The Caribbean Welcomes New Wave of Hotels: Openings and Upcoming Launches

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 10, 2024: With the Caribbean Tourism Organization increased international tourists arrival data so far in 2024, its no denying why more and more hotel brands are seeking to open in the Caribbean. Here are some that have opened already this year or are gearing up to open this year or early next year.

The St. Regis Cap-Cana, DR is set to open next spring. (st. Regis Cap Cana image)

Riu Palace Aquarelle

This month, May 2024, Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle opened in Falmouth, Jamaica roughly 40 minutes from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport. The 753 rooms, all-inclusive resort features four outdoor pools, a children’s pool, a water park, a wellness center, and multiple dining options.

Six Senses La Sagesse

Last month, April 2024, Six Senses La Sagesse opened ahead of its May schedule in Grenada. The new wellness resort, the Six Senses La Sagesse, located along the La Sagesse beach, offers 71 suites and villas that were built using repurposed materials across its 38-acre property. The resort will supply its own food through fishing and growing local produce.

Catalonia Hotels & Resorts

Meanwhile, Catalonia Hotels & Resorts on May 7th announced its purchase of the Holiday Inn Resort, Montego Bay from East Bay Management Company Limited, led by prominent Jamaican businessman Kevin Hendrickson. As a Spanish hotel chain with over 40 years’ experience in tourism this acquisition represents a major landmark for the company, intensifying its presence in the Caribbean, and highlighting a commitment to expand into new and vibrant markets. Catalonia has outlined ambitious plans for the property as they intend to invest significantly in it within the coming months to ensure it aligns with their high standards while maintaining a strong commitment to the local community and environment.

Royalton CHIC Antigua

On April 29th, the Royalton CHIC Antigua, an adults-only all-inclusive resort located along the island’s Dickenson Bay opened its 235 rooms and suites, five bars, seven restaurants, the Royal Spa and four pools, in Antigua.

COMING UP
Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman

Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, an IHG Hotel, will open June 1, 2024, offering a great location near Seven Mile Beach and bringing the island’s maritime focus into the luxury and pet-friendly property. The property will feature a stunning pool overlooking the ocean and accessible rooms.

The Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica

The Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica is set on 180 acres and will consist of a combination of four separate resorts, 14 over-the-water villas, and a casino on June 4th. The first phase will consist of 1,005 luxury ocean-view suites and the second phase with another 1,025 suites.

Bermudiana Beach Resort

The Bermudiana Beach Resort, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, will debut in July 2024 near Bermuda’s scenic pink sand beaches. The resort will offer 111 rooms and feature a cliff-top bar and restaurant overlooking the sea, an ocean-view pool, a beachfront accessible by elevator, a spa and yoga terrace.

Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa

Projected to open in August, Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa will be the second Unlimited Vacation Club property on the island.

St. Regis Palm Beach Aruba Resort

St. Regis Palm Beach Aruba Resort, the second St. Regis property in the Caribbean, is set to open by the end of 2024. This resort will have 220 rooms, 5-star amenities and dining, a spa, and a pool.

Marriott Miches Beach Resort

Marriott is set to open its first-ever Marriott-branded all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic early next year, adding the former Sunrise Miches Beach Resort to its All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, with plans to open the resort in the first quarter of 2025. The 498-room Marriott Miches Beach Resort, An All-Inclusive Resort will be set on almost 1,000 feet of beach in the increasingly hot area of Miches.

St. Regis Cap Cana

Opening next spring, also in the DR, the St. Regis Cap Cana will offer 200 rooms as well as a selection of residences for luxury travelers interested in owning a piece of paradise. Guests can enjoy a private stretch of picture-perfect beachfront as well as access to the nearby Jack Nicklaus-designed Punta Espada Golf Club. The resort also offers 24/7 concierge service, seven pools, a St. Regis spa, a kids club and a fitness and wellness center.

Nadine Sutherland Releases Stirring Acoustic Version Of “Queen” For Mother’s Day

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 10, 2024: Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist Nadine Sutherland has unveiled a heartfelt acoustic rendition of her hit single “Queen” in time for Mother’s Day. The stripped-down version of the emotionally charged track aims to resonate with women worldwide, offering a raw and intimate perspective on the journeys they undertake throughout their lives.

Nadine Sutherland salutes Mothers this ‘Mother’s Day.’

Sutherland took to her Instagram page to introduce the acoustic version, emphasizing its importance for women to hear themselves in the song and connect with the narrative she shares. “Queen” in its acoustic form sees Sutherland unplugged and unfiltered, delving into the untold stories behind the crowns women wear.

“It’s a song I’ve poured my heart into,” Sutherland expressed. “It’s about women who have endured hardships on their path to success, who have faced setbacks but always risen again. Through it all, women are Queens. She is you, because we’ve shared so many similar journeys.”

Recorded and filmed at Anchor Studios, the acoustic rendition features Neil-Prince Halliburton on guitar and was engineered by Delroy “Fatta” Pottinger. Accompanying the release is an official music video, capturing the raw emotion and authenticity of the acoustic performance.

With a career spanning over three decades, Nadine Sutherland has solidified her place in the music industry with her powerful vocals and empowering messages. Her collaborations with renowned artists and her unwavering commitment to spreading positivity through music continue to inspire audiences worldwide.

For fans of Sutherland and enthusiasts of authentic, soul-stirring music, the acoustic version of “Queen” serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength inherent in every woman’s story. Listen HERE

Four Flight Attendants Accused Of Smuggling Millions In Drug Money To Dominican Republic

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 10, 2024: Federal authorities says four flight attendants exploited their privileges as airline personnel to transport millions of dollars in drug proceeds from New York City to the Dominican Republic.

According to Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the suspects took advantage of their access to the “Known Crewmember (KCM)” lane at John F. Kennedy International Airport, circumventing standard security measures and inspection protocols.

A Homeland Security Investigations special agent highlighted the lax security procedures associated with KCM privileges, noting that flight attendants could transport significant amounts of cash without detection.

The individuals facing charges are Charlie Hernandez, 42; Sarah Valerio Pujols, 24; Emmanuel Torres, 34; and Jarol Fabio, 35. They stand accused of engaging in unlicensed money transmission activities and were apprehended on Tuesday.

Hernandez resides in West New York, New Jersey, while the remaining defendants are residents of New York City.

Prosecutors allege that the group collectively smuggled approximately $8 million in bulk cash to the Dominican Republic over several years, purportedly including funds derived from drug trafficking.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the serious nature of the allegations, stating that the flight attendants abused their status to facilitate the illegal transfer of illicit funds.

An informant provided Hernandez with $121,215, sourced from narcotics trafficking, a portion of which he allegedly passed on to Pujols for transport to the Dominican Republic in December 2019.

Delta Airlines confirmed that two of the defendants are employees, asserting their cooperation with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.

While Pujols has been released from custody, her attorney declined to provide further comments. No immediate responses were available from Fabio’s legal representation, and court records did not list attorneys for Hernandez and Torres at the time of reporting.

Full ICC T20 Cricket World Cup Schedule

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 10, 2024: The excitement is building among cricket fans for the opening of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The opening match will get underway in Dallas, USA on June 1st between the US and Canada, which is also Caribbean American Heritage Month in the US.

Call him ICC Cricket Ambassador Bolt!

Four matches will be played at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium in Florida. They are Sri Lanka against Nepal on June 11th, the US against Ireland on June 14th, India versus Canada the following day, June 15th, and Pakistan versus Ireland on June 16th.

So far Olympian Usain Bolt and West Indies cricketing star Chris Gayle are among this year’s ambassadors. The West Indies squad for the World Cup is:

Squad: Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.

The full ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Schedule is as follows:

Sat, 1 Jun ’24

1st Match, Group A (N)

Dallas, Texas

United States Of America vs Canada

8:30 PM (12:30 am GMT | 7:30 pm Local)

Sun, 2 Jun ’24

2nd Match, Group C

Providence, Guyana

West Indies vs Papua New Guinea

10:30 AM (2:30 pm GMT | 10:30 am Local)

3rd Match, Group B (N)

Bridgetown, Barbados

Namibia vs Oman

8:30 PM (12:30 am GMT | 8:30 pm Local)

Mon, 3 Jun ’24

4th Match, Group D

New York

Sri Lanka vs South Africa

10:30 AM (2:30 pm GMT | 10:30 am Local)

5th Match, Group C (N)

Providence, Guyana

Afghanistan vs Uganda

8:30 PM (12:30 am GMT | 8:30 pm Local)

