Browsing articles tagged with " spa resorts"
This is how it begins. Lying on a massage table in an open-air pavilion/bale bordered by pools and fountains in a lush tropical garden.
More spa travel:
SPAS AT SEA
BATHING RITUALS
GUIDE TO ONSEN ETIQUETTE
ALL-INCLUSIVE TREATS AT TOP RESORT
TOP SPA DESTINATIONS
GET THE RIGHT BALANCE
BOOK IN FOR TRANQUILLITY
YELVERTON BROOK RETREAT
FISH PEDICURE
Nothing but the sound of running water, occasional birdsong and the sweet scent of the jasmine oil being massaged into my weary body.
I arrived at Chintamani Retreat Spa feeling like a trainwreck. Weeks of late nights, socialising and deadlines had taken their toll. The timing for a spa retreat couldn’t have been better.
Set on sloping hillside lawns and gardens surrounded by rice fields along the Laing River Valley in Tabanan on the west coast of Bali, this women-only retreat is a little patch of paradise. Chintamani means “magical jewel that manifests whatever one wishes for” in Hindu and Buddhism.
The owner, New Zealander Wendy Matthews, is a lawyer who has embraced the Balinese lifestyle. She has spent 20 years visiting Bali and practising meditation and yoga. Her gentle, laid-back attitude is a reflection of this beautiful place and its ethos.
Wendy spent a year searching for the perfect property to realise her dream of creating a spa retreat for women. In essence, being here is like being a house guest in an exclusive private estate infused with feminine energy and wisdom. It’s a great place for mothers and daughters to bond, book club trips and even hen’s parties for up to 12 guests.
Ancient frangipani trees, ruby and pink hibiscus, brilliant red flame trees and palms enhance the hilltop gardens, where lizards and squirrels frolic, along with a resident turtle. Koi-filled lotus ponds, statues and traditional carved and ornate stone walls and temples create a vision of beauty and serenity, and a large infinity pool is the centrepiece.
Traditional Balinese style, the six single-storey villas are spacious and luxurious with king beds and mosquito nets. Deep stone baths sit in the outdoor bathrooms which also have showers.
The villas have a television and wi-fi is available.
“You can choose to opt in or opt out,” Wendy says of the activities on offer. And by activities I mean indulgence and relaxation. Yoga and meditation are in the daily ritual at 7am and again in the late afternoon and guests are treated to two spa treatments every day. Unlike many of the spa resorts in Bali, and particularly Ubud, there is nothing strict or rigid about the routine. No 5am wake-up calls, and no colonics. There is a cocktail hour and wine is served with dinner at an extra charge.
In the lower gardens a waterfall cascades into a second pool and a traditional rice barn is a cultural feature. The descent leads to a dedicated spa area with a purpose-built yoga centre, meditation bales, jacuzzi, cold plunge pool and sauna. An exquisite haven to enjoy traditional, hot-stone shirodara, reflexology and herbal massage, aromatherapy facials, body scrubs and hair baths. Manicures and pedicures are also on the menu.
Performed by Balinese therapists, some spa treatments lack the finesse of a high-end facility but the beauty of the surrounds counteracts this.
The twice-daily yoga sessions in the idyllic lower gardens leave me feeling invigorated and inspired to continue the journey.
In her quest to create a range of sustainable and organic beauty products, Wendy met a Frenchman who used to work for L’Oreal in France and he has helped her commission a range of beauty products in glass jars for guest villas and spa, jasmine wash, peppermint body lotion and lemongrass shampoo and conditioner for starters.
The sound of a gong heralds mealtimes in the main pavilion, which serves as a dining area, lounge, bar and relaxation zone overlooking the main infinity pool and garden. Plump white sofas, white orchids and soft lighting and artefacts create an inviting space for guests to meet for drinks at 6pm before dinners of mainly Balinese cuisine created by chef Nyoman.
The wonderful meals were a highlight. There is no menu here, just an ever-changing feast. It features tempeh and tofu, green beans in coconut sauce, curries, roast duck, chicken in banana leaf, grilled fish, prawns and squid, rice and noodles and a diverse selection of fresh vegetables and salads sourced daily from local markets, all served with spicy sambals.
Each day there is a breakfast special along with anything from delicate coconut pancakes with fruit sauce to eggs and omelettes. Fresh fruits, muesli and vanilla yoghurt are ever- present on the morning table and healthy tasty lunches are served in a garden bale.
Refreshments manifest at random. As I write, a glass of beetroot, carrot and celery juice has just arrived. There is watermelon juice by the pool; lettuce, cucumber, beetroot and ginger as I recline on a day bed in the afternoon.
Every evening coloured lanterns are placed in the trees and candles around the perimeter of the pool set the scene for a magical outlook.
Frogs and cicadas strike up a chorus which pervades the night, giving way to a morning wake-up of roosters crowing, gecko calls and glorious birdsong. A morning outdoor shower against this soundscape is simply wonderful.
Of course, no retreat such as this would be complete without a visit to the local medicine man/priest. I enter the pavilion-style home of Jero Mangku Gede Sakenan, along with about 20 others. We congregate in a peaceful central courtyard adorned with old stone birdcages, palms and frangipanis.
The Mangku greets me with outstretched hands. His face is kind and open. I am given a sarong and scarf to wear before my treatment. He holds my hand and leads me into a small room where traditional offerings, candles and incense are set on a small table.
The Mangku asks me to look at his third eye so that he can see my orb and then beckons me to lie down for the healing. First my heart, massaging my chest in a quite intense movement like a deep tissue massage. After working on other areas he feels need attention, he asks me to kneel and put my head on his chest and again he massages my neck strongly. Flowers are placed into my hair and it’s over.
We retire to another parlour- like room in the main house where I am served a special herbal brew by the Mangku’s wife. As I leave, four luxury black vehicles are parked outside. Jakarta’s chief of police has arrived with an entourage – this priest is held in high esteem.
Chintamani’s location in Tabanan is off the beaten track. Ubud is about 50 minutes away and shopping trips to Seminyak and Kuta, also a 50-minute drive, can be arranged. One evening the driver, Whiskey, takes us on a 15-minute jaunt up to Tanah Lot to catch the sunset from one of the island’s most spectacular vantage points.
It was Chintamani’s first week when I visited so there was still some fine tuning to be done. At the upper end of the price scale service needs to be impeccable. Cooking classes, cultural tours and more are in the pipeline.
On the last morning the garden is bathed in golden sunlight, cocks are crowing and birds singing as I make my way down to the yoga pavilion for a class with Made, whose open heart and generosity touched each of our small group.
He teaches a combination of Ashtanga, Hatha and Vinyasa disciