficult decision will be a disruption throughout our economy however the lives of our people in the Cayman Islands are our first and foremost concern. I would like to thank our industry partners who have collaborated with us to ensure a smooth transition through this challenging time,” stated Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism Moses Kirkconnell. “We are confident that the long-term benefits of this border control measure will help us to prevent wider impact throughout our country.” 

Several other Caribbean destinations have been working hard to stop the disease, with a relatively small number of cases across the region. 

Jamaica recently imposed a mandatory 14-week quarantine for travelers visiting from countries where there is local spread of the virus.

St Maarten, for its part, is in the midst of a two-week restriction on visitors from a host of international destinations. 

The BVI just announced a restriction on its ports of entry, and other countries like St Kitts and Nevis have imposed quarantines for recent travelers from most countries affected by the virus. 

– CJ

The post Guadeloupe, Cayman Lead Caribbean Push Against Coronavirus appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Conch Republic is officially the new home of the first in what will be a portfolio of five new Kimpton-branded Key West resorts. 

InterContinental Hotel Group’s fast-expanding Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants brand has launched the new Winslow’s Bungallows hotel. 

The hotel is part of five new resorts in the pipeline for Key West, a project that is “reimagining” the Historic Inns of Key West. 

Winslow’s Bungalows has a total of 85 rooms about two blocks off the city’s popular Duval Street. 

It’s a mix of properties, some of which are as old as the 19th century. 

The next two Key West resorts to open will be a pair of boutique properties: Ella’s Cottages and Ridley House, both of which are right now scheduled to open later this spring. 

The final two resorts will be the Lighthouse Hotel and the Fitch Lodge. 

Overall, the project is adding 219 keys to Key West across the five-property collection. 

Los Angeles-based design firm Powerstrip Studio is behind the project, which mixes what they call a “laid-back Caribbean style” with details of Victorian and Colonial architecture. 

“It is so exciting to welcome the first guests to the collection and begin this exciting new era in Key West,” said Cheryl Martin, Kimpton Key West’s General Manager, in a statement. “These hotels embody the inclusive spirit and culture of Key West, and we look forward to showing our guests Kimpton’s signature heartfelt hospitality as they experience our unique destination.”

The new property is filled with Kimpton’s signature touches: that means a welcome glass of the Key West-brewed Waterfront Brewery beer; complimentary bikes and indoor yoga mats and a “liberal” pet-friendly policy. 

Each of the new Key West resorts will have its own pool, along with hammocks and and daily breakfast spots. 

Kimpton has been steadily growing its portfolio of tropical resorts, including a Caribbean expansion that includes highly-anticipated new resorts in both Roatan and Grenada. 

For more, visit Kimpton Key West Resorts. 

— CJ

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People sometimes forget the sheer vastness of The Bahamas. You may know there are 700 islands and cays, but you may not realize that The Bahamas covers an expanse of almost 655,000 square kilometers. It is not just a country — it is a turquoise-hued universe, and across its shimmering waters you will find every manner of beach, from tiny coves to pink-sand masterpieces and undiscovered sandbars hidden away in the sea. You could fill an entire list of the best beaches in the region exclusively using Bahamas beaches — they’re that good.

As you can imagine, then, narrowing down a list of our 25 favorites is no small task, but we’ve put together a comprehensive ranking that touches on nearly every accessible land mass in The Bahamas, from popular beach destinations to some out-of-the-way gems.

Here are the 25 best beaches in The Bahamas.

Gold Rock Beach, Grand Bahama The signature stretch of sand on on gorgeous Grand Bahama, this “welcome mat” of the island is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of the  wider Caribbean, set on the edge of the Lucayan National Park. It gets its name from the way the sunset can illuminate a small offshore cay in the distance; and when it comes to Bahamas beaches, it’s the gold standard. 

The post The 25 Best Beaches in The Bahamas appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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