ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Prime Minister Gaston Browne has invited the competent authorities of the Bank of Nova Scotia to a meeting by January 7, 2019, to discuss the purchase of the bank’s branch holdings in Antigua and Barbuda. The invitation is contained in a letter sent on December 13 by the prime minister to […]

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By Ray Chickrie Caribbean News Now contributor PARAMARIBO, Suriname — Thirty-year old Nisha Madaran, an artist from Suriname, who began singing at age 16 in her family band, made history last week by becoming the first Surinamese, and perhaps first in the Caribbean diaspora to sign a Bollywood playback singing contract. Madaran signed the contract […]

The post Surinamese singer signs Bollywood contract appeared first on Caribbean News Now.

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By Alexander Britell

The Condado neighborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico has quietly become one of the Caribbean’s capitals of cool in recent years, with a diverse but uniformly sophisticated hotel offering and a modern, urban energy that’s largely unique in the Caribbean.

And now, the husband-and-wife team that helped turn the area into a hotspot are at it again with a truly gorgeous new property.

Loisse Herger and Fernando Davila, who opened the stellar O:Live Boutique Hotel back in 2012, have debuted their new 26-suite stunner: the O:LV Fifty Five.

Just steps away from the original O:live, it’s a remarkably designed, new-build property “designed to make you feel the energy of creative cities worldwide like Amsterdam, London, Copenhagen and Hong Kong,” Herger says.

A suite at the new O:LV.

The 26 suites, most of which feature “L” shaped oversized balconies with panoramic views of the Condado Lagoon, feature black and white marble floors, film-noir art and a sophisticated, forward-thinking aesthetic.

“Guests will be wowed by O:LV Fifty Five,” said Herger, the founder of O:live Hotels. “We love so many of the features, from the jaw-dropping, two-tiered rooftop, the design of the suites, the custom made ebony and brass furnishings to the surprising artwork — resulting in the feel of staying at a designer’s home.”

The amenities are vast, led by the aforementioned rooftop with a climate-controlled infinity pool and a solarium with a modern jacuzzi.

It’s a huge new addition to Puerto Rico’s fast-expanding hotel sector — particularly as the island continues its post-Maria recovery.

“We take how Puerto Rico is presented to the world very seriously,” Herger says. “Following the recent disaster with Hurricane Maria, the opening of O:LV Fifty Five has taken on a bigger role in our hearts; it represents resiliency, pride, bold new moves and the love for what we do here on the island.”

It’s a voluptuous, modern version of a grand European hotel.

It’s another sign of just how far Condado has come — and how, in many ways, it’s now a full-fledged destination in its own right.

For more, visit O:LV Fifty Five.

— CJ

The post Puerto Rico Has a Stunning New Hotel: The O:LV Fifty Five appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Belmond La Samanna, the leading luxury resort in St Martin, is back on the scene.

Following a restyle, the resort reopened its doors this week, just as Belmond was acquired by global luxury giant LVMH.

The resort had been shuttered since Hurricane Irma last year.

The resort’s 83 rooms and public spaces, have been given a refresh by interior design firm MuzaLab, London.

Pastel blues, greens, pinks and peaches are inspired by the natural tones of the Caribbean Sea, and shells and corals and are used to complement botanical prints on fabrics, artworks, lighting and mirrors. 

As guests explore the newly refreshed Baie Longue Bar, L’Oursin restaurant and main building, these color palettes aim to evoke a sense of place and allude to French romance.

elmond La Samanna has also reopened its beachfront French restaurant, Trellis – now named L’Oursin – where chefs serve up food with European finesse. 

The resort’s La Cave Wine Cellar is one of the largest private wine cellars in the Caribbean.

— CJ

The post St Martin’s Top Luxury Resort Is Open Again appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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