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ICON REBORN
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se islands features a refurbished classic and a brand-newresort
The colonial-style, all-inclusive
Curtain Blu
(
from $800
) is
known for its position at the summit of a narrow peninsula, with
private access to two dreamy, white-sand beaches below. After
its renovation concluded in October, the property began ofering
plunge pools and outdoor daybeds for select suites.
The island’s Moorish-inspired mainstay
Belmond Cap Juluca
(
from $725
) reopens in November with gleaming multiroom
villas, an ininity pool, and a food truck that serves barbecue
and rum drinks on the beach. Exclusive access to that mile-
long stretch of sand feels especially VIP.
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
(
from $999
), is on a
former Rockefeller estate that straddles the sand and jungle
outside San Juan. It will reopen in October with a beachside
omakase
and ceviche bar, an expanded spa, and 300,000 plants
on the plantation-style grounds.
After its $75 million makeover wraps in November,
Half Moon
(
from $273
) will be completely reimagined. At the heart of the
400-acre, 64-year-old beachside classic is a proper country-
club-like great house. And 57 rooms feature woven-rattan light
ixtures and custom fabrics from painter Laura Hamilton.
The 13 tropical villas of Oscar de la Renta’s only hotel,
Tortuga
Bay
(
from $795
), is a predictably chic oasis in Punta Cana. A
style upgrade comes from decorator Markham Roberts; tech
amenities include preprogrammed smartphones to call your
butler. A rare perk: You can swim at the hotel’s airport lounge.
It only has 79 rooms, but the all-inclusive
Hodges Bay Resort
& Spa
(
from $ 09
) packs a big punch. It arrives in July on
powdery Hodges Bay, a mere 10 minutes from the airport. A
kids pool and club cater to families, and a “rum sommelier”
and rooftop tapas bar take care of adults.
It took 10 years to transform
Quintessence Hotel
(
from $650
),
a gorgeous mansion on serene Long Bay Beach, into nine
individually decorated suites—each with Hästens beds, Turkish
marble bathrooms, and art from Haiti. Julians, the “island soul
food” bistro, provides the local lavor.
In March, San Juan’s ritzy Condado neighborhood welcomed
Seraina Beach Hotel
(
from $299
), the irst hotel from
the popular New York-based restaurant group. Each of the
96 breezy, whitewashed rooms comes with loor-to-ceiling
windows facing the beach.
Tucked into a private cove minutes from Sangster International
Airport,
Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa
(
from $331
)
bowed in January with 206 spacious rooms. The additional
11 three-story villas are a worthy splurge, and a 30,000-square-
foot spa ofers a Jamaican River hot stone massage.
A new
Royal Hideaway Hotel
(
from $112
) has replaced
El Embajador in a storied Santo Domingo property that
appeared in
The Godfather Part II
. After a $40 million
investment, it has 298 marble-clad rooms and 125,000 square
feet of gardens.
—Brooke Porter Katz
TRY IT
Sienna Creasy,
the group
wellness
director at Montego Bay’s Jewel
Grande (see chart below),
has invented a workout that
must be tried to be believed.
Reggaelates
is a mat-based
mashup of Pilates and Jamaican
dance. Start with moves such
as the Tiger Walk, a gyrating
three-legged dog; experts can
try the Bubbling Camel or Hot
Wok, a low squat with jazz
hands. Yes, there’s plenty of
Bob Marley, and you’ll sweat
enough to work of last night’s
red, red wine.
—K.J.W.
u
A room with a view at Seraina
Beach Hotel in San Juan,
Puerto Rico
ANTIGUA
SPLASHY DEBUT
ANGUILLA
PUERTO RICO
JAMAICA
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
A L L A B O U T
T H E C A R I B B E A N
TRAVEL
May 14, 2018
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY SERAFINA BEACH HOTEL
Each of the