Caribbean/Mexico: Luxury Newsmakers—in the Caribbean and Mexico

MARGARITAVILLELuxury Newsmakers in the Caribbean and MexicoBy Lydia GregoryThe recent announcement of a Saint Lucia native, Dona Regis-Prosper, as the new Secretary-General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), was a welcome one for the region. The position had been vacant for four years, and Regis-Prosper—the first woman to ever hold this position—brings with her a wealth of experience and a desire to grow the Caribbean’s tourism industry by collaborating closely with all members. This region has, in fact, been experiencing a boom in hotel investment in recent years—as has the Mexican Caribbean—and this is the sort of support that spells only positives for the industry. And there’s plenty more news, particularly in the luxury front.CASA RENTAL ESCAPESRental EscapesIf your list includes clients who are in the market for short-term luxury villa rentals, you have probably heard of Rental Escapes, which has some 5,000 of these beauties around the world—and they’re constantly adding to their inventory. “At Rental Escapes, we are dedicated to the expansion of our villa portfolio to meet the demand not only for guests, but for our travel advisors,” says Willie Fernandez, CMO of Rental Escapes. “We have an abundance of new villas in the Caribbean and Mexico as both regions continue to be extremely popular. A few of our favorites are Casa Tesoro, Casa 51 and Cerulean Villa, which all provide guests with unlimited opportunities for exploration and relaxation. Working with Rental Escapes is seamless for our travel advisor partners as they work in tandem with our villa specialists and concierge service to ensure the highest level of service is provided for their valued guests.” According to Fernandez, the company’s involvement with your client begins with a villa specialist to help you match your client with the best villa suited to their needs all the way through to 24/7 concierge services at the ready for any size request. “We provide advisors with zero booking fees and useful tools such as monthly webinars, the only travel advisor rewards program for free villa stays and a white label website, to name a few. Overall, Rental Escapes offers more villas in more destinations and more opportunities to earn more commission than anyone else.”THE LANDINGSThe Landings Resort & Spa“Saint Lucia is recording another stellar year,” shares Paul Collymore, CEO of The Landings Resort and Spa in Rodney Bay. “International arrivals for the first five months of 2023 were 26 percent higher than the same period in 2022 and no signs of slowing down.” To meet demand, this resort, comprised of spacious 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom luxury villas, has reimagined its offer with a special focus on the luxury of immersion. “At The Landings Resort and Spa, we’ve recently grown our guest experiences to celebrate the sounds, flavors and sites that remain close to the heart of Saint Lucia,” says Collymore. “This includes our newly revamped Kids & Teens workshops where young guests can roast breadfruit and make punch like a Lucian, take steel pan drum lessons, carve coconuts and more, as well as new experiences for the whole family such as Caribbean dance classes, local cooking classes and onsite botanical tours. “We are committed to passing these local traditions onto our guests in order for them to create their own fond memories rooted in St. Lucian culture. Separately from our new programming, 2024 guests can also expect all-new dining experience. In 2023, we unveiled our fully revamped Callaloo beach bar for elevated toes-in-the-sand dining and in early-2024, guests can experience the reimagination of The Palms restaurant followed by The Beach Club in October 2024.” Of note: Collymore shares that airlift from the U.S. to Saint Lucia has been increasing, with Delta adding a second flight from January 2024 and increasing capacity from December, and American Airlines is adding a second daily flight from December and a new weekly flight from January, plus it will increase capacity in its daily service from Charlotte and weekly service from Philadelphia from February. “Virgin Atlantic will return with a twice weekly service from November and increase to 4 days a week from December 1st,” he adds, “[and] British Airways will operate 5 days per week from September to October 15th after which it will resume its daily service.”Karisma Hotels & ResortsThis summer, the Riviera Maya saw a new luxury addition from Karisma Hotels & Resorts. “We’re so excited to welcome guests to the unparalleled paradise of Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Maya,” says Frank Maduro, president of Premier Worldwide Marketing, the global sales and marketing representative for Karisma Hotels & Resorts. “As the first adults-only all-inclusive resort within the Island Reserve Inclusive collection, this luxurious resort delivers the ultimate vacation experience. Guests can explore the first-ever oceanfront LandShark Brewery, breathtaking room categories, the region’s largest sky wedding terrace, glow-in-the-dark pickleball courts, and two new exquisite dining concepts—Far Side Of The World and the Salted Rim Margarita Bar & Lounge. With award-winning service and unparalleled entertainment and seasonal programming, including Oktoberfest this