Caribbean/Mexico: What's New, What's Luxe

BEACHES NEGRILWhat’s New, What’s LuxeBy Lydia GregoryThere’s always something new and upscale popping in Mexico and the Caribbean. Recommend checked in with hospitality and destination executives to bring you a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening with some of the hottest destinations and brands. HYATT CANCUN ROOMMexicoGrand Hyatt Puerto CancunSwanky Puerto Cancun is welcoming another luxurious local: the Grand Hyatt Cancun Beach Resort, with 500 guestrooms and suites. The hotel is oceanfront—separated from the sand by a wooden bridge that crosses the mangroves, adding to the experience. And to take into account when booking: “It’s a European plan property, which adds to its distinction,” explains Mike Van Der Kroft, corporate director of operations for Grupo Diestra. “We believe there’s still an opportunity in a market like Cancun to do so much outside of the hotels, especially with the high-end travel,” he adds. “With the Grand Hyatt brand we aim for the experienced traveler. They want to know the area that they’re visiting, right? This is the kind of customer who wants to experience the local area.” This family-friendly property features ample, beautifully decorated guestrooms and suites (some with plunge pools) with spacious balconies (and no bad views). Grand Hyatt Puerto Cancun is expected to open in the first part of 2024.LIVE AQUA SWIM UPPosadasMexico’s largest hotel operator, Grupo Posadas, hasn’t been shy about expanding its portfolio over the past few years, and there’s much more to come. “We’re pretty close to opening a new Live Aqua in Merida, which will be right on Paseo Montejo near the Fiesta Americana,” says Enrique Calderon, v.p. of operations for the group, “and we just signed the blueprints for the Live Aqua and Grand Fiesta Americana Riviera Cancun, which is going to be a thousand-key project. “We’re exploring some opportunities in the Riviera Maya and we have five more projects we expect to close this year in the Dominican Republic as well as in Mexico,” he adds. Calderon also notes they have just signed another contract for a Live Aqua property in Tulum—around 150 rooms—another, smaller, Live Aqua in the works in Mexico’s famed Valle de Guadalupe with 60 to 80 rooms, and a third Live Aqua in Playa Mujeres near the current Atelier Playa Mujeres. In addition to newbuilds and conversions, Calderon shares that Grupo Posadas is doubling down on its F&B offer. The company has partnered with famous Basque chef Iñigo Urrechu to reflag their restaurants in Mexico, Guadalajara and Monterrey for 2024; plus the company is investing $6 million in three new restaurants in the Fiesta Americana Coral Beach to be ready this summer and a new steakhouse in Live Aqua Cancun. Kempinski Hotel CancunThe latest news from purveyor of luxury resorts Kempinski Hotels is the recent grand opening of its family-friendly Kempinski Hotel Cancun, formerly The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun. “The hotel was well run,” shares Xavier Destribats, Kempinski’s COO for the Americas, “but we had to implement the standards that make Kempinski special. [For example,] the Lady in Red.” The brand’s iconic in-house Brand Ambassador, she welcomes every guest and offers expert concierge services. At Kempinski, this white-glove service comes with elevated amenities and specialty bed linens. And a plus: “We are one of the few non-inclusive hotels [in Cancun],” says Destribats. “We are the oldest European [hotel] company, and we are big on F&B. We have two restaurants, which are AAA five diamonds.” Both, he confides, are at the Michelin-star level. To whom can you market this new property? “Our profile of a guest is one who focuses on [pure] luxury. We have 437 yards of beachfront, with cabanas—we even have dinners in the cabanas. We have the two restaurants, really high profile, we have three swimming pools plus a jacuzzi, our rooms are 430.5 sq. ft. and they’re very, very luxurious.” We’ll say two words: Ferragamo amenities. The resort has two tennis courts as well, and Destribats adds they recently hosted a huge pickle-ball convention, for your clients who love the game. TRS HOTELTRS Coral Hotel, Costa MujeresCosta Mujeres is one of the Mexican Caribbean’s premier luxury hotel destinations, and the TRS Coral Hotel is a favorite of those looking for an all-inclusive experiences. “TRS Coral Hotel, located on the stunning beaches of Costa Mujeres offers an elevated and unique all-inclusive, adults-only experience. The hotel is only 30 minutes away from the lively city of Cancun, but with access to the white sandy beaches of Costa