By the Caribbean Journal staff

American Airlines’ new flights to the island of St Vincent have officially begun.

The first nonstop flight from Miami to St Vincent’s Argyle International Airport touched down on Saturday, Dec. 15.

The year-round service will operate weekly on Saturdays on an Airbus A319 aircraft.

“To have direct service out of Miami is a game changer for the country. This service will make it so much easier for visitors including the diaspora to vacation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” said Glen Beache, the chief executive officer of the SVG Tourism Authority. “Miami being one of the main hubs for connections in the USA will be an excellent gateway for visitors from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and even the United Kingdom to access the beauty that is St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

The new flights complement weekly Wednesdays service on Caribbean Airlines to St Vincent and weekly nonstop Thursday flights from Toronto on Air Canada Rouge.

Beginning this weekend, Air Canada Rouge is adding a second weekly flight to St Vincent on Sundays; that service will operate through April 2019.

The post New Miami-St Vincent Flights Officially Begin appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

It was the resort that started everything.

When the Malliouhana made its debut on Meads Bay in the 1980s, it was a game-changer for Anguilla, in large part representing the birth of luxury tourism — and tourism in general — on the island.

For years, it was the luxury flagship of the island, a culinary center, a halo property – a position that only grew when it was transformed under the Auberge brand in 2014 — until Hurricane Irma struck the island.

And now, more than a year after Irma, the Malliouhana is back.

The Malliouhana officially reopened its doors on Saturday, a completely refreshed and updated resort in its privileged perch overlooking Meads Bay.

“Malliouhana has long been a beloved and unrivaled destination experience in the Caribbean,” said Craig Reid, CEO, Auberge Resorts Collection. “In partnership with new ownership, Bixby Bridge Capital, LLC, we have poured our heart and soul into restoring the resort guests have come to know and love, while taking the opportunity to add new amenities and experiences that really elevate and complement this special corner of paradise. Our team is ready and excited to welcome back both familiar and new faces.”

The upgrades include complete restorations of all 46 oceanfront rooms and suites; new cabanas on the property’s infinity pools; a new bar at the Restaurant at Malliouhana; a new look at the Sunset Bar and a new “toes in the sand” beach bar experience.

Auberge is also launching its “Auberge Adventures” experiential program to help guests “seek out and explore Anguilla’s hidden treasures.”

But this weekend’s opening is just the beginning.

Early next year, the Malliouhana will add 11 new beachfront suites, along with four garden suites and a two-bedroom beachfront villa.

That’s along with what the property is calling a “completely new Auberge spa.”

It’s a huge step for Anguilla’s recovery – and a renaissance for the island’s most legendary resort.

For more, visit Malliouhana, Auberge Resort Collection.

— CJ

The post A Legendary Anguilla Resort Completes Its Comeback appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Puerto Rico’s Premier Cultural Event Gets … ; Culture Festival opened Friday in Puerto Rico’s capital.
Founded and run …

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

In a move sure to shake up the global luxury hotel market, luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has announced an agreement to acquire hotel brand Belmond.

The purchase of Belmond shares represented an equity value of $2.6 billion, in a transaction with an enterprise value of $3.2 billion.

Belmond operates a substantial portfolio of both hotels and luxury travel adventures, with properties in 24 countries.

Belmond is the former Orient-Express Hotels, which was rebranded in 2014.

The company was established more than four decades ago with the acquisition of the Hotel Cipriani in Venice.

Belmond La Samanna in St Martin.

That includes Belmond’s already-strong Caribbean presence, with the Belmond La Samanna in St Martin; the Belmond Cap Juluca and the Belmond Maroma on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.

“Belmond delivers unique experiences to discerning travelers and owns a number of exceptional assets in the most desirable destinations. Its heritage, its innovative services, its excellence in execution and its entrepreneurship resonates well with the values of the Group and is complementary to our own Cheval Blanc maisons and the Bvlgari hotels activities. This acquisition will significantly increase LVMH’s presence in the ultimate hospitality world.”

Belmond Maroma in the Riviera Maya.

The deal significantly expands what had been a comparatively tiny hotel portfolio for LVMH centered on the “Cheval Blanc” brand — one that includes the Cheval Blanc St Barth Isle de France in St Barth. That property remains shuttered in the wake of Hurricane Irma, though it is now taking bookings for the first week of January, according to its Web site. 

In a statement, LVMH said the deal would “significantly increase its presence in the ultimate luxury hotel world.”

The Cheval Blanc St Barth Isle de France.

“Belmond has a seasoned management team and is an ideal complement to the Cheval Blanc masions, renowned for their exceptional service, architecture and unique gastronomy,” LVMH said in a statement.

“Following a strategic review that attracted broad and deep interest from a wide range of real estate and lodging companies, sovereign wealth institutions and other financial buyers around the world, the Board has concluded that this transaction with LVMH provides compelling and certain value for our shareholders as well as an exciting path forward with a group that appreciates Belmond’s irreplaceable assets and strong management team,” said Chairman of the Board of Directors of Belmond Ltd Roland Hernandez.

— CJ

The post LVMH Is Buying Belmond for $3.2 Billion in Luxury Hotel Market Shakeup appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Two new Memories-branded hotels have officially debuted in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Canadian travel giant Sunwing has announced the opening of the new Grand Memories Splash and the Grand Memories Punta Cana.

The new Tex-Mex eatery.

The two new properties replace the former Memories Splash resort, with renovated rooms and upgraded amenities, according to the company.

Sunwing says the Grand Memories Punta Cana “offers a more refined and sophisticated ambiance,” with new sun loungers and “Bali” beds, along with a sports bar and an arcade.

A room at Grand Memories Splash.

The Grand Memories Splash is aimed at families with kids, with guests getting unlimited access to the resort’s wave pool, seven slides and splash pad, along with dining options like a Mexican Cantina and a seafood spot.

Guests at both hotels have access to the nearby beach at Sunwing’s Royalton Punta Cana.

— CJ

The post Sunwing Opens Two New Hotels in Punta Cana appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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