The new deluxe wing of the Rostrevor hotel is the perfect place to enjoy luxury Barbados holidays

The new deluxe wing of the Rostrevor hotel is the perfect place to enjoy luxury Barbados holidays

Travellers searching for the ultimate hotel to act as the cherry topping to their luxury Barbados holiday experience will be pleased to learn that the Rostrevor Hotel has recently opened up its new deluxe wing. Situated on the western block of this magnificent hotel complex, this latest upgrade has added 25 luxuriously furnished rooms and is guaranteed to please just about any guest hoping for a touch of class during their luxury holidays in barbados

As one may expect, the new rooms which boast jaw-droppingly gorgeous ocean views reflect the already high standards and commitment to customer service at the Rostrevor Hotel. Along with the newly added wing guests will now have access to a variety of deluxe amenities including a state of the art gym and coin operated laundry facilities. These are in addition to the already impressive list of extras previously available to holidaymakers at affordable rates, making this the "go-to" hotel for anyone hoping to book budget friendly barbados holidays Guests staying at this Barbados hotel will have access to:

• A secluded beach front location
• Swimming pool, and dedicated sunbathing area where guests can soak up the Caribbean sun in style
• Complimentary Wi-Fi in each room allowing everyone to stay connected
• Two on site restaurants serving up mouth watering dishes
• Complimentary aqua aerobics classes
• Discounts on golf packages with Barbados Golf Club

Image by: worldtraveller5, on Flickr

The 266 square miles that make up the island of Barbados are dotted with comfortable accommodation to suit any taste and pocket; ranging from luxury hotels and villas to quaint little bed and breakfast inns. Each of these Barbados hotels knows all too well the importance of standing out in the crowd - something which is becoming increasingly difficult with the global economic downturn taking its toll in the tourism industry.

Image by: PlanetBarbados, on Flickr

During his keynote speech for the AGM of the Barbados Employers’ Confederation at the Hilton Barbados, Opposition Leader Owen Arthur, raised concerns that some hotels in Barbados will have to close their doors as they buckle under the pressure of offering lower rates despite higher operation costs. With the new deluxe wing, the Rostrevor hotel is certainly showing that it can thrive whilst providing its customers with real value for money even in the face of tough economic times.

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Hotel Mockingbird Hill in Jamaica Awarded Prestigious Hospitality Assured Certification

Hotel Mockingbird Hill in Jamaica Awarded Prestigious Hospitality Assured Certification

The Hotel Mocking Bird Hill in Jamaica has been recognised for its excellence in business and service and has been awarded the Hospitality Assured (HA) certification.

The boutique property is a fantastic destination for eco-friendly jamaica holidays and it has now been awarded one of the most sought-after certifications in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Hospitality Assured is a certification programme that is owned by the Institute of Hospitality in the United Kingdom and promotes service and business excellence in companies within the tourism and hospitality sector such as hotels, resorts, airports, healthcare and educational organisations.

Hotel Mockingbird Hill also recently received acclamation in the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s Excellence in Sustainable Award contest.

Image by: mockbrd, on Flickr

The director of human resources for The Caribbean Tourism Organisation, which oversees the HA programme in the Caribbean, Bonita Morgan, stated: “I am heartened that businesses like Hotel Mocking Bird Hill are realising the tremendous benefits to be derived from Hospitality Assured certification. We look forward to many more Caribbean tourism businesses taking advantage of the programme to help improve service quality and increase customer loyalty.”

Barbara Walker, the co-owner of Hotel Mockingbird Hill, explained how the training programme helped the team realise what was holding them back and it forced them to break down the process of achieving their goals into smaller achievable steps.

“If our review process led us to the conclusion that some procedures needed modification, these were arrived at through group discussion and consensus,” Ms. Walker commented. “It is a long and ongoing process and it helps when one has a team that enjoys good relations amongst themselves and can openly engage in the dialogue to evaluate guests comments, engage in a positive and critical analysis and come up with ideas for improvements.”

