The concert by the five-time Grammy Award winner will launch the resort’s 2024 Music Making Waves concert
series. In the past 20-plus years, Atlantis Paradise Island has
hosted such A-list artists as Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars,
Ricky Martin, the Jonas Brothers, Pitbull, Doja Cat, Kesha and Lizzo.

Jackson will perform songs from her musical catalog of 11 studio albums, which includes hits like “All For You,” “Got Til It’s Gone,” “That’s The Way Love Goes” and “What Have You Done for Me Lately.”

Preshow festivities at the Music Making Waves Concert Village include pop-up experiences, activity zones and food trucks.

Tickets start at $149 for bronze seating to $349 for diamond seating. A portion of concert proceeds will support the nonprofit Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, dedicated to saving sea species and their habitats throughout the Bahamas and surrounding Caribbean seas.

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The much-anticipated Tulum Airport saw its first domestic flights on Dec. 1, with international flights expected at the end of March. This news comes in tandem with the launch of the first portion of the Maya Train project, which debuted on Dec. 15.

The first phase of airport operations includes daily Aeromexico and Viva Aerobus flights originating from Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Tijuana and Toluca. It is expected that the airport will welcome 700,000 arrivals in its first month of operation. 

Future airlines that will begin operations in 2024 into Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport (TQO) or Aeropuerto Internacional de Tulum, include Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines and, most recently, JetBlue. Delta is expected to begin service between Atlanta and Tulum on March 28. American Airlines will fly twice daily from Dallas/Fort Worth and daily from Charlotte and Miami in March, as well. United Airlines has announced routes from Newark, Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare and Houston. JetBlue will begin service from JFK on June 13. Spirit will fly from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. 

Part of the airport facilities include a runway that is longer than two miles as well as a terminal with a capacity for 5.5 million annual passengers. The airport is 15 miles from downtown Tulum, connected by road to Highway 307, the main artery that runs from Cancun south toward Chetumal. This access to the highway gives the airport easy access to the Tulum station that will be part of the Maya Train.

Maya Train starts chugging

The nearly $30 billion passenger railroad has been a passion project for President Manuel Lopez Obrador since he took office at the end of 2018. It was the cornerstone of his larger vision to stimulate the economy of Southern Quinana Roo. The train has been the topic of controversy since before ground was broken, calling into question the environmental effects, its imppact on remote villages that will soon be exposed to tourism at unprecedented volumes and the unprecedented cost for an infrastructure project.

Still, the first leg of the 1,500-kilometer route launched, connecting Cancun to the city of Campeche. Tickets for this leg cost $68, and the journey takes six hours, which is roughly how long it takes to drive the same route by car. It is expected that the entire train route will be in operation by February.

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The Mirage volcano’s days are numbered as the property transitions into Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. But it’s anyone’s guess what that number is.

After being out of action in the ramp-up to the inaugural Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix last month, the volcano is set to go off nightly, as it has since 1989. But it will transform into “Paramount Mountain” for four days during Super Bowl weekend, Feb. 8 to 11, according to Paramount Global, the broadcasting and streaming home of the NFL’s big game.

“We expect the volcano to operate through January and are working on the current timeline now regarding the Paramount activation and how that affects the volcano display,” Mirage president Joe Lupo said in a statement to Travel Weekly. Paramount officials did not indicate when preparation for Paramount Mountain would begin.

The blocklong structure along the Strip will feature interactive fan experiences built around popular Paramount films and series such as “Transformers,” “Yellowstone,” “Star Trek,” “Dora the Explorer,” “Ghosts” and “Sistas.”

Guests will be able to reach the mountain’s peak in the FUNicular Experience, what’s billed as a “hyper-realistic gondola ride and ascend in a thrilling simulation, accentuated by frigid winds and harrowing heights, with their favorite Paramount characters and brands to guide them.”

The Paramount+ Lodge will include “various realms that embody Paramount’s flagship streaming service” and sneak peeks of Paramount Pictures’ films.

“Paramount’s ‘Mountain of Entertainment’ in Las Vegas is an exciting, fan-focused physical manifestation of the expansive and popular content from across our portfolio of brands,” said Josh Line, executive vice president and chief brand officer for Paramount Global. The brand includes CBS, CBS Sports, Paramount+, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Pluto TV and Paramount Home Entertainment.

Hard Rock International took control of the Mirage in December 2022 after completing its $1.1 billion acquisition from MGM Resorts International. A 660-foot-tall, guitar-shaped tower with 600 rooms is expected to rise from the site of the volcano, which prompted an online petition to save it earlier that year.

