By Alexander Britell The Caribbean’s most legendary beach bar hotel has a long-awaited reopening date. The Sandcastle at Soggy Dollar, the boutique beach hotel at the world-famous Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, will begin welcoming back guests on May 15, the Soggy Dollar confirmed. “We are very excited to be reopening Sandcastle at Soggy Dollar,” the property said in a statement. For now, reservations will only be accepted six months in advance of arrival; all guests must be a minimum of 25 years old, the hotel said. Since 1970, nestled on the pristine white sands of White Bay, Sandcastle Hotel, located at the world-famous Soggy Dollar is the ultimate Caribbean beach bar resort. With two beachfront cottages, two garden cottages, and two garden view rooms with exclusive beach access and onsite bar and restaurant privileges … it’s no wonder they have been voted number one by USA Today “10 Best” year after year. It is a triumphant return for a beloved boutique hotel that has been shuttered since Hurricane Irma back in 2017. Stay in White Bay … keep it shady … stay at Soggy! For more, visit soggydollar.com/hotel. Getting There! You can fly either into Tortola (Beef Island Airport) or St. Thomas. Getting to Soggy Dollar is easiest from Tortola, but airline fare variations and frequent flyer programs may make St. Thomas a more practical point-of-departure. From Tortola you will need to get to West End Tortola and you’ll take either the ferry or a chartered boat to Jost Van Dyke. To ensure catching the last ferry to Jost Van Dyke (6pm) you should arrive at Beef Island not later than 4pm. If this not possible, we will be glad to assist you in making arrangements for you to stay at a guest…
By Alexander Brittell In case you haven’t been following, the historic downtown of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas is in the midst of a renaissance. There is a new energy here, new life in these centuries-old streets and a dramatic waterfront transformation project undertaken by the USVI Department of Public Works. And now, perhaps most importantly, there’s a very cool new hotel. For the first time in more than two decades, St. Thomas as a new hotel — and, crucially, it’s in the heart of historic Charlotte Amalie. It’s called the Pink Palm, and it’s a hip, retro-chic hotel that’s the sister hotel to the American Beech hotel in Long Island, NY. The 27-room hotel, which began welcoming guests last month, is a significant boost to downtown Charlotte Amalie, with a bright, colorful, fun aesthetic that’s a new kind of hotel for the island. “We also have two hotels on the North Fork of Long Island, American Beech and Aqua Beach, and as that area is pretty seasonal to summer and fall, I was looking to open another hotel that was seasonal to winter and spring. I first saw the listing for the property online. There were a couple of other places I was considering, but as soon as I came down to St. Thomas and saw [it], I fell in love,” says Brent Pelton, owner and CEO of the Pink Palm. “We’re the first fully new hotel on the island in over twenty years. We’ve been working to create strong relationships with the local businesses, galleries and restaurants, as well as organizations like the St. Thomas Historical Trust, and overall there is an air of excitement about what’s happening in Charlotte Amalie.” It’s the history that really makes it unique, Pelton says. The hotel is set at what was once Smith’s Fancy, a…
By Caribbean Journal Staff June 12th – 17th Maybe you’ve been to a rum festival. Maybe you’re just beginning a journey into the world of premium rum. Or maybe you’re just looking for a new kind of beach vacation. Either way, Bonaire Rum Week should be on your calendar and you should start making your plans to attend NOW! The ultimate summer rum festival in the Caribbean is back again this June, a weeklong celebration of premium rum – set against the backdrop of the ultimate Dutch Caribbean paradise. If you have been to a rum festival, forget everything you know. This isn’t an expo in a stuffy conference center in a densely populated city. This is about enjoying the premium Caribbean rum where it’s meant to be enjoyed — at the edge of the ocean. And it’s also about enjoying Bonaire, the Caribbean capital of ocean conservation, home to a dynamic culinary culture (and some of the region’s greatest restaurants) and a growing fine spirits movement. Bonaire Rum Week is a series of events held across the island, from beach parties with steel bands to rum-pairing dinners to sunset cocktails, all in spectacular waterfront settings. “The first edition of Bonaire Rum Week was a massive success, and we can’t wait for the 2023 edition,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal, which organizes the event in collaboration with Tourism Corporation Bonaire. “There is no summer festival quite like this; it’s a must-visit event whether you’re a longtime rum aficionado or just looking for a great beach vacation in the Caribbean.” The event puts the spotlight on Bonaire, the crown jewel of the ABC islands, one that’s renowned as the global capital of diving and marine conservation, from a landmark marine protected area that goes all around the island…
