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Rosewood Resorts / Antigua Hotels / Hotel Reopenings / Hotel Renovations / → All Tags

Jumby Bay Gets Jumbo-Sized Renovations

Where: Jumby Bay Island, St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

Win a big award, then close down for a year: probably not the strategy that Rosewood Resorts' Jumby Bay in Antigua had in mind, but perhaps that just shows they were modest enough not to expect to win last year's T+L Best Caribbean Resort award. Shortly after that burst of publicity, Jumby Bay closed up most of their resort to get to work on $28 million worth of renovations, and now these are finally almost done.

As you'd expect, $28 million buys a fair amount of new and improved stuff, and the revamp includes complete overhauls of 12 existing guest suites as well as the addition of 28 brand new suites. The new design style is meant to be a combo of "tropical hideaway" and "romantic British Colonial".

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Movie Marketing Hotels: Titanic Theme at Ryan Mansion Inn

Where: 21 Rennies Mill Road , St. John's, NL, Canada

Here comes our annual winner in the cheesy-music-on-website hotel contest: the Ryan Mansion Inn in St John's, Newfoundland has a gentle instrumental rendition of the "My Heart Will Go On" Titanic theme song playing on its website, and what's worse, we totally can't find a mute button on the site.

You might well be wondering why a historic inn would be playing the Titanic music, but in fact it has some kind of reason for it.

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Hotel Blog Watch / Island Hotels / Rosewood Resorts / → All Tags

Hotel Blog Watch: Jumby Bay Blog Not Yet Jumpin'

Where: Jumby Bay Island, St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

After all our discussion of midnight massages and baby making at the Jumby Bay resort in Antigua, we had high expectations for the Jumby Bay Blog. But high expectations are usually not a good thing.

When you hit the Jumby Bay Blog (don't try and say that after a couple of drinks, by the way), the first impression is good. It looks nice. Plenty of pictures of long white beaches and sparkling blue sea, and a neat looking layout. But start reading and you might be disappointed--we were.

It's not just a promotional blog, it's a whack-you-over-the-head promotional blog. Each post so far advertises packages or aspects of Jumby Bay without anywhere near enough attempt to make it interestingly readable.

The list of categories on the left looked interesting, until you start clicking, because every post has been linked to practically every category.

In the interests of fairness, it is very early days at the Jumby Bay Blog, and we hope to see a bit more story-telling and a few less categories attached to each post. As it stands, it's not the kind of hotel blog we'd go back to read again, even if it does look pretty.

[Photo: Jumby Bay Blog]

Hotel Openings / Hotel Parties / All-Inclusive Resorts / Sandals / Celebrity Scoop / → All Tags

Celebs on Hand for Sandals Antigua Opening

Where: Dickenson Bay , St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

We're not sure if the world needed another huge Sandals resort but someone decided that it did and thus, the new addition to the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa just opened this past weekend.

Much like the opening for The Cove at Atlantis, Sandals brought out celebs to celebrate its opening weekend. And by celebs we mean Rumer Willis, Kimora Lee Simmons, Shaggy, Teri Polo and Laguna Beach alum Stephen Colletti.

Jen at Ok! Magazine actually has the "play-by-play" on the opening festivities including a brief description of the suite "which is like a palacial suite with a balcony overlooking the entire 'rainy' village", her stint in a beer-guzzling competition and a report that Rumer Willis and Stephen Colleti were in the hot tub til 4am while friendly Sandals butlers refreshed their towels.

As for the new addition, it totally resembles The Cove, complete with some flash media presentation that talks about a "legend" and an "epic of love." The presentation also says the place was so grand and so luxurious it needed a new name--the Mediterranean Village. Um, that's not so grand or epic.

Anyways, in typical Sandals fashion it remains an all-inclusive resort but now it has all-suite accommodations and the Eastern Caribbean's largest pool:

As big as an ocean, this impressive new pool features a majestic tower for viewing sunsets, a colonnaded swim-up bar, and chic pool-side cabanas for lounging in intimate luxury.

Plus Sandal's has exclusive butler service, the first for their resorts, with butlers trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers. This service is available for those staying in the concierge suites. And of course, this is Sandals. There's so much more to do here aside from make-out in a hot tub. And for that we can't really fault Sandals.