Mujeres, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, and the Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness, guests can enjoy the luxury escape of their dreams without leaving the property,” says Pilar Arizmendi-Stewart, v.p. of sales and marketing for the Americas, Palladium Hotel Group. “Immediately upon checking in to the hotel, guests begin to experience five-star treatment. Each of the hotel’s gorgeous suites features a spacious private balcony or furnished terrace, hydro-massage bathtubs and breathtaking views of the magical Costa Mujeres.” The property’s Infinite Indulgence program means your clients will have personal butler service.PALLADIUM QUOTE In a “best of both worlds” add-on, Arizmendi explains that in addition to their own facilities and F&B outlets, guests of the TRS Coral Hotel also have full access to Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa. For the ultimate relaxation session, book clients for a treatment at Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness, and don’t forget an evening at the Chic Cabaret & Restaurant, for a multi-course dinner served with a side of spectacular show. GRAND VELAS DININGGrand Velas Boutique Los Cabos This November, Los Cabos will welcome the adults-only Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos—the brand’s third hotel in the destination. It will have 79 ample villas—over 900 sq. ft.—with daily personal concierge service and unobstructed ocean views. “And what will make it very, very special,” explains Rocio Cervantes, sales and marketing director for all three Velas Los Cabos properties, “is that guests will have access to the Grand Velas Los Cabos’ restaurants and bars (at no extra charge). And it’s perfect for a group or a wedding.” Of note: Cervantes says that guests can request golf cart transportation while the hotels are within walking distance. “We want to be more personalized in terms of luxury and service, of making you feel special in this property,” adds Cervantes. “For example, at the Grand we do it very well and at a very high level—we recently received the Forbes Travel Guide five-star award—and at Velas Boutique we are going to do exactly that. But, since it’s smaller and adults-only, we’re going to be even more personalized with more luxury, more service, more attention and more experiences.” This includes a restaurant with menus created in consultation with a two-star Michelin chef, an incredible wine collection from Mexico’s wine region, its own wellness center, an infinity pool and a private beach area. As of press time, Cervantes shares they are still brainstorming on the experiences the property will offer your clients, but “we listen very carefully to our [travel trade] partners and we develop the product so we can provide what that client needs.” The CaribbeanCayman Islands Recent expanded air access to the Cayman Islands including a nonstop flight from LAX has upped the demand for this destination known for its upscale vibe. “Today’s travel landscape is an exciting one, and there are so many reasons to recommend the Cayman Islands to luxury-minded clients,” says Gary Hendricks-Dominguez, deputy director for international marketing and promotions for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. “According to recent travel reports from top brands such as American Express Travel and Hilton, we know that guests are looking for one-of-a-kind, immersive experiences that allow them to experience the culture and cuisine of a destination, now more than ever.” According to Hendricks-Dominguez, the Cayman Islands’ “stellar service, world-class amenities and customizable experiences” sets them apart from other destinations. “With the help of trusted travel advisors, travelers design their holidays around personal passions—whether that be wellness, sports, relaxation, adventure, art, music, culture or food—and we are equipped to meet and exceed their every desire. With a variety of activities, luxury accommodations, world-renowned culinary, and bespoke experiences to choose from, visitors are able to handcraft their ideal vacation without ever compromising on quality or luxury. We would be remiss not to include mention of our Sister Islands: Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, which both epitomize luxury with their spacious accommodations, private outlooks, and natural beauty.” Adding to the experience are the many festivals, retreats and experiences that take place on the Cayman Islands throughout the year, including wellness programs such as the Seafire Wellness Festival at the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa (July 12-17, 2023), and fall events such as the Cayman Cocktail Week and Restaurant Month in October—this is, after all the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.”Saint Lucia Luxury in Saint Lucia, as Richard Moss, sr. sales manager for the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, explains, is present in so many ways, but, at its core “it’s in the way you are treated. Our hospitality is rooted in the fact that we are a boutique destination, our hotels are home-grown and rooted in an authentic experience.” As he explains it, however, “luxury in Saint Lucia expands far beyond the hotels.ST LUCIA QUOTE “Our natural beauty and the drama that our landscape provides is also a very important intangible, and it makes you recognize that you are in a very special setting,” he says. “The island gives you a feeling of exclusivity and uniqueness. And there’s an ease of exploring the destination (because of its size).” He adds many hotels provide incredible wellness opportunities, including using local ingredients like volcanic mud or locally grown cacao in their treatments. Plus, “you can dine around the globe when you’re in Saint Lucia. There’s everything from white-glove service to wine cellar experiences, five-star dining to food trucks.” In other words, in Saint Lucia, the luxury is in the experience. New on the Saint Lucia luxury scene: the 76-room SoCo House, an adults-only all-inclusive boutique hotel just a 5-minute walk from famous Reduit Beach but right in the heart of the action in Rodney Bay. The hotel has a pool with a terrace and a pool bar, plus a spa with a varied treatment menu and a state-of-the art gym. All meals in the tropical fusion restaurant are a la carte and personalized service elevates this luxurious, vibrant property—a mix of European charm and French Creole flair—even more. Sandals & Beaches ResortsThe new Sandals Dunn’s River in Jamaica and new accommodations at Saint Lucia’s Sandals Halcyon Beach and Beaches Negril are headlining the luxury news for the brand. Gary Sadler, executive v.p. of sales and industry relations at Unique Vacations Inc., says he loves being asked what he’d recommend for a VIP client, “because it demonstrates why we depend upon our travel advisor partners and why education is critical to making sure we exceed the high expectations of the most discerning guests.” Beaches Negril expanded the luxury family travel options with the new Eventide Penthouse Collection and Firesky Reserve Villas, which can welcome up to 10 guests, feature private plunge pools and rooftop decks and a complete kitchen. Sandals Halcyon Beach, meanwhile, recently opened 20 new Joli Beachfront Suites, some with walkout beach access and private pools plus second-story accommodations with balconies, and five new Koko Rondoval Villas with private patios and plunge pools. Sandals Dunn’s River opened with the first SkyPool Suites and another resort first: the Coyaba Sky Rondoval Villas. What sets the brand apart for VIP clients? “Customization, personalization and authenticity,” states Sadler. “Our top-level suites provide guests with the ultimate luxury experience, from arrival to departure. These VIP guests receive private Rolls Royce airport transfers and personal butler service, there to assist in any way—from unpacking suitcases and delivering champagne, to reserving beach cabanas, private dinner tables, a massage at our world-class Red Lane Spa or tee time on our golf course designed by Greg Norman. And we go the extra mile to help these guests truly experience the Caribbean whether they want to earn their PADI certification or dine locally through our Island Inclusive program.” Contact InformationCayman Islands Department of Tourism: visitcaymanislands.comGrand Hyatt Puerto Cancun: hyatt.com/en-US/info/traveladvisorsKempinski Hotels: kempinski.comKimpton Seafire Resort + Spa: seafireresortandspa.comPosadas: lacoleccionrewards.comSaint Lucia Tourism Authority: stlucia.org Sandals & Beaches Resorts: taportal.sandals.comSoCo House: thesocohotel.com TRS Coral Hotel: pro.palladiumhotelgroup.comVelas Resorts: velasresorts.com

SEABOURN COVERSEABOURN IFCCOVEREXPLORA JOURNEYSPALLADIUM HOTEL GROUPTable of ContentsTURKISH AIRLINESEditor's NotesSANDALSATLAS OCEAN VOYAGESIndustry Insights: The Cruise Industry Sails Forward into a Very Bright FutureREGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISESAdvisor Speak: Travel Advisors Talk Luxury TravelHILTON HOTELSCaribbean/Mexico: What's New, What's LuxeCruise Happenings—New Luxe Ships, New Itineraries to MatchOnboard Review: A Marvel-ous Cruise on Disney DreamOnsite Review: W Fort LauderdaleNorth America: Alaska Railroad—New Packages, FAM OpportunitiesEDU.RECOMMENDSEABOURN IBCSEABOURN BC