Image by: mockbrd, on Flickr

The new certification further highlights Hotel Mockingbird Hill as one of the most luxurious Jamaica hotels.

Nestled upon 6.5 acres in the lush, topical hillside in Port Antonio, the eco-chic property is a fantastic choice for tranquil holidays in jamaica

The 10-room hotel has dedicated staff who are on hand to ensure guests are made to feel welcome at all times and the breathtaking views overlook the majestic Blue Mountains and the sparkling turquoise Caribbean Sea.

The Jamaica hotel uses natural materials everywhere and the locally-made furniture has been produced using bamboo and tropical woods from sustainable forests. The guest rooms are naturally-lit and spacious and feature modern amenities, and facilities include an award-winning organic restaurant, a bar, and a swimming pool.

During holidays to jamaica tourists can visit the white sand beaches of Frenchman’s Cove, refresh under the cascading Reich Falls, hike through coffee plantations, take a trip to the historic Port Antonio, or enjoy bird watching in the hotel garden where more than 40 species of birds can be spotted.

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The BodyHoliday LeSport in St Lucia makes June 2012 Yoga Month

The BodyHoliday LeSport in St Lucia makes June 2012 Yoga Month

The day to day hustle and bustle between home and the office can certainly take its toll on the human mind, body and spirit leaving most people drained and longing for a soothing escape to relax and recharge. It is at times like these that an already enticing Caribbean getaway to islands like St. Lucia, Barbados or Tobago become even more appealing.

The wise holidaymakers who have decided to listen to that inner voice crying out for a pampering session will be hard pressed to find a more ideal time and place to recharge than at The BodyHoliday LeSport resort in St Lucia this June. This award winning luxury St Lucia hotel which prides itself on the key pillars of “relaxation, restorative beauty, exercise and good diet” will soon launch “Yoga June”- an entire month dedicated to yoga- this June 2012 making for the ultimate all inclusive pampering holiday in St Lucia.

Image by: jib35, on Flickr

Guests staying at the BodyHoliday LeSport for their yoga inspired st lucia holidays will have access to a full sports programme as well as the opportunity to learn new yoga techniques. For those who have never tried yoga, Yoga June is suitable for all ability levels with world class experts like visiting instructor Grace Van Berkum a registered holistic nutritionist, Sivananda Hatha Yoga teacher and certified personal trainer on hand to ensure that everyone is able to get the most out of their experience.

Of course it would not be a luxury holiday experience without a spa and at the Body Holiday LeSport guests will also have access to one of the Caribbean’s best spa facilities which was voted Top Spa by Spa Finder’s annual Reader’s Choice awards in both 2008 and 2009. At the Wellness Centre guests can treat themselves to a range of treatments including the two day Ayurveda Ecstasy From South India programme which uses a combination of four Ayurveda techniques-Synchronised Abhyanga massage, Mukhalepam, Udvartana and Shirodhara.

Image by: carolinesandry, on Flickr

The indulgence does not stop there with the mouth watering food served at the resort’s TAO restaurant- voted by Conde Nast as one of the top 60 tables in the world- well worth the journey to the beautiful Caribbean island. The food served at TAO and the three other on site restaurants at LeBody reflects the resort’s commitment to a holistic approach. All foods are prepared with the freshest locally grown ingredients some of which are grown at LeBody’s very own vegetable garden making this the perfect place to kick start a more wholesome diet.

Travellers hoping to regain that mental and physical harmony should book their space for this once in a lifetime indulgent St Lucia holiday.

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VIPs Attend Groundbreaking Ceremonies for Dominican Republic’s New $65 Million Cruise Centre

VIPs Attend Groundbreaking Ceremonies for Dominican Republic’s New $65 Million Cruise Centre

A brand new cruise facility is under construction in the Dominican Republic following its groundbreaking ceremonies held last week.

