Bellevue Villa
Bellevue is a 5 bedroom villa located hillside on Marigot offering panoramic views. This villa is perfect for large families or groups of friends. More Info

Gouverneur Villa
Adorable 1 bedroom villa located in a very peaceful area close to the down and from the famous Gouverneur beach. Simple and comfortable, ideal for a couple. More Info

Mimosa Villa
This 3 bedroom condo is located on the cliffs of Cupecoy with stunning views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Guests can enjoy the spectacular sunsets from their own private balcony. More Info

Golden Clouds villa
Golden Clouds villa is a is a luxurious 9-suite estate situated in a park-like 6-acre setting. It is a spectacular oceanfront villa located on Jamaica's fabled North Coast in the picturesque village of Oracabessa, and a fifteen minute drive from Ocho Rios. The villa overlooks a private palm fringed, white sand beach and the Caribbean Sea. ... expand

Bay Rum Breeze
Bay Rum Breeze sits high in Mamey Peak. The eco- friendly design includes amenities such as a solar heated pool, a 5 person Hot Springs spa and solar electricity. This majestic 3 plus bedroom/3.5 bath home has three waterfalls and sprawling views of Coral Bay Harbor, Bordeaux Mountain and an infinite array of islands beyond. ... expand

Kiwi Villa
This 3 bedroom, 3 1/2 bathroom contemporary style villa is located in the exclusive community of Terres Basses, Kiwi is fully air conditioned and offers all the modern conveniences to ensure an idyllic stay. More Info

Tom Tom Villa
Tom Tom is a 10,250 sq. ft. villa located on a ridge overlooking the beautiful West coast of Barbados in the district of St James within the private gated neighbourhood of the Calijanda Estate. Its immediate neighbors are the famous Royal Westmoreland and Sugar Hill Resorts and it is within close reach of Sandy Lane. ... expand

Haystack Villa
Haystack is a 8 bedroom, 8 bathroom villa located in the famous Tryall Club Estate. Attention to every detail in every room, this super deluxe villa offers the most comfortable bedrooms with wide open spaces, spectacular ocean views and cool trade winds. All bedrooms are fully air conditioned, with ceiling fans, bathrooms with top of the line fixtures that make this villa most inspiring! This spacious villa has a large living room which opens out to the spectacular Caribbean sea, and large outdoor verandah and amazing views of the large swimming pool for all to enjoy. ... expand

Pink Cottage
Pink Cottage is secluded in a private corner of the beautiful 20 acre Heron Bay private estate, the cottage is luxuriously furnished and generously equipped. Built in Barbados coral stone on the shimmering west coast of Barbados. More Info

Place de la Sol
Place de la Sol is a 2+ 1 bedroom pod style Beach front cottage located directly on Taylor Bay Beach in Sunset Bay. This cottage is also wheelchair accessible including a ramp leading to Taylor Bay Beach. More Info

Sapphire Beach 505
Apartment 505 is a beautifully appointed three bedroom penthouse apartment with air-conditioning and ceiling fans throughout. There is a spacious living area with a flat screen cable TV and sound system that opens straight on to the dining patio and the beautiful views beyond. The kitchen is very modern and fully equipped. ... expand

Casa Kimball
Casa Kimball is an ultra-luxury vacation villa rental in the Dominican Republic, located within the prestigious community of Orchid Bay Estates. Each of the eight (8) spacious bedrooms, en suite and individually air-conditioned, provide exceptional individual ocean views. Over 20,000 square feet in size, the luxury villa of Casa Kimball is a spacious, relaxed resting place for discriminating travelers seeking the very best in vacation rental accommodations.... expand

Coccinelle Villa
Orient Bay is home to Coccinelle Villa with its breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Anguilla and St Barth. The spacious indoor and outdoor living areas offer ideal opportunities for relaxing and entertaining, complete with a fully equipped kitchen and covered outdoor dining and BBQ area. More Info

Easy Reach Villa
Easy Reach is an impressive beach house offering 3 double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms built feet from the sea on the white sands of the famous Mullins beach. More Info

Dudley Wood
This unique, tri-level beachfront home is located directly on the renowned Gibbs Beach and is surrounded by lush foliage with wonderful views of the Caribbean Sea. Dudley Wood is comfortably furnished and wonderfully decorated throughout with 3 air-conditioned bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom. More Info

Wastra Villa
The décor is chic and contemporary throughout. Everything opens onto to the terrace and its sparkling pool, perfect for sunning and relaxing and it is gorgeous at night. Guests love the proximity to downtown Gustavia with all its restaurants, sidewalk cafés, shops, divine boulangeries, nightlife, and that convenience comes with no loss of privacy. ... expand

Casanomada Villa
This villa was originally an old traditional "St Bart Case". Casanomada is located hillside in Vitet and is surrounded by lush gardens. This villa is complete with all modern appliances and a pool and has kept the spirit of the traditional houses of the island with exotic wood floor, outside deck, stone wall, separate bungalows for bedrooms, living room, and outside patio.... expand

Sandyline Villa
Nestled into the hillside in the exclusive private enclave of Terres Basses and just 20 mins from an international airport, Sandyline is a newly completed world class, privately owned estate perfectly designed for entertaining. Overlooking the Caribbean Sea amid verdurous gardens, this property presents the perfect blend of Provencal architecture with Philippe Starck contemporary interiors. The impressive exteriors are perfect for entertaining with 2 heated pools, sun deck with loungers and parasols, pool gazebo / bar, water slide, pool toys, island sundeck, infinity Jacuzzi and shaded seating under the air conditioned covered terrace. ... expand

Precious Villa
Precious is a luxurious 1 bedroom 1.5 bath apartment on the 2nd floor over the shops, restaurants and central piazza in the heart of Porto Cupecoy. Contemporary furnishings and soaring cathedral ceiling give a feeling of space and calm to relax the soul. The generously sized living and dining room, with American kitchen opens onto a private terrace. The spacious Master bedroom master bath featuring a king size bed, flat screen TV with DVD, computer, printer and desk work space, a soaking tub, full rain shower and dual vanity units.... expand

Isla Vista
Absolutely magnificent in every way! Isla Vista commands sweeping sea views from a breezy hillside, tucked in its own private enclave behind an electronic gate. Lushly landscaped grounds surround this very secluded two-bedroom luxury home, bordered by pristine Virgin Islands National Park lands, but conveniently just a few minutes' drive into Cruz Bay. Isla Vista features a spacious two-level floor plan with stunning custom interiors, expanded by dramatic island views stretching to the horizon.... expand

Colina Del Mar
Colina Del Mar is located on the gorgeous Barbados West Coast beach, renowned for its shimmering white sandy beaches and crystal blue sea. The house is approached through wrought iron gates and a coral stone courtyard. Double lattice doors open to an inner foyer featuring a hand carved stone console. The foyer leads to the living room and formal dining room which is floored in Italian tile and elegantly furnished in European tradition. ... expand

Caprice Villa
Caprice is a luxury 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom ocean front home located on Barbados' Gold Coast. This colonial style two story villa was refurbished and refitted with marble floors and top quality fixtures and furnishings. There is a plunge pool with waterfall, a private sun deck as well as a more spacious, enclosed sun deck facing the ocean. It is equipped with lounge chairs for relaxing during the day, or star gazing at night. ... expand

Bohemia Villa
Bohemia is a charming coral stone villa nestled in a quiet residential cul-de-sac and is set amidst well landscaped gardens. There are four air-conditioned bedrooms and a swimming pool with poolside gazebo. Guests are well looked after by efficient staff. Bohemia is the perfect holiday villa for families and friends who have comfort and relaxation as their top priorites. Mullins Beach is a short drive away!... expand

Rolling Surf Villa
Located in L'Anse aux Epines, the most sought after residential area in Grenada, this luxurious villa is the definitive waterside setting for a great Caribbean holiday. Just yards from a beautiful beach, with the famous Calabash Beach bar and Gary Rhodes Restaurant and the ScubaTech PADI dive centre, with a shop, hairdressers, spa and other restaurants within walking distance... expand

Blue Point
Blue Point elegant 4 bedroom beachfront villa is set in lush tropical gardens and located in a picturesque setting on the beach south of famous Gibbs Beach. Blue Point is a fully enclosed property with a swimming pool and surrounding terrace for guests' enjoyment. There is a natural water course running through the property to the beach and a beach gate opens to a white sandy beach just south of Blue Point which offers good swimming.... expand

La Samanna Villas
The La Samanna Villas are four beautifully appointed homes located on a bluff overlooking Baie Longue or Cupecoy beach with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. Two 3 bedroom and two 4 bedroom villas offering access to the excellent amenities at La Samanna Resort but with the privacy and individual service of a private home.... expand

Villa del Sol
Located in the very exclusive Leeward district of Provo, Villa del Sol sits directly on the finest section of 7 mile Grace Bay Beach, renowned as one of the best beaches in the world. This three bedroom masterpiece showcases the sun, sand, and waters of the Caribbean with walls of windows, direct walkout onto white sands, private swimming pool, and outdoor living spaces of undeniable character and comfort.... expand

Akasha Villa
Akasha sits on a hillside in the exclusive Cap Estate overlooking the Caribbean sea with views down to the world heritage site of the Pitons and of the national park - Pigeon Island. From this unrivalled location and with a glass of wine in your hand you can watch the sail boats and mega yachts as they head into the Rodney Bay marina or watch the stunning sunsets.... expand

Caille Blanc Villa
Caille Blanc is a one of a kind private villa complete with a 65 foot infinity pool and waterfall facing the majestic Pitons and the Caribbean Sea in St. Lucia. This cliffside villa is located within a few minutes drive to the pristine Anse Chastanet Beach. More Info

St. Bernard's Hill House
Exclusive St. Bernard's Hill House is the top of the world for those who seek privacy and a catered holiday in cool and breezy seclusion. This five-bedroom property consists of four gingerbread-trimmed pavilions set within bowers of colorful bougainvillea, bird of paradise, tall palms and sea almond trees. More Info

Monkey Business at Sugar Hill
Monkey Business is a 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom villa located on a quiet cul-de-sac on a large elevated lot within the secure grounds of the Sugar Hill Resort Community. The whole experience of this property is exquisite, from the long private drive to the shaded parking to the wonderful water feature that welcomes guest upon entering the house. ... expand

No. 42 Sandy Lane
No. 42 is a 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom villa situated on Mahogany Road adjacent to the tennis courts of the Sandy Lane Hotel. The house is approximately a 250 metres level walk from the old course golf clubhouse, and is just a few minutes level walk to the beach and hotel at Sandy Lane. More Info

Tamarind Villa
Tamarind Villa is a 7 bedroom, 8 bathroom home situated on Windward Hills and enjoys views of both the Atlantic and Caribbean Seas. The house is cooled by a constant breeze from the Atlantic Ocean. The villa sits on an acre of landscaped gardens that is fenced with access through a remote controlled gate. ... expand

Viewtique Villa
Viewtique is a three bedroom villa ideal for a family vacation in st.lucia. The villa comes equip with all modern facilities, full kitchen area, internet use. Its oversized bedrooms each come with its own patio area for that added privacy. More Info

Sandcastle Pointe at Shoal Bay
Sand Castle Pointe is a gorgeous 7000 ft, 4 bedroom 4 bathroom villa situated on an Atlantic oceanfront acre and within 3 minutes drive of Shoal Bay East. More Info

Blackbeard's Hideaway
Blackbeard's Hideaway is a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa, elegant in its simplicity. Beautifully executed and very well furnished with almost everything you might need on vacation, Blackbeard's Hideaway is perfect for two couples or a small family looking for the serenity of a seaside holiday. More Info

Mariposa Villa
Mariposa is a superb private 4 bedroom 4 bathroom villa located in Terres Basses, with 180º view of the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean and the setting sun. The spacious indoor and outdoor living areas offer ideal opportunities for relaxing and entertaining, complete with the gourmet kitchen and covered outdoor dining area with gas BBQ. ... expand

Almost Heaven
Almost Heaven is a 3 bedroom 3 bathroom seaside villa located in the exclusive Guana Bay area of Dutch St. Maarten. More Info

Crescent Point #12
Situated at the end of famous Seven Mile Beach, Crescent Point is an elegant beachfront resort located within easy walking distance of restaurants, beach bars watersports shops and entertainment. More Info

Beausejour House
Beausejour Villa is composed of 4 bedrooms 4 bathrooms and is situated between the Pitons, a World Heritage site, on 7 acres of botanical gardens with mango, lime, guava, lemon, coffee, cinnamon, golden apple, fig, nutmeg and a flowering tree from every country in the Caribbean. More Info

Calicaribe Villa
Calicaribe is a private 3 bedroom 3 bathroom villa in Contant Point overlooking Cruz Bay and St. Thomas. This villa offers the finest in casual island living. More Info

Janes Harbour
A magnificent villa surrounded by lush gardens and ideally located right on Sandy Lane beach, St. James More Info

Tranquility Villa
Tranquility Villa is compromised of 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms and is located on the Northern tip of St. Lucia in Cap Estate, where it overlooks scenic Anse Galet Bay and has the advantage of the cooling trade winds. More Info

Sweet Enough at Sugar Hill
Sweet Enough is a beautifully appointed five-bedroom house located within the exclusive Sugar Hill Resort Community with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. More Info

Casa Lupa
A 4 bedroom 4 bathroom villa that overlooks Magens Bay from its location just above the shoreline. Casa Lupa is just a very short drive to Magens Bay beach, five minutes to Mahogany Run Golf Course, and about ten to fifteen minutes from Charlotte Amalie. More Info

In The Stars
4 bedroom 4 and 1/2 bathroom private villa nestled next to the national park in Coral Bay on the Majestic Mile of the Carolina Ridge Top. More Info

La Maison Rouge Villa on St. Bart's
Maison Rouge is a colorful contemporary style, 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom villa on St. Bart's, located in a peaceful area on St. Jean hillside, with beautiful views of St. Jean bay. Great for 3 couples! More Info

Terrapin Villa - New Villa on Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
Terrapin Villa is a beautifully appointed 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom home that rests on one of the best waterfront locations overlooking the tranquil turquoise waters of Sapodilla Bay. More Info

Golden Pavilion Villa on Tortola, BVI
Golden Pavilion Villa, on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, is a brand-new 4-bedroom villa, very upscale (especially the gourmet kitchen and the bedroom suites) and loaded with wonderful amenities. It features fabulous ocean view across its infinity-edge pool, a hot tub, a fire pit and a resident chef, Kate, who cooks lunch and dinner for guests six days a week. The villa also has a powerboat, "Chief," for a day's excursion around the BVI for guests! All of the above is included in the rental rates. ... expand

Sea Pearl Villa Re-Opens on Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
Sea Pearl has taken a little rest for the last 16 months as a nearby construction project disrupted this peaceful property. The construction is finished and Sea Pearl is ready to welcome guests again. Sea Pearl has been imaginatively renovated by its new owners to create a desirable tropical hideaway, within a few minutes walk of the secluded Smugglers’ Cove with a wonderful beach and reef for snorkeling. Sea Pearl is situated in a large, fully landscaped garden on a low cliff with views out to sea including Anse Becune beach and cove and Pigeon Island National Park. The villa has a spacious sitting room, separate dining room and a well equipped kitchen and laundry room. There are two air conditioned double bedrooms with ensuite shower rooms. All the main rooms open out onto a patio which runs the entire length of the house, tastefully furnished in whicker with colourful tropical fabrics. A kidney shaped pool is situated off the patio and there is a gazebo perched on the cliff edge – perfectly positioned for enjoying sundowner drinks or alfresco dining. ... expand

Presidio del Mar Luxury Villa on St. John, USVI
We've been waiting for Presidio del Mar's debut for several years and now it's perfection is available to guests seeking an exclusive escape on the island of St. John. This private, 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom luxury estate villa occupies one and a half lushly-landscaped acres in Peter Bay on St. John's spectacular north shore. ... expand

Fort Lauderdale-Bahamas ferry begins service
Balearia Bahamas Express launched the first ferry service between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Bahama Island. This high speed ferry can carry up to 463-passengers and operates daily except Wednesdays, with departures from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades Terminal One at 10 a.m and arrivals in Freeport at 12:30 p.m. The return trip departs at 7:30 p.m. and arrives in Fort Lauderdale at 10 p.m. Roundtrip economy fare is $75; roundtrip first-class fare is $90. There is an additional charge of $18 for the Bahamas departure tax as well as an operational charge of $12.50. Kids younger than 6 years pay only the operational fee. The ferry amenities include a bar, duty-free gift shop and baby-changing stations. Passengers may bring up to two pieces of hand luggage at no charge and cats and dogs are allowed on board if kenneled and with their owners. The pets must have valid vaccination documentation and a weight-based pet fee of $80-$100 is applicable. ... expand

