This is the Coolest Boutique Hotel in Aruba 

You wake up, slide your door open and peer out directly at the sand and the calm froth of Aruban blue.

This is unlike any other place to stay in Aruba. 

In a sea of larger, mostly high-rise resorts, it’s a sleek, crisply-designed boutique hotel, breezy and hip, unpretentious and endlessly chic. 

This is the Ocean Z Boutique. Hotel, and it’s almost certainly the coolest boutique hotel in Aruba. 

The hotel, set in the stunning coastal neighborhood of Malmok, just a stone’s throw across LG Smith Boulevard from the waves. 

There are just 13 rooms and suites, with a design by Venezuelan architect Oscar Enrique Bracho Malpica that’s equal parts ultra-luxe villa and luxury hotel. 

It’s the kind of place more and more travelers are seeking out, part of a Caribbean trend of new hotels that marry the comfort and privacy of villas with the personality and energy of a boutique (Virgin Gorda’s Inn at Cornucopia and St Kitts’ hot new Sunset Reef are others that immediately jump to mind).

There’s a mix of room options, from junior suites with private solariums to our favorite, the master king ocean view suites that has access to its own semi-private pool. 

aruba boutique hotel

The eponymous restaurant is terrific, with an international menu ranging from grouper and tuna to paella and Coquille St Jacques. 

And then there’s perhaps the greatest amenity: Malmok itself, with its sparkling turquoise waters, its raw, rocky limestone coastline, its unmatched snorkeling.

aruba boutique hotel

But it’s the feel that stands out; Ocean Z is serene, relaxing and sophisticated; the design flows around you, somehow bringing the Malmok vibes right to your balcony. 

This is not the Aruba you know. It’s another side of the island, another corner of Dutch Caribbean cool, a different way to experience One Happy Island.

There’s nothing like it in Aruba — and that’s what makes it so special.

For more, visit Ocean Z Aruba. 

The post This is the Coolest Boutique Hotel in Aruba  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The 15 Best Resorts in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen is the best destination in the Mexican Caribbean for combining a beach vacation with some downtown city action. Not only does Playa’s Quinta Avenida pulse with nightlife, great shopping, and fine dining, it’s only a short walk from some of the region’s poshest resorts (not to mention the ferry across to Cozumel island, a whole other destination to explore).

When you’re looking for a Mexican beach getaway that also embraces local life and culture away from the beach, consider one of these top Playa del Carmen resorts.

Rosewood Mayakoba It will take a little longer to get to Playa del Carmen from the exclusive Mayakoba enclave, but then again, you may not want to leave. The Rosewood Mayakoba is placed between lagoons, mangrove forests and the sea, with accommodations ranging from luxury suites to private villas. The property includes multiple dining options and a top spa offering wellness rituals that extend over multiple days. But it’s the service, pervasive and impeccable, that has luxury travelers coming back again and again.

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Frontier Is Adding More Nonstop Flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica

Since the onset of the pandemic, no carrier has added more new flights to the Caribbean than low-cost airline Frontier. 

And now it’s adding even more. 

The airline has announced plans to add another three weekly flights to Jamaica’s tourism hub of Montego Bay, in another positive step for Jamaica’s push to grow its airlift. 

Beginning May 22, 2023, Frontier will be adding thrice-weekly service between Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport  and Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport. 

Frontier is now the third-largest carrier at Dallas-Fort Worth, the company said. 

The Sandals Montego Bay resort.

“Frontier’s consistent growth at DFW is a tremendous success story,” said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial at Frontier Airlines. “It’s clear DFW will serve a central role in the expansion of our network for years to come. We’re proud of a partnership that promises to foster a positive economic impact for the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.”

Frontier has already launched reservations on the new route, with an introductory fare as low as $99. 

Jamaica has been in the midst of a dramatic tourism rebound. 

Earlier this month, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett announced that the island had already reported more than 2 million stayover visitors in 2022, with the hope of topping 3 million visitors by the end of the year. 

Secrets Wild Orchid in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Much of that growth has been driven by a surge in new airlift in the last two years, with Frontier at the center of it. 

Indeed, Frontier has been rapidly expanding its service to Jamaica, with new routes from U.S. cities like Tampa, Miami and others. 