By Alexander Britell St. John has always been one of the most beloved little islands in the Caribbean. Since the pandemic, it’s become one of the most sought-after destinations in the world, with a growing number of travelers drawn to its stunning natural environment and fun-loving, beachy vibe. That also means the island’s real estate market is surging, with a limited number of vacation homes available. But top investment firm Island Sky is changing that, with its new Residence Club: a way for travelers to own in St. John in a unique way, a special opportunity for the island covered by 7,000 acres of National Parkland. Island Sky St John is an equity residence club in the heart of St John’s Cruz Bay, where buyers can purchase one-tenth ownership in vacation residences starting at $190,000. The residence club has all of the amenities of a managed resort: with Club hospitality staff attending to every need (and all ownership responsibilities); every residence is fully furnished, with gourmet kitchens and outdoor balconies, along with full access to a spectacular rooftop pool and lounge. Each residence has just 10 owners, with the benefits of vacation home ownership and the lifestyle of a luxury resort, as Island Sky says. Owners have equal opportunity to enjoy their Club Residences within their ownership category throughout the year. “Island Sky is the first and only residence club in St. John,” says Jason Caraway, founder and CEO of Island Sky Investments. “For an owner, this provides the opportunity to enjoy other locations around the world through the Elite Alliance Exchange Program. Also, as a benefit of the property being fractional ownership, owners enjoy their time and property without the worry of maintenance and the expense of owning the entire property. Residence members can rest assured the property will be in…
By Caribbean Journal Staff Puerto Rico has never been hotter, buoyed by a pandemic-era boom that filled its hotels to capacity and put a new travel spotlight on the destination. It seems like new flights routes launch just about every week to the island, the airport is dizzyingly busy as travelers finally start to realize just how diverse, vibrant and, well, beach-filled the island actually is. That includes a seemingly endless array of hotels and resorts across the island, from the Caribbean metropolis of San Juan to golf resorts at the edge of rainforests. The CJ team scours Puerto Rico’s hotels each year, and we’ve curated our rankings of the best places to stay on the island, making sure to highlight every kind of hotel. That means boutique hotels, wellness hotels, golf resorts, luxury resorts and even gaming destinations. There really is a different kind of hotel in Puerto Rico for every kind of traveler, and we’ve done all the heavy lifting for you. All you have to do is decide what kind of Puerto Rico vacation you want: an urban getaway, a golf retreat, an Ayurvedic cleanse or a good-old-fashioned week on the sand. Here are ten of the best hotels in Puerto Rico for 2023. #1 Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve In the last few years, Dorado has become Puerto Rico’s most sought after destination, turning what had been a popular San Juan getaway into a global hotspot, with booming home prices, new luxury development and a new energy. Its epicenter is this: Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the island’s premier resort, one with almost 70 years of heritage dating back to its founding by Laurance Rockefeller. It’s also, for now, the only Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the brand’s elevated collection, in the Caribbean. Today, Dorado Beach is a serene, exquisite luxury resort, with 114…
By Caribbean Journal Staff They are the world’s foremost experts on Caribbean travel: Caribbean Journal readers. They travel to the Caribbean multiple times each year, scouring the region for the newest and the greatest, searching out hotels, beaches, restaurants and experiences. And each year, they choose the best of the best: the winners of the Caribbean Journal Travelers’ Choice Awards. “There’s no larger community in the world of frequent travelers to the Caribbean than our readers,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal. “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners! You have earned the ultimate seal of approval from those who know Caribbean travel better than anyone, the platinum standard of Caribbean tourism excellence.” This year’s Travelers’ Choice Awards honor champions in 24 different categories of travel, from hotels and resorts to honeymoons and weddings to rum bars, with more than 125,000 votes cast. “Participation for this year’s Awards was higher than ever before,” said Guy Britton, managing editor and EVP of Caribbean Journal. “It’s a good omen for what should be a banner 2023 for the whole Caribbean.” Publishers Note: We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean Journal and his staff contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the popular online magazine/website at caribjournal.com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean. Not sure how you want to layout the list of Bests Best Luxury Resort in the Caribbean: Baoase Luxury Resort, Curacao Best All-Inclusive Resort in the Caribbean: Lopesan Costa Bavaro, Dominican Republic Best Family Resort in the Caribbean: The Verandah, Antigua Best Adults-Only Resort in the Caribbean: The Fred, St Croix Best Private Island Resort in the Caribbean: Palm Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines Best Boutique…
By Alexander Britell There’s been a significant shift in the Caribbean’s testing policies, with just about every destination in the region having lifted its entry rules. And now you can include St. Maarten. Effective Nov. 1, the Friendly Island will no longer require travelers to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result in order to enter the island. The news was confirmed by St. Maarten Tourism Minister Omar Ottley this week. It’s naturally a boost for the French side of St. Martin as well, which relies on the Dutch side’s Princess Juliana International Airport for the vast majority of its visitors. Travelers will only need to meet the “usual immigration and border control requirements to visit the island,” Ottley said. St. Maarten will, however, retain health officials at the airport to monitor passengers entering the country. Travelers who may be experiencing flu-like signs or symptoms may be required to test before they depart the airport, the Minister said. “St. Maarten has done exceptionally well in its fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) COVID-19. The Country is now fully engaged in restoring economic activity, and one key aspect of economic revitalization is the return of visitors in large numbers,” Ottley said. “At the same time, while we concentrate on rebuilding our Tourism destination, our work will continue to protect the population, including our visitors.” The lifting of all restrictions comes after a public call by the St. Maarten Hotel and Tourism Association to do just that, arguing that the travel restrictions would limit the potential for St Maarten’s winter tourism season. St. Maarten is the last Dutch Caribbean destination to remove its travel restrictions. Bonaire, St Maarten, Statia, Saba, Curacao and Aruba all previously removed their restrictions earlier this year. “St. Maarten must remain vigilant and be mindful…