JW Marriott debuting in the Dominican Republic
JW Marriott will be opening its' first hotel in the Dominican Republic, it's second hotel in the entire Caribbean, with the second being in Cancun. The 131-room JW Marriott is scheduled to open in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 2014. The hotel will accompany the first seven floors of a 15 story mixed-use building built above the Blue Mall Santo Domingo. ... expand

Almond Beach Village Closing
Almond Beach Village, the 395-room resort near Speightstown on the west coast of Barbados, will close on April 30th due to the "deteriorating quality of the product" according to Ralph Taylor, CEO of Almond Resorts. The all-inclusive resort, which has 10 pools and five restaurants, has struggled in recent years to maintain profitable occupancy levels. Taylor said that all guests currently booked at the resort after the closing will be relocated to Almond Beach Club and/or Almond Casuarina Beach, the remaining two properties under Almond Resorts. The closure is expected to put more than 500 employees out of work. ... expand

Renovation completed on Barbados's oldest resort
The Crane, Barbados' oldest continuously operating resort, completed a multimillion-dollar restoration to mark its 125th anniversary. The Crane resort opened in 1887 as a retreat for the island's elite. Today, the Crane is a popular vacation destination for international travelers. The Crane is a 232-room resort set on 40 oceanfront acres. 18 of the guest rooms are in the original coral stone building. All rooms have been renovated. Facilities at the resort include a spa, shops, fitness center, tennis courts, four restaurants, a jazz bar and art gallery. ... expand

La Samanna gets a makeover
St. Martin's beautiful La Samanna resort has just completed their first phase of an $8 million makeover. 50 out of 83 of the air-conditioned guest rooms, suites and cottages were renovated with new furnishings, artwork and upgraded bathrooms. The second phase of renovations is set to begin in August, just before the resort closes seasonally from September 1 -November 1. This renovation will include upgrades to the main building lobby, restaurants, bar, public facilities and the beach furniture. The resort is expected to stay open in August for the start of the renovations.... expand

Free Wi-Fi is most desired amenity, survey says
According to a survey of prospective U.S. travelers conducted by Expedia's Hotels.com, the most important amenity for hotel guests is free wireless Internet access. According to the survey, 38% said free Wi-Fi was "a must when choosing hotel accommodations." Complimentary breakfast came a close second at 25% and 18% preferred free parking. Room service came in at just 2%. Out of all the demographics polled, the over 60's age group was the only group that did not choose free WIFI as their most desired amenity choosing complimentary breakfast instead as their top choice. t... expand

Frontier to debut in Caribbean
On June 9th, Frontier Airlines will launch nonstop seasonal service from Denver to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The Saturday flight, which will run through Aug. 4, marks Frontier's debut in the Caribbean. "This service will open Colorado's doors to a new country. Growing international service is one of our top priorities at Denver airport," said Kim Day, aviation manager. Introductory one-way fares start at $350 to Punta Cana. ... expand

Things are "Going" great for Funjet
Funjet president Mike Going sees the U.S. market as on the rebound. "The intent to travel and to spend more money is up," he said. "Demand is back, agents are selling with more confidence and consumers are buying. Agents who engage are in for a good ride." So what is "Going" well for Funjet? As a well known brand on 19 Caribbean island destinations, Funjet's Caribbean product line is doing especially well. "Our products are doing well in the Caribbean, with Jamaica and the Dominican Republic leading the pack," Going said. "There is strong demand across the board, and Caribbean numbers are holding up," he said. "The region has been selling well for two years, some of it at the expense of other destinations. The booking window tends to run between 60 and 90 days, and there are times when demand exceeds available inventory." He credited the strong numbers to Funjet's cadre of more than 20,000 booking agents. That number "grows as our market penetration grows," according to Going. "The agents are well-positioned to be driving not only our Caribbean offerings but also our entire product line," he said. "People are buying and coming and then coming back." ... expand

Breezes Trelawny Closing
Breezes Trelawny Resort & Spa will be closing May 31 due to an impending sale to an "overseas hotel operator." SuperClubs has owned Breezes Trelawny, a 349-room resort in Jamaica, since 2002. Guests affected by the closing will be contacted to make other arrangements and once the sale is finalized, more details will be announced, SuperClubs said.... expand

Eco Serendib Villa taking Environmental Action in St. John
Eco Serendib Villa on St. John has partnered with the Virgin Islands National Park on a Beach Restoration Project to conserve the island's beaches from erosion. Eco Serendib Villa and Spa is funding the project in order to reintroduce indigenous trees and shrubs to the area which will help control erosion and reduce carbon emissions. According to Gary Ray, restoration ecologist and proprietor of the eco-consulting firm Virgin Forest Restorations, actual planting will begin this spring at Maho Beach. Future plantings will will take place at Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, Hawksnest Saltpond and Little Lameshur beaches. ... expand

Caribbean Bookings Up 12%
According to data released by Expedia Inc., there was a 12% increase in nights booked at Caribbean resorts in the last quarter of 2011 with bookings coming from the U.S., U.K., Italy, Germany and Brazil. The Caribbean islands that experienced the largest growth for year-over-year bookings were Trinidad and Tobago, 46%; Dominican Republic, 40%; Bahamas, 25%; Curacao, 21%; Turks and Caicos, 18%; and St. Lucia, 15%. ... expand

Hoteliers in Bahamas Expecting a Strong 2012
The Bahamas Hotel Association's Annual Industry Performance and Outlook Survey predicted a strong 2012 for the Bahamas hotel industry. Many survey respondents reflected that 72% of hoteliers predicted growth in their bottom line and more than one third of respondents expect to hire additional staff. Parris Jordan, managing director of HVS Global Hospitality Services, conducted the survey and stated that "There are some destinations that generated higher RevPAR increases, but the Bahamas out-performed the Caribbean as a whole". Jordan, however, mentioned that "if hoteliers don't push rates, they leave money on the table." and that "We're re seeing a recovery. Demand is back strongly, but the visitors are still looking for bargains and added value, making promotional efforts and marketing more crucial than ever" he said. Caribbean visitors totaled 23.8 million in 2011, which was a 3.3% rise over 2010. ... expand

Jamaica Sees Tourism Growth
Jamaica, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence this year, has seen growth in tourism and that is expected to continue to grow. Jamaica's minister of tourism and entertainment, Wykeham McNeill, stated that "Even with the recession of the last few years, we've had growth of 2% to 3%," with over 1.5 million visitors calculated through September of 2011. McNeill also expressed a good outlook for 2012 stating that "We're projecting good growth going forward, and [last month's] Caribbean Marketplace in Nassau was an indicator of interest and of the rebound in travel that's taking place".... expand

Legendary Lover's Leap to reopen in Jamaica
Lover's Leap, the legendary and picturesque cliff overlooking Cutlass Bay in southern Jamaica is to reopen. The announcement was made by Wykeham McNeill, Jamaica's new minister of tourism and entertainment. Lover's Leap, one of Jamaica's well-known tourist attractions, has been closed for over a year when the previous operator chose not to renew a lease. Reopening is set for mid-March. ... expand

Jet Blue Daily Service From New York To St Lucia
This summer, St Lucia wil get additional service from New York on JetBlue. Beginning in June through September, JetBlue will offer daily non-stop flights between JFK and Saint Lucia's Hewanorra Airport (UVF), making the island even more accessible for villa and hotel travelers flying from the East Coast.

Top 5 Things To Do In Anguilla
We love Anguilla, everything about it. From the multitude of beaches to the great selection of fine restaurants, its a Caribbean lovers paradise. We have put together a little video of out top 5 things to do, click the "more info" link to have a look - More Info

Cuba Travel Is Opening Up For US Citizens
US citizens can now visit Cuba legally, as long as they adhere to governmental conditions. Travelers still must go in groups and be accompanied by authorized, U.S.-government licensed operators. What's new is that the definition of group travel has broadened from strictly religious, academic and cultural travel to include U.S. travelers who want to mix, mingle, meet and share experiences with local Cubans under the people-to-people category of travel. ... expand

Our Planet Centre, new attraction on St. Lucia
Would you ever imagine a snowstorm in Castries Harbor on St. Lucia? A fun, interactive way to learn about environmental conservation, Our Planet Centre located at La Place Carenage in Castries harbor features snow machines, the largest mirror-sphere in the world, multiple touch screen displays, a simulation hurricane room and much more. The proceeds from the center are donated to local environmental projects on St. Lucia. ... expand

Caribbean Airlines and Air Jamaica Finally Tie The Knot
Caribbean Airlines has finally completed its purchase of Air Jamaica. Lets hope that helps Air Jamaica's management issues and keeps both airlines in the air. They will continue to promote both brands.