Tue, 4 Jun ’24

6th Match, Group B

Bridgetown, Barbados

England vs Scotland

10:30 AM (2:30 pm GMT | 10:30 am Local)

7th Match, Group D

Dallas, Texas

 Netherlands vs Nepal

11:30 AM (3:30 pm GMT | 10:30 am Local)

Wed, 5 Jun ’24

8th Match, Group A

New York

India vs Ireland

10:00 AM (2:00 pm GMT | 10:00 am Local)

9th Match, Group C (N)

Providence, Guyana

Papua New Guinea vs Uganda

7:30 PM (11:30 pm GMT | 7:30 pm Local)

10th Match, Group B (N)

Bridgetown, Barbados

Australia vs Oman

8:30 PM (12:30 am GMT | 8:30 pm Local)

Thu, 06 Jun ’24

11th Match, Group A

Dallas, Texas

United States Of America vs Pakistan

11:30 AM (3:30 pm GMT | 10:30 am Local)

12th Match, Group B

Bridgetown, Barbados

Namibia vs Scotland

3:00 PM (7:00 pm GMT | 3:00 pm Local)

Fri, 7 Jun ’24

13th Match, Group A

New York

Canada vs Ireland

10:30 AM (2:30 pm GMT | 10:30 am Local)

14th Match, Group C (N)

Providence, Guyana

Afghanistan vs New Zealand

7:30 PM (11:30 pm GMT | 7:30 pm Local)

15th Match, Group D (N)

Dallas, Texas

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka

8:30 PM (12:30 am GMT | 7:30 pm Local)

Sat, 8 Jun ’24

16th Match, Group D •

New York

Netherlands vs. South Africa

10:30 AM Local Time

17th Match, Group B •

Bridgetown, Barbados

Australia vs. England

1:00 PM Local Time

18th Match, Group C (N)

Providence, Guyana

West Indies vs. Uganda

8:30 PM Local Time

Sun, 9 Jun ’24

19th Match, Group A

New York

India vs. Pakistan

10:30 AM Local Time

20th Match, Group B

North Sound, Antigua

Oman vs. Scotland

1:00 PM Local Time

Mon, 10 Jun ’24

21st Match, Group D

New York

Bangladesh vs. South Africa

10:30 AM Local Time

Tue, 11 Jun ’24

22nd Match, Group A

New York

Canada vs. Pakistan

10:30 AM Local Time

23rd Match, Group D

Lauderhill, Florida

Nepal vs. Sri Lanka

7:30 PM Local Time

24th Match, Group B (N)

North Sound, Antigua

Australia vs. Namibia

8:30 PM Local Time

Wed, 12 Jun ’24

25th Match, Group A

New York

United States of America vs. India

10:30 AM Local Time

26th Match, Group C (N)

Tarouba, Trinidad

West Indies vs. New Zealand

8:30 PM Local Time

Thu, 13 Jun ’24

27th Match, Group B

Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Bangladesh vs. Netherlands

10:30 AM Local Time

28th Match, Group D

North Sound, Antigua

England vs. Oman

3:00 PM Local Time

29th Match, Group C (N)

Tarouba, Trinidad

Afghanistan vs. Papua New Guinea

8:30 PM Local Time

Fri, 14 Jun ’24

30th Match, Group A

Lauderhill, Florida

United States of America vs. Ireland

10:30 AM Local Time

31st Match, Group D (N)

Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Nepal vs. South Africa

7:30 PM Local Time

32nd Match, Group C (N)

 Tarouba, Trinidad

New Zealand vs. Uganda

8:30 PM Local Time

Sat, 15 Jun ’24

33rd Match, Group A

Lauderhill, Florida

Canada vs. India

10:30 AM Local Time

34th Match, Group B

North Sound, Antigua

England vs. Namibia

1:00 PM Local Time

35th Match, Group B (N)

Gros Islet, St. Lucia

Australia vs. Scotland

8:30 PM Local Time

Sun, 16 Jun ’24

36th Match, Group A

Lauderhill, Florida

Ireland vs. Pakistan

10:30 AM Local Time

37th Match, Group D (N)

Kingstown, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

Bangladesh vs. Nepal

7:30 PM Local Time

38th Match, Group D (N)

