The winners of the Caribbean Journal’s Caribbean Travel Awards for 2016 have been announced. This is the first year the journal has celebrated the best in hospitality in Jamaica and has instituted the awards to recognize the great work being done in the hospitality industry in the region. The winners are listed below:
Half Moon was named Best Hotel of the Year. This hotel topped the list with its 400 acres of romantic West Indies luxury. The hotel was cited for its preservation of the regions “jet-set” era with some of the most beautiful rooms in the Caribbean that never lose the unique charms of Jamaica.
The Best Small Hotel of the Year Award went to Round Hill for its Ralph-Lauren-designed guest rooms and its magical ambiance. There are 36 ocean-front rooms that offer timeless beauty, plus an exception infinity pool.
The award for the Best All-Inclusive property of the year was given to Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Rose Hall. Actually two adjacent properties, Ziva is for families, while Zilara if for adults. This offers a truly unique type of all-inclusive experience for Jamaica’s visitors. The property is located in the former Ritz-Carlton Resort and offers a large beach, beautiful rooms, and the first-class, quality service guests have come to expect from the Hyatt brand.
Winner of the Best New Hotel of the Year was The Cliff, a lovely property in Negril that offers an experience ranging from high design to the Cindy Hutson Zest restaurant, which has already become one of the best culinary delights on the island.
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The Attraction of the Year Award went to River Bumpkin Farm. One of the region’s top tour companies, Island Routes headed by Adam Stewart, the CEO of Sandals, is known for its great work on the home island of Jamaica. River Bumpkin Farm is an excellent example of this work. This is a multi-purpose plantation attraction in Trelawny that offers a range of adventures, including river tubing and kayaking.
Port Antonio was named 2016 Destination of the Year. Jamaica has long been one of the “hippest” destinations in the world, and much of its popularity and recognition has been due to the tourism sector in Port Antonio. Its boutique hotels like Geejam and Trident, plus its focus on authentic and untouched travel, makes Port Antonio a true Jamaican treasure.
Jason Henzell, the chairman of Jakes Hotel Villas and Spa in Treasure Beach, was named Hotelier of the Year, for his aid in turning the south coast of Jamaica into a vaunted tourism destination. He was recognized for his commitment to the area’s environment and its community, and his continuing view of tourism as a creative endeavor.
The Caribbean Journal’s Palm Award was given to David Hall, CEO of VIP Attraction, which operates Club Kingston and Club Mobay airport lounges in Kingston and Montego Bay, respectively. The Palm Award is a new award given to recognize those who make a difference in the wider tourism sector in each destination. In an air travel environment increasingly characterized by discomfort, Hall has created places where the customer truly does come first and where the travel environment is friendly and enjoyable.
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