Hard Rock representative Jennifer Lazovich told Clark County Commissioners that the company plans to “modernize and theme” the rest of the property to match the guitar tower. The tower will resemble back-to-back guitars with brightly lit strings and floor-to-ceiling glass panes. It will include 48,000 square feet of gaming area and 96,000 square feet of retail and restaurants at ground level, according to planning documents.

Like its counterpart the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., lasers are expected to shoot from the roof, and an LED show will be projected on the facade.

But until then the volcano remains.

While the timeline for its permanent deactivation is still unclear, another Vegas institution will continue for another year: Cirque du Soleil confirmed in June that “The Beatles Love” will be staged at least through 2024 in partnership with Hard Rock.

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Those words hit my inbox after booking a stay at 1 Hotel South Beach. The Miami hotel’s nature-inspired mission began during the booking process and was evident throughout my recent stay.

Though luxury and sustainability don’t always seem compatible, the resort serves as a model for blending Earth-friendly initiatives with indulgent amenities. 

First impressions 

Looming over an entire block on Collins Avenue, the hotel is impossible to miss, but it’s also tucked away from South Beach’s famous — infamous? — clubs and crowds.

One of the first things I noticed pulling up to the hotel was the exterior living wall made up of over 12,000 plants that are both decorative and functional, working to absorb toxins and impurities. 

The lobby is also impressive: White linen drapes hang from soaring ceilings, and matching white couches are positioned around recycled driftwood coffee tables. The hotel has its own scent (fresh eucalyptus leaves mingled with an earthy cedar), which is palpable but not overwhelming. 

During check-in, I was handed a round chip of recycled wood a bit larger than a poker chip, which served as my room key. One of the only downsides to my stay, the hotel key was easy to misplace, but the front desk was gracious in providing replacements. 

Miami Beach hotels are notoriously small, but here standard rooms start at 500 square feet with the palatial presidential suite topping out at 3,500 square feet. I stayed in a king-size guestroom, and even without a beach view, it felt airy and bright. 

Everywhere I looked there was an homage to nature: The towel hooks were recycled rocks, and the “do not disturb” sign and closet coat hangers were made of recycled cardboard. Plants dotted the room, and the hotel minibar was stocked with fair-trade beauty products and organic snacks.

The guestrooms and hallways are carpeted, which seemed like an odd choice for a beachfront hotel, but the floors were immaculate, and it gave the minimalist rooms a warmer feel. 

Thoughtful amenities

The hotel stands out from Miami’s crowded hospitality scene with creative on-property events and amenities.

I spent my time alternating between the hotel’s beach club and the hotel pools, including a gorgeous rooftop pool 18 stories up. 

The hotel’s popular rooftop pool deck is also home to Watr at The Rooftop, a newly updated restaurant that serves shareable Asian dishes. On my first night, I ordered the wagyu skirt steak and chicken gyoza from the restaurant’s new dinner menu, which continues to source ingredients locally. 

The hotel’s commitment to the community extends to the on-site activities. During my stay, the hotel offered personalized poems from a local poet typed out on an antique typewriter and an animal spirit reading from a local card reader. 

Other creative initiatives include a farm stand in the lobby featuring local fruit and vegetables and a fleet of electric Audi e-trons available for a test drive or for drop-off service.

One of the resort’s most impressive features is the beachside outdoor dining venue Tala Beach. The restaurant, formerly known as 1 Beach Club, is a 50,000-square-foot, Tulumesque outdoor oasis that winds around the hotel’s perimeter, complete with daybeds, hammocks and dining tables tucked away under towering palm trees.

The restaurant’s October reopening was accompanied by a new menu of Mediterranean-influenced shared bites and cocktails, and standout brunch dishes include crispy lobster and shakshuka made with local farm eggs.

A green ethos

Though the hotel is located on one of Miami’s busiest streets, inside it felt like a quiet hideaway from the overstimulating party scene on South Beach.

While the resort’s vision of luxury paired with environmentalism is lofty, the execution is in the small details like the complimentary organic sunscreen, tiki huts topped by solar panels and drinkware made from recycled glass.

The hotel’s green ethos will especially appeal to anyone who wants to walk away feeling good about their environmental impact and making a connection with the local community. 

I walked away from my stay satiated and well-rested, convinced that a luxury resort can embrace sustainability and community and still provide an exceptional experience for its guests. 

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Carnival World Buffet, once the city’s most famous buffet, closed during the pandemic and never reopened.

“When we started planning the revitalization of the resort, one of the first things we wanted to deliver was an approachable yet exciting dining destination that appealed to a wide variety of people, much like the Carnival World Buffet did back in its heyday,” said Trevor Scherrer, president and CEO of Rio Las Vegas.

