2021 News

Grenada Ranks Amongst Top Hotels & Resorts In The Caribbean In Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards

St. George’s, Grenada W.I. – Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its coveted annual Readers’ Choice Awards and four of Grenada’s beloved hotels and resorts were ranked amongst the top in the Caribbean.

In The Top Hotels in the Caribbean category, Calabash ranked sixth. In the Top Resorts in the Caribbean category, Silversands Grenada ranked 11th, Sandals Grenada ranked 21^st and Mount Cinnamon ranked 33^rd. In the listing for top destinations in The Caribbean & The Atlantic, Grenada ranked 20^th.

“We are thrilled to be listed amongst the best of the best in Conde Nast Traveler’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards,” said Petra Roach, CEO, Grenada Tourism Authority. “It’s been a challenging year in particular for those who love to travel and we look forward to welcoming back Conde Nast Traveler’s readers and travelers around the world to Grenada to experience our incredible island and the many award-winning hotels, resorts and adventures that we offer.”

Over 800,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe to provide a full snapshot about the places they can’t wait to return to next. The Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry.

The Readers’ Choice Awards are announced in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler. The full list is published exclusively online, at www.CNTraveler.com/rca

For more information about Grenada and the experiences it offers, visit https://www.puregrenada.com/.  

Grenada Offers Fall, Winter & Holiday Specials For The Perfect Caribbean Getaway

St. George’s, Grenada W.I. –With winter on the horizon, Grenada is tempting travelers to trade in their jackets and boots for bikinis and frozen bellinis with a host of fall, winter and holiday getaway packages. Whether traveling for a romantic getaway, a family-fun vacation or simply need some ‘me time,’ Grenada is ideal to wait out the winter.

Grenada’s spectacular natural topography is complemented by a charming selection of luxury boutique hotels and villas, cuisine infused with exotic local spices, 40 white sandy beaches including the world-famous Grand Anse Beach and15 breathtaking waterfalls. Additional treats include six chocolate factories, three rum distilleries and more than 30 unforgettable dive sites, including the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean, the ‘Bianca C’ and the World’s First Underwater Sculpture Park.

Below is a roundup of the hotels offering holiday and winter packages for travelers:

• Silversands Grenada, one of Grenada’s modern resorts, is offering a special “Time to ‘Fall’ For Grenada” package with 25% off stays through December 17, 2021 with breakfast for two included. The resort is also offering a 25% off discount on room and breakfast for Winter Early Birds who book by December 17, 2021 for travel between January 8-April 30, 2022. For both the “Time to ‘Fall’ for Grenada” and Winter Early Birds special, to confirm reservations, a three-night deposit is required, along with the full payment due 14 days before arriving. Travelers cannot combine other offers, and there is no cancellation fee up to 14 days before arrival. A 10% VAT and 10% Service Charge may apply.
• Mount Cinnamon Resort, a luxurious hotel with 37 villas and suites, is offering a Yoga Spice Package, which includes a five-night stay in an Ocean View Cinnamon Suite, daily breakfast, daily yoga classes, a signature massage at the Cinnamon Spa, a Spice School cooking class, complimentary WIFI and access to water sports, tennis and fitness facilities, and Mount Cinnamon’s beach club. Valid for travel until December 20, 2021 with rates starting at US $2,100.00 including taxes. Prices are based on double occupancy.
• Mount Hartman Bay Estate Private Resort, a seven-acre estate, is offering a winter special with a free upgrade to “all inclusive.” This includes all meals, all beverages, use of boats, yoga, and water aerobics. Travelers must book a stay between the dates of October 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022. The minimum stay is four nights, or ten nights if it is over Easter. Guests can book now with a 25% deposit fee.
• Laluna Boutique Hotel and Villas, a 16-cottage romantic hotel, is offering a 7-night Honeymoon Package, which includes a cottage suite with private pool and veranda, daily yoga/meditation sessions, Balinese couples massage, an additional spa treatment for each, candle lit dinner at the beach, bottle of prosecco, daily a-la-carte breakfast and dinner not including beverages, a walk in the rainforest with waterfall swim, a $1000.00 resort credit, along with an upgrade to a Deluxe Cottage for $95 USD/night. Rates begin at US $5,417.00 (may vary on the season). An additional 20% tax and service fee may apply.
• Calabash Grenada, an elegant boutique hotel, is offering its 2022 Two Centre Packages, with a winter stay featuring a trip to both Grenada and Barbados. Guests who book a 7-night minimum stay between January 5-April 5, 2022, at Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel, Grenada and Cobblers Cove, Barbados will get complimentary inter-island air transfers for two travelers.
• 473 Grenada Boutique Resort is offering a 20% discount on all villas or 30% on the 3-bedroom deluxe with the promo code “WINTERSUN22”. When booking directly, guests will receive a complimentary villa upgrade, complimentary water sports such as paddle boarding, kayaking, and snorkeling, free room service delivery, best rates guaranteed, complimentary laundry services, local partners discounts, complimentary resort & villas WIFI, early check-in and late-check out option, and free car parking.
• Guests can receive 30% off their stay at one of the Caribbean’s eco-friendly resorts True Blue Bay Resort when booking directly on their website. Use promotion code “30OFF” here when traveling now until December 15, 2022.
• The lavish accommodation Blue Star Apartments & Hotel is offering a 25% off discount on a week + stay to all vaccinated travelers who book a direct stay by December 15th. Other bookings such as nonvaccinated travelers will receive 10% off. Guests must travel within the dates of November 1, 2021-January 15, 2022.
• Book direct at Petite Anse Hotel, a boutique hotel, and receive 10% off your stay. This special only applies to new bookings.

