Need to know From movie star projects to top festivals and farmers’ market, we round up the region’s news
Thompson has expanded its hip presence in Mexico with the debut of the bohemian- inspired Beach House, with 27 rooms just steps from the sand. The villa-style property has a private pool, private check-in area, beachfront dining at C Grill and complimentary bikes for guests; it’s a little sister to the 92-room main hotel of Thompson Playa del Carmen.
The Sandpiper in Barbados now has a 60-ft lap pool in the gardens, new oceanfront suites and a Beach House, including the one-bedroom Driftwood and Sand Dollar suites (pictured above) and Tree Top Suite, with private plunge pool and clear views to the ocean.
Bequia Beach Hotel in St Vincent and The Grenadines has launched a Concierge by the Sea concept. Rae-Dawne John will be on hand beachside for guests to find out about island tours, island hopping, popular beaches close by and sailing excursions to the Grenadine islands.
Grenada joins the Caribbean music festival scene with the debut of Pure Grenada Music Festival (April 5-10), headlined by Joss Stone and Estelle. The festival will play at multiple venues around the island – Mount Cinnamon Resort & Beach Club is offering a festival package, including tickets for Joss Stone or Estelle shows, and a picnic to take along.
Anse Chastanet Resort in St Lucia is offering an Adventure Anniversary promotion for couples celebrating an anniversary milestone of 25 years or more; couples travelling between April 16 and December 19 and staying for a minimum of five nights get a free room night, a $250 resort credit, two dives for certified divers or two snorkel boat trips and a half-day excursion to the island's drive-in volcano; book by April 30.
St Kitts is looking to drive more business with the launch of a London black cab campaign with 10 branded taxis taking to the streets all year in a joint partnership with British Airways. Supporting the campaign is a series of activities with prizes to those who tweet a picture of one of the taxis. St Kitts and Nevis is served twice-weekly by BA.
Melia Braco Village Jamaica has arrived with 232 rooms, including 52 suites; four bars; two beachfront pools; and five restaurants, including 876 PRIME and Nikkei with Japanese and Peruvian fusion dishes served at Teppanyaki-style tables. A spa and Melia’s VIP concept, Red Level, complete the picture.
Robert De Niro has been signed up as special economic envoy of Antigua and Barbuda. The anointment followed the actor’s signing of a memorandum of agreement last year to develop a $250 million hotel in Barbuda with Australian billionaire James Packer; work starts this year.
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Capella Marigot Bay in St Lucia has a new, weekly farmers’ market curated by chef Boyle in the Marina Village Courtyard; complimentary babysitting services; and complimentary ferry transfers to visit LaBas Beach, where towels and bottled water are available too.
Valley Trunk in British Virgin Islands (below) is now offering “escape weeks” during May and October – the move means individuals, couples and families will be able to rent an individual suite or villa instead of the property in its entirety with savings of over 50%. Set within 19 acres, Valley Trunk comprises 10 suites with prices from £1,730pn, including all activities on property, meals and beverages and return transfers to Virgin Gorda airport.
tourist trips to the region grew by 7% in 2015,
weighing in at 28.7 million visits, with Europe and the UK doing especially well. For the first time since 2008, arrivals from Europe reached the 5 million mark – 5.2 million in fact – and 1.1 million of them came from the UK, a 10% rise that puts the UK in a position as “one of the dominant performers” for the region. St Lucia-based Karolin Troubetzkoy, the new
president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, says she is anticipating something of “a renaissance” for the Caribbean, due in part to it being seen as a safer part of the world. And with her own hotels, Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet, seen as two of the region’s most loved hotels, it’s hardly surprising luxury will be a focus for her during the tenure. “Everyone says the luxury sector is the one that needs development in the Caribbean and has the greatest potential,” she says.
Room for improvement She will no doubt be pleased at some of the forthcoming upmarket developments in the region, particularly in key destinations for UK visitors such as the Dominican Republic, but she admits there is more to do, particularly on general service standards, something of a mission for her. “It seems the Caribbean is not recognised
overall for delivering in this area,” she says. “The perception from tour operators is that the Caribbean cannot deliver stellar service. We have to take the high standards found in individual properties and make that destination-wide.” During her time in the role, more attention will
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