Marriott Hotels 40% Off Sale
Welcome to the Caribbean Travel News section from Caribbean-On-Line. Here you'll find daily updates on news from the region, and importat travel news in general, as well as news about us.
Caribbean-On-Line » Caribbean Travel News
Royal Palm Resort & Suites closed
Another hotel closure:
NASSAU, Bahamas -- A Bahamian hotel operator has closed one of his resort properties as the recession slashes occupancy rates across the vast archipelago.
The 50-room Royal Palm Resort & Suites was closed in early November by hotelier Mario Donato, and guests with reservations were moved to the Xanadu Beach Resort&Marina on Grand Bahama Island, which Donato also owns, according to Xanadu spokeswoman Tiffany Anderson.
The closure comes as tourism struggles in the region.
Earlier this year, the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma in the Bahamas and the Nikki Beach Resort&Spa in Turks and Caicos both closed down.
Couple this with the news of new rooms opening up in Martinique! Obviously projects that were under way as the crisis started. As the article mentions, "Martinique's visitor numbers totaled 280,000 through July, a 7% drop over the same period in 2008." 7% is a huge number when talking about statistics like travel that have probably only moved in one direction for the last 50 or 60 years.
Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel & Casino Celebrates Grand Opening
Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Interlink Group Unveil the New 503-Room Hotel - Part of a $6 Billion, Multi-Year Sheraton Brand Revitalization - with Superior Meeting Space, Casino, Pool, Spa and Club Lounge in Exquisite Surroundings
San Juan's First New Full-Service Hotel and Casino in More than 10 Years is Also the First and Only in the Caribbean Pursuing LEED Certification
San Juan, PR - November 16, 2009 - Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE:HOT) and Interlink Group announced today the grand opening of the new Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel & Casino. Located adjacent to the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan's newest vibrant commercial and residential district, the new 503-room property welcomes both business and leisure travelers, offering exceptional meeting facilities, a full-service casino and resort-like amenities, including a sundeck/pool, spa and retail space. Sheraton Puerto Rico is the first new full-service hotel and casino built in San Juan in more than 10 years and is part of a $6 billion worldwide effort to revitalize Starwood's most global, iconic brand. This effort includes an investment of over $2 billion in new hotels internationally and, in North America, an investment of $2.3 billion in new hotels, $1.5 billion in renovations and $400 million in signature brand initiatives.
Continue reading "Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel & Casino Celebrates Grand Opening" »
British Airways flies Gatwick to Punta Cana
British Airways prepares for the launch of its new twice-weekly service from Gatwick to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic from October 26, 2009 reinforcing its position as the airline with more flights to the Caribbean than any other UK carrier.
In addition to the flights to Punta Cana, the airline is also increasing flights to other winter sun hot-spots in the region such as St Lucia (from three to five flights a week), Barbados (from nine to ten) and Port of Spain, Trinidad (from three to five). Overall, BA will now fly 45 times a week to the Caribbean.
Richard Tams, head of sales at British Airways, said; "These new routes and increased frequencies underline our commitment to the Caribbean. It's a popular destination with our customers and it's due to demand that we're increasing the number of flights to the region. We now operate to 13 destinations in the Caribbean - more than any other UK airline."
Holidays in the Dominican Republic mean relaxing on sun-kissed beaches and snorkelling above colourful reefs, strolling along the 16th-century cobblestone streets of the capital in Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone or taking a hiking holiday in the Dominican Republic's forested inland.
British Airways has a wide range of hotels in the Dominican Republic, like the 5* Dreams Palm Beach which is situated in an idyllic location, on a gorgeous beach with luxury accommodation and a fantastic kids Explorer's Club. Alternatively, those looking for pure relaxation, can try the 5* Zoetry Agua Punta Cana, offering complimentary private chauffeured return airport transfers rounding up a holiday in style.
Seven Stars Resort Turks & Caicos realigns
From Gay Nagle Myers at Travel Weekly:
"In the 18 months since it first opened, a high-end resort on Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, has changed owners, switched its management company, rethought its strategies and now is focused on a new direction in terms of service, amenities and facilities for its guests."
Visit the link for the full story.
Starwood Hotels Set to Double Portfolio in Puerto Rico
Global Hospitality Giant Will Open the Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel and Debut the W and St. Regis brands in the Next 12 Months
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 2009-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) - the hotel industry's most global company - today announces it will double its presence in Puerto Rico in the next year with the opening of the island's first W and St. Regis hotels and its second Sheraton.
