Meagan Drillinger
As the fall/winter travel season approaches, Caribbean
hotels continue to reopen for business following the devastation of
Hurricanes Irma and Maria. We've rounded up some of the details on
the latest string of openings across the islands.
Saint Barts
Nikki Beach Saint Barth will reopen Oct. 26 for the first full season following the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
This
season, Nikki Beach clients will experience a newly-built outdoor
restaurant, a new sushi bar, boutique, kitchen, and rotisserie, all
which adhere to the Nikki Beach aesthetic of white with wood accents.
Guests enter the property though the signature Nikki Beach teepee, where
they can enjoy cocktails in the open-air lounge.
The main
dining area now sits on top of a teak wood deck, with the sushi bar and
additional tables on anti-slip ceramic tile. A Serge Ferrari shade
structure covers the venue, but both the awning and deck are removable
for future hurricane seasons.
The central bar can seat up to 10
guests, while the sushi bar can hold up to six. The new restaurant has
natural colors and fabrics, with a menu that focuses on international
fare like truffle pizza, chicken satay, tartare and spring rolls.
Hotel
Le Toiny, which shuttered in September 2017, reopened on Oct. 15,
showing off a resort-wide refurbishment, as well as eight new villa
suites and beachfront pool at the Toiny Beach Club.
The
restoration following Hurricane Irma enabled the hotel to take the time
to add a pool on Toiny Beach. Fringed in coconut palm trees, the spot
offers cocktails and light bites, just steps from the beach. The pool is
surrounded by a teak deck and bungalow-style bar. Guests arrive to the
Beach Club via a fleet of new Land Rover Defenders, which take them from
the hillside resort down to the bay.
The villas comprise seven
Spirit Suites four single-story one-bedroom villas; three two-story,
one-bedroom villas -- and La Villa, which is now the hotel's largest
suite: a two-story, two-bedroom king villa. Each villa has its own
private infinity pool and terrace.
The one-bedroom Spirit Suites
sleep up to three guests with up to 1,400 square feet of indoor and
outdoor space. La Villa sleeps up to six with more than 2,000 square
feet of space.
The original 14 Signature Suites have been
restored, as well, with the addition of antique mirrored headboard
walls, leather furniture and oversized mirrored photo frames.
The
restaurant and public spaces have been refreshed with pops of bright
pink and geometric patterns to contrast the white and teak color scheme.
The hotel's Case Punch bar has been expanded to include an L-shaped
banquette and three small tables. The open-air Toiny Restaurant has been
updated with new mirrors and a new art prints.
As part of the
restaurant refurb, the hotel brought in executive chef Jarad McCarroll,
who has updated the menus for the season.
Puerto Rico
Verdanza Hotel in Isla Verde
is implementing a few changes to make itself appeal to a younger, more
tech-savvy traveler. The top-to-bottom, $3 million renovation will take
in all the 222 rooms and suites, main entrance, concierge desks, soft
goods, bathrooms, lighting, corridors, gym and restaurants.
Guestrooms
will be outfitted with artwork of Puerto Rican landscapes from a local
photographer using drones, and furnishings will be sourced from local
vendors.
The first phase of the renovation has already begun,
which is taking place around the pool and the first-floor rooms. The
entire project is expected to be completed by December.
Anguilla
Blanchards restaurant in Anguilla has reopened following an extensive renovation.
After
the restaurant closed down last September, owners Bob and Melinda
Blanchard raised more than $750,000 for island recovery efforts,
including bringing in 300 generators, food and water, school and medical
supplies, tools and clothing. In the days following the hurricane the
roof was patched and the space acted as a relief center, bringing in
around 1,000 people per day.
The resort has reemerged following a
remodeling, which includes a tropical garden with a patio dining area
under a twinkle-light canopy. A menu shows off a collection of 26
smaller plates to complement the menu favorites.
Nevis
While
the Four Seasons Resort Nevis didn't experience major hurricane
damages, it is unwrapping new renovations, just in time for the travel
season. The first phase of a multimillion-dollar enhancement will wrap
on Dec. 10, which includes redesigned guestrooms, an updated Great House
lobby and two new restaurants.
The 189 guestrooms now have a
lighter decor, like sea-foam greens and botanical patterns. A new
geometric carpeting has been installed. The Great House now has open-air
gathering spaces to give it, literally, an airier atmosphere.
But
the highlight of the resort is the new restaurant and bar, EsQuilina and
Crowned Monkey Rhum Bar. EsQuilina has a breakfast buffet with fresh
pressed juice and smoothie bars. In the evenings the menu swings
Mediterranean with a raw bar and charcuterie menu, fresh fish grilled in
a wood fire and a chef's table for a more intimate and interactive
dining experience.
Crowned Monkey Rhum Bar takes its name from
the island's Green Vervet monkeys, and it has a menu of local and
international rums and spirits. The space opens up to the refreshed
lobby for a more seamless and social vibe.