By the Caribbean Journal staff

It’s been a busy month for what has become one of the hottest luxury hotel markets in the Caribbean: Turks and Caicos.

The recent sale of late music legend Prince’s former villa in Providenciales has been followed up by an $11.5 million sale on Long Bay Beach.

Triton Luxury Villa, above (All photos by Jeremy Austin).

The sale “speaks to investor confidence in our luxury beachfront confidence,” said Ian Hurdle, managing partner of The Agency Turks and Caicos, which handled the sale.

Hurdle told Caribbean Journal there was a current market trend of properties selling at “consistently higher price points,” mentioning the Prince sale and a pending closing at Beach Enclave Grace Bay for more than $9 million.

All in all, the second quarter saw $85 million in closed transactions in Turks and Caicos.

“We are seeing investors flocking to our shores who recognize the value that our contemporary beach front product offers versus the rest of the Caribbean and who love the symbiosis our low-density luxury lifestyle in tandem with our friendly Island community and of course east coast accessibility,” Hurdle said.

The sale of Triton Luxury Villa is the highest recorded sale price for any MLS transaction in Turks and Caicos since 2015, and the highest-ever sale in the area of Long Bay.

The ultramodern seven-bedroom, six-bathroom villa has a total of 12,727 square feet.

It’s another example of the growing prestige of Long Bay, largely made famous by the recent debut of the ultra-luxe Shore Club Turks and Caicos, already one of the Caribbean’s leading resorts.

It was also Hurdle himself’s second record sale, following the sale of the Mothershouse on Cherokee Road in Provo in 2017.

Overall. the $11.5 million sale was the seventh-largest recorded sale in the history of Providenciales.

The post Turks and Caicos Luxury Villa Sells for $11.5 Million appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

A top Caribbean music festival is back in Saint Lucia this summer with the return of Mercury Fest.

The beach music party, produced by Epic Events, is one of the region’s most anticipated summer festivals.

This year’s fete will be headlined by Jamaican reggae and dancehall artists Wayne Wonder and Kranium, who will be joined by Dennery Segment Megastars- Black Boy, Cooyah and Umpa.

A lineup of top DJs from Saint Lucia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago and St Maarten will also be on hand.

“Last year the event welcomed foreign nationals from Martinique, France, the United States, Trinidad, Dominica, Guadeloupe, the UK, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic and we look forward to welcoming all the visitors who will grace our shores during the action-packed weekend,” said Christopher Gustave, Marketing Manager for Caribbean and Events at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority.

This year’s event will include even more beach amenities, including waterfront cabanas and an expanded foam pit, among others.

“Mercury Fest is proving to be an ultimate experience that has exposed its true potential as a major visitor attraction. With hoteliers, taxi and tour operators as well as vendors who directly benefit from the economic activity of this event eagerly awaiting its staging, we anticipate that this mega event will continue to progress as a global attraction, placing even more spotlight on Saint Lucia as the events capital of the Caribbean,” said Saint Lucia Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee.

— CJ

The post Saint Lucia’s Must-Visit Summer Music Festival appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

… can share similar news regarding Puerto Rico, the U.S. territory … gambling and sports betting in Puerto Rico, with only a signature … Gaming News, both the Puerto Rico House and Senate passed the … bars.
Photo: “Flags of Puerto Rico and USA” (adapted), CC …

Powered by WPeMatico

By Alexander Britell

Half Moon, one of the most iconic resorts in Jamaica, has appointed a leading American resort company to manage the property.

Half Moon has appointed Salamander Hotels and Resorts, which manages some of the top resorts in the the United States, to manage the Montego Bay resort.

Salamander’s portfolio includes resorts ranging from the Innisbrook Resort in Tampa, Florida (perhaps best known as the site of the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championshi) to the 340-acre Salamander Resort and Spa in Virginia to the new Hotel Bennett in Charleston.

The company’s golf expertise in particular could prove valuable, as Jamaica looks to highlight what is one of the Caribbean’s best, but still largely undiscovered, golf destinations.

“With successes in operating luxury, golf and beach properties, Salamander is our chosen hospitality partner for Half Moon,” said Guy Steuart III, chairman of Half Moon, in a statement.

It’s a natural fit for the 210-room Half Moon, whose 400-acre compound includes a Robert Trent Jones, Sr design that opened its doors in 1962.

That’s along with amenities including the renowned Fern Tree Spa; an adjacent 28-unit villa resort called the Rose Hall Villas and two miles of beachfront.

Half Moon has more than two miles of beach.

The legendary resort has hosted a who’s who of international celebrities (and royalty) in its more than six decades of operation.

It’s also in the home stretch of a dramatic reimagining and expansion of the resort.

“Since the inception of Half Moon, our team members have injected their hearts and souls into what has become a globally-recognized brand and symbol for gracious Jamaican hospitality, one of the finest experiences in the Caribbean. As we commemorate our 65th anniversary, Half Moon intends to build on its reputation of providing transformative experiences for generations of discerning travelers,” Steuart said.

Salamander’s portfolio includes the newly-debuted Hotel Bennett in Charleston.

Salamander was founded by entrepreneur Sheila Johnson, who is the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television.

“We are delighted to have this amazing opportunity to collaborate with Half Moon and the Jamaica business and tourism communities,” said Johnson, Salamander’s founder and CEO. “The resort is renowned for its wonderful, caring employees, many of whom have been a part of the Half Moon family for generations. I look forward to introducing my business partners, colleagues and Salamander’s many loyal guests to Half Moon’s storied history and exciting future.”

For more, visit Half Moon.

— CJ

The post Half Moon, One of Jamaica’s Iconic Resorts, Taps New Management appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

American Airlines is significantly expanding its nonstop flights from Dallas Fort-Worth to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The carrier is adding a second daily nonstop flight from Dallas to San Juan, with the new flights set to launch Dec. 18, according to a statement from American Airlines.

The new service is part of a wider Caribbean expansion for American in Dallas that has included new service to the USVI and to St Kitts, among others.

The second daily frequency has already launched sales.

American Airlines will be operating the new flights on Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

— CJ

The post American Airlines Expanding Dallas-Puerto Rico Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico