Search Result for: authenticity

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VIDEO: Playa del Carmen, A Must-Visit Beach City in Mexico

By Guy Britton PLAYA DEL CARMEN — Fifth Avenue is alive at night, teeming with sound and color, filled with crowds and flavor. By day, there’s another melody, leisurely and light, a place to stroll and warm up before cooling off […]

Caribbean Airlines’ New Locally-Focused In-Flight Service

By the Caribbean Journal staff Caribbean Airlines has launched a sweeping reform of its in-flight service, this time with an emphasis on authenticity. It’s called Caribbean Cafe, and the new snack and beverage catalogue will focus on locally made products […]

Rum Journal: The Best American Rums 2018

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since we first started the Best American Rums. Now in its sixth edition, this July 4 tradition celebrates the best of American rummaking, something that has certainly come a very long way […]

Norwegian Is Adding More Nonstop Flights to Martinique

By Alexander Britell It’s getting even easier to visit the fascinating French Caribbean island of Martinique. The expanded flights are headlined by this week’s announcement that European carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle will be adding another major new route to the […]

Six Antigua Resorts You Need to Visit Right Now

Spectacular beaches. Breathtaking scenery. Some of the most beautiful water you’ll ever see. And, oh yes, 365 beaches. There’s a reason the island of Antigua has catapulted to the forefront of the Caribbean travel industry, and the buzz just keeps […]

Few Caribbean destinations boast the sheer diversity of Saint Lucia’s hotel product. The range is vast, from tiny eco-friendly retreats to sprawling beach resorts to all-inclusives and full-fledged bucket-list experiences. That means there’s something for every kind of traveler here, whether you want to bring your family to the sand, take your significant other on an adults-only escape or spend a few nights in the rainforest.   Here are 15 great Saint Lucia resorts worth checking into right now.   Marigot Bay Resort It’s hard to find a more complete resort in Saint Lucia, with a broad portfolio of amenities, including a spectacular island beach, outstanding, diverse food, a serene spa and the added benefit of the energy of a megayacht marina. And that’s without mentioning the spacious, beautifully appointed rooms (just make sure you get one with a private hot tub.)  Ladera The resort that pioneered the three-walled concepts remains one of the Caribbean’s most romantic hotels — and one of the region’s most authentic places to stay, too. The wood construction, warm service and breathtaking scenery will take you to another place entirely — while never letting you forget you’re in Saint Lucia.   Jade Mountain Home to perhaps the world’s most iconic infinity pools, this resort is equal parts luxury hotel and spaceship, a transformative experience that has long set the standard for adults-only retreats. The only problem here is the withdrawal when you come back to earth.   Cap Maison This is Saint Lucia’s hotel for gourmands, for those who love good, old-fashioned luxury, the kind you find in world-class restaurants, in gastronomically-inclined beach bars and in voluptuously designed hotel rooms. This is the essence of boutique hospitality.   The Landings You can travel across the island and not find better service than you get at The Landings, perched on a gorgeous stretch of beach in view of Saint Lucia’s Pigeon Island. This is one of the island’s best beach hotels, and it’s got some of its most comfortable rooms, with the full kitchens giving travelers the chance to experience a different level of living in Saint Lucia. Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort The blinding white sand and position at the base of Gros Piton provide for an intoxicating ambience, one that’s only enhanced by the amenities from on-the-sand bungalows to the ethereal Rainforest Spa. That’s without mentioning one of our favorite bars on the island, the rum-focused Cane Bar.   Ti Kaye This has long been one of Saint Lucia’s best-kept secrets. There are just 33 cottages and rooms at this adults-only resort, with breezy oceanfront accommodations and a locally-focused spa. But the real standout is the food and beverage offering, which includes the largest underground wine cellar on the whole island. Fond Doux Whether you stay here for one night or a week, a stop at Fond Doux is a must for those in search of the essence of Saint Lucia. Set on a 250-year-old plantation, travelers here become immersed in the natural splendor of the island, from freshly-grown cacao to a host of nature trails. When you stay here, you’re right in the heart of the rainforest — and it’s not an experience you’ll soon forget.   Bay Gardens Beach Resort You won’t find a better value anywhere in Saint Lucia than this Reduit Beach standout, long one of the most beloved Saint Lucia resorts. And if you want to hop around, it’s part of a burgeoning collection of hotels, from the Bay Gardens Marina Haven to a new villa collection called Water’s Edge. Stonefield Villa Resort This is a place that just oozes romance and authenticity, with a collection of 17 one, two, three and five-bedroom villas in view of the Pitons. And, yes, they’re full-fledged villas, each of which boasts its own private pool and outdoor shower. This is a place for serenity and seclusion, where you’ll enjoy a very different kind of life in Saint Lucia.   St James’s Club Morgan Bay It’s a classic Caribbean all-inclusive, but it’s also got the laid-back ambience Saint Lucia is famous for. That’s a rather delightful combination. Here, you get six restaurants, six bars, four pools (including a spectacular rooftop adults-only pool near the spa) and a wonderful location that puts everything from golf to nightlife within very easy reach. Sandals Regency La Toc We couldn’t do a list of must-visit resorts in Saint Lucia and not mention Sandals, which boasts three Saint Lucia resorts, including the Grande St Lucian, the Halcyon Beach and the La Toc, with La Toc our favorite for some time. The property, set on a 220-acre estate and a lovely stretch of beach, has nine eateries, eight bars and offerings like unlimited scuba diving and free greens fees. Serenity at Coconut Bay The newest addition to the popular Coconut Bay resort on the south of the island is a stunner, with 36 beautifully-appointed suites, all of which have their own private plunge pools. This adults-only oasis is a new level of luxury all-inclusive in Saint Lucia, and instantly one of the island’s most sought-after stays. The Harbor Club, Curio Collection by Hilton This new hotel in the Gros Islet area is a wonderful addition to Saint Lucia. The maritime-inspired design is hip and fresh, the dining options are varied and the pool complex, home to four multi-level pools, is worth the trip on its own. Add that to a marinafront location and you have an energetic hotel perfect for active travelers. Hotel Chocolat It’s hard to think of a cooler place to stay in Saint Lucia than this tiny boutique in Soufriere set on a working cacao plantation. It rather deftly marries the cool and the authentic, with rustic-chic “lodges,” a show-stopping infinity pool and one of the best restaurants on the island. But what you really won’t forget is the joy of making your own very own chocolate bar.

The Top 25 Luxury Resorts in the Caribbean

Great luxury is its own form of travel. It’s a journey away from the ordinary, from the adequate. It’s a journey to the indulgent, to the beautiful, to the extraordinary. The best luxury resorts take you on that journey, working […]

VIDEO: Ladera: The Ultimate Caribbean Luxury Hotel

By Alexander Britell and Guy Britton There are lots of great luxury hotels in the Caribbean. But a truly Caribbean luxury hotel is a different matter entirely. It isn’t easy to define Caribbean luxury — but you know it when […]

Rum Journal: River Antoine, Grenada’s Mecca of Rum

By Alexander Britell There is no crowd here, just a few curious travelers, less than a handful of staff. The buildings wear the fraying wardrobe of time. But in the empty silence of an off day at River Antoine, the […]

VIDEO: The Legendary Bimini Big Game Club

History abounds here, an island where time itself comes in search of adventure. It’s equal parts island and small town, blessed with remarkable natural beauty but not lacking in personality. This is Bimini and the Bimini Big Game Club, one […]

Grand Solmar Opens in Los Cabos

By the Caribbean Journal staff The new Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas resort has made its debut in Los Cabos. The all-suite property is the first phase of the 834-acre private resort community in Mexico. Grand Solmar at Rancho […]

The Caribbean Travel Awards – 2017

This year was not without its challenges in the Caribbean. But in the face of overwhelming adversity, the Caribbean showed its toughness and resilience. It’s something that’s eminently clear, as hard-hit islands quickly recover, with most already welcoming back travelers, […]

Rum Journal: 6 Terrific Caribbean Rums to Try on National Rum Day

Here at Rum Journal, we like to think that every day is National Rum Day. But Aug. 16 actually is National Rum Day in the United States, a day meant to celebrate the glory of rum, the Caribbean’s tastiest export. […]

How to Live on Harbour Island, Bahamas

It’s one of the most charming islands in the Caribbean: Harbour Island, the in-the-know high-end destination off the coast of North Eleuthera in The Bahamas, long a celebrity hotspot and favored haunt of travelers looking for beauty, authenticity and exclusivity. […]

VIDEO: Les Ilets de la Plage, St. Barth’s Hidden Gem Hotel

By Alexander Britell St. Barth is the luxury capital of the Caribbean, from neverending lunches at the Eden Rock to lazy afternoons at Tom Beach. But to experience the real St. Barth, to understand what makes this place so overwhelmingly […]

10 Beach Vacations You Should Try Now

We’re major proponents of experiencing the “authentic” Caribbean, urging travelers to look beyond sun, sand and sea and sample the region’s remarkably diverse culture, food, art and music. But we also love beach vacations. Sun, sand and sea remain still […]

Five Essential Caribbean Spices

With culinary influences from India, Africa, Asia and Europe, Trinidad cuisine is a melting pot of exotic flavors. The gastronomic diversity allows me to experiment with some of my favorite herbs and bold spices which represent the authenticity of real […]

Viceroy Launches New Brand Tiers

Viceroy Hotel Group today announced the segmentation of its portfolio into three tiers: The Viceroy Icon Collection, The Viceroy Lifestyle Series and Urban Retreat Collection. The group says the new structure is a natural evolution for the modern luxury brand, […]

5 Luxe Resorts in the Caribbean to Visit Now

Luxury in the Caribbean can mean many things, but the most luxurious resorts in the Caribbean always offer an experience focused on comfort and indulgence. But some reach an even higher level of luxury. So why not make your next […]

The 10 Best All-Inclusive Costa Rica Vacations

Costa Rica is one of the world’s greatest nature destinations. With one of the globe’s largest concentrations of biodiversity, it’s an adventurers’ dream, from volcanos to thermal baths to hiking trails, there is something for everyone. But that doesn’t mean […]

The 5 Best Cabo San Lucas Resorts

It may begin with the famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas, but Mexico’s destination of Los Cabos is so much more. It’s a place to find authenticity, to find a different side of Mexico you may not have discovered. So […]

The 10 Best Riviera Maya Resorts

Mexico’s Caribbean coast is a culturally rich, energetic and colorful place that is among the region’s most vibrant travel destinations. And happily Riviera Maya resorts live up to the area’s palpable authenticity. Indeed, the Riviera Maya, the coastal corridor that […]

10 Caribbean Luxury Hotels to Visit Right Now

Luxury comes in different shapes and sizes in the Caribbean. Sure, there are grand luxury hotels, those one is used to finding in Europe, that pop up along sandy shores, just as there are boutique jewels, too. But sifting through […]

Eleuthera’s French Leave Joins Autograph Collection

The boutique French Leave Resort in Eleuthera has joined Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The resort, located on Cupid’s Cay harbor, has 12 seafront cottages with British colonial interiors. It also features a restaurant called 1648. The resort represents the first construction […]

Nigel Spence: A Recipe for Cauliflower Rice and Peas

Your newest healthy recipe By Chef Nigel Spence CJ Contributor During the Christmas rush, I heard folks in Jamaica were frantically checking their lists and checking them twice, they had to find out if they bought plastic or rice! Reports […]

The 25 Best All Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean for 2017

The definition of “all inclusive resorts” has been changing. What used to mean endless buffet lines and mass-produced travel kitsch is rapidly becoming something very different, both in response to changing tastes and the arrival of new kinds of travelers. […]

The Bahamas Travel Awards 2016

It’s one of the wider region’s most popular destinations, and the Bahamas remains a tourism power in the Caribbean. That’s because the Bahamas isn’t just a single destination — it’s a multitude of destinations from the urban appeal of downtown nassau […]

Grenada’s True Blue Has Big Plans

A boutique Grenada hotel looks forward By Andrea Perez CJ Contributor True Blue Bay Resort, One of Grenada’s top small hotels, has big plans. Right now, the focus is on exposing the resort and its brand to an international market, […]

St Martin Eyes Developer for Major New Marigot Bay Harbour Project

St Martin has big plans for Marigot Bay Harbour. The French Caribbean tourism hub has launched an international tender for developers looking to enter into an economic investment partnership for a “sustainable tourism project” on the site. The project includes […]

The Ultimate Island-Hopping Vacation in The Bahamas