fall, Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Maya is here to take your adults-only getaway to the next level.”The new property has 355 suites, all with a furnished private balcony or terrace. The King or Queen Paradise Rooms boast ocean views, while the Luxury Paradise Suites have private swim-up pools, always fun for couples. In all, there are 13 guestroom and suite types for your clients to choose from. The hotel also has a massive 10,000 sq. ft. St. Somewhere Spa for head-to-toe pampering and a state-of-the-art fitness center to keep those beach bods in shape after indulging in the new eateries.SECRETS RENDERINGInclusive CollectionPart of World of Hyatt, Inclusive Collection recently made news with its new travel advisor loyalty rewards program, Confidant Rewards—and the even better news is the brand has several new hotels coming down the pike, meaning more choices for clients and more sales for you. “As the leader in luxury all-inclusive resorts, we take pride in creating unforgettable vacation concepts and distinct experiences that are thoughtfully curated to accommodate today’s most discerning traveler,” says Erica Doyne, senior v.p., global marketing & communications, Inclusive Collection. “For decades we have been committed to reimagining the guest experience, which is evident in the recent launch of the Impression by Secrets brand, offering the highest level of luxury with tailored personalization, cultural immersion, and memorable epicurean cuisine.” “Looking toward 2024, we’re excited about the openings of Secrets Tides Punta Cana in Punta Cana, Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres in Costa Mujeres, Zoetry Halkdiki, which will be the first branded Zoetry in Greece, and entry into new destinations with the opening of Dreams Estrella Del Mar Mazatlan Golf & Spa Resort in Mazatlan and Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina in Portugal. At the Inclusive Collection, we are dedicated to cultivating special moments for our guests that not only redefine all-inclusive resorts but also the way travelers enjoy their vacations.” Expect the majority of the new properties to open in the first quarter of the new year.ES NUI POOL BARPalladium Hotel GroupThis brand has been on a luxury upgrade roll, investing millions in the new Family Selection hotel-within-a-hotel concept at the Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa, which will debut in December of this year (check the September issue of Recommend for an in-depth look at this luxury offer, previously only available at the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa and Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa). And there’s more: “The $27.5 million investment into Grand Palladium Hotels and Resorts in Jamaica is not just about refurbishing suites and common areas; it’s a testament to our commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences to our guests,” says Pilar Arizmendi-Stewart, v.p. of sales and marketing for the Americas for Palladium Hotel Group. “We believe in constantly evolving to exceed expectations, and this ambitious project is a testament to that dedication. As we look ahead to the upcoming year, Palladium Hotel Group is committed to raising the bar in luxury hospitality. Our dedication to providing unique experiences and exceptional service will shine brighter than ever, ensuring that every guest’s stay is nothing short of extraordinary.” PALLADIUM QUOTE The deep renovation of Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa, expected to be completed in December 2023, will be evident in all 537 suites plus common areas including the lobby, a show-cooking restaurant and a bar. There will also be two new guestroom categories—Superior Junior Suite Private Pool Ocean View and Superior Suite Private Pool Oceanfront View, both swim-ups with ample furnished terraces. Grupo PosadasGrupo Posadas has never been one to rest on its laurels, and it recently announced an important expansion to their luxury resort portfolio in the Mexican Caribbean. “We are thrilled to share that Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection has expanded their portfolio to include properties in Cancun and Riviera Maya. The new properties, Live Aqua Riviera Cancun and Grand Fiesta Americana Riviera Cancun All Inclusive Resort & Spa, will incorporate new experiences for their guests,” says Enrique Calderon, chief operations officer of Grupo Posadas. “Unique culinary concepts, new health and wellness options, a larger convention center, a state-of-the-art theater and a world class spa are among some of the new features guests will find at these properties that are set to offer the best quality hospitality in the area. Reservations for both resorts open in the summer of 2025.” This represents a $300 million investment into the popular all-inclusive segment, which shows no sign of slowing down, and the addition of 1,052 new hotel rooms. The resorts are expected to open between late Q1 2025 and early 2026. Contact InformationGrupo Posadas: fiestamericanatravelty.com/en/travelagents / agentscashincentive.comInclusive Collection: bookings.hyattinclusivecollection.com Karisma Hotels & Resorts: karismatravelagents.com Palladium Hotel Group: pro.palladiumhotelgroup.com The Landings Resort & Spa: landingsstlucia.com
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