JAPEX 2016: exploring properties past, present & future

In addition to exploring the annual tradeshow, JAPEX 2016 took international travel media – including PAX – on an exploration of both updated and incoming properties, as well as partake in a little fun…

Royalton Blue Waters and White Sands

Opened in 2012, the 352-room Royalton White Sands will soon be joined a nearby sister property, the Royalton Blue Waters. While it’s still under construction, the new resort is on track for a Nov. 1 opening, offering 228 rooms in eight categories to guests. Eleven restaurants and seven bars will keep guests fed and happy during their stay, and a variety of activities plus kids’ and teens’ clubs will occupy the youngest family members.

Standing side by side and located east of the main resort area in Montego Bay, the two properties will be joined by a walkway with a waterpark at the intersection of the two resorts. Guests of the Royalton Blue Waters will also have access to the White Sands property during their stay.

In addition, the Royalton Negril will open to guests on Feb. 1.

www.royaltonresorts.com

Melia Braco Village

Following a $24 million investment, the Melia Braco Village welcomed its first guests in January. Set on an 84-acre property and featuring a layout based on the nearby community of Falmouth, the resort offers 226 rooms including 52 as part of The Level, Melia’s top service tier.

For families, the resort also offers the Kids & Co. by Melia program, providing young travellers with just-for-kids towels and bathrobes, while welcoming them with a room filled with balloons.

A separate meeting facility for MICE groups is also available, with space for up to 200.

www.melia.com

Good Hope Estate

A former 18th century sugar plantation, Good Hope Estate now offers activities by Caribbean tour operator Chukka, ranging from inner tubing and ATV off-roading to gem mining and simply touring the historic property.

The history of Good Hope is preserved as if frozen in time, with the plantation’s great house still standing intact on the hills above the property, where farming continues to this day (with citrus replacing sugar cane). The remains of Good Hope’s former slave hospital now houses the property’s aviary, featuring exotic birds and reptiles.

While rain dampened most of the activities for this year’s JAPEX delegation (save for a few brave souls who went tubing during the downpour), it’s always the perfect weather for an Appleton Estates rum tasting indoors.

Good Hope welcomes 100,000 guests annually, many of them cruise passengers stopping in at the nearby terminal in Falmouth.

www.chukka.com