Among the first-to-market concepts planned:

• Southland Burrito Co., which will honor the culinary history of coastal towns of the Southwest, Baja and northern Mexico.
• Shogun Ramen, a partnership of master ramen chef Foo Kanegae and restaurateur Takashi Segawa.
• Tony Luke’s, South Philadelphia’s popular cheesesteak chain.
• Tender Crush, by Chris Barish and Julie Mulligan, founders of Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, with fried and grilled chicken tenders, sandwiches, sides and sauces.
• Nama Nama, a street food-style sushi in a setting reminiscent of Tokyo’s streets and alleys.
• Attaboy Burger, with chef Alex Resnick’s “less is more” menu.

The Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, which recently completed its ownership transition from Caesars Entertainment to Dreamscape Cos., is renovating 1,427 guestrooms and suites in the Ipanema Tower in a project that will be completed in the first quarter of 2024.

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Among the updates were those made to the resort’s entrance pavilion, which received new landscaping, and to its central tranquility ponds, with new lounge furniture and wooden backgammon and chess board games.

The main restaurant received a full interior renovation that includes new art pieces, lighting and furniture. The resort’s casual eatery, the Beach Club, has been upgraded with multilevel decking shaded by new pergolas and has introduced a new drinks menu.

The resort also announced that it will debut kosher-accredited preparation areas next year.

Three of the resort’s luxury private villas have undergone renovations. The lakefront Villa 14 has been fully refurbished, with the addition of a private pathway leading directly to a new yoga pavilion and a meditative water fountain. Villa 8, a four-bedroom Tranquility Villa, has also undergone a complete refurbishment of the interior living space and expansive outdoor terrace space with a hot tub and fire pit.

Amanyara’s signature villa, the Artists Villa, now includes a private fitness and wellness area. The Artists Villa is the resort’s largest and most exclusive residence, with five bedrooms and three acres of private gardens; a recording studio; a steam room and cold plunge pool; and a private, 108-foot infinity swimming pool overlooking the sea.

The three- to six-bedroom villas come with the services of a private chef. All villas and rooms include a dedicated host.

Amanyara is part of the Aman portfolio, which includes 34 luxury resorts, hotels and private residences in 20 countries. Its other Caribbean property, Amanera, is in the Dominican Republic.

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The Rosewood Barbuda, to be developed by Murbee Resorts, will sit on 85 acres and 2,952 feet of beachfront property and will offer three eateries, including a farm-to-table restaurant; two pools, one of which will be for families; a fitness center; and the brand’s wellness concept Asaya Spa, which will have six treatment rooms.

Rosewood Barbuda will be the company’s fourth property in the Caribbean, joining the Rosewood Baha Mar in the Bahamas, Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands and Rosewood Le Guanahani in St. Barth. Rosewood Hotels and Resorts manages 33 luxury hotels, resorts and residences in 21 countries.

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“We’re the world’s largest boat rental and boat charter booking platform,” said Val Streif, marketing manager for the international booking platform GetMyBoat. “We’re curating all the different options in one area, so you can kind of shop around and compare prices all in one place.” 

A recent search of GetMyBoat offerings in Hawaii brought up 88 listings, with the majority on the island of Oahu, but there are also rentals available on Maui and the Big Island. The website also lists a range of different boat types and experiences that include yachts, catamarans, sail boats, fishing boats, gondolas, paddleboards and kayaks.

The majority of the listings are from “brick-and-mortar charter companies who use our app as like a booking platform to get customers,” Streif said. It also isn’t unusual to run across a charter boat on this platform that is used for group tours. 

Each captain and owner sets their own rates and terms, so it’s important to read each description. Some will allow one-hour charters, while others require a three-hour minimum. Streif said the most common rental is four hours or a half day.

Once you find a boat you like, the next step would be to click “send an inquiry,” through which you can describe the hours and dates you’re interested in. This is also where you can mention if you require any special accommodations, such as letting the boat owner know that it’s for a proposal or even a family reunion.

The owner or captain will respond with an offer, and then you can either accept it and confirm payment or cancel the inquiry altogether. GetMyBoat also has a 24/7 customer service team, which can help with questions along the way.

Many of the boats offered provide a captain, and Streif recommends these. “It keeps everyone safe, and it’s a lot more fun to boat when you don’t have to worry about driving,” she said. Captains go through a vetting and verification process prior to being added to GetMyBoat. 

If the renter prefers to captain, however, they must follow Hawaii’s laws and regulations, and ensure that they have the appropriate certifications.

Travel agent commissions are available at $50 per booking by joining GetMyBoat’s affiliate program via [email protected].

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“No, we haven’t made it there yet,” the father replied. “I’m trying to rally the crew to catch the shuttle to Universal.” He then told me that he’d spent $1,300 on two-day park passes for his family and was having regrets. “I wish I’d realized how much there is to do right here.”

“I’ve heard that before,” I said, recalling years of Facebook posts by friends who had planned epic Orlando vacations but whose kids never wanted to leave the hotel pools. 

If a pool is a must for clients who are heading to the theme parks, here are some of Orlando’s best resorts to make a splash. 

Grande opening: As I mentioned above, the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott at Grande Lakes Orlando share one sprawling property and a bursting portfolio of resort amenities filled with watery respites for every guest seeking relaxation, play, solitude or connection. 

The newsiest is the 2023 completion of the Grande Lakes Orlando Waterpark at the JW Marriott. It’s packed with wet and wild activities, including a lazy river, three waterslides and an AdventurePark that requires users to don harnesses.

But there’s plenty of places for quiet relaxation, too. Slip into a private cabana, sip a cocktail in the luxe firepit area, dine in comfort at the new Knife Burger restaurant or claim your chaise on Sanctuary Island. Like the eye of a storm, Sanctuary Island is the dead-calm center of the entire waterpark, with sightlines to everything.

Hotel guests gain access to the adults-only lap pool and hot tub at the Ritz-Carlton Spa, a standalone palace of pampering situated between both hotels, by purchasing a day pass or booking a spa service. 

Open water adventure: Vacation homes, villas, flats and Orlando’s first Conrad Hotel surround Crystal Lagoons’ man-made bay at the new Evermore Resort. The lagoon is the development’s centerpiece and covers eight acres — about the size of 20 football fields. All of it is open for swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and more. Surrounded by sand, it’s the closest you’ll get to enjoying the beach without leaving the comfort of all the resort amenities. Evermore Resort and Conrad Orlando open in early 2024.

Spa-cation, with a twist: The art-filled boutique hotel the Alfond Inn at Rollins College in historical Winter Park is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a new wing that includes a full-service spa with a dedicated adults-only pool that is exclusive to spa guests. After your spa service, take your R&R poolside with food and beverage service.

What’s the “twist”? The Alfond Inn is owned by neighboring Rollins College and directs all of its net operating income toward millions of dollars in four-year scholarships. The Alfond Inn is a walkable distance from the SunRail station (Central Florida’s commuter rail service) as well as Park Avenue’s extensive dining and shopping.

Convention center chill: Don’t mistake the Hilton Orlando as just a “convention center hotel.” It is a reliable go-to for its pool scene that caters to grown-ups and kids alike. The complex includes a zero-entry resort pool, a quiet pool, splash pad and a lazy river that meanders through meticulous tropical landscaping. Add to the mix a solid poolside restaurant as well as shaded cabanas, lawn games and fire pits that take the edge off the occasional cooler evening and you’ve got a solid property that delivers as a vacation destination all on its own.

Pool vacation for all seasons: We can’t share an Orlando pool story without including the reliable AAA five-diamond Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Its five-acre waterpark offers something for every guest. The Oases is an adults-only infinity-edge pool complete with a hot tub, cabanas and Four Seasons service that understands how to tailor its attentiveness to different guests’ needs. 

The zero-entry Family Pool is a delight for staying immersed without ever becoming bored. Lots of chairs with shade and an extensive menu from the Pool Bar & Grill make this a favorite for families with younger kids. Big kids are drawn to Explorer Island, a sprawling complex laced by a lazy river, waterslides, a climbing wall and an indoor game room. 

The resort provides an extensive shuttle service to Disney World’s parks. Clients wouldn’t be the first to let those shuttles just pass on by. 

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“The Kona Village Luau will blend food, live music, song and dance, creating a memorable setting for neighbors and guests to embark on a historical journey while enjoying a curated menu showcasing local ingredients and dishes,” Kona Village said in a press release. “The event will take place on the resort’s stunning Hale Hookipa Luau and event grounds nestled next to a lagoon and lush gardens.”

One highlight includes a cooking demonstration at the imu (underground oven), where the pork is slow-cooked for 10 hours. Other items on the menu are huli-huli chicken, salmon lomi-lomi, ahi poke, garlic chili Kona shrimp, poi, pineapple upside-down toffee cake and a Kona Village Basque cheesecake.

The luau is priced at $320 per adult and $150 per child.

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