Funjet Launches Direct Flights to the Caribbean
Funjet has just announced a set of nonstop charter flights departing from St. Louis with Vision Airlines to several islands in the Caribbean (Jamaica and the Dominican Republic). Flights will operate seasonally from December until the start August.

Funjet Launches Direct Flights to the Caribbean
Funjet has just announced a set of nonstop charter flights departing from St. Louis with Vision Airlines to several islands in the Caribbean Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. Flights will operate seasonally from December until the start August.

JetBlue Announces 5th Dominican Destination: La Romana
Launching it's fifth Dominican Republic destination, JetBlue opens up flights to La Romana from JFK! Offering flights twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, this gives the East coast great access to the highly popular island. From now until June 1st, find flights as low as $99 each way for travel dates between November 16th to December 14th.... expand

Bermuda Offers Cash To Bring Your Friends
The Bermuda Tourist Board is offering cash as an incentive for people to invite travelers to visit the island. The "Feel The Love Rewards" programs is structured as follows - The first level gives $25 per person for at least 15 visitors that you bring over 12 months, and it goes up from there. For more details call 1 800 233 6106 or 212 818 9800 (outside US)... expand

New St. Barth's Restaurant!
On your next trip to St. Barth's, you'll want to check out the new restaurant at the Village St. Jean, on the terrace where Le Patio once was. The name of the restaurant is Le Bar du Village where local chef, Felix Questel, turns out creative small plates with a focus on fresh ingredients. You'll also enjoy the interesting cocktail menu. Open evenings, except Wednesday.... expand

Fairmont Royal Pavilion Gets Refurbished
"I'm a private-island kind of guy, but I am going to make this the best resort in Barbados," said Wayne Kafcsak the general manager. With seventy two rooms and thirteen villas this resort is set on 11 beachfront acres on Barbados' west coast. The $4 million renovation project included the creation of 24 beachfront junior suites with butler service and an upgrade of public spaces, and the property now has the U.S. market in its sights. "The Fairmont currently draws 16% of its business from North America, divided between U.S. and Canadian travelers," Kafcsak said. "The balance of our guests comes from the U.K. and the rest of Europe. Future plans include recruiting "great chefs" for the poolside Cafe Taboras and the dinner-only Palm Terrace restaurants. ... expand

Seven Stars Gets New Ownership
Since opening in April 2008, Seven Stars Resort ( situated on Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales) has changed owners, switched management, rethought strategies, redesigned culinary venues and repositioned market focus. All good stuff, but what really matters is the Deck, the resort's beachfront, outdoor bar, recently enlarged so it now can accommodate 180 sunset-celebrating guests in 3,000 square feet of teak, palms, hammocks and lounge chairs on two levels. "This is important," said Bryan Guillot, head of sales and marketing initiatives at the property. "We've got the best bar on the island, and we pay serious tribute to sundown. Our guests congregate at sunset to socialize, sip and sample tapas as the fire pits are lit, the music plays and the ambience really takes over." After the sun dips below the horizon, guests can stroll from the Deck to Seven Stars' signature restaurant, Seven, a redesign and an expansion of an earlier venue. Seven offers three distinct areas, including a bar with high-top table seating, a main dining room and a new indoor/outdoor lounge and terrace featuring a specialty nightcap drink every evening and a martini theme on Sunday nights. Also new this winter is a beachfront lawn for early morning yoga classes or off-the-sand sunbathing and a wedding chapel for beachside nuptials. "We were closed for six weeks this fall for property enhancements to the tune of half a million dollars in capital improvements," Guillot said. "We're forecasting a 30% jump in peak-season business, [and] we have a strong group of owners and great support from the travel agent community," Guillot said. The resort now is focused on luxury and class, "delivering what our guests expect and meeting and exceeding those expectations," according to Guillot. Guillot's experience includes working as chief marketing officer of Baha Mar Resorts in Nassau, opening the Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando and working for Westin Hotels and Re... expand

Seaborne Airlines to begin new San Juan service
Seaborne Airlines will launch daily service to San Juan's international airport from St. Croix, St. Thomas and Vieques on Jan. 12. The St. Croix-based carrier will continue to provide flights into San Juan's smaller Isla Grande Airport near the Puerto Rico Convention Center. Seaborne's schedule at the international airport will allow connections with flights arriving at and departing from San Juan from U.S. mainland gateways. Flights will depart the U.S. Virgin Islands as early as 6:15 a.m. to San Juan and return as late as 6:15 p.m.... expand

Direct Flights - Dallas To Barbados
American Airlines introduces direct flights from Dallas to Barbados. More Info

JetBlue Announces Flights To Turks and Caicos
JetBlue Airways will begin flying to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, this winter from Boston and New York. Daily, year-round service from New York's Kennedy Airport will begin Feb. 17. Seasonal, Saturday-only service from Boston will begin Feb. 19 and cease at the end of April. For the 2011-12 season, JetBlue plans to operate the Boston flights from November through April. JetBlue will use 150-passenger Airbus A320 aircraft for these flights. Tickets are planned to go on sale in October. ... expand

Four Seasons Nevis targets December reopening
The Four Seasons Nevis will reopen on Dec. 15, following a 26-month closure after damage sustained in Hurricane Omar in October 2008. Reopening of the 196-room resort had been stymied over the years by delays in repairs, insurance claims and litigation proceedings. Reservations are open for individual bookings from Dec. 15; the resort will start welcoming groups in the first quarter of 2011.... expand

It's been a great year for Curacao
Visitor numbers to Curacao from the U.S. market this year "are positive and growing," according to Evita Nita, executive director of the Curacao Tourist Board. Nita reported a 31% increase in visitors from the U.S. market in the first quarter over Q1 2009, and that was followed by strong summer bookings. The recent World Cup soccer tournament brought an unexpected boost for the Dutch island, despite the Netherlands' 1-0 loss to Spain on Sunday. "The whole island was in party mode throughout the World Cup competitions," Nita said. "Our visitors got very caught up in the excitement as the Netherlands progressed through to the finals." Nita said that the U.S. market "holds a big potential. Our focus is on promotion, especially in the dive, sports and entertainment markets, obtaining more airlift from the U.S. and steering Curacao on a sustainable tourism course," Nita said. Curacao is served by American, Continental and Delta from the U.S "and we are in discussion with two additional carriers for service this winter," Nita said. The island relaunched its "Curacao Wow!" summer promotion for a second year; it includes a free hotel night, daily breakfast, one day's car rental and one day of diving for stays of five or more nights. More than 20 hotels are participating. Travelers must book by Sept. 1 for travel from Aug. 15 to Dec. 18. "Within a week of its launch last summer, more than half of all the available rooms were booked, so we had to expand it this year," Nita said. "That promotion will help us maintain the momentum Curacao has built thus far this year." A new event for Curacao is its North Sea Jazz Festival, scheduled for Sept. 3 and 4 in Willemstad. Headliners include Lionel Richie, Natalie Cole, George Benson and John Legend. CheapCaribbean.com is offering air and land packages at eight properties; prices include tickets to the performances. Curacao's room count currently stands at 5,000, which could increase to c... expand

Caribbean arrivals up 4.5% in first four months of 2010
U.S. arrivals to the Caribbean are on the rebound, according to John Maginley, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. As gauged by recorded arrivals from 23 of the 33 CTO member countries from January through April, visitor arrivals were up 4.5%. The U.S. picture was even brighter, with a 6.5% jump. By contrast, Canada was down 1% and the European markets were "doing very poorly as they continue to reel from the monetary crisis brought about by the global recession, aggravated the Icelandic volcanic ash and industrial unrest in the U.K. airline industry," said Maginley. In the eastern Caribbean, St. Lucia led the pack in the first four months of 2010. Barbados and Jamaica led the charge among the larger Caribbean countries, and St. Maarten and Aruba drove the Dutch islands. "Cuba growth was flat due to the slowdown from Canada and Europe, the Dominican Republic was up 2%, Puerto Rico up 8.8% and the U.S. Virgin Islands increased 11.5%," Maginley said. Cruise tourism to the region jumped 4.5%. Hotel occupancy and hotel rates in the first four months each were up 7%. Maginley said that airlines "have experienced considerable challenges in sustaining an acceptable level of profitability. Lift has to be juggled and adjusted to balance supply and demand." As for visitor spending across the Caribbean, Maginley admitted that CTO has "very little hard information, but what we do have indicates that visitors have been exercising considerable prudence. This is beginning to improve but at a much slower rate than that of arrivals."... expand