Next year, Frontier will also add new routes to Montego Bay from Chicago, St Louis and Denver, among others. 

In 2023, Bartlett said he expects the island to return to its pre-pandemic visitor numbers. 

The post Frontier Is Adding More Nonstop Flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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What Are Tax Deed States and Which Are They?

As of the first quarter of 2022, the average price of a home in the US is $428,700.

Buying and owning a house is a huge step (as is selling) and there are all kinds of factors you need to consider. You should have a budget in mind, and anyone who’s looking to purchase will want to get the best property they can within the budget they have available.

There are various ways that you can get good deals on homes for sale. One way that presents a lot of potential as a solid investment is through tax deeds – though this is only possible in tax deed states.

For a rundown on what tax deeds are, and what states have tax deed sales, keep reading.

What Is a Tax Deed?

Homeowners must pay property taxes on any properties they purchase, and if they fail to do so, a taxing authority may be granted ownership. The legal document that determines this ownership is known as a tax deed.

The municipality is then entitled to sell the property, allowing them to make up the funds from the unpaid taxes. This process is known as a tax deed sale, and is generally done through auctions. The new buyer will then own the property in question.

Understanding Tax Deed States

The property taxes that owners are required to pay are generally used for various municipal services such as:

  • Water
  • Law enforcement
  • Fire service
  • Sewage improvements
  • Road construction
  • Education

The taxes that owners must pay vary between different jurisdictions. When these go unpaid, the taxing authority needs to go through various steps, which also vary between different jurisdictions. Generally, this involves notifying the owner, applying for the deed, then posting a notice at the property, as well as a public notice of sale.

Tax Deed Sales

A tax deed sale is a process that a taxing authority goes through when selling a house. This is most often done at an auction. There’s a minimum bid that covers the taxes owed plus interest, as well as additional costs for the sales process.

The tax deed will transfer ownership of the property to the highest bidder. The new owner needs to provide payment within 48-72 hours for the sale to be valid.

In some cases, the previous owner may receive some money back if the final amount of the purchase is over the minimum bid. When this happens, they need to claim this amount within a certain period, otherwise, they will lose it.

In some states, the delinquent owner may be able to pay off their tax debt and have the ownership returned to them. This needs to be done within a stated period, and failing to do so means the new owner can foreclose on the property.

Redemption Periods

When someone purchases a tax deed, they don’t immediately become the owner. In some cases, the person who has defaulted may be able to retain ownership, thanks to redemption periods.

A redemption period lasts for a set time after a tax deed is sold. During this time, the original owner still has the opportunity to pay off the taxes they owe with interest. If they manage to do so, they’ll retain ownership of the property.

It’s worth bearing in mind that the owner isn’t the only individual who can pay these taxes off during a redemption period. Anyone who has a legal interest in the property can choose to do so. A typical example of this might be a mortgage company that wants to stop the sale.

The investor who purchased the tax deed won’t lose any money, but the investment opportunity will be gone. Note that rules on redemption periods vary between different states. In some, they are as short as 6 months, and in others, they can be up to 4 years.

Which States Are Tax Deed States?

A tax deed state is one in which the public can buy and sell tax deeds. All of the following states fall into this category:

  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Kansas
  • Maine
  • Michigan
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin

Tax deeds are sometimes confused with tax liens, but there are some differences between the two.

Tax Deed States vs Tax Liens

Tax liens work differently to tax deeds. Rather than transferring ownership of a property to a new owner, tax liens are produced when taxes are unpaid as a legal claim against the property. This presents a cheap investment opportunity that guarantees a return.

They can sometimes cost just a few hundred dollars if the property is small. In most cases, however, a tax lien will be far more expensive. Note that this cost will be made up of the taxes owed, as well as interest.

When an owner defaults on a property, their taxing authority will give them a notice regarding the tax lien. The owner will then be unable to sell or refinance the property.

Like a tax deed, a tax lien will be auctioned to the highest bidder. The winner will pay the outstanding taxes. The owner must then pay back the full amount to them, with interest.

Rights of Tax Lien Property Owners

When someone buys a tax lien certificate, they don’t gain immediate ownership of the property in question. As a lien doesn’t transfer home ownership, the buyer can take control of any properties, or evict the owners.