Gros Islet, St. Lucia

Netherlands vs. Sri Lanka

8:30 PM Local Time

Mon, 17 Jun ’24

39th Match, Group C

Tarouba, Trinidad

New Zealand vs. Papua New Guinea

10:30 AM Local Time

40th Match, Group C (N)

Gros Islet, Trinidad

West Indies vs. Afghanistan

8:30 PM Local Time

Wed, 19 Jun ’24

41st Match, Super Eights, Group 2

North Sound, Antigua

TBA vs. TBA

10:30 AM Local Time

(A2 v D1)

42nd Match, Super Eights, Group 2 (N)

Gros Islet, St. Lucia

TBA vs. TBA

8:30 PM Local Time

(B1 v C2)

Thu, 20 Jun ’24

43rd Match, Super Eights, Group 1

Bridgetown, Barbados

TBA vs. TBA

10:30 AM Local Time

(C1 v A1)

44th Match, Super Eights, Group 1 (N)

North Sound, Antigua

TBA vs. TBA

8:30 PM Local Time

(B2 v D2)

Fri, 21 Jun ’24

45th Match, Super Eights, Group 2

Gros Islet, St. Lucia

TBA vs. TBA

10:30 AM Local Time

(B1 v D1)

46th Match, Super Eights, Group 2 (N)

Bridgetown, Barbados

TBA vs. TBA

8:30 PM Local Time

(A2 v C2)

Sat, 22 Jun ’24

47th Match, Super Eights,Group 1

North Sound, Antigua

TBA vs. TBA

10:30 AM Local Time

(A1 v D2)

48th Match, Super Eights, Group 1 (N)

Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

TBA vs. TBA

8:30 PM Local Time

(C1 v B2)

Sun, 23 Jun ’24

49th Match, Super Eights, Group 2

Bridgetown, Barbados

TBA vs. TBA

10:30 AM Local Time

(A2 v B1)

50th Match, Super Eights, Group 2 (N)

North Sound, Antigua

TBA vs. TBA

8:30 PM Local Time

(C2 v D1)

Mon, 24 Jun ’24

51st Match, Super Eights, Group 1

Gros Islet, St. Lucia

TBA vs. TBA

10:30 AM Local Time

(B2 v A1)

52nd Match, Super Eights, Group 1 (N)

Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

TBA vs. TBA

8:30 PM Local Time

(C1 v D2)

Wed, 26 Jun ’24

1st Semi-Final (N)

Tarouba, Trinidad

TBA vs. TBA

8:30 PM Local Time

Thu, 27 Jun ’24

2nd Semi-Final

Providence, Guyana

TBA vs. TBA

10:30 AM Local Time

Sat, 29 Jun ’24

Final

Bridgetown, Barbados

TBA vs. TBA

10:00 AM Local Time

Caribbean Travel News And Deals This Week

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. May 9, 2024: Here are the top Caribbean travel news and some can’t miss deals this week in 60 seconds.

Get ready for smoother and cozier travels to Puerto Rico and beyond, thanks to a major JetBlue expansion in the Caribbean! Beginning in October, JetBlue will be introducing new flights to and from San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU).

Anguilla is the place to be this month for The Anguilla Culinary Experience, ACE 2024, Guest Chefs Zachary Engel and Yannick Rochat will be there from May 23rd to 26th. Event tickets can be purchased at AnguillaCulinaryExperience.com.

Speaking of great food, if you are in Antigua, check out the second annual Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week (ABRW)- through Sunday, May 19th. Prix Fixe lunch and dinner menus will range from $25-$75USD, with more affordable “Eat Like A Local” options available around the island. Book at antiguabarbudarestaurantweek.com.

Is a short vacy on the cards this month? Is a short vacy on the cards this month? Here’s a great deal. Get an all-inclusive vacation in Jamaica at Riu Negril. Fly from Fort Lauderdale, Fl. From June 3rd to the 6th and pay just $565 per person when you book on CheapCaribbean.com

Maybe the Dominican Republic is more your idea of a budget vacay? Fly from New York JFK from May 20th to the 23rd and stay at the all inclusive VIK Arena Blanca & Cayena Beach in Punta Cana for USD 481 per person. Book at CheapCaribbean.com

And make sure you reserve your spot now for the newest Jamaica hotel – Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle In Trelawny. A Jr. Suite, and all inclusive stay, booked between 1 October 2024 to 23 December 2024 is now USD 176 per night. Book now