New Fort Lauderdale To Barbados Air Service
Airone Ventures, a startup airline based in Barbados, plans to launch low-fare service within the Caribbean and between the U.S. and Barbados in February 2011, according to an application filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Initially, the network would include a daily nonstop between Fort Lauderdale and Barbados, using a 150-seat, all-economy MD-82 leased from Allegiant Air, a 10% shareholder in the venture. Barbados is currently served by American, Delta, JetBlue and US Airways from the U.S. The airline is a subsidiary of Airone Holdings in St. Lucia, which named the Ireland-based communications firm Digicel as its marketing and sales partner. ... expand

St Martin Negotiating More Direct Flights
Tourism authorities on St. Martin are in discussions with an unnamed carrier to launch scheduled nonstop passenger service from "an airport in New Jersey" to Grand Case Airport late this year on the French side of the two-country island, according to Corinne Picaut, director of the Office of Tourism. The service would be the first scheduled service from the U.S. to French St. Martin and would use 50-seater jet aircraft. Dutch St. Maarten, which shares half of the island, is served by numerous U.S. carriers from mainland gateways into Princess Juliana Airport, including American, US Airways, Continental, JetBlue, Spirit and United. Grand Case "is a certified international airport that adheres to all international safety standards. It has immigration, customs and security facilities," according to Picaut. Grand Case Airport, whose three-letter code is SFG, is presently served Air Caribe and Air Antilles Express with flights to nearby Guadeloupe and Martinique as well as to St. Lucia. Private jets also use the airport. Although Picaut declined to name the New Jersey airport or carrier, she did say it was not Newark Airport nor was it Continental.... expand

The Bachelor Gives St Lucia a Big Boost
St. Lucia caught a break in the first two months of 2010, with increased airlift from the U.S. and the recent airing of a reality TV show highlighting the destination. Stayover arrivals rose 11.7% in January and February compared with the same period in 2009, according to the St. Lucia Tourist Board. In February, the U.S. market grew 42.7%, to 9,822 visitors, compared with 6,884 in February 2009. Officials attributed that growth to additional airlift from JetBlue and increased capacity on Delta. Visitors from both continental Europe and Canada registered a slight increase. However, the U.K. market fell 8.4%, and the Caribbean market recorded marginal declines in January and February 2010 over the same months in 2009. To bolster airlift into St. Lucia, the tourist board's aviation committee is expected to take a more proactive role in developing routes and luring carriers, according to Allen Chastanet, minister of tourism. Part of the plan focuses on the redevelopment of Hewanorra Airport to keep up with market demands, he said. Increased air services this summer "augur well for St. Lucia's tourism product, given the high level of competition from other regional destinations," Chastanet said. From the U.S., JetBlue will jump from three to five flights a week from New York Kennedy. American will double its weekly flights out of Kennedy to four, and it plans to increase capacity aboard its daily 757 service from Miami, from 150 seats to 188 seats. Delta will continue its daily service from Atlanta and will add two morning flights on Saturdays and Sundays. US Airways will introduce a second weekly nonstop from Charlotte beginning May 9, which will run to Aug. 15. "In terms of numbers from May through August 2009, St. Lucia had approximately 9,000 airline seats a month from the U.S.," Chastanet said. "This year we will have approximately 24,000 seats a month from May through August." Following recent episodes of "The Bachelor" reality TV show i... expand

Caribbean Air Capacity Gets A Lift In Time For Winter
Travelers heading to the Caribbean's sun and sand this winter will discover they have substantially more flight options at their disposal than in the past. A year ago at this time, the situation was dire following American Airlines' hatchet job on its Caribbean routes, which took effect in September 2008. The cuts took a heavy toll on last winter's travel plans south, particularly in and out of San Juan on American Eagle. American wasn't alone. Other carriers serving the region sharply trimmed service from U.S. gateways, either by scrapping routes entirely or reducing frequencies. Air Jamaica, as part of its government mandate to trim costs and cut unprofitable routes, dropped three U.S. gateways in February, despite howls of protest from Jamaican nationals who had used the Miami gateway in particular as a portal to the shopping malls in South Florida. Air Jamaica also cut Atlanta and Los Angeles as well as service to Grand Cayman from Jamaica. Its new schedule focused on its core destinations in the U.S.: New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. As 2009 progressed, the carrier tweaked its schedule, adding frequencies in the summer and a year-round late-night flight from New York to Kingston and increasing its peak-season departures to Jamaica. As the Caribbean gears up for this year's peak winter travel season, however, the airlift picture has brightened considerably. That is due in large part to low-cost carriers adding and expanding route networks, seizing opportunities to snag gateways and routes abandoned by the legacy carriers. Substantial capacity reductions by the big airlines over the past year served to sweeten the outlook in some markets where the discount airlines were quick and nimble to jump in and pick up the slack. JetBlue beefs up in Boston JetBlue moved in quickly to pick up several lucrative routes out of Boston, abandoned by US Airways when it announced last month that it was... expand

JetBlue Increases its Caribbean Departures
JetBlue will increase its Caribbean departures from Boston by 25% on May 3, when it adds more year-round flights to Aruba, Cancun, San Juan and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Temenos Golf Course on Anguilla Reopens!
On December 19, 2009 the Temenos Golf Club on Anguilla will proudly reopen!!! The price to tourist for a round of golf will be US$225.00 from that date through the winter season.

Antigua-Montserrat ferry service begins Dec. 7
Getting to and from Montserrat this winter has gotten a lot easier. Ferry service will launch Dec. 7 with three trips a week between Antigua and Montserrat; the service will operate six days a week from Dec. 7 to 31. In January, the MV Fjortof, a vessel owned by the governments of Montserrat and Antigua and Barbuda, will offer two roundtrips three days a week with additional service on peak travel days and for special events. In addition to the ferry service and daily Winair flights, Fly Montserrat will offer a daily roundtrip flight between Antigua and Montserrat from Dec. 1 to 15 with a second daily flight to be added on Dec. 16. Round trip fares start at $110 plus taxes; for information, visit www.flymontserrat.com.... expand

Momentum grows for lifting of Cuba travel ban
Efforts in the U.S. to end the 46-year-old travel ban to Cuba got a boost last week during a hearing in Washington on whether to lift the ban. The hearing by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Freedom to Travel Cuba Act (H.R. 874), introduced by Rep. William Delahunt (D-Mass.) on Feb. 4, marked the first time since Democrats took control of Congress in 2007 that a full committee has delved into the hotly contested issue of lifting the restrictions. Proponents claim the bill has 179 co-sponsors in the House. The Senate version, introduced by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) on Feb. 12 as S. 428, claims 33 co-sponsors. Opponents of lifting the ban suggest the votes are not there to pass the legislation. The U.S.-Cuba Democracy Public Action Committee, a group that champions the U.S. embargo, maintains that 53 House Democrats still support current U.S. policy toward Cuba, including keeping the trade embargo and travel restrictions in place. The House hearing on Nov. 19 included testimony by Orbitz Worldwide, which launched its Open Cuba campaign in May. Orbitz has gathered more than 100,000 signatures on its petition to end the ban, "sending a powerful message to U.S. lawmakers and to President Obama that the time to act is now," according to Orbitz. The testimony included endorsements from industry partners and associations, which support Orbitz's efforts to open travel to Cuba, including the National Foreign Trade Council, National Tour Association, the U.S. Tour Operators Association, the Adventure Travel Trade Association and the Interactive Travel Services Association. Several Cuban American groups signed on as well, including the Cuban American Commission for Family Rights and the Cuban American Alliance Education Fund.... expand

Antigua Hotel Pushes Back Opening Date
Sugar Ridge Antigua will open on Dec. 1 instead of Nov. 5 as previously scheduled. The boutique property is near the Jolly Harbor Marina on the island's southwest coast. The 60-room hotel is set on a hillside bordered with sugarcane. The beach is accessed via a three-minute drive in a hotel shuttle.Facilities include two pools; the 6,000-square-foot Aveda Concept Spa, gym and yoga studio; and two restaurants and lounges. Introductory rates through Dec. 22 start at $72 per person, per night, double, with breakfast. Rates from Dec. 23 through April 9 start at $120. An all-inclusive plan is available.... expand