Hotel Spas / Island Hotels / Conception Moons / Rosewood Resorts / → All Tags

Pure Luxury: Midnight Massages at Jumby Bay

Where: P.O. Box 423, St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

Here at Hotel Chatter, we've seen plenty of crazy stuff, but when we heard about the midnight messages at Jumby Bay in Antigua we wondered what they'd think of next.

The private island retreat (which, needless to say, is our favorite kind) recently debuted it's midnight messages for couples who prefer to unwind before bedtime. Resident message therapists visit guests in the privacy of their suites. The treatment starts at $350 per couple and includes candlelight, therapeutic massage, culinary treats and a hand-drawn bath. Sure, 500-count sheets are nice, but this is pure luxury. And also very conducive for baby-making.

Related Stories:
· Baby-Making at Jumby Bay [HotelChatter]

Travel Deals / Antigua Hotel Reviews / Caribbean Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

A Caribbean Hotel for Under $200?

Where: St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

A friend of HotelChatter is bugging us about the US Airways sale that's currently on until March 5. "Come on," the FoHC told us last night. "We gotta get some sun." It may be true, and Antigua does have killer rays to soak up. But where would we stay for under $600?

The Dian Bay Resort & Spa might fit the bill. There are 34 ocean view rooms to choose from at Dian Bay, all of which come with smallish terraces. The beach directly in front of the property doesn't offer much, but, hey, that's what water taxis are for. The hotel ferries guests across the bay to another sandy strip when sunbathing duty calls.

So what's the catch? Might be this:

The resort's remote location makes it difficult to get to dining spots on the island, unless you rent a car for your stay or take a taxi, which, although easy to arrange, can get expensive after a few trips.

True, but you can't beat rates that start under $200. Use the money you save to tip those cabbies!

Related Stories:
· Dian Bay Resort reviews [TripAdvisor]

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Hugging It Out in Antigua

Where: St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

womantraveler blogger Janis Johnson recently bedded down at the Cocobay Resort in Antigua:

Cocobay was created in 2000 by two entrepreneur brothers who built the cottages, primarily for two people each, as an alternative to the large resorts, such as nearby Jolly Beach (casino, cricket stadium, and shopping center) or the very intentional upscale chic of the new Carlisle Bay a few miles to the east. Cocobay is intended to feel like home, with an all-inclusive plan (accommodations, three buffet meals a day, house wines, high tea, and water sports) that make it an effortless sanctuary.

Our bungalow on the sunset side was one of the choicest, close enough to the water to hear lapping ways and somewhat removed from the other cottages. But all 41 cottages are situated for privacy, with covered verandas and sea views from hammocks and Adirondack chairs.

The resort is especially popular with guests from the United Kingdom and Europe, who often return annually. They've discovered something that Americans should know. The family feeling extends to staff, who look forward to their returning guests. We would talk to lovely Kathleen, our server at meals, about her family and our families. We hugged when we departed.

The photo she snapped (above) leaves the beauty of this place indisputable, and c'mon who doesn't like a resort that wants you to hug it out on departure day.

Related Stories:
·   Cocobay Resort [womantraveler]
·   Cocobay Resort Reviews [TripAdvisor]

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The Potterhead Hotel Deal

Where: 115 Cavendish Square, St. John's, NL, Canada, A1C 5W8

Our new little brother is such a punk.

Not even a week old and he is already pointing out hotel stories we missed. Let the sibling rivalry begin.

The newest Potter teen tome is being released at midnight on July 16, and hotels worldwide are planning on cashing in.

The Fairmont Newfoundland is offering a Hocus Pocus Package to mark the Potter release.

You see since Newfoundland has its own unique time zone, Potter freaks can be the first in North America to receive a copy of 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince'.

So brave Tropical Storm Cindy, sail yourself to Newfoundland, and secure a book.  Either that or just go to your local Barnes & Noble on the 16th, but then you would be missing out on all the wild Canadian fun.

This offer is valid July 15 & 16 and July 22 & 23.  Rates start at $199 CAD.

Two Other Potter Hotel Deals Post Break

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