There’s a new way through the Islands
The Caribbean Roundup: COMO Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
Plan for next Year if you missed Easter On The Island
For those who can travel this spring, COMO Parrot Cay promises no distractions, no obligations, just time with loved ones on the beautiful private island. Take a break together at COMO Parrot Cay, where Easter activities that include a private dinner and bonfire and more. Families can enjoy complimentary family fitness classes, as well as free dining for children 11 and under.
This year’s Easter escape included:
- 60-minute family fitness session to focus on moving and breathing together
- Private family dinner and bonfire under the stars at your own villa
- Complimentary meals for children aged 11 and under.
- A specially prepared schedule of Easter activities
COMO Parrot Cay Island Buyout or Private Estate Rentals
COMO Parrot Cay is a private island resort in the Turks and Caicos, with 1,000 acres and a mile-long white beach. The resort features 8 private estates available to rent, tucked away in secluded spots on the island but with full access to the resort’s many facilities such as wellness and fitness classes, the COMO Shambhala Retreat spa, and full service dining. All private estates offer their own private pools and butler service, with many featuring private beach access as well. For the ultimate private-island experience, guests can also opt for a complete island buyout for a maximum of 200 people starting at $178k per night during low season or $226k per night during high season.
Jamaica Inn
Spring Packages and Offers Ideal for Travel Pods
Located in beautiful Ocho Rios, Jamaica Inn boasts an eight-acre property situated on a private cove with an offshore reef two miles east of the town center. With a 700-foot private white sand beach considered to be one of the best in the Caribbean, and secluded beach bungalows and cottages, this exclusive resort is the perfect getaway for travel pods seeking privacy, unassuming style, and great service.
Throughout the year, Jamaica Inn is offering numerous discounted packages ideal for couples and groups including but not limited to The Great Escape package, where every month you book your vacation in advance, you will receive 5% off your stay, as well the Spring Fling package, with 20% savings off daily rates. Full details and information on each deal can be found here.
Round Hill Hotel and Villas
New On-Property Testing, New Virtual Wedding Amenities and New Digital Services in 2021
Guests of the resort can now take advantage of onsite COVID-19 testing services, new virtual wedding amenities to complement redesigned socially distanced safe weddings and celebrations, and a new mobile app designed for seamless no-touch service and information browsing.
Get Tested On-Property
Round Hill has partnered with a preferred health centre to provide guests with a safe, easy and painless COVID-19 testing experience at the resort. Antigen tests are administered by a local medical practitioner, with results made available in 15 minutes.PCR tests are also administered on-site, with results returned within 48 hours.
Both tests are available daily between 10:30 – 11:30am with a cost of US$100 per person for Antigen tests and US$200 per person for PCR tests. Reservations are required in advance and appointments can also be arranged outside of this time period for an additional US$100 consultation fee. More information on testing procedures and travel guidelines can be found at here.
Romantic Celebrations Enhanced
Remaining the quintessential Caribbean wedding destination for couples seeking to marry or remarry in paradise, Round Hill has unveiled new virtual wedding packages allowing for extended gatherings through a hybrid in-person/virtual format. With more intimate group sizes attending a wedding on-site at Round Hill, couples can take comfort in inviting up to 100 additional virtual guests to participate in the festivities, utilizing an array of high-tech amenities that will make them feel as if they are there. Additionally, Round Hill welcomes LGBTQ couples to hold memorable commitment ceremonies at the resort.
The new virtual wedding packages will join enhanced wedding programming on-site, with new and updated safety protocols aligned to the resort’s latest Health & Safety Program. No matter the size of the celebration, the resort ensures a safe environment while preserving its magical atmosphere. Round Hill only hosts one wedding per weekend, promising proper social distancing and exclusivity for guests. All staff members are equipped with full PPE and sanitizer is available for all guests during the event, amongst other protocols. Couples are assisted by a seasoned wedding coordinator who will ensure every detail is flawless and beautiful but safe.
Couples interested in hosting their wedding or romantic celebration at Round Hill can take advantage of several signature packages, offering a range of services and amenities that ensure every aspect of the event is accounted for. Information on available packages can be found at here.
Round Hill is pleased to debut its new mobile app, accessible on all smartphone devices. Designed to enhance guests’ vacation experience, the app features conveniences including pre-arrival concierge services, express mobile check-in options, contactless service requests on-demand and more. Guests can also find important health & safety information, access a selection of digital newspapers and magazines at their leisure and send digital postcards, among other features. The app can be downloaded in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store under “Round Hill Hotel and Villas.”
Guests interested in booking a stay at Round Hill can visit www.roundhill.com for more information, as well as for additional packages including the new Home Away From Home extended stay offer and the Ultimate Private Luxury package in partnership with evoJets.
Round Hill encourages travelers to log onto www.visitjamaica.com to access the latest travel authorization requirements to enter Jamaica. Guests may also read about Round Hill’s Enhanced Health & Safety Program at www.roundhill.com/health-safety.html.
Sounds of The Caribbean and Latin America from Sunrise to Sunset.
Like most travelers, the Marriott International Caribbean & Latin America team has been daydreaming about future travel and reminiscing on past travel memories. Travel embeds memories unlike any other experience and many of us have spent the past year trying to supplement these memories in unique ways. One way that we have relied on is sound, which is why Marriott International properties across the Caribbean and Latin America wanted to inspire travel through a soundscape audio journey. Kindly find an original playlist linked here featuring distinctive sounds from across the Caribbean and Latin American region.
Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, Puerto Rico
The New Bleisure In Style Experience
Fairmont El San Juan Hotel is offering an exceptional balance between business and leisure with its new Bleisure in Style experience. Perfect for extended stays in the iconic beachfront hotel, guests can take advantage of the spacious accommodations including the private oceanfront villa rooms, four magnificent pools and luxury cabanas. At the same time, guests can dine in one of the award-winning restaurants, relax and relieve stress at the Well & Being Spa, or partake in beach activities and fitness classes.
The Bleisure in Style package includes:
- 30% off BAR
- $200 hotel credit for two weeks and $500 for a monthly stay
- Wellness lessons
- In-room business setup
- Welcome mini-bar setup and refills available at a fee
- Complementary and fast wi-fi
- Microwave upon request
Luxury Villas for ‘Pod Travel’ & Extended Stays
Guests who are seeking elevated luxury accommodations can book one of the villas situated along the resort’s 12 acres of pristine Isla Verde beach. The Banyan, Pool and Ocean are inspired by the tropical nature that surrounds the property.
Those who book a villa room accommodation will be picked up from the airport and escorted directly to the hotel, where they will be greeted by their own butler and glass of champagne. Skipping the lobby and check in desk, the butler accompanies guests to their accommodations and helps plan any details for their stay. From spa treatments and personal fitness training to poolside cabana rentals and water sports, guests have as much or as little access to hotel facilities as they desire.
More information on each villa can be found below.
The Banyan Villa Rooms boast views of lush gardens and inviting pool from the room terrace. The single-story villas are 351-square-feet, feature one king-size bed and an oversized sunken dual-head shower with a unique glass ceiling.
The Pool Villa Rooms incorporate a signature scents of hibiscus to pair with the room’s invigorating garden views. Designed to inspire rejuvenation, these 489 square-foot villas are situated beside the resort’s signature Well & Being pool, offer a king or two queen beds, ergonomic workstation and walk-in closets.
The Ocean Villas Rooms offer a design inspired by life’s best moments. Situated between city and shore, the Ocean Villas blend together tranquil ocean views with sleek 539 to 649 square-foot accommodations. The independent two-story building features floor-to-ceiling windows, tile floors, a separate sitting area, whirlpool bath with separate glass-enclosed shower and twin vanities.
Bridgetown, Barbados
Barbados – a small island that approached Coronavirus swiftly and effectively with aggressive contact tracing, widespread testing and masks – is now reaping the benefits with virtually no community spread and a remarkably low number of cases. As a result, Barbados has become the destination of choice for visitors looking for a safe haven this winter. On island, The Crane Resort – an historic property that began as a Victorian health spa because of its remarkable warm breezes – took an early leadership role with its meticulously organized and science-based quarantine program. The Crane Resort just announced expansion of their program to include provisions for asymptomatic visitors who may get a positive test result after landing.
According to Crane owner Paul Doyle, isolating guests – albeit in luxury – is just the latest addition to their already proactive program. “Science tells us that the asymptomatic people who feel perfectly well can still spread the virus. In the extremely rare instance that a guest should get a positive result, they will be relocated at no extra charge to a Park Residence. Asymptomatic guests will spend their isolation in a suite with a private pool – either in a garden or on the rooftop deck – and have meals delivered to their door, while being monitored daily by our experienced medical team. We are honored that The Crane Resort is the first and only hotel in the country to have received approval for a program of this nature.”
Since the announcement of a mandatory second COVID test for those arriving from countries classified as high risk, Doyle and the team at the Crane – located just ten minutes from the airport – moved quickly to make quarantine as easy, fast and simple as possible. On arrival, guests are given an appointment for their second test at the Crane’s on-site medical facility. The test is booked four days after your first negative test (as opposed to your arrival date). Results are typically available within 24 hours, minimizing time in quarantine.
Guests arriving with the mandatory negative COVID test are given a blue wristband and allowed to use the iconic historic Crane pool equipped with socially distanced loungers. The pool is famous for its Greek columns and sweeping views of one of the best beaches in the world, and the cooling sea breezes make it a safe outdoor space.
Once a negative second test is confirmed, guests are given green wristbands and can roam the beach, restaurants and many pools and the resort, or venture out to explore all that Barbados has to offer.
“The government of Barbados has done a fantastic job in containing COVID. As a result, we can continue to employ people and support the economy. We at the Crane are proud to do our part and look forward to welcoming guests this winter,” added Doyle.
To book, and view all current offers, visit https://www.thecrane.com/offers/.
For the latest Covid-19 updates, visit thecrane.com/covid-19-travel-information/ and barbadostravelprotocols.com.