Harlequin's St. Vincent resort scheduled to open next summer
Harlequin Hotels & Resorts in July is slated to open the first phase of the Buccament Bay Beach Resort on St. Vincent's southwest coast. The 98-acre resort will feature guestrooms, suites and villas; 12 restaurants, including a Trader Vic's; tennis, cricket and soccer instruction; the Island Sanctuary Spa; a kids' club; and a mega-yacht marina with 24 slips.... expand

Puerto Rico Hotels Still Developing
Hoteliers in Puerto Rico continue to expand and improve offerings of top brands, services and amenities by pouring an estimated $2.1 billion into new developments over the next several years and $350 million into renovation and expansion projects throughout the island, according to Ana Maria Viscasillas, president and CEO of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. An overview of some of the largest hotel developments in San Juan proves her point: • The 184-room Doubletree by Hilton San Juan opened in January following a two-year renovation of the property, the former Best Western Hotel Pierre. • In March, the 570-room Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza debuted following a $70 million redesign of all rooms, public areas, lobby and 40,000-square feet of meeting space. • In April, the 382-room El San Juan Hotel & Casino joined the Waldorf Astoria Collection following a $52 million redo that included 35,000 square feet of event space, a business center, rooftop fitness center, La Galeria shopping arcade and a pool and beachfront complex. • The 402-room InterContinental San Juan Resort & Casino recently completed a $40 million remodeling program of its guest rooms, meeting space and casino. • The 58-room El Convento spent $80,000 on upgrades to its guest rooms and public areas. • A $106 million restoration project continues at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, which will open in November 2010 with 305 guest rooms housed within two 11-story adjacent towers. • Following a $40 million renovation project to its Tower and Garden wings, the Caribe Hilton is pouring an additional $12 million into its meeting rooms, Expo Center and outdoor bar and beach areas. In addition, the property has begun the second phase of its Laguna Villas project. When completed in 2010, the Hilton will offer 910 guest rooms. • Within the Convention Center District, the 500-room Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel & Casino opens this month as the anchor property for the ... expand

Atlantis Submarines doubles capacity in Barbados
Atlantis Submarines Barbados will double its capacity this winter by operating two 48-seat submarines at its Freshwater Bay dive site off the west coast of the island. During the winter months, prime-time sub dives between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. are in demand, especially when three or four cruise ships call at the same time. Submarine tours depart every hour on the hour. The takeoff point is the reception lounge at the Shallow Draught in Bridgetown, which houses an archive of Atlantis' 22-year history in Barbados.... expand

New Flights to the USVI
New and enhanced flight service to the U.S. Virgin Islands includes US Airways recent commitment to launch weekly non-stop service from Boston's Logan International Airport to St. Thomas' Cyril E. King Airport. The service represents a new route for the carrier, which will operate on Saturdays beginning Dec. 19 through April 23 using the A319 aircraft. The flights are now available for sale at USAirways.com and all other US Airways ticketing outlets. Earlier this summer, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines committed to additional non-stop service to both the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix and the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas to commence later this year: In June, American Airlines shared plans to increase service to St. Croix, from seven to 10 flights departing weekly from Miami. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines announced the launch of daily non-stop service to St. Croix from Atlanta (up from four flights per week); as well as an increase in service to St. Thomas from Atlanta of up to four flights daily (up to 26 flights per week), and daily service to St. Thomas from John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York. The additional service on both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines will commence in December. For more information, visit www.usvitourism.vi. ... expand

Atlantis Hotel In Barbados To Re-open
Barbados' historic Atlantis Hotel on the island's east coast will reopen by Christmas, following a massive renovation and conversion into a 10-suite hotel. Year-round rates start at $250 per suite, per night. Breakfast is included. The property, which started life as a grand private house in 1883, was purchased in 2008 by the owners of the Little Good Harbour boutique resort and Fish Pot restaurant on the northwest coast. The Atlantis restaurant also will reopen and will continue to feature its famous Sunday brunch and ABC (all-Bajan cuisine) menu. The restaurant will feature new outdoor seating overlooking the Atlantic as well as indoor seating for 120.... expand

AirTran schedules Caribbean routes
AirTran announced schedules for new routes to Nassau and Montego Bay this winter, pending final government approval. The carrier will begin nonstop flights to Nassau on Dec. 17 with daily service from Atlanta and four weekly flights from both Baltimore/Washington and Orlando. Montego Bay service takes off on Feb. 11 with daily nonstops from Atlanta and Baltimore/Washington and four weekly flights from Orlando.... expand

Riu Rolls Out Kids Program
Riu Hotels & Resorts has launched RiuLand, a children's entertainment program, at some all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico. The programs provide entertainment and activities for kids in two age groups, from 4 to 7 years and 8 to 12 years. "RiuLand places a premium on outdoor, physical group activities instead of more static pastimes such as handicrafts and table games," said a Riu spokesperson. The program, which will be extended to six more Riu resorts in Mexico this winter, revolves around a series of 12 themed days. They include Aqualand Day with games in the pool, Riu Olympic with group sports, Piratesland with pirate contests and treasure hunts, Ecoland with environmental activities, the Miss and Mr. RiuLand contest and RiuLand Parties with games and shows. Children's plays, staged weekly in the resorts' theaters, star the kids themselves. The program's cost is included in the all-inclusive rate.... expand

Four Seasons Great Exuma Now A Sandals Resort
The former Four Seasons resort on Great Exuma Island in the Bahamas is now a Sandals property. Sandals Chairman Butch Stewart has purchased the recently-shuttered Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay. The 500-acre resort will re-emerge as the Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas on Jan. 22. "We will start taking reservations in two weeks," Stewart said. "This resort is in pristine condition, and I have nothing but praise for Four Seasons, which ran a magnificent operation here. We are acquiring one of the most spectacular pieces of real estate in the Caribbean operated by one of the world's most respected hotel companies." However, Sandals does plan to make changes, adding its own design styles and architectural touches, including a half-acre pool complete with the largest Jacuzzi in the Bahamas, a swim-up bar and a fire-pit seating area on an island in the center of the pool. The pool will be flanked by misting columns and cabanas with Wi-Fi access. A second, smaller pool will be set in a more secluded location on the property.... expand

Sun Country adds Caribbean destinations
Sun Country Airlines will operate seasonal, weekly service from Minneapolis/St. Paul to San Juan and St. Thomas from Jan. 31 through April 4.

US Airways to launch Phoenix-Jamaica flight
Travelers from the West headed to Jamaica will catch a big break this winter, thanks to US Airways' new seasonal service from Phoenix to Montego Bay. The flight, which runs from Dec. 18 through April 12, operates Fridays through Mondays from Phoenix, departing at 10 a.m. and arriving in Jamaica at 4:53 p.m. From Jamaica, the flight operates Thursdays through Sundays, departing at 12:25 p.m. and arriving at 4:09 p.m. arrival in Phoenix. Montego Bay is the first nonstop Caribbean destination from US Airways' Phoenix hub. The carrier currently serves Montego Bay from Boston, Charlotte and Philadelphia. The new flight "is great news for customers in the western U.S. who now have their first one-stop connecting option to Jamaica west of Texas," according to Andrew Nocella, US Airways' senior vice president of marketing and planning. ... expand

Taj Hotel Group's first Caribbean hotel will be on Virgin Gorda
Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has signed a memorandum of understanding to brand a 100-room hotel at the Nail Bay Resort on Virgin Gorda. The hotel will be Taj's first in the Caribbean. Nail Bay Resort currently consists of vacation villas on acreage that once was a sugar plantation. The government of the British Virgin Islands has approved the development of the hotel, plus hotel spa suites, hotel villas, townhouses and residential villas. Development plans also call for a spa, restaurants, bars, swimming pools, gift shops, boutiques and a jetty with 10 moorings. According to a report in the BVI Beacon, construction probably won't begin until 2011, with an opening targeted for 2013.... expand

US Airways adds Philly-Barbados route
Tickets go on sale July 12 for US Airways flights between Philadelphia and Barbados. The airline will fly to Barbados four times per week starting Oct. 1, and will increase to daily service for the winter season on Dec. 19. US Airways already flies to Barbados from its hub in Charlotte, N.C.