Continue reading "Starwood Hotels Set to Double Portfolio in Puerto Rico" »
JetBlue takes flight in St Lucia
JetBlue started their new St Lucia flights last week:
CASTRIES, St Lucia, October 29, 2009 - American budget carrier, JetBlue Airways, has expanded its Caribbean presence with a new service to St Lucia.
Nonstop service to St Lucia's Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) from the JetBlue's home at New York's John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) began this week. The airline will serve the island with nonstop flights every Monday, Thursday and Sunday, operated by its 150-seat Airbus A320 aircraft.
St. John US Virgin Islands Villa Specials
Lots of specials just posted on villa rentals from Suite St. John:
Cinnamon Bay Estate 40% Off Due to Cancellation
Plus more specials and discounts on other villas - click the link above for details or email: gallowspt@aol.com
AMERICAN AIRLINES PUTS ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX ON SALE
Book by Nov. 3 to Get Great Deals
FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines has made it easier than ever to visit the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix.
American, a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance, has great low fares available for travel through mid December. Tickets must be purchased by Nov. 3, 2009, and travel must be completed by Dec.17, 2009, and are subject to a two-night minimum and 30-day maximum stay. Fares from the U.S. Mainland start as low as $91 and are available Monday through Thursday, both to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands. So, make plans now to visit two of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.
Here are some samples of American's great low fares. Fares shown are each way, in U.S. dollars, based on round trip, Economy Class travel, purchased on AA.com.
Between Fare Each Way Based on Round-trip Purchase*
Miami - St. Thomas $91
New York - St. Thomas $118
Boston - St. Thomas $125
New York - St. Croix $177
Chicago - St. Croix $190
San Francisco - St. Thomas $195
Detroit - St. Croix $203
St. Louis - St. Croix $203
Dallas/Fort Worth -- St. Thomas $206
Continue reading "AMERICAN AIRLINES PUTS ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX ON SALE" »
Cruise Sales
Travelocity is having some big sales on cruise lines:
Deals of the Decade: Rates from $159, Up to $650 Onboard Credit, and More On Norwegian Cruise Lines!
Exclusive Royal Caribbean Offer: Get up to $300 Onboard Credit
Dominican Republic Jazz Festival
The Dominican Republic Jazz Festival is a festival full of rhythm, flavor, and color that each year is wrapped in the fragrant air of the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. It is a unique experience to have the opportunity to enjoy our festival, where the music vibrates on the lively beach of Cabarete. Every year we invite International and Local Musicians to share the stage and to bring many different genres of Jazz to please its diverse and eager music lovers; local residents and tourists alike.
Playa Cabarete, November 6, 7, & 8, 2009 Click here for the festival website!
St. Maarten Great Bay Resort Warms up the Winter with new Dive Package
Resort Warms up the Winter with new Dive Package
Travelers to St. Maarten swap snow boots for flip flops this winter with Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino's Great Bay Diving Package. Guests escape the cold and channel Jacques Cousteau with PADI certified staff, multiple dives and even a shark sightseeing excursion. Packages are valid for stays from December 20, 2009 - April 3, 2010.
St. Maarten Maho Beach Resort Offers up to 55% off
Resort Offers up to 55% off with "Longer you Stay - Less you Pay" Promotion
Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts celebrate extended stays with the new "The Longer You Stay, the Less You Pay" deal, giving guest up to 55% off regular winter room rates! Visitors of Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino can enjoy these incredible discounts. Offer is valid for travel January 3 - March 31, 2010.
Stay 1 to 3 nights - Save 35 - 55%
Stay 4 to 7 nights - Save 45 - 55%
Stay 8 or more nights - save 50 - 55%
Call 1.800.SONESTA
(PROMO CODE: LYS)
Call +599.545.2115 outside US & Canada
Book before March 31, 2010.
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS UNVEILS "Cent-sational" PROMOTION
~ In honor of the newly minted U.S. Virgin Islands quarter, travelers are enticed with unprecedented 25 cent per night offer ~
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, October 9, 2009 - In honor of the Territory's very own United States quarter, introduced into circulation this month, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism has unveiled a one-of-a-kind offer to generate exposure and entice visitors to the Territory.
Continue reading "U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS UNVEILS "Cent-sational" PROMOTION" »