The $ 65 million Amber Cove Cruise Centre is the Caribbean’s newest cruise destination and in 2014 it will be open to cruise ships and travellers going on dominican republic holidays

The cruise centre’s position in the Bay of Maimon near Puerto Plata will help re-establish the nation’s northern coast as a destination for cruise holidays as it has not had any cruise arrivals in over 30 years.

The groundbreaking ceremonies took place on 15th May, 2012 and were attended by Dominican Republic's President Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reyna, the Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia, the Minister of Public Works & Communications Victor Diaz Rua, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Ernesto Reyna and many more cruise and tourism industry leaders and VIPs.

Image by: MacEnsteph, on Flickr

The two-berth Amber Cove Cruise Centre is a joint project between Carnival Corporation & plc and the Rannik family of Grupo B&R and when it is completed it will have the capacity to accommodate 8,000 cruise passengers arriving on their cruise holidays to the Dominican Republic, as well as 2,000 crew members on a daily basis. In the first year, the facility is expected to receive over 250,000 cruise passengers.

Set upon 30 acres of waterfront, Amber Cove will feature several shops, restaurants, bars, a fun water attraction and a marketplace that will include locally sourced crafts and souvenirs.

The Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean nation after Cuba and it occupies the eastern two third of the island of Hispaniola. The nation boasts four magnificent mountain ranges, winding rivers, large lakes, turquoise coastal lagoons, sugar plantations, and miles of unspoilt white sand palm-fringed beaches.

Image by: photon_de, on Flickr

The popular tourist destination offers a wide selection of luxury Dominican hotels and resorts, championship golf courses and a wide range of watersports and activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, fishing and boat excursions.

The Dominican Republic’s most popular tourist resorts include Punta Cana and Cap Cana on the eastern tip; Santo Domingo, the country’s capital city; and the historic town of Puerto Plata on the northern coast.

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Cuba ranks 3rd as a top holiday destination in the Caribbean

Cuba ranks 3rd as a top holiday destination in the Caribbean

The general director of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) for the Americas, Carlos Vogeler, recently revealed that Cuba is now in third position as the Caribbean holiday destination that welcomes more tourists per year, trailing behind the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

The rising popularity of cuba holidays among worldwide travellers heading to the Caribbean was revealed during Mr Vogeler’s visit to Jardines del Rey as part of a special tour he enjoyed after the end of the 32nd edition of Cuba’s annual tourism fair FITCUBA 2012. The official also added that Cuba is currently improving its tourist industry to provide visitors with enhanced holiday experiences, and that shed in the increasing number of tourists arriving to the island each year.

Those now seeking to enjoy holidays in cuba have a larger number of hotels to choose from, a wider range of tourist attractions to enjoy and enhanced quality standards at most resorts, hostels, inns and boutique hotels. In addition further  investment projects in attractions such as golf courses and marina as well as the opening of new hotel rooms are already in the pipeline.

Image by: pietroizzo, on Flickr

At the same pace Cuba's tourism industry has improved and evolved so have the tourism fairs organised in the island. The idea to take it this year to such an attractive place as Cayo Santa Maria was simply brilliant, according to Vogeler.

Mr Vogeler added that a visit to the pristine Jardines de La Reina archipelago (which Cayo Santa Maria is part of) allowed many foreigners to get to know the natural beauties that one can only find in these keys, (including the Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo keys), because they are a very valuable tourism product barely known outside Cuba.

Image by: worldtraveller5, on Flickr

Travel agents, tour operators, hotel chains and airline representatives toured the different facilities in the above-mentioned keys located off the northern central Cuban coast. There they were able to admire the beauty of the Playa Pilar resort, one of the most beautiful places in Cuba, where the sand dunes are among the best preserved in the region.

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Burj Al Arab Launches Luxury Gold Package for Romantic Dubai Holidays

Burj Al Arab Launches Luxury Gold Package for Romantic Dubai Holidays

Loved-up couples looking for a luxurious romantic escape this year will be able to take advantage of the new Gold Package that has been launched at Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel.