For more information about Grenada and the experiences it offers, visit https://www.puregrenada.com/.

Airlift

There are non-stop and direct flights to Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport from North America on American Airlines, JetBlue and Air Canada. JetBlue Airways offers daily service from John F. Kennedy Airport, American Airlines offers service twice a week (Wednesday & Saturdays) from Miami International Airport, and once a week (Saturdays) from Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Air Canada will launch direct flights from Toronto starting October 31, 2021.

Pure Safe Travel

All persons entering Grenada either by air or sea must be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccination and present a negative PCR test result, taken within three days of arrival. Exemptions to fully vaccinated status include citizens, residents, persons under 13, diplomats and airline crew on layover. A ‘Pure Safe Travel Authorization Certificate’ is needed by each traveler, including children, arriving in Grenada. Fully vaccinated travelers are only required to quarantine until clearance is received from Health Officials within 48 hours, pending a negative PCR test on entry. For more information on travel mandates, visit: www.puregrenada.com/travel-advisory/

Saint Lucia Celebrates The Reopening Of The Canadian Market

(Castries, Saint Lucia – To commemorate the reopening of the Canadian market, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), along with tourism stakeholders were on hand at Hewanorra International Airport to welcome Air Canada Rouge flight (1878) on Sunday, October 3^rd. The return of Air Canada signals the reopening of Saint Lucia’s fourth largest international source market.

Air Canada discontinued its winter service to Saint Lucia in January 2021 during the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The first flight to Saint Lucia returns after nine months, following the Canadian Governments cancellation of all flights to Mexico and the Caribbean in February 2021.

To welcome Air Canada, a delegation led by Tourism Minister Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, comprised the Chairman of the Board of Directors -Thaddeus Antoine and staff of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), and President of the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association – Paul Collymore.

The flight landed at 2:00 p.m. bringing a combined total of 148 returning nationals and visitors to the island. A commemorative plaque was presented to Captain, Christopher Clarke, and crewmembers who disembarked to greet the delegation. Air Canada’s return service to Toronto (YYZ) departed with 51 passengers and facilitated the exportation of 2,545 pounds of fresh produce to Canada.

Air Canada will fly nonstop service from Toronto (YYZ) to Saint Lucia (UVF) once-a-week every Sunday, then increasing frequency to (2) weekly flights Friday & Sunday from October 31^st. The winter schedule will include (4) weekly flights as of Christmas, December 25^th (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Saint Lucia is also set to welcome back Westjet and Sunwing in the weeks ahead.

In 2019, Saint Lucia welcomed over 40,000 Canadian visitor arrivals to the island. Keeping the destination and the diverse Canadian market top of mind, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority will continue to drive its robust, targeted marketing and public relations campaigns in the market, creating more awareness of the destination and access routes.

Jamaica Welcomes Cruise Updates From Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Corporation

KINGSTON, JAMAICA – Jamaica is eagerly preparing for the resumption of cruise calls by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines beginning in November as well as 110+ planned cruise ship visits from October through April 2022 by Carnival Cruise Lines.

“Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean are critical partners for Jamaica’s tourism sector and the destination’s wider economic recovery,” said Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, Hon Edmund Bartlett. “We are seeing a welcome return of vessels with the recognition that Jamaica’s Resilient Corridors offer a safe environment for our visitors, tourism workers and the general population. The world has taken note of Jamaica’s protocols being implemented safely and effectively, as these plans clearly demonstrate.”

Minister Bartlett continued, “With the return of stopover visitor arrivals since June 2020, we have been seeing steady growth towards pre-COVID-19 levels. Now that cruise is also back, we are looking forward to even stronger growth in our numbers. While there are a few matters we still need to resolve with regard to Royal Caribbean’s return, all requirements have been put in place to meet both United States and Jamaica’s COVID-19 protocols in addition to passenger movement being limited to our Resilient Corridors.”

