While CJ’s Caribbean Travel Awards have become a significant annual event in the wider region, we realized that it was important to honor not just those doing great work at the regional level, but at the local level, too, That’s why we’ve launched the first-ever CJ Jamaica Travel Awards, part of a series we’ll be doing across the Caribbean region, that celebrates the best of hospitality in Jamaica in 2016, with categories including Hotel of the Year, Small Hotel of the Year, All-Inclusive of the Year, New Hotel of the Year, Hotelier of the Year, Attraction of the Year, Destination of the Year and the Palm Award, which honors those making a difference in hospitality.
Hotel of the Year — Half Moon
When you think of the great hotels of the Caribbean, the grand hotels of the Caribbean, it is a select club. But right at the top of the list is this: the 400-acre, spectacular Half Moon, a place that preserves the romance of the jet-set era in the West Indies. This marvelous property (with some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful guest rooms), has that perfect cocktail of warm service, luxury and ambience — while never losing its sense of Jamaica.
Small Hotel of the Year — Round Hill
When Ralph Lauren designs your guest rooms, you’re already on the right track. But there’s a reason those in the know have been coming to this property for decades — it’s a magical place. With 36 oceanfront rooms (and a stunning infinity pool), Round Hill achieves something few places do in the Caribbean: it’s timeless.
All-Inclusive of the Year — Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Rose Hall
This is really two adjacent properties in one: Ziva, for families, and Zilara, for adults. And they’ve led us to celebrate a different kind of all-inclusive in Jamaica — set in the former Ritz-Carlton Resort, this property is well-designed, well-thought-out and offers an expansive beach, lovely rooms and the kind of first-class service you expect from the Hyatt brand.
New Hotel of the Year — The Cliff
It’s simple: this is a lovely property. At this Negril outpost, it’s about effortlessly-executed, from its strikingly high design to Cindy Hutson’s Zest restaurant, which is already among the best places culinary experiences in Jamaica.
Hotelier of the Year — Jason Henzell
It’s no secret that tourism is the Caribbean’s top economic driver — but understanding that and harnessing it to achieve a lasting social impact is not easily done. That brings us to our honoree for Hotelier of the Year, Jason Henzell, Chairman of Jakes Hotel Villas and Spa in Treasure Beach. Henzell has helped turn Jamaica’s south coast into a viable tourism destination, has demonstrated a commitment to the environment and community and continues to look at tourism with a creative, thoughtful eye.
Attraction of the Year: River Bumpkin Farm
Island Routes, led by Sandals CEO Adam Stewart, has quickly become one of the region’s leading tour companies, buoyed by its very strong work at home in Jamaica. And there’s no better example than their River Bumpkin Farm attraction, a multi-purpose plantation in Trelawny that offers adventures from river tubing to kayaking.
Destination of the Year: Port Antonio
Jamaica has never had trouble finding fame on the global stage (the recent Olympics being an easy example). But it’s been a long time since the destination was hip on the global level, and that’s in large part due to the work of the tourism sector in Port Antonio, led by boutique hotels like Geejam and Trident and an emphasis on authentic, untouched travel. Here’s hoping it stays that way.
Palm Award: David Hall
Our logo is famous for its palm tree, and we thought we’d create a new award in its name to honor those making a difference in the wider tourism industry in each destination. And that’s why we’re proud to honor David Hall, the CEO of VIP Attractions, which operates the Club Mobay and Club Kingston airport lounges in Montego Bay and Kingston, respectively. In a world where air travel is increasingly uncomfortable (and too many Caribbean airports fail to help the situation), Hall has created oases — places where customers are first, where travel is a friendly, enjoyable experience. And that’s something worth celebrating.