The Gold Package offers once-in-a-lifetime romantic experiences for couples taking dubai holidays including dinner on a private beach, a moonlight swim in a candle-lit infinity pool filled with rose petals, and a ride around the city in a Rolls Royce Phantom.
The longer guests stay at the luxury hotel, the more additional services they can enjoy during their holidays in dubai

The special package includes airport transfers in a Rolls Royce Phantom and a scenic drive around the city; a 25-minute back, neck and shoulder massage; an aromatherapy bath in the privacy of the guest suite Jacuzzi; romantic flower decorations in the Suite; an intimate three-course beachside dinner; a 55-minute aromatherapy couple massage; “his and hers” personalised gifts; unlimited fun time in Wild Wadi Water Park; and a moonlight swim in a infinity pool lit by candles, followed by a glass of champagne.

Image by: khshahen, on Flickr

The Burj Al Arab is Dubai’s famous seven-star hotel that is located on an artificial island 280 metres from Jumeirah beach. The property stands out from other dubai hotels with its iconic structure which resembles the sail of an Arabian dhow and soars 321 metres into the sky.

The Jumeirah-managed hotel has 28 double-storey floors with 202 spacious guest suites and during holidays to dubai tourists can enjoy exquisite cuisine at several gourmet restaurants including the Al Mahara which features a seawater aquarium; have fun at the Wild Wadi Water park; go shopping at the Dubai Mall; relax on the Majlis Al Bahar private beach; and indulge at the lavish Assawan Spa and Health Club.

Image by: Alain Poder, on Flickr

Couples can relax amid elegant furnishings and modern amenities throughout their luxury holidays The suites feature an office area with laptop, internet access, private fax, printer and copier machine; state-of-the-art technology where guests can change the lighting, curtains and air conditioning with the touch of a button; a 42-inch plasma screen TV with DVD and cable channels; a separate living area and dining area with dining table; a walk-in shower and Jacuzzi bath with a full range of men and ladies Hermes amenities; and round-the-clock dedicated butler service.

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Antigua Hotels Record Highest Occupancy Levels in Three Years

Antigua Hotels Record Highest Occupancy Levels in Three Years

The Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourist Association, Neil Forrester, has released new data showing the best hotel occupancy levels on the Caribbean island of Antigua since 2008.

According to the figures, there has been a recent increase in the number of tourists going on antigua holidays with hotel occupancies in the island reaching an average of 63.8 per cent during the month of April this year.

In April 2008, the occupancy levels of Antigua hotels reached an average of 72.4 per cent but visitor numbers to the island dropped during the recession between 2008 and 2011.

John Maginley, the Minister of Tourism said that the rise in travellers taking holidays in antigua and staying in the nation’s hotels and resorts was due to the joint marketing efforts from the Tourism Authority and the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourist Association.

“Visibility and proper placement in today’s ever competitive global tourism market are the key essential elements in ensuring that rooms are filled year round,” he stated.

The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and is famous for its wide selection of beautiful pristine white sand beaches; with enough of them to go to a different one every day of the year.

The islands boast natural scenery that is typical of the Caribbean including white and pink sandy, palm-fringed beaches; warm turquoise ocean waters; and lush forests and green landscapes.

Barbuda is the smaller of the two islands and holidaymakers can enjoy birdwatching at the Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Codrington Lagoon. The island is less built-up than Antigua and has a selection of luxury beachfront Caribbean hotels and resorts.

Antigua is the main and larger island and is a popular destination for romantic weddings and honeymoons, family caribbean holidays and annual sailing regattas.

The Caribbean nation was voted the “Sexiest Destination” by Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine earlier this year and the islands were voted among the top 10 honeymoon destinations in the Caribbean by BRIDES Magazine in 2011.

During holidays to antigua tourists can enjoy a wide choice of activities such as sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, yacht charters, hiking, tours of nature parks, and shopping in local markets and high end boutiques.

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