Jade Mountain wins 1st place In Travel & Leisure magazine poll
St.Lucia's JADE MOUNTAIN is Number One in the Caribbean and Number 3 worldwide in Travel & Leisure magazine poll Travel and Leisure magazine this morning announced the winners of their World Best awards on the NBC Today show and their website http://www.travelandleisure.com Featured in their August issue, Travel + Leisure's 14th annual World's Best Awards poll asked readers to rate the best hotels, cruises, airlines, outfitters, cities, and islands and they selected Jade Mountain ( http://www.jademountainstlucia.com ) as the top resort in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas category. Also, Jade Mountain ranked on position 3 of the Top Ten hotels worldwide, the first time ever a Caribbean hotel made it into the magazine's Top Ten listing. Jade Mountain's owners, Nick and Karolin Troubetzkoy are thrilled with their resort's ranking. " The resort team has worked very hard since Jade Mountain opened over 2 years ago, to perfect and fine tune every aspect of our guests' resort experience. We cannot thank them enough for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout. ", Karolin Troubetzkoy said in a statement this morning. The Troubetzkoys were equally delighted to see Jade Mountain's sister property, Anse Chastanet, on position 4 of the Top Caribbean Resorts listing. " The resort teams at Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet have a healthy competition going among themselves at all times - the guests definitely are the beneficiaries of that ambition and we are very pleased to see both resorts honored in the Travel and Leisure awards today ", Karolin Troubetzkoy added. Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet enjoy one of the most scenic settings in the Caribbean, overlooking St.Lucia's twin Piton peaks, a World Heritage site. Nestled amidst a 600 acre estate with two soft sand beaches bordering pristine coral reefs, ANSE CHASTANET is in complete harmony with its natural surroundings and offers excellent diving facilities plus many other activities. In the ... expand

Skate Park on Grand Cayman!
If you have a kid that's in to skateboarding, Grand Cayman may just be the place for your family vacation this summer! Black Pearl Skate Park features 60,000 square feet of multilevel concrete skateboarding terrain and is offering a Skate Cayman day camp program this summer. Top professional and amateur skateboarders, coaches and instructors will visit Black Pearl to give demonstrations and lessons to the kids to help them improve their boarding skills. Black Pearl's surf park, adjacent to the skateboard park, is a wave machine that generates 11-foot waves in a 16,000-gallon wave pool. Wave riders experience the thrill of surfing as the large waves and surf crash around them. ... expand

Dellis Cay for mid-2010 opening
Construction of the first phase of Dellis Cay, a private island resort 20 minutes by boat from Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, is on schedule for a mid-2010 opening, according to a statement from the O Property Collection, the Vienna-based developer. Groundbreaking took place a year ago, and in that time, more than 735,000 man-hours have been invested in the construction of facilities at the 120-room Mandarin Oriental Dellis Cay, including house residences and beach and ocean villas. The resort island, which will be managed by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, will feature a spa, a tennis center, a jogging trail, and diving and windsufing options. More than 80% of the beachhouse villas and the over-the-water villas already have been sold. The units will be placed in a rental pool for resort guests when not owner-occupied.... expand

JetBlue Adds St Lucia
JetBlue plans to launch thrice-weekly service from New York to St. Lucia this fall, pending government approval. Flights linking Kennedy and Hewanorra airports are expected to go on sale in June.

US issues travel alert for Mexico
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens of the health risks of travel to Mexico due to an outbreak of "swine flu" The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on April 27 issued a notice recommending that American citizens avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico at this time. CDC's notice also suggests precautions that travelers and U.S. citizen residents in Mexico can take to reduce their risk of infection while in Mexico, provides recommendations for those who must travel to an area where cases of H1N1 influenza have been reported, and recommends measures travelers should take following their return from an area that has reported cases of H1N1 influenza. ... expand

American Eagle adding flights to Caribbean Islands
May 1, 2009, through Labor Day, American Eagle will add 109 weekly flights from San Juan to eight Caribbean destinations. These flights were cut in half last year due to higher fuel prices and a floundering economy. The new schedule from San Juan looks like this: • 3 daily flights to St. Maarten, up from 1 • 7 daily flights to Tortola, St. Croix and St. Thomas, up from 3 • 1 daily flight to Guadeloupe, up from 4 a week • 1 daily flight to Martinique, up from 3 a week • 1 daily flight to Trinidad, up from 4 a week • 4 weekly flights to Grenada, up from 3 ... expand

Sandy Lane proves to be recession-proof
Robert Logan, general manager of Sandy Lane in Barbados, is in an enviable position. His 112-room, upscale property on the island's west coast was 100% occupied on Feb. 16 and for a few days on either side of the date at the full rack that ranged from $1,000 to $4,200 per room, per night, double. Rates at the suites and penthouses were far higher. What's the secret, Logan was asked. "We have a high repeat base of business. For example, in January, 20% of the guests who were departing rebooked and paid in full for next January. We have a loyal, outstanding staff, and we have a very strong brand." Maintaining the integrity of the brand is key to insuring continued guest satisfaction, according to Logan. "Service, value and packages that offer enhanced value and incentives and that cater to niche markets are crucial to the guest experience," he said. Given today's economic scenario, with bad news crashing like waves on a beach on a daily basis, Logan said that "no one knows what will happen each day. We continue to offer value and service, which is what our guests have come to expect. Barbados as a whole is softer right now than a year ago, and I think the worst is yet to come. There's a very short lead time on bookings, like seven to 14 days, but I am convinced that people need to break away from the bad news pummeling them on all sides." Visibility in the marketplace, communications with the local tourist authority and "hard work" are strategies for staying afloat in the current climate, according to Logan. Logan was the general manager of Raffles Singapore prior to joining Sandy Lane last September. "When I was at Raffles Singapore, I did not think there was another property that could exude the same character, but I was wrong. I found it at Sandy Lane," he said. Sandy Lane originally opened in 1961 on the site of an old sugar plantation. In 1970 the hotel was sold to Trusthouse Forte; in 1996, it was purchased by a group of Irish investors, ... expand

Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino has officially opened
The 237-room Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino has officially opened. This is the newest full-service, branded resort to open on the Caribbean island of Curaçao in more than 15 years. The property is located on Willemstad’s historic waterfront and connected to the Rif Fort, a 19th century landmark and UNESCO World Heritage site. To celebrate the opening of the resort, vacationers can save 40 percent off regular room rates by booking the resort's special $199 premier rate and be among the first to experience the resort. The rate is valid now through April 15 and is based on availability; taxes are not included. & Casino has officially opened. This is the newest full-service, branded resort to open on the Caribbean island of Curaçao in more than 15 years. The property is located on Willemstad’s historic waterfront and connected to the Rif Fort, a 19th century landmark and UNESCO World Heritage site. To celebrate the opening of the resort, vacationers can save 40 percent off regular room rates by booking the resort's special $199 premier rate and be among the first to experience the resort. The rate is valid now through April 15 and is based on availability; taxes are not included.... expand

Projects Move Ahead On St. Kitts
Among the new resort developments, notable progress has been demonstrated at the following properties- * Christophe Harbour – Nearly $100 million in Founders’ sales commitments have been procured with nearly $40 million from homesite sales and mega-yacht marina slip commitments alone. More than $60 million in reservations with $150,000 to $200,000 deposits have been entered for single family villas on the oceanfront at Major’s Bay, which fronts the beach where the Mandarin Oriental St. Kitts hotel is planned to open in 2011. It should also be noted that 1 in every 3 clients targeted by the developer have already indicated that they were considering St. Kitts as a place to do business and to purchase vacation homes. * Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club – Since it’s opening in 2007, the Vacation Club has brought an additional 13,000 new visitors to the island. Further, an additional 22 two- and three-bedroom units have opened this month, bringing the total number of villas to 66 with another 22 units planned for the future. * Ocean’s Edge Resort – Sixteen Hillside apartments are now complete and a further 14 are scheduled for completion with construction of the beachfront apartments and several villas also well underway. Several of the completed apartments are already being rented out through the property’s interim rental/management program, which provides services to owners whose properties are completed prior to the resort operator commencing. This program is helping to fill a growing demand for rental accommodation, particularly for long-term stays. In addition, Savills, a leading global real estate provider listed on the London Stock Exchange, has been appointed as the international agents to sell and market Ocean’s Edge. Further confidence in and commitment to St. Kitts’ growing tourism product has also been made by British Airways, which began its new Saturday weekly service between London’s Gatwick Airport and St. Kitts on January 10,... expand

$10 million Spa & Fitness Center Expansion at CuisinArt Resort & Spa
After finishing a $10 million expansion, the 27,000 square-foot spa is not only the largest on Anguilla but the second largest in the region. The new Venus Spa features a Healing Waters Pool for water treatments and aqua therapy. There's also a Men's Club Room that offers a private setting for men's spa treatments. ... expand

