A handy guide to the Caribbean's upcoming resort openings

Hotels
10-23-2019 10:41 am
Antoine Stab

Antoine Stab

Antoine has worked as a journalist for a publication specializing in the great outdoors. His love of travel comes from the time he spent outdoors growing up. Originally from France, relocated to Quebec, he is curious about everything, from what is happening in his own backyard to what's going on at the other end of the world.

From million-dollar renovations, to new builds from the ground up, there's a ton of new hotel product about to make a splash in the Caribbean.

Here are a few to keep in mind for your clients, with openings slated for 2019-2020:

ANTIGUA

Hammock Cove Resort & Spa

Opening on Dec. 1, 2019
Adults only
40 private suites with an intimate atmosphere, decorated in a modern Caribbean style:
- spacious balconies
- an infinity pool
- a luxurious bathroom
- a wine and spirits bar
Two restaurants, each offering "sophisticated menus", a full bar, a large wine list and craft beers
Only a few hundred meters from Devil's Bridge National Park and overlooking the turquoise waters of a protected bay

CUBA

Gran Muthu Rainbow Hotel

Opening end of 2019
The first LGBT hotel in Cuba
248 rooms, divided between standard categories, junior suites and suites. All have sea views.
Six restaurants and a bar
A swimming pool for adults, and one for children

Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski

Opening end of 2019
245 rooms and suites
Seven overwater villas with stunning panoramic views and a minimal size of at least 75 m² each
A presidential suite on stilts of 200 m², all with private pools.
A kids' club, a gym, a tennis court, a lobby bar and a cigar bar

CURACAO

Dreams Curacao Resort Spa

Opening on Dec. 15, 2019
197 rooms, each with a private balcony and other luxury touches designed to please couples and families alike
Access to two private white sand beaches
Two culinary concepts
Luxury spa

DOMINICA

Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica

Opened on Oct.14, 2019
Located in Douglas Bay, in the northwest of the island, in the middle of a natural park renowned for its beauty
151 luxurious rooms and suites, with panoramic views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea and 24-hour room service
Six beach villas
Three restaurants, two bars and a lounge
Four heated and natural pools

GRENADA

Royalton Grenada Resort & Spa

Opening on March 1st, 2020
269 luxury suites on the shores of Tamarind Bay
Each suite has a rain shower, two-person bath and hand-made mattresses with DreamBed
Beginning of the new Royalton Ma Maison restaurant concept, featuring French bistro style meals in a waterfront setting

JAMAICA

Ocean Coral Spring Hotel

Opening on Dec. 15, 2019
513 rooms for the first phase
Two pools and an artificial river
10 restaurants, 4 bars, a coffee shop and an ice cream shop
A spa

RIU Ocho Rios

Reopened September 2019
901 rooms, to which were added 45 new family rooms, all divided into two buildings, surrounded by a garden of 30,000 m2.
Five hotel pools with sun loungers and umbrellas
A water park, Splash Water World
Six restaurants, all inclusive 24 hours a day (all meals and snacks), and seven bars
A spa

MEXICO

Barceló Maya Riviera

Opening in December 2019
For adults only
850 rooms that will have their own spas on the balconies, including 110 suites and junior suites
Five restaurants (Mexican, French, Italian, Japanese and a buffet) and five bars
Four pools

Dreams Acapulco Resort & Spa

Opening on November 1, 2019
605 rooms in a 22-storey building
Eight restaurants
Four bars
A swimming pool and access to the beach
A spa

Dreams Vista Cancun Resort & Spa

Opening on November 1, 2019
232 rooms
Three pools and access to the beach
Nine restaurants
Six bars
A spa

Garza Blanca Resort & Spa

Opening end of 2019
150 rooms in three categories:
- Ocean Front Suite
- Two bedroom suite
- Three-Bedroom Panorama Suite with Private Terrace and Jacuzzi
Two eight-storey buildings with views of the jungle and the sea
Spa, storeroom and three restaurants
- A snackbar on the beach
- A steakhouse
- A gourmet restaurant

Hilton Playa del Carmen

Open (formerly known as Royal Playa del Carmen), but renovations completed in December 2019
Adults only
524 suites divided into 11 categories
600 square feet per suite, now more spacious thanks to the reorganization of space
Eight restaurants, six bars, two pools in the heart of Playa del Carmen

KASA Hotel Riviera Maya

Opening on Nov. 1, 2019
Puerto Aventuras, a private and gated community, away from the crowds
42 rooms with penthouses overlooking the garden and lagoon, as well as rooms that can accommodate one, two or three bedrooms and a kitchenette

Majestic Elegance Playa Mujeres

Opening on Nov. 20, 2019
570 rooms: nearly 70 per cent of the rooms are adults only in the Elegance Club (only for adults 18+); remainder reserved for the family section (all ages)
12 pools
Eight restaurants and 12 bars
Wi-Fi Internet throughout the complex
A spa

