Hotel News

Sonesta Has a New CEO

Radisson Adds Four New Caribbean Hotels

Radisson has debuted its newest brand in the Caribbean: Radisson Individuals. The new brand has debuted in the region with four hotels on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. They’re all in and around Cartagena, the popular historic Caribbean city. The …

puerto rico caribbean travel marketplace

Caribbean Travel Marketplace Is Coming to Puerto Rico

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace is making a comeback. The popular industry event is set to return in October in San Juan, Puerto Rico, after having been canceled last year amid the pandemic. (A virtual version …

How Marriott Bonvoy Is Becoming More Than “Just a Loyalty Program”

For years, Marriott International’s loyalty program has been at the forefront of the travel industry, allowing members to earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with …

Margaritaville Just Launched a Loyalty Program

Margaritaville has launched its first-ever loyalty program, Caribbean Journal has learned. The new Margaritaville Perks is unique in that it has no points, levels to reach or waits for qualification. The company says Perks of”offers guests simple and immediate perks, …

Grenada Looks to Highlight Island’s “Simple Stays”

Grenada is home to a diverse hotel and accommodations product, from villas to authentic boutique hotels. And now the island’s Tourism Authority is looking to highlight these kinds of properties, with a new program called “Simple Stays Grenada.” The portfolio …

CJI Conversation: Best Western CEO Larry Cuculic on the Caribbean Market

By Guy Britton Larry Cuculic took over as the newest chief executive officer of Best Western Hotels and Resorts towards the end of 2021, overseeing a company that is in the midst of a broad expansion push in the Caribbean …

Margaritaville’s New Resort Brand Is Opening Soon in Mexico

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is debuting its newest resort brand at the edge of the Caribbean next month, Caribbean Journal has learned. Margaritaville, in collaboration with Karisma Hotels and Resorts, is opening the new Margaritaville St Somewhere by Karisma Punta Coco …

Bermuda’s Fairmont Southampton Has Been Sold

The biggest hotel in Bermuda has been sold. The iconic Fairmont Southampton has been sold to a partnership led by Miami-based investment firm Gencom, the company announced. The seller was Europe’s AccorInvest. The hotel will be remaining under the brand …

Apple Leisure Group Plans Big Development Push

By the Caribbean Journal staff Apple Leisure Group is planning to ramp up its development push through its subsidiary, AMResorts. The company has announced the addition of vice president of development Federico Moreno-Nickerson to its team. Moreno-Nickerson will support the …

Ritz-Carlton Reserve Expanding to Mexico

Set along the coastline of San José del Cabo with views of the Sea of Cortez, Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve will make its debut in early 2018. This opening marks the fourth resort in the Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio, and the …

Expedia: Luxury Travel Demand Is Rising in the Caribbean

Luxury travel demand is rising in the Caribbean, according to a new report from the Expedia group. The online travel agency says demand for luxury properties rose across much of the Caribbean in 2016, with an overall increase in demand …

Sandals Weathers Hurricane in Exuma

While Hurricane Matthew passed over Exuma as a Category 3 storm, Sandals’ Emerald Bay resort sustained just “superficial damage,” according to the company. The resort never lost power and guests remained comfortable, Sandals said in a statement following the passage …

Caribbean Hotels Occupancy Continues Decline

Caribbean hotel occupancy fell year-over-year last month for the 10th month in a row, according to hotel analytics firm STR. The region’s occupancy was 66 percent in August, down 2.4 percent from August 2015, although the 2.4 percent drop was …

Marriott to Open AC Hotel in Puerto Rico

Marriott’s AC hotel brand is coming to the Caribbean with the new AC Hotel San Juan. The new property has broken ground at 1369 Ashford Avenue in San Juan’s active Condado neighborhood. The property will take over at the former …

How to Stay at The Landings St. Lucia, For Less

The Landings St. Lucia resort has announced its ‘Christmas in July’ package, offering 40 percent off all room rates for stays between December 17 and 25, 2016. The the package also includes a free guide to Pigeon Island National Park, …

Caribbean Hotel Occupancy Keeps Declining

Caribbean hotel occupancy fell in May for the fifth straight month, according to new data from STR, a data and analytics specialist. The region’s hotel occupancy fell by 3.1 percent in May compared to the same month in 2015. Average …

Jamaica’s Round Hill Names Pair of New Hires

One of Jamaica’s leading resorts has announced two new hires. The property just outside of Montego Bay has named Nikeshia Clarke its new sales and marketing manager and Keniesha Clarke its new Wedding and Event Planner. “We are proud to …

Elite Island Resorts Buys Sandals’ Grand Pineapple Resort in Antigua

Sandals has sold its Grand Pineapple Antigua all-inclusive resort to Elite Island Resorts. The sale, which will become effective May 30, 2016, will see the hotel renamed and rebranded as the Pineapple Beach Club under Elite Island Resorts’ ownership. The …