In many ways, travel defines the Caribbean. It inspires, it creates, it entertains, it employs. It moves people and it moves souls. And travel and tourism are the Caribbean’s largest economic driver. To celebrate the world of Caribbean travel, we at Caribbean Journal have launched our inaugural Caribbean Travel Awards, honoring the best in travel and tourism across the region, from the Hotel of the Year to the most innovative tourism destination. Here are the winners.
Hotel of the Year – Four Seasons Resort Nevis
What makes a great Caribbean hotel? In a region where tourism is the largest economic driver, tourism has a special kind of meaning. And that means multiple roles for hotels: offering a great experience to guests and making a difference in their local communities. And the Four Seasons Nevis excels at both. It’s a simply wonderful luxury resort — indeed, as complete a property as you’ll find anywhere in the region. And as the largest private employer on tiny Nevis, the hotel understands its value and responsibility. In other words, the model Caribbean hotel, and our 2014 Caribbean hotel of the year.
Small Hotel of the Year – O:live Boutique Hotel, Puerto Rico
O:live, this boutique gem in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Condado district wins for its delightful fusion of Caribbean style and Mediterranean sensibility; Puerto Rico has one of the best portfolios of small hotels in the whole region, and O:live sets the new standard.
New Hotel of the Year – Malliouhana, An Auberge Resort, Anguilla
When it opened in Anguilla in 1984, the Malliouhana was a new kind of Caribbean luxury resort. Following a three-year closure, it’s been transformed into Malliouhana, an Auberge Resort, the first Caribbean outpost of the exclusive brand. And the transformation has been flawless, retaining the property’s original charm while injecting the standard of luxury for which Auberge has become famous.
All-Inclusive of the Year – Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort
The newest Sandals resort turned heads upon its grand opening earlier this year. The Grenada outpost of the all-inclusive giant was a game-changer both for the brand and the industry, from the room design to the quality of the food. And, more importantly, it had an instant, significant impact on the Spice Isle, which saw a rapid expansion in tourist arrivals this year.
Hotelier of the Year – Enrico Garzaroli – Graycliff, Bahamas
It’s just a few minutes’ walk from downtown Nassau, and the venerable Graycliff hotel and restaurant has long been a model for hospitality. Under the stewardship of founder Enrico Garzaroli and his family, Graycliff has grown from being the region’s first five-star restaurant to a luxury empire, with a thriving cigar factory and a new chocolate factory. But Graycliff has also had a strong imprint on its local community, with a focus on highlighting the heritage of the Bahamas. Under Garzaroli, Graycliff hasn’t just become a world-class hotel — it’s become something of which Nassau can be proud, too.
Tourism Minister of the Year – Stephanie Villedrouin, Haiti
When Caribbean Journal first launched in 2011, it had been just a year since the earthquake and tragedy dominated the headlines about Haiti. Fast forward to 2014, and, for a change, people are talking about a different kind of Haiti — the one that’s a travel destination. That’s to the credit of the dynamic Villedrouin, who’s helped steer the course of Haiti’s bold bid to return to its place as a sought-after Caribbean destination.
Tourism Director of the Year – Ralph Higgs, Turks and Caicos Islands
A veteran of the Caribbean tourism industry, Ralph Higgs is well-known throughout the sector; but in 2014, he took his work to new heights, helping to lead the Turks and Caicos Islands to the best year-over-year improvement in tourist arrivals of any destination in the Caribbean, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
Destination of the Year – Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands is a laid-back place, with kind people and almost impossibly beautiful beaches. It’s remained somewhat under the radar, however; that’s starting to change, though, and thanks to the efforts of its tourism sector the island is seeing new heights, including one of the highest rates of arrival growth in the Caribbean. That’s come without any notable new hotel openings or airlift — simply good marketing work. It’s exciting to see what will happen next.
Innovative Destination of the Year — St Kitts
It’s the smallest sovereign country in the Western Hemisphere, but tiny St Kitts and Nevis is quietly becoming a leader in tourism development innovation. Using its Citizenship by Investment Programme as an attraction, the country has seen impressive hotel construction growth. But it’s also far ahead of the region in the green sector, with solar-lit highways and now a solar-powered airport. It’s the kind of innovative work that should be a model for the rest of the Caribbean.