By Alexander Britell Under a sunbeam on the water’s edge in Charlestown, Nevis, historian Harvey Hendrickson reads his ode to a still-shrouded sculpture on the lawn. A few minutes later, the bronze is revealed, and Alexander Hamilton is finally back in the place of his birth nearly 257 years after his family moved to St. Croix. It was in Nevis that Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States, must have dreamt and aspired and “as a consequence, achieved great things,” Nevis Premier Mark Brantley said. Hamilton, whose towering life returned to the public consciousness with the launch of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-sweeping musical in 2015, was born on the Eastern Caribbean island in 1757, spending his early years in Nevis and then periods of his youth in St. Croix and Statia. Hamilton’s extraordinary career included being the first secretary of the treasury, founder of the Federalist Party, founder of the US Coast Guard and arguably the father of the United States’ financial system, among other achievements. Today, Hamilton’s birthplace is a centerpiece of downtown historic Charlestown, Nevis‘ capital, home to a museum and, on the second floor, the site of the Nevis Island Assembly. And Hamilton remains a major draw for the island, which has seen a wave of new tourism interest driven by the reinvigorated public curiosity about Hamilton; the island’s top resort, the Four Seasons Nevis, has an Alexander Suite, for example; there’s even an Alexander Hamilton Rum on sale in the museum shop. Because it all truly did begin in tiny Nevis, and Hamilton’s Caribbean contribution was the subject of a thoughtful ceremony at the Alexander Hamilton Museum in Charlestown this past weekend, one that included a moving appearance by Hamilton re-enactor Scott MacScott. “We, as I like to say, must agree that the United States owes…
By Alexander Britell It’s the purest expression of sugarcane in spirit form: rhum blanc, or white rhum agricole. Unaged white rum made from pure pressed sugar cane juice is as close as you can come to the cane: a raw, visceral, complex spirit that has a real terroir. And it just so happens that this is the primary ingredient in the Caribbean’s ultimate rum cocktail: the ti’ punch. Ti’ punch, short for petit punch, is the essential drink of the French West Indies, a local, easy-to-prepare drink that’s part of the ritual of daily life in Martinique and Guadeloupe. It’s ubiquitous, often accompanied by those endlessly delicious codfish fritters called Accras. And it’s a key to immersing yourself in the culture of the French Caribbean. You cannot begin to understand this enchanting part of the Caribbean without a ti’ punch, a drink whose preparation requires a ceremony on par with tea in Japan. And it’s deliciously simple to make. Because while there are myriad dressed-up versions of making the ti’ punch, there’s one truly authentic way to make it — the way people actually drink it at a bar or restaurant in the FWI. Show up at a beach bar or a cafe (or just about any restaurant at all) in Martinique and Guadeloupe, order a ti’ punch (it’s often cheaper than a bottle of water), and you’ll soon be welcomed with a tray. There you’ll find three things: a bottle of white rhum, some quarter slices of lime, and a ramequin of brown sugar. Because white rhum is so affordable, the restaurant will leave it to you how much white rhum you decide to put in the glass, joined with just the quarter lime and, ideally, a teaspoon of sugar. How much rum you add is up to you, but I like to pour enough that the…
By Bob Curley Nearly every island in the Caribbean is ringed with beautiful beaches, but there’s more to a Caribbean vacation than sun and sand. Just inland from the coast on many islands you’ll find steep-sided mountains carpeted in lush rainforest, a less undeveloped and often unexplored side to what are, after all, tropical islands. In destinations like St. Lucia, Dominica, Puerto Rico, Belize and Panama, take the path less traveled to one of these beautiful resorts hidden among the palms and ferns: Secret Bay, Dominica Secret Bay promises a “six-star” rainforest resort experience, and this Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel delivers with all-suite accommodations featuring private plunge pools, dining on sustainably sourced food in your private villa or the open-air Zing Zing restaurant, dedicated hosts for each room, and a setting that blends the serenity of the rainforest with a secluded beachfront location — the best of both worlds. Of course, it’s not just the region’s best rainforest resort; it’s one of the best resorts in the hemisphere, period. Fond Doux Eco Resort, St. Lucia Sixteen cottages are scattered in lush tropical gardens on a working cacao plantation in the shadow of St. Lucia’s Piton Mountains. The Green Globe certified resort sources food for its two restaurants from plants and fruit trees growing on site, the Mama La Terre spa uses only organic materials in its treatments, and guest activities include chocolate-making, hikes to Petit Piton, swimming in a trio of pools, tree-planting programs, cooking classes, and a shuttle to the beach. Rabot Hotel/Hotel Chocolat, St. Lucia The Tree-to-Bar experience at the Rabot Hotel has nothing to do with drinks — it’s an immersive experience where guests learn about the process of turning cacao beans into Hotel Chocolat chocolate bars. Yum. And that’s just part of what’s delicious about a…
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