JetBlue to Offer ‘Mint Experience’ Flying from JFK to Barbados

Beginning November 7, JetBlue will offer its popular “Mint experience” from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Barbados (BGI), one of the top Caribbean routes for the airline. Travelers from the Eastern region of the U.S. will have a premium travel option at an affordable fare with Mint, giving jetsetters a new reason to head to the sun-drenched island.

Between November 7, 2015 and April 30, 2016, JetBlue will operate one roundtrip on Saturdays to Bridgetown, Barbados. And between December 19, 2015 and January 4, 2016 the airline will operate one roundtrip flight daily for the busy holiday travel season.

“This is an amazing win for the island of Barbados,” said Petra Roach BTMI, Director, USA. “Barbados has a long history with luxury airline offerings.  We were the only leisure destination to host Concorde service from London for many years and now to be the first home of JetBlue’s Mint service outside of the US is a reflection of the strength of our burgeoning partnership and JetBlue’s continued support of Barbados as a destination. We are thrilled to be a part of this new way to fly with JetBlue where the customers’ premium vacation experience starts the moment they step onto the plane.

Available for booking on JetBlue.com today, roundtrip flights from JFK to Bridgetown are:

 

JFK-BGI                                9:20 a.m. departure, 3:02 p.m. arrival

BGI-JFK                                4:15 p.m. departure, 8:30 p.m. arrival

Since launching on transcontinental routes in June 2014, Mint has quickly become recognized for its whole new take on flying, which includes private suites, the widest seat and longest fully-flat bed in the U.S. domestic market, tapas-style dining, custom amenity kits and 15-inch flat screen televisions with free entertainment. With Mint service to the Caribbean, JetBlue will become the only U.S. carrier to operate regularly scheduled service with lie-flat seating to the region.

Barbados is one of the most popular Caribbean travel routes on JetBlue’s growing route map, and one of more than 80 destinations throughout the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America. With incredible on-island musical performances, epicurean driven festivals, and motor sport tournaments, 2015 marks the perfect year to travel to Barbados immerse oneself in the distinctive culture and one-of-a-kind events the island has to offer.

JetBlue’s Mint experience to the islands will add a Caribbean twist to some customer favorites, including the tapas-style menu curated by New York City restaurant Saxon+Parole, organic desserts by Blue Marble Ice Cream, a sweet treat from Mah-ze-Dahr Bakery, and customized amenity kits from Birchbox.

“Ever since we launched Mint, customers have been asking us where we will take it next,” said Marty St George, executive vice president commercial and planning, JetBlue. “We re-invented transcontinental flying with Mint, and we anticipate demand for an enhanced product will be equally strong for these Caribbean destinations.”

The A321 Customer Experience

JetBlue offers Mint on its new Airbus A321 aircraft, which features a completely redesigned onboard experience throughout the entire cabin.

“Mint is a remarkable new way to fly, but true to our mission of inspiring humanity, we’ve also taken the same thoughtful approach throughout the aircraft,” said Joanna Geraghty, executive vice president customer experience, JetBlue. “Our completely redesigned A321 interior offers the best experience to Caribbean-bound customers no matter where you’re seated.”

While the Mint experience has set new premium standards, the core experience leads other airlines’ offerings as well. Features of the A321 core interior include 10-inch television screens offering free entertainment, comfortable seats with the most legroom in coach** and power outlets accessible to all customers. JetBlue’s popular marketplace, a self-serve station full of snacks, sodas and water for customers to enjoy at their convenience, is also available throughout the flight.

Extend the Experience With a JetBlue Getaways Vacation Package: Customers looking for the complete package can book Mint seats in conjunction with hotel, car rental and other amenities and activities through JetBlue Getaways. JetBlue Getaways packages to both Barbados  offer access to the very best resorts and island experiences with the convenience of one booking process. Call 1-800-JETBLUE to book.

Barbados, an Authentic Caribbean Experience

The island of Barbados an authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes.  Rated as one of the world’s sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com; Barbados’ Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travelers.  Barbados is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island and is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean.

Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas, to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts. Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S., making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.

Barbados was voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor’s “2008 Travelers’ Choice Destination Awards” in its Top 100 Destinations category.

For more information on travel to Barbados, visit http://www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, via Twitter @Barbados.

Jetblue: New York’s Hometown Airline

JetBlue is New York’s “Hometown Airline” and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 30 million customers a year to 87 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 825 daily flights. Upcoming destinations include: Cleveland on April 30; Reno-Tahoe, Nev. on May 28; and Grenada on June 11, 2015 (subject to receipt of government operating authority). For more information visit JetBlue.com.

