By the Caribbean Journal staff

All-inclusive giant Grupo Pinero has unveiled the results of a major transformation at its former Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar Blue in Punta Cana.

The newly-rebranded Luxury Bahai Principe Ambar is the result of a $26 million renovation project that included additions like new swim-up suites, revamped eateries and new entertainment programming.

The 528-room beachfront property in the Dominican Republic is part of Bahia Principe’s seven-property portfolio in the Bavaro area of Punta Cana.

It becomes the second adults-only property in Bahia Principe’s Punta Cana collection.

The property had its soft opening at the end of 2018, with a grand opening this month.

A room at the new-look property.

“We are extremely satisfied with the results Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar has obtained,” said Lluisa Salord, corporate commercial director for Grupo Piñero.

— CJ

The post Bahia Principe’s Big Punta Cana Renovation appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

A new luxury glamping resort is coming to Costa Rica.

The Nayara Tented Camp, set to open this fall, will be set in the heart of the Arenal Volcano National Park in Costa Rica.

It’s the latest outpost by Nayara, one of the country’s best-known luxury resort brands.

The camp will feature 18 luxury tents, 12 of which will be “mirror image tents,” linked together to create two-bedroom units.

That includes several “private tents,” set high on the hillside with views of the volcano.

Each of the tents, which all come with air conditioning, will have plunge pools fed by natural hot springs, outdoor showers, wooden floors, four-poster beds and spacious bathrooms with oversized tubs.

The resort itself will include a “welcoming tent,” a large pool with a swim-up bar and a gourmet eatery.

For more, visit Nayara Tented Camp.

— CJ

The post Costa Rica Is Getting a New Glamping Resort appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… approval of new accounts for Puerto Rican offshore banks and other financial … .
The decision will only affect Puerto Rican banks that had pending applications … at Vestin Bank International, which Puerto Rico banking regulator records show received …

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Wyndham has expanding its Caribbean portfolio with a new entry into Puerto Rico.

The recently-debuted Candelero Beach Resort has officially joined the Wyndham Resorts portfolio.

The all-inclusive resort, which first opened its doors at the end of 2018, is set in the Palmas del Mar golf community in Humacao.

The new Wyndham Candelero Beach Resort is now the only full-fledged all-inclusive resort in Puerto Rico.

It’s home to two pools, eight restaurants and bars, and near two championship golf courses: the Flamboyan Course, designed by Rees Jones, and the Palm Course, designed by golf legend Gary Player.

Set about 45 minutes from San Juan on Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, the hotel also includes 14,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space with a capacity for 400 guests.

It becomes the second Wyndham-branded resort in Puerto Rico, along with the existing Wyndham Grand Rio Mar, another top golf resort located on the island’s northern coastline.

Wyndham has another Caribbean property in its portfolio, the highly-anticipated transformation of the Sam Lord’s Castle site in Barbados.

Another Wyndham-branded property is in development on the island of Nevis.

For more, visit the Wyndham Candelero Beach Resort.

— CJ

The post Wyndham’s New All-Inclusive Resort in Puerto Rico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

The US Virgin Islands is already one of the Caribbean’s biggest cruise powers — but new Governor Albert Bryan Jr wants to take things to the next level.

The USVI is determined to position itself as the number one cruise destination in the Caribbean.

“As we build this new Virgin Islands product and we recover from two hurricanes, our main push is to make St. Thomas the premier port in the Virgin Islands, to solidify an identity for St. Croix, whether it’s in Christiansted with our small cruise ship industry or in Frederiksted with the expansion of our port and what we are doing in (the) town,” he said on the heels of the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach.

Downtown Frederiksted in St Croix.

Bryan said positioning the USVI as the premier destination in the region would require “continued investment in the territory’s infrastructure and its people.”

It was also important for locals to “understand the importance of tourism,” he said, cautioning that the industry’s continued contribution to GDP was dependent on “high levels of customer service.”

Bryan said the USVI was also examining the addition of new ports of call to the USVI’s harbors.

Bryan was joined on the trip by Tourism Commissioner Designee Joe Boschulte, the chairman of the West Indian Company Limited and a board member of the Virgin Islands Port Authority.

Boschulte held serveral meetings with cruise ship executives on plans to upgrade the USVI’s ports and enhance the experience for visitors.

“The cruise industry is vital to the U.S. Virgin Islands’ economy and our future as a tourism destination,” Boschulte said. “Our attendance at Seatrade has increased cruise interest in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and we look forward to positive developments in the future.”

The post USVI Looking to Take Cruise Industry to Next Level appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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