Up-and-Coming Destination of the Year — Martinique
The French Caribbean island of Martinique has long been a magnet for French tourists, but not those in the United States. That’s changing rather rapidly, however, in large part due to a growing investment by American Airlines in the destination. Martinique is a fascinating place, rich in culture and history and blessed with spectacular food, and we expect the island to take big leaps in the next few years.
Concierge of the Year – Kingsley Blake, Round Hill, Jamaica
Kingsley Blake has been the concierge at the Round Hill hotel in Jamaica since 1974, and you’d be hard pressed to find a former guest who didn’t have wonderful things to say about him. Blake is a quintessential hotel concierge, concerned with one overarching philosophy: making guests happy. It’s an art he’s honed over a marvelous four-decade career, and one he continues to practice today.
Hotel Spa of the Year – Peter Island Resort & Spa, British Virgin Islands
There aren’t many spas in the Caribbean that have their own beaches. Peter Island is one, and this private island resort’s spa is a stunner, 10 indoor treatment rooms, two outdoor treatment areas and an overwhelming feeling of tranquility. Right now, it’s the new Caribbean standard for spa design and implementation.
Green Hotelier of the Year – Ewald Biemans, Bucuti and Tara Beach Resorts, Aruba
Aruba is at the forefront of the Caribbean green sector, with stated plans of going 100 percent energy independent by 2020. But for years, Ewald Biemans has been making green the rule, not the exception, at his Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, where sustainable practices are a way of life.
Hotel Chef of the Year – Yann Cozic, Grand Residences Riviera Cancun, Mexico
The Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is new to the regional tourism scene, but it’s quickly made an imprint with an elevated philosophy on luxury. And a large part of that has been the work of Chef Yann Cozic, who helms the resort’s signature El Faro eatery. Right now, Cozic is redefining the Caribbean hotel restaurant, with the perfect cocktail of creativity, precision and a dedication to flavor.
Hotel Restaurant of the Year
When you first come to the restaurant at Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, it’s easy to be taken aback. There’s cacao in every dish on the menu? At this cacao plantation-cum-hotel, though, the execution is masterful, with superb plates by head chef Germaine Mathurin that often make you marvel that there’s any cacao involved. And it’s all right in view of one of St Lucia’s famous Pitons.
Hotel Bar of the Year – Sunset Lounge, Viceroy Anguilla
The sun is going down in Anguilla, and there’s simply one place you need to be: the Sunset Lounge at the Viceroy Anguilla, a jaw-dropping work of design that also happens to be home to a sensational bar. It’s the perfect place for a dip in the infinity pool, a bite of sushi or a classic Anguillian rum punch. When it came to hotel bars this year, the Viceroy came out on top.
Hotel Bartender of the Year – Kendie Williams, Four Seasons Resort Nevis
You won’t find a more creative bartender in the region than Kendie Williams of the Four Seasons Nevis. An award-winning cocktail maker, Kendie has the precision of a mixologist with the creativity of a chef, with an overriding focus on local ingredients. Kendie’s spirit is infectious, and it always makes its way into her drinks.
Regional Airline of the Year – Seaborne Airlines
With a group of islands divided by water, airlift will always be a major, pressing issue in the Caribbean. And for a long time, getting from one island to another has been a less-than-pleasant experience. Enter Seaborne, which, with investment help from Puerto Rico’s government, is on a major expansion push. And a well-run, well-funded regional airline is something we can get behind.
Airline of the Year – JetBlue
One airline has been on a seemingly nonstop expansion push in the Caribbean: JetBlue. And the New York City-based carrier has actually become the leading carrier to the region, with exceptional service, clean, comfortable planes and competitive rates. It’s all part of an experience from which other major airlines serving the region could learn quite a few lessons.
Airport of the Year – Lynden Pindling International Airport, Bahamas
Air travel is always a hassle, but a great airport can go a long way toward changing that. And that’s the case at the sparkling Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, which provides a clean, beautiful experience. It’s the best airport we’ve visited all year in the region.