Another new hotel slated to open on Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
The Gansevoort Turks & Caicos hotel is preparing to open it's doors in March 2009 on the western edge of Grace Bay Beach with plans to be the "hippest" spot on the island. This 91-room resort will offer the Bagatelle Bistro and Beach Club, the beachfront Exhale Spa with its trademark Core Fusion(TM) classes and training methods, a 7,000-square-foot infinity pool with "lounging islands" for sunning by day and for candle-lit, romantic dining by night, concierge services, water sports and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property. Rates beginning at $450 a night.... expand

New Air Service To Anguilla
Anguilla’s Ministry of Tourism has announced the launch of a new executive air service which will operate between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Anguilla. The new service, scheduled to start on February 14, 2009, will be provided on the Anguilla Air Express, and operated by Rainbow International Airlines Inc. Rainbow International Airlines is one of the premiere charter companies in the region, and currently operates executive charter service out of major hubs in the Caribbean including San Juan, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbados and St. Kitts. They also serve a number of five star properties, including Malliouhana Hotel, Four Seasons, and Raffles, to name a few. They are the airline of choice for guests seeking the comfort, luxury and convenience of a private jet service, and this same quality of service will be offered to visitors traveling on the Anguilla Air Express. The Anguilla Air Express will operate a Beechcraft 1900D Turbo Prop Airplane with seating capacity for 19 in leather reclining cabin chairs on this route. A captain and first officer will pilot the flight. Departures out of San Juan are at 1:30 pm and at 5:30 pm and departures from Anguilla are at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, and flying time is approximately 46 minutes. Bookings will be made direct using an 800 number or online, and negotiations are currently underway for guests to be able to book flights through their hotel. Ticket prices start at US$399 per person, including taxes. The emphasis of the Anguilla Air Express will be on first class, personalized service, with an agent meeting all passengers at the gate and escorting them through security and to the departure gate in San Juan, and through Immigration and Customs on arrival in Anguilla. The same level of service will apply on the return journey, with all passengers greeted at aircraft by an agent, then escorted through Immigration and Customs in San Juan.... expand

Barbados Hotels Get An Upgrade
Quite a few hotels in Barbados have been spruced up this year. The Coral Sands Beach Club is getting a brand new spa, Sandy Lane has just completed renovations of its Bajan Blue Restaurant, Treasure beach has also redone its restaurant and the Sugar Cane Club Hotel has finally opened for business. Also, Beach View Hotel at Paynes Bay, St. James opened December 15th. - Let the tourists come!!!!!... expand

Dominican Republic chosen top Golf Destination of the Year
Just named the "Golf Destination of the Year for the Caribbean and Latin America" by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), the Dominican Republic should be at the top of any avid golfers list of golf destinations. The Dominican Republic was also recently recognized by Travel & Leisure Golf magazine, a top-tier golf publication with a circulation of more than 650,000, as "The Player's Paradise," honoring the Faldo Legacy Course at Roco Ki as one of the top 10 best new golf courses in the world. And if this isn't enough to convince you, soon to be released by Golfweek magazine, a top-tier golf publication with a circulation of more than 150,000, Punta Espada Golf Course will be ranked number one along with the Faldo Legacy Course at Roco Ki to be ranked number 20 in the Top 50 Courses in the Caribbean and Mexico article. If you're a golfer and you haven't been to the Dominican Republic, it's time you go!... expand

Hurricane Omar Moves On with Little Damage in its Wake
Everyone can breath a sigh of relief now that Omar is racing away from the northern Leeward Islands. Hurricane Omar's path was 10 to 20 miles east southeast of St. Croix which took the worst hit yet still only experienced some downed trees, light structural damage and 4 reported sunk boats. St. Thomas and St. John had mostly rain and minimal winds and have reported no damage, just some flooding issues from the heavy rains received in the last week or so. The curfew has been lifted and most areas have power or should within the next several hours. We're very thankful that the islands were spared by Omar!... expand

Hilton Plans 150 Hotels in Caribbean & Latin America
Taking yet another big step toward its goal of increasing its international portfolio by 1,000, Hilton Hotels has revealed that the behemoth Beverly Hills-based hospitality concern will step up its presence in the Caribbean and Latin America. The company will enhance its offerings with the addition of 150 properties over the next five years, thereby multiplying its current group of hotels in the region by four. In the Caribbean, where there are presently 13 Hilton hotels, the company will debut 17 more lodging facilities carrying flags of the company's focused-service brands, like Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn. Targeted areas will include Nassau, San Juan and Trinidad. In such areas as Turks & Caicos and the Lesser Antilles, Hilton will establish hospitality destinations with residences under its luxury brands at upscale mixed-use sites.... expand

Iberostar Invests Heavily in the Caribbean
Iberostar recently announced their plans to open both the Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall and the Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro ahead of schedule. Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall in Jamaica will open November 15, and Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, will open December 22.

Puerto Rico Opens Up Coffee Plantations For Tourists
Add coffee to the list of attractions awaiting visitors to Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Tourism Co. unveiled a Coffee Zone on the island that includes 10 historic coffee plantations, known as haciendas, that are opening their doors to tourists. The newly designated Coffee Zone will form part of the PRTC's marketing efforts for the island's Porta del Sol (west coast) and Porta Caribe (south) regions and will be promoted through events and plantation tours. "Puerto Rico's coffee growers now are an integral part of our agrotourism offerings," said Terestella Gonzalez Denton, the PRTC's executive director. "The Coffee Zone is intended to stimulate agrotourism and draw attention to a local industry that generates $60 million a year for Puerto Rico." The coffee plantations certified by the Department of Agriculture and the PRTC are the Cafe Bello and Sagra in Adjuntas; Anna Coffee Estate, Hacienda Gripinas and Hacienda San Pedro in Jayuya; Cafe Laredo in Lares; Palma Escrita/La Casona in Las Marias; Hacienda Buena Bista and Hacienda Patricia in Ponce; and Hacienda El Jibarito in San Sebastian. Gonzalez Denton also introduced a new seal of quality for Puerto Rico's coffee, based on evaluations by certified coffee experts who classified the island's coffee into three categories: Type II (good), Type A (excellent) and Special Coffee (exceptional). The Special Coffee category includes the Hacienda San Pedro brand, which is planted, harvested and processed by Puerto Rican workers at the 19th-century Hacienda San Pedro in Jayuya, in the mountains north of Ponce. That brand is being exported to Italy and Japan as part of a long-range plan to broaden awareness of Puerto Rico's historic and burgeoning coffee industry.... expand

Antigua's Jolly Beach Resort Weathering Economy
As the largest independent property on Antigua, the 464-room, all-inclusive Jolly Beach Resort & Spa would seem an accurate barometer of the current state of business on the island, given the economic downturn in the U.S. "We've seen no huge falloff in bookings; we continue to upgrade facilities and offerings, and we foresee major growth from the U.S. over the long term," said P. Hilary Modeste, director of marketing. In fact, the resort has projected a 15% growth in business for 2008, Modeste said. The U.S. and Canada account for 25% of the market, the U.K. represents 40% and the balance hails from other European countries as well as the regional Caribbean market. More than 60% of the resort's business is "tour operator-driven," he said. "There is a perceived slowdown in the economy, but people still are traveling and will continue to do so," Modeste said. The global press coverage following the murder in late July of a British couple on honeymoon in Antigua has had minimal impact on Jolly Beach, according to Modeste. "Although the coverage in the British press was enormous, we received no cancellations and very few phone calls from guests and agents who wanted reassurances that Antigua was safe," he said. "I told them that indeed Antigua remained safe for visitors, and it's a place I still want to raise children." The family market is one of the top three markets for Jolly Beach, along with couples and conferences. The resort continues to invest a lot of money and energy in the family market, Modeste said. "For starters, we offer good value for the money, with five restaurants, two pools, the Palms Wellness Centre Spa, a great location on a mile-long beach and lots for kids to do," he said.... expand

Grenada Aims to Become Dive Capital of East Caribbean
Grenada’s new government has said it will be paying more attention to the dive, sport and eco-tourism markets of the tourism industry because the economic prospects for the island in the foreseeable future will be heavily influenced by the development in the tourism sector. “Our focus in the medium term would be to establish Grenada as the dive capital of the Eastern Caribbean, and to position Grenada as a preferred cruise destination,” said Governor General Sir Daniel Williams when he presented the traditional throne speech at the opening of the Eighth Parliamentary Session on Tuesday.... expand