There’s a redemption period, similar to a tax deed. The owner can stay in the house throughout this. The redemption period gives them time to pay back the tax lien investor the amount of the taxes, along with interest.

Rights of Tax Lien Purchasers

A tax lien purchaser can enforce the certificates during the redemption period. By doing so, they’re able to collect the taxes they’re owed from the property owner.

If they fail to pay off the owed amount during this time, the lien investor can then file a petition. A court may allow them to foreclose on the property. They’re then free to either evict the owner and claim the title, or to sell the property at auction.

Tax Lien Certificate States

Almost all states are either tax deed or tax lien states. In tax lien states, tax liens are typically seen as an opportunity for investors to make reliable profits through the interest that homeowners are required to pay. There may also be additional penalties or court fees that are needed to remove the lien.

The following are considered tax lien states:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • New Jersey
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Vermont
  • West Virginia
  • Wyoming

Investors in tax deed states don’t purchase tax deeds to directly generate income but as an inexpensive way of buying different types of properties. Sometimes investors will sell these houses for a profit or retain ownership so that they can generate regular income from them.

Hybrid States

The following are all hybrid states:

  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Louisiana
  • Massachusetts
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Tennessee
  • Texas

While most states are either tax deed or tax lien states, some aren’t specifically in either category. These are hybrid statesa, and they’re similar to tax deed states, but with one main difference.

In a hybrid state, an investor can buy a tax deed by paying off the outstanding taxes along with interest. Property owners still have a chance to buy their property back, however, during the redemption period. They can do this by paying back the delinquent taxes and interest themselves.

What if You’re Looking to Sell?

People living in tax deed states may be able to attend tax deed auctions and find some cheap property-buying opportunities. Those in tax lien states won’t be able to purchase homes in the same way, but can still make good investments from tax lien purchases.

Losing a property as a result of not being able to pay the appropriate taxes is never ideal. Selling a home at the right time, however, can be very financially rewarding. Unfortunately, the process tends to be quite long and difficult.

At iBuyer, you can get a quick estimate and cash offer for your home, and then decide whether or not to sell. Our free program is one of the simplest and most efficient ways to sell your home, so if you want to get things done quickly, we’ve got you covered. Start by submitting your address and getting a cash offer for your home.

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New Nonstop Flights Between Los Angeles, Cayman Islands

It’s one of the most important source markets for Caribbean travel you never hear about: California. 

While it doesn’t send as many travelers to the region as major markets like Miami and New York, the California market, particularly Southern California has long been an important feeder for the region, particularly for many of the Caribbean’s ultra-luxe hotels and resorts. 

And now one Caribbean destination is capitalizing on that demand in a big way. 

The Cayman Islands’ national flag carrier, Cayman Airways, has officially launched nonstop service between Los Angeles, Calif. and Grand Cayman. 

The first-ever flight between Grand Cayman and Los Angeles took off this weekend, with weekly nonstop service operating on Saturdays out of Owen Roberts International Airport. 

The ribbon-cutting for the new service.

More notably, it’s the only nonstop service connecting Los Angeles with a Caribbean island.

The service departs Grand Cayman on Saturdays, with the LAX-Cayman flights operating on Sundays. 

“Opening an air bridge to new markets such as this one, will drive inbound visitation and grow tourism opportunities for our country because our national airline is making it easier for travelers to get to our Islands,” said Cayman Islands Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan. “Over the longer term however, the routes success will depend on the continued collaboration between the Ministry and Department of Tourism, and our partners in the tourism industry, including the CI Film Commission, the financial services sector, and a host of other essential industry sectors working collaboratively together to leverage business and leisure opportunities.”

The new LAX service “brings Cayman closer to Hollywood,” as officials are branding the route. 

cayman islands covid
Seven Mile Beach in Cayman.

That means both more travelers and more opportunities for LA-based production companies to capitalize on Cayman as a location for film, television, music video and other productions. 

While in Hollywood for the launch events, Cayman’s Department of Tourism held a “Cayman Reception” showcasing local musicians, Carnival models and dancers to promote the new route. 

“I wholeheartedly offer my gratitude to the teams at Cayman Airways, the Airports Authority, Civil Aviation and the Department of Tourism for all their hard work throughout the process of transforming this new route to Los Angeles from a dream to a reality,” Bryan said. 

For more, visit Cayman Airways. 

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