Ritz-Carlton has officially opened its first-ever Ritz-Carlton Reserve resort in Mexico, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The new Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is set on the Sea of Cortez in the charming destination of San Jose del Cabo, a quieter corner of greater Los Cabos.

The property features a mix of 115 rooms, suites and villas, all designed with an indoor-outdoor concept with furnishings by Mexican artisans.

The latter is part of an emphasis on cultivating an extra degree of authenticity, according to Rafael Gorina, the resort’s director of guest experience.

“Everywhere you turn there is a story that reflects Mexico, from pieces designed by local artisans to activities exploring nature and culture,” he said.

Led by Executive Chef Rordigo Torres, the dining concepts Humo, a Latin American grill; El Barrio, a colorful pan-Mexican eatery; Candil, a Mezcal-focused bar and lounge; and X, an adults-only lounge with ceviche and cocktails.

It’s one of just a handful of Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties in the world, and just the second in the wider Caribbean-Mexico region, joining Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico.

And in keeping with the Reserve brand’s premium on wellness, there’s a signature spa called Spa Alkemia, an indoor-outdoor wellness center with freshly-made body scrubs and an array of local and ancient treatments.

“The spa is a unique, immersive place blending ancestral and modern Mexico. Here, one can transform physically and emotionally,” said Viorica Coman, the resort’s spa director.

Los Cabos has been one of the hottest hotel destinations in the wider region in recent years, with a slate of new resorts that includes last year’s debut of the Viceroy Los Cabos and this spring’s launch of the new Nobu Los Cabos.

The launch of Zadun is a significant addition to Mexico’s luxury product — and a new halo hotel for the wider region.

For more, visit Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

— CJ

The post Ritz-Carlton Opens Its First Reserve in Mexico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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A new eco-resort project is coming to St Maarten, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

It’s called the St Maarten Hillside Plantation and Eco Resort, and it will be a new kind of tourism project on the island. 

The project is the brainchild of a pair of specialists: agriculture engineer and aquaponics leader Joslyn Richardson and wellness expert Dr Barb Tremlett. 

The plan is to give travelers the opportunity to experience nature through hiking, yoga and educational programs surrounding food production. 

The first phase of the development will include hiking trails and a juice bar, along with a pavilion for relaxation and community events. The following phase will deal with holistic wellness with the establishment of a wellness center. 

Developers plan to build 15 eco-lodges, consisting of three one-bedroom units and 12 studios. 

Amenities will include outdoor camping areas, along with a swimming pool carved out of a local rock formation and a farm-to-table eatery. 

“Many Caribbean destinations boast eco-tourism in different forms, and it is something vacationers are asking for,” said St Maarten Tourism Minister Stuart Johnson. “What is interesting about this development is its unique way of creating something for everyone. Tourism in the Caribbean survived on the premise that our people were creative and did things that were unique and attracted visitors. This eco-resort concept is no different.”

For more, visit the St Maarten Hillside Plantation and Eco-Resort. 

— CJ

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… has passed laws defining Puerto Rico‘s territorial status … . citizenship to Puerto Ricans in 1917, and Puerto Ricans can be drafted … hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans mainly due to discrepancies … with the support of Puerto Rican lawmakers such as Soto, …

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Saint Lucia continues to experience a full-fledged tourism boom so far in 2019, according to the latest numbers released by the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. 

The Eastern Caribbean island reported a total of 21,608 stayover visitors in September, a 15 percent increase over the same month in 2018 that was actually the largest percentage increase of any month this year. 

The sizzling September followed seven record-breaking months of visitor arrival increases so far this year, leading to what is one of the fastest growth rates of any destination in the Caribbean in 2019.

Tourism officials called the September jump “unprecedented,” surpassing a record set in 2017 by more than 1,000 visitors.

Saint Lucia’s growth came in large part due to a 15 percent jump in arrivals from the United States market, or about 1,156 additional visitors. 

Crucially, that increase despite “no major difference in airlift” from the US market. 

“While we welcome the increases, we will not stop in exploring every possible avenue, program, policy or niche that will keep us top of mind in the marketplace so as to drive visitor arrivals to our destination,” said Saint Lucia Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee. 

All of the island’s other source markets saw similar double-digit increases (with the exception of the United Kingdom), with France and Canada leading at 52 percent and 43 percent, respectively. 

It’s a boon for an island that has been successfully drawing more visitors, more airlift and new hotel development in recent years, adding to a destination that has long been one of the Caribbean’s most romantic places to visit. 

The most recent was the announcement this summer of the new Cabot Saint Lucia golf resort development, a project that could change the face of Caribbean golf and create a new luxury pole at the far north of Saint Lucia.

For more, visit Saint Lucia or check out the top resorts in Saint Lucia.

— CJ

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Carnival Cruise Line has taken delivery of another new cruise ship, the company announced this week. 

The new Carnival Panorama is the 27th ship in the brand’s fleet, and the third in the company’s Vista class of ships. 

Carnival Panorama will be homeporting in Long Beach, Calif., part of a broader strategy to expand its cruises on the West Coast, something that is part of a wider trend across California.

The ship will launch year-round service out of Long Beach on Dec. 11, the first new Carnival ship to homeport in California in two decades. 

“Carnival Panorama is the 15th ship built by Fincantieri for Carnival Cruise Line and once again, the skill and hard work of hundreds of talented craftspeople are on display here aboard the beautiful Carnival Panorama,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Our guests absolutely love Carnival Vista and Horizon and we are certain they are going to love their sister Carnival Panorama.”

Features on the new ship range from a “Sky Zone” trampoline park to Carnival’s first-ever “culinary studio,” where guests can take cooking classes and gastronomic tastings. 

The Long Beach cruises will focus on the Mexican Riviera. 

— CJ

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