Now Natura Riviera Cancun

Opening on Jan. 31, 2019
556 rooms
Three pools
Nine restaurants
Six bars

Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun

Open since Oct. 11, 2019
62 new suites in five new categories:
- Preferred Junior Swim Out Beach Front Suite
- Preferred Master Suite Swim Out Beach Front
- Preferred Master Ocean Front Suite
- Preferred Family Junior Tropical View Suite
- Family Junior Suite Tropical View
All other suites have also been renovated and modernized
A water park with three vertiginous slides
A playful paddling pool for toddlers

Palmaia Riviera Maya

Opening Nov. 1, 2019
Neighbor of Sandos Playacar Beach Resort
314 suites in three categories
Distributed between seven four-story buildings, all suites will offer sea views
The family establishment will not have an adult section

Planet Hollywood Resort Cancun

Opening on March 1, 2020
898 luxury suites
Adult only section inside the resort: the Adult Scene, an exclusive and luxurious experience, including:
- 380 suites and all-star amenities, including handmade Phabulous Beds ™ beds, sumptuous bathrobes and slippers
- the cutting-edge concept of Your Soundtrack ™, allowing vacationers to choose the soundtrack of their stay
- the Plugged In ™ program, so everyone can stay connected
- A private beach and an exclusive pool with a bar inside
- 3 specialty restaurants for Adult Scene guests: Braza Grill, Churrascaria and Catch Seafood and Grill
Nine bars
Four pools and a river
A trampoline park,
A kids / teens club
A minigolf course

Riu Palace Riviera Maya

Reopening after renovation on Dec. 7, 2019
400 rooms
Two swimming pools and one swimming pool with water bar
Among the novelties:
- renovated rooms
- New space for children: a bigger pool, slides and kids club RiuLand
- Italian and Mexican restaurants and a "Capuchino Patisserie" tea room
- New spa and wellness center in the main building

Hotel Riu Vallarta

Reopening after renovation on Nov. 23, 2019
678 rooms
Among the novelties:
- All rooms have walk-in showers, suites also include baths
- Swimming pool redesigned, 5 swimming pools including one with submerged bar
- New children's area with a bigger pool, water slides and RiuLand
- new dining areas: Grill bouveau by the pool; the gourmet restaurant, Kulinarium; Italian restaurant
- New RiuFitT area

Sunscape Akumal Beach Resort & Spa

Opening on October 1st, 2019
362 rooms
Four pools
Seven dining options, including four à la carte, buffet, grill and coffee, offering a variety of international dishes ranging from authentic Mexican dishes (Tiki Taco) to Italian dishes (Portofino) or Mediterranean (The Olive Branch)
A spa
An exclusive Sun Club section located in front of the beach with three exclusive pools, a beachfront lounge and a bar

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda

Opening on Nov. 23, 2019
335 rooms
38 hectares of land
First village of the Exclusive Collection in the Americas
Four shopping villages:
- Archipelago, an oceanfront area exclusively for adults
- the Caribbean Paradise, a colorful and enchanting space, located in the very heart of the Village
- the Emerald Jungle, place of retreat and relaxation eco-chic conceived the peace and the well-being of the adults
- Explorer Bay, for families

Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana

Opening on Feb. 21, 2020
500 rooms, all with spectacular ocean views
Six restaurants
Seven bars, including a poolside bar and a sports bar concept.
Three pools, including 2 infinity pools overlooking Macao Beach and the Punta Cana Hills

Finest Punta Cana

Opening scheduled for early 2020
For families and adults
450 suites, including 60 family suites, ranging in size from 800 to 2,000 square feet
A choice of at least 20 bars and world-class restaurants
An exclusive Finest club for all ages, and a spa with a hydrotherapy circuit
Six pools with children's pool and wading pool, playground and children's and teens' pavilion

Hilton La Romana

Adult section opened summer 2019; the family section will open on Dec. 1, 2019
Guests in the adult section have full access to the Hilton La Romana Family
350 suites (including Premium Rooms) for adult section, 412 rooms (including Premium Rooms) for family section
Five restaurants, three bars, two pools for the adult section
Seven restaurants, four bars, two swimming pools, one water park (eight slides and a leisurely river) for the family section, in addition to a casino, a nightclub and a congress centre

Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana

Hyatt Zilara Cape Cana

Opening in November 2019
This vast complex is divided into two sections:
- Hyatt Ziva, for families: 375 suites (including Club Level rooms), six restaurants and seven bars, on Juanillo Beach, with a water park, spa and gym
- Hyatt Zilara, for adults only: 375 suites (including Club Level rooms), six restaurants, seven bars on Juanillo Beach,with a convention centre, spa, and a gym with spinning classes and Zumba

SAINT-MARTIN

Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa

Opening on Feb. 1, 2020
258 suites
Each room offers views of the ocean, the marina or the mountain, next to Secrets' unlimited luxury concept
Preferred Club Suites include a privileged private club lounge, upgrades and upgraded amenities, as well as a daily continental breakfast served in the lounge
Three à la carte gourmet restaurants, a buffet and a cafe

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