“With a boost in cruises to Jamaica, we will in turn see a boost to the economic and social livelihoods of thousands of Jamaicans who work directly and indirectly in our cruise sector, providing a positive impact for many,” Minister Bartlett concluded.

Royal Caribbean intends to resume cruises with limited operations as of November, following over a year and a half hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Calls to Jamaica from the line have the potential to bring tens of thousands of passengers into the destination. Plans from Carnival, the world’s largest cruise line, include 110+ cruise ship visits by its various brands that could carry more than 200,000 visitors to the island between October 2021 and April 2022. These operations are subject to continued close collaboration between Jamaican authorities and the cruise lines.

These cruise updates were provided during meetings with Royal Caribbean and Carnival last week in Miami. They were among a series of meetings held with travel industry leaders, including major airlines and investors, across Jamaica’s largest source markets of the United States and Canada. The purpose of these meetings is to drive increased arrivals into the destination in the coming weeks and months and to cement further investment in the island’s tourism sector. Joining Minister Bartlett at these meetings was the Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, John Lynch; Director of Tourism, Donovan White; Senior Strategist in the Tourism Ministry, Delano Seiveright and Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas, Donnie Dawson.

Jamaica resumed welcoming cruise ships safely back to its shores in September 2021. Cruises must meet strict measures governing the restart of cruise shipping, requiring passengers over the age of 12 and crew to be fully vaccinated and for all passengers to provide evidence of negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of sailing. In the case of unvaccinated passengers, such as children, a PCR test is mandated, and all passengers are also screened and tested (antigen) on embarkation.

Jamaica remains open for travel and continues to welcome visitors safely. It’s health and safety protocols were among the first to receive the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels recognition that allowed the destination to safely reopen to travel in June 2020. The island has also recently announced additional airlift from key source markets and ninety percent of planned tourist investments remaining on track.

For more information on Jamaica, please go to www.visitjamaica.com.

What’s New In The Bahamas In October

NASSAU, Bahamas – It’s time to book that fall getaway! Whether you prefer to relax on the white sand beaches or load an itinerary with thrill-seeking adventures, visitors are welcome to experience why “It’s Better in The Bahamas” with world-renowned accommodations, increased direct airlifts and new attractions on the horizon.

NEWS

Bahamas Shines Bright with World-Renowned Recognition – The Islands took home several huge wins across various categories in Travel + Leisure’s highly anticipated annual “World’s Best Awards” and received 20 nominations in the 2021 Caribbean Travelers’ Choice Awards. Online voting for the Caribbean Travelers’ Choice Awards closes October 31, 2021.

Taste of SLS Baha Mar – Grammy award-winning musician John Legend will perform at Taste of SLS Baha Mar on November 5, 2021. Tickets include exquisite cuisine, bespoke cocktails and a glass of LVE Rosé. Attendees must be age 18 and older.

United Airlines Announces Bookable Flights to Nassau – United Airlines introduced new nonstop Saturday service to Nassau from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport beginning December 18, 2021. Flights are available to book as of early September.

Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina at Paradise Landing Reopens in 2021 – With an expanded perimeter and the first fixed T-docks installed, Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina prepares to welcome back visitors for the 2022 winter yachting season. Guests will enjoy luxury dockside residences, world-class retail, fine dining and extensive amenities.

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

For a complete listing of deals and packages for The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com/deals-packages.

Travel with Confidence with Sandals Vacation Assurance – Sandals Resorts International introduces Sandals Vacation Assurance. Guests at Sandals Royal Bahamian and Emerald Bay can receive benefits including replacement vacations and airfare credits, no charge quarantine stays and free cancellations.

Hot Fall Deals, All-Inclusive Style – Escape to Grand Bahama Island and save up to 40% when staying at Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort. Travel window is now through October 31, 2021.

Hold onto Summer with Tropic Packages – Fall is here, but you can still keep the summertime vibes going when booking a two or three-night stay at Hilton at Resorts World Bimini. Tropic Packages starting at $508 per person include roundtrip travel on Tropic Ocean Airways from Fort Lauderdale. Booking window is now through December 31, 2021.

Stay a Little Longer at Baha Mar – Resort guests at Baha Mar receive the fourth night free when booking a stay across the hotel portfolio including Grand Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood, plus a $100 resort credit, unlimited access to Baha Bay and a complimentary “Return Home” Rapid Antigen Test.

Hideaway an Extra Day – The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas is offering guests a complimentary fourth night with every three consecutive paid nights, along with private airport transportation. Travel window is now through December 31, 2022.