Melia Nassau Beach has taken over the Sheraton on Cable Beach as it's first resort in English-speaking Caribbean at the Baha Mar in the Bahamas. The 694-room property will be executing a renewal plan that will be completed in December 2014. After a series of renovations, the hotel will be rebranded as Melia at Baha Mar.
The Bermuda Department of Tourism named February "Love Month" and unveiled a lineup of free public events and activities for couples (from free entry and tours at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art on Tuesdays next month to "Love Train" guided tours of the capital of Hamilton).
Karisma Hotels & Resorts released more details about the 144-suite Generations Riviera Maya property debuting in February. The oceanfront property will feature six dining venues, four bars, an Eko Kids Club facility, a Baby Beach Lounge, and other amenities.
AMResorts (Dreams, Secrets, Zoetry, Now, Sunscapes) announced its "Winter GREATaways" promotion, with discounts up to 40 percent and in-resort credit worth up to $400 for qualifying bookings. made by February 25 for travel until end of April 2014.
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts unveiled Valentine's offers: in Hawaii, a free vow renewal ceremony on Valentine's Day for guests at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach or the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach; and in Fiji, a vow renewal package (from US$1,700 pp dbl when booked by Jan. 31) that will include the ceremony, a dinner for two, and seven nights in a deluxe oceanview room at the Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji.
Sandals unveiled a new service called "Soon to Moon" connecting guests with an "engagement concierge" to help them plan marriage proposals (from picnic lunches on a private island to carving "Will You Marry Me?" message on a beach).
Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort debuted the 500-suite in Mexico. The property has 13 dining venues and lounges, a large spa, and many other guest amenities.
The Grenada Grand Beach Resort became the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort this week. The 20-acre property on Grand Anse Beach has four main dining venues and bars, two outdoor pools, two tennis courts, and other amenities.
Blue Diamond (the resorts division of Sunwing Travel Group) welcomed two new properties in Punta Cana (D.R.): the 470-room Royalton Punta Cana and the 525-room Memories Splash Punta Cana. The hotels were created when the former Grand Paradise Bavaro was split in two (with a water park added between them).
Transat Holidays and Nolitours now offers weekly departures from Toronto to Los Cabos, Mexico (Feb. 1-April 19).
Karisma Hotels & Resorts announces a "Canadian Beef Culinary Series" for 2014 built around guest chefs from Canada preparing beef dishes with wine pairings at all of their gourmet-inclusive Azul, El Dorado, and Generations Resorts.
Sandals signed a deal with the government in Antigua to convert the Grand Pineapple Beach Resort in Long Bay into Beaches Antigua. There's no definitive word on the timeline involved, but the refurbished property will offer one- to four-bedroom suites with as many as a dozen restaurants, a water park, a movie theater, a BMX bike track, an Xbox Play Lounge, and other family-friendly services.
The 181-room Outrigger Mauritius Resort & Spa had a "soft opening" on Jan. 15, after the property wraps up an extensive refurbishment. On that date, most guestrooms, the Edgewater restaurant, the Bar Bleu, and other public spaces will be ready (with opening rates from US$202 ppdo for staysJan. 15-Feb. 15). The resort sits on the island's southern tip, about 45 minutes from the airport and the capital of Port Louis, and it's surrounded by a nature reserve. (www.outriggermauritius.com)
Melia will take over the Braco Village Hotel & Spa in Jamaica, giving the 226-property a thorough makeover before it debuts next November as the all-inclusive Melia Jamaica.
Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spa will add nine new locations in the next few years, including its first Europe property (the Six Senses Mont Blanc in France in 2015) and its first Caribbean hotel (the Six Senses Freedom Bay in St. Lucia in 2016).
Air Canada previewed the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner cabin interiors that will debut next spring. Highlights include lie-flat "executive pods" in international business class and the largest personal entertainment screens (18 inches) offered by any North American carrier in business class.
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