 

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Barbados’ Island Inn Hotel Offers Early Booking Bonus, Saving 15%

The 24-room Island Inn Hotel, an ideal all-inclusive getaway for a couples retreat or family vacation on Barbados, is offering an early booking bonus of 15%.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The 24-room Island Inn Hotel, an ideal all-inclusive getaway for a couples retreat or family vacation, is offering an early booking bonus of 15% off stays that are a minimum of five nights when booked directly on the Island Inn website.

An Island Inn Hotel all-inclusive vacation includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and all beverages (except specialty wines, champagne and bottled water) as well as in-pool scuba lessons which are available by request. Island Inn also features a new mini gym on property for guest use. Through the early booking offer, rates begin at US$353 per room, per night, based on double occupancy. Rates vary based on travel dates.

To take advantage of the early booking offer, reservations must be made on www.IslandInnBarbados.com by March 31, 2015 for travel by Dec. 22, 2015.

The quaint property is the perfect setting for a tropical vacation steeped with a rich, historic past, situated just footsteps from beautiful Carlisle Bay, less than one mile from the center of Bridgetown and conveniently located near the UNESCO world heritage site in the Garrison Historic Area of Barbados, which also boasts numerous shops and nightlife options.

Originally constructed in 1804 as a rum storage facility for the British Regiment, Island Inn amazes guests with its simplicity and old-world charm and is perfect whether visiting alone, traveling on a family vacation or staying on business. The newly renovated boutique hotel offers unrivaled warmth of atmosphere with contemporary ambiance and a true Bajan experience.

For more information on the Island Inn Hotel, call (246) 436-6393; email bookings@islandinnbarbados.com or visit www.IslandInnBarbados.com.

 

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Mango Bay Hotel, Barbados Named a 2014 Family Vacation Critic Favorite

Mango Bay Barbados resort

HOLETOWN, Barbados – Barbados’ Mango Bay Hotel (www.MangoBayBarbados.com) has been named a 2014 Family Vacation Critic Favorite in the first annual hotel awards on www.FamilyVacationCritic.com.

Of the 3,500 hotels recommended on the site, Mango Bay Hotel was one of three hotels in Barbados and 400 properties worldwide to receive the honor of Family Vacation Critic Favorite. Mango Bay is also the highest rated hotel in Barbados on the website.

The hotels receiving the title of Family Vacation Critic Favorite have met a set list of criteria, based on reviews from the site’s editors and community of family travelers.  To qualify, hotels must receive four stars or higher from the website’s editorial staff and have at least 75% of families recommend the property with four stars or higher.

Located in the historic Holetown area on the famed Gold Coast of Barbados, the 76-room Mango Bay Hotel is known for its sophistication and all-inclusive value. This beachfront, boutique-style property is an ideal tropical retreat, offering spacious accommodations, a picturesque beach, a centrally-located swimming pool and superb dining. The property is just a short walk from the posh Limegrove Lifestyle Centre, where guests can shop at global luxury retailers including Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Cartier, Michael Kors and more.

Mango Bay is celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2014 with discounted rates starting at $384 per room, per night, based on double occupancy, on an all-inclusive basis when booked directly.  A Mango Bay all-inclusive vacation includes hotel accommodations, all meals, afternoon tea, all local and brand name drinks including glasses of wine, use of the on-site gym and nightly entertainment. The property is also now offering room service as well as drink and food service at the pool and the beach.  Water skiing, kayaking, snorkeling, wakeboarding, pedal boats, a glass bottom boat ride and a catamaran trip to snorkel with the turtles are also included.

“We are honored to be among this list of well-respected hotels throughout the world, as it reflects the good impressions we have made on our guests,” said Peter Odle, chairman of the Mango Bay Hotel Group.  “Our dedicated staff is eager to meet guests’ needs and is pleased to receive acknowledgment for reaching this goal.”

For more information on Mango Bay, call (246) 432-1384, email reservations@mangobaybarbados.com or visit www.MangoBayBarbados.com.

 

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Mango Bay Hotel Group Teams with Barbados Tourism to Offer up to $200 to Spend

Mango Bay Hotel Group is teaming up with the Barbados Tourism Authority for its “Island Inclusive” program, giving U.S. travelers the chance to experience a Caribbean paradise at a great value. Those booking a vacation package to Mango Bay Hotel (www.mangobaybarbados.com) in Holetown, or Bridgetown’s Island Inn Hotel (www.islandinnbarbados.com) by Sept. 30, 2014, for travel to Barbados through Dec. 19, 2014, will receive free on-island spending money redeemable at a number of participating restaurants, attractions and car rental companies.

Cash vouchers will be allotted to guests in the value of US$150 per person with a minimum stay of five nights and US$200 per person for stays of seven nights or longer when using the booking code “BII2014.”  Upon check-in, guests will receive the vouchers in denominations of $50 in Barbadian increments and will be provided a list of all participating service providers.  The funds are based on a maximum of two persons per room and some restrictions apply.

This promotion allows travelers to pair the offer with a number of major cultural and sporting events, including the Barbados Swimming Festival (Oct. 29-Nov. 2), the Venus Williams tennis camp (Nov. 1-2), the Barbados International PRO SURF FEST 2014 (Nov. 13-16) and the 5^th annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival (Nov. 20-23), among others.

For more information on the Barbados Island Inclusive package, visit www.VisitBarbados.org/IslandInclusive, www.BookBarbadosnow.com/Island-Inclusive or contact a preferred travel agent.

Mango Bay is located in the Holetown area on the famed gold coast of Barbados and is a short walk from the posh Limegrove Lifestyle Centre. Here vacationers can shop till they drop at global luxury retailers including, but not limited to, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Michael Kors and Cartier. After a day in the sun, the 76-room resort is the ideal place to relax. Known for its casual sophistication and all-inclusive value, guests will enjoy beachfront accommodations and a variety of watersports.

A Mango Bay all-inclusive vacation includes hotel accommodations, all meals, afternoon tea, all local and brand name drinks including glasses of wine, use of the on-site gym and nightly entertainment. Water skiing, kayaking, snorkeling, wakeboarding, pedal boats, a glass bottom boat ride and a catamaran trip to snorkel with the turtles are also included. Rates start at US$480 per room, per night, based on double occupancy, on an all-inclusive basis.

For more information on Mango Bay, call (246) 432-1384, email reservations@mangobaybarbados.comor visit www.MangoBayBarbados.com.

The quaint, 24-room Island Inn Hotel is the perfect setting for a tropical vacation steeped with a rich, historic past, situated just footsteps from beautiful Carlisle Bay, less than one mile from the centre of Bridgetown.  The property is just a short walk from the UNESCO world heritage site in the Garrison Historic Area of Barbados, which also boasts numerous shops and nightlife options.

An Island Inn Hotel all-inclusive vacation includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and all beverages (except specialty wines, champagne and bottled water) as well as in-pool scuba lessons. Island Inn also offers guests a brand new mini gym.  Rates start at US$350 per room, per night, based on double occupancy, on an all-inclusive basis.

For more information on the Island Inn Hotel, call (246) 436-6393; email bookings@islandinnbarbados.com or visit www.IslandInnBarbados.com.

 

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Mango Bay-Barbados Includes Shopping Excursions, Catamaran Trips in All-inclusive Package

Mango Bay in Barbados entices travelers with a vacation beyond the average all-inclusive, featuring shopping excursions to the capital city of Bridgetown as well as catamaran sailings off the resorts beachfront property.

All-inclusive resorts typically offer guests amenities such as meals, drinks and accommodations, but Mango Bay in Barbados (http://www.MangoBayBarbados.com) entices travelers with a vacation beyond the average all-inclusive, featuring shopping excursions to the capital city of Bridgetown as well as catamaran sailings off the resorts beachfront property.

Guests of the boutique-style, 76-room, Mango Bay have the option of exploring the shopping mecca of Bridgetown on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with transportation leaving directly from the hotel.  Walk along Broad Street, the main street of Bridgetown, discovering numerous duty free shops, department stores and local restaurants.

Conveniently, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays visitors can embark on a catamaran trip off the resorts coastline – a perfect escape after a day of walking around the island’s bustling metropolis of Bridgetown.  Guests sail for two hours and enjoy snorkeling and sunbathing on the open sea.

In addition, a Mango Bay all-inclusive experience includes hotel accommodations, all meals, afternoon tea, all local and brand name drinks including wine with dinner, use of the resorts new gym, watersports (waterskiing, hobiecat sailing, kayaking and snorkeling) and nightly entertainment.  Spa treatments are available for an additional fee at Elements Spa located at the resort.

All-inclusive rates through Dec. 14, 2010 are $425 in Standard accommodations; $440 in a Standard one-bedroom apartment; $456 in a Superior room; $500 in a Deluxe room; $575 for an Oceanfront room; and $1,500 for the Penthouse Suite.  Rates quoted are per room, per night, based on double occupancy and do not reflect the discount.

Located in the historic Holetown area on the famed Gold Coast of Barbados, the 76-room Mango Bay is known for its casual sophistication and all-inclusive value.  This beachfront, boutique-style property is the ideal tropical retreat for travelers seeking an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle – an oasis where warm breezes, delightful Caribbean sunshine, and picturesque beaches are refreshing and revitalizing.  Spacious accommodations, a centrally-located swimming pool, delicious dining and tremendous all-inclusive value make Mango Bay a truly exceptional “Uncomplicated, Unencumbered, Unforgettable” vacation paradise.

The property is within walking distance of many shops in Holetown, 25 minutes from the capital city of Bridgetown, and 40 minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport.

For more information on Mango Bay, Barbados contact the resort at telephone 246-432-1384, e-mail reservations@MangoBayBarbados.com, or visit www.MangoBayBarbados.com.