This Week in Travel: a $35 Jamaica Hotel, a Hot New River Cruise, and More

At a moment when all people can talk about is Ebola, it’s comforting to know that there there are still wonderful experiences to be had in the travel world. Here are some of this week’s most exciting developments, on land and on sea.

Hotels

This shade of pink was invented just for the hotel. (Photo: Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France)

Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France, in Saint Bart’s, reopened as Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, the third hotel in the LVMH Hotel Management portfolio. Talk about a pedigree — LVMH owns Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari and a host of other drool-worthy fashion and beauty brands. Thanks to these luxury holdings, the hotel has the onlyGuerlain spa in the Caribbean, rooms will be stocked with custom Leanor Greyl nourishing hair products, and LVMH created a unique blush pink color just for the property (not available in the Pantone collection). Also new are The White Bar, a poolside lounge, and fresh tailor-made guest experiences like the Big Blue Escape, a full day yacht-tour with a catered lobster lunch on the beach.

Funky details in a guest room at Jamaica’s new Jack Sprat Shack (Photo: Jakes Hotel)

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Jamaica’s new Jack Sprat Shack, with rates starting at $35 a night. Opened by the owners of Jakes Hotel in the quiet coastal town of Treasure Beach, the chic 20-room hostel has two dorms, each with 20 bunk beds and shared baths. It’s not for everyone, but it’s got more style than your average hostel, with an eco-conscious sensibility and a gorgeous white-sand beach just across the street.

Related: Treasure Beach: The Hidden Gem of Jamaica

Fall is pine honey season in Faralya, Turkey (Photo: Thinkstock)

Get a taste of autumn at Mandarin Boutique Hotel in Faralya, Turkey. In October, that means it’s pine-honey season. The clear, aromatic honey gets its flavor from the fragrant forests around Faralya, which become a “hive” of activity. Local beekeepers extract it in the traditional way, and it’s processed in small temporary tents put up alongside the hives. During Mandarin Boutique Hotel’s special walking weeks, you can pass these hives and if you’re interested, pop into one of the tents to watch. Locally-sourced honey is one of the key components of Mandarin’s traditional Turkish breakfasts, and is also used to sweeten some of the cakes and pastries that we serve as part of our complimentary afternoon tea, and the desserts at the end of our five-course dinners. They’ll even let you steal the recipes.

A view from Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid. (Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort/Facebook)

Hotel Deal of the Week: Lower rates, fewer crowds, and unwavering beauty — that’s what shoulder season at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid offers from mid-October through early November in the heart of the Adirondack Park. As part of the fall travel special, guests can save up to 70 percent. And for diehard skiers and boarders who are already planning for powder, the Golden Arrow is also offering a special package available for booking until October 31 called The Early Bird Winter Package.

Cruise

A rendering of the Aqua Mekong (Photo: Aqua Mekong)

It’s been a long wait, but the Aqua Mekong finally set sail this week on the Mekong, plying the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia. The Peru-based Aqua Expeditions is bringing luxury to the world’s most amazing rivers, including the Amazon, where the brand launched. Look for food from Michelin-starred chef David Thompson and the kind of rooms you’d usually find in a high-end boutique hotel.

Related: The Must-See Yangtze, and Other Hot River Cruise Destinations

Cruise to the Caribbean — for free! (Photo: MSC Cruises/Facebook)

Cruise Deal of the Week: The MSC Divina is heading to the Mediterranean this May, and if you book your trip before the end of October, you get the mother of all cruise deals — a free seven-night Caribbean cruise in a balcony stateroom that can be taken on select dates in November. Bonus? The Caribbean cruise is transferrable, so you can give it to family or friends. We call this the best early holiday gift ever.

Festivals

Check out the poster, which is just a hint of what’s to come at the Big Brew Festival. (Photo: Houston Big Brew/Facebook)

Houston isn’t just about oil — now the city has its very own Big Brew Festival (Oct. 20-26). The multi-day event showcases Houston’s burgeoning craft beer scene by putting out 1,000 beers for public sampling. Another highlight is The Great Match on Oct. 23 where Houston’s top chefs will pair dishes with award winning craft beers for “a taste bud blowout.”

Spas

Abadia, a spa in a former monasteryhu856789[i (Photo: Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine/Facebook)

Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine abbey hotel and winery in Sardón de Duero, Spain is coining the term “spa sommelier” at its new spa. What is a spa sommelier you ask? According to the people at Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine, he is “a highly specialized professional who will deliver … customization based on a bespoke vinotherapy method.” The spa sommelier will conduct a tasting ritual for each guest (smelling a selection of oils and tasting several wines) and then analyze the guest’s palette and aroma preferences and recommend spa experiences based on the results. The spa will open summer 2015.

Related: Get Your Zen On at These Top Health Spas

Tara Stiles, “the Yoga Rebel.” (Photo: W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island/Facebook)

W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island — less than eight miles off the coast of Puerto Rico — has launched Energize by Tara Stiles (aka, “the Yoga Rebel”), as part of the resort’s new Fit Retreat program. The program is customized to each guest’s needs and will include a variety of experiences that are based on Stiles’s Strala Yoga philosophy, incorporating yoga sessions, nature escapes, and healthy meals. The three-night Energize by Tara Stiles program starts at $609 per night, per person, and there is also a five-night stay available.

Restaurants

Yummy Boqueria tapas (Photo: Boqueria/Facebook)

One of our favorite Spanish tapas restaurants, Boqueria, has opened its latest outpost this month on New York City’s Upper East Side. The new UES location has the same look, feel, and flavor as its Flatiron and Soho counterparts, with several additions including the launch of full-service breakfast and outdoor seating. It’s open for lunch and dinner and will be open for brunch soon. Named for Barcelona’s renowned food market, El Mercado de la Boqueria, the restaurant features a seasonally inspired menu of authentic tapas courtesy of Spanish chef and Barcelona native Marc Vidal.

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