President Danilo Medina and Group Poma and Real Hotels executives broke ground Wednesday for the construction of the Hotel Real Intercontinental Santo Domingo, in the Dominican capital’s financial district.

With a sweeping multi-million dollar renovation of Comfort Suites Paradise Island nearing completion, eager anticipation is building and the hotel is already getting high marks from their travel partners and guests alike.

One feature of Club Sandals is private check-in service. Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa will debut its Club Sandals Lounge service for its concierge-level guests on Sept. 1.

The Caneel Bay Resort on St. John, U.S.V.I., has ended its management agreement with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and will operate as an independent property owned and operated by CBI Acquisitions, effective Nov. 1, the company announced. Rosewood has managed the resort since 1993.

Renovations to the Hotel Christopher included the opening of its Sisley-branded spa in 2011.The Hotel Christopher on St. Bart's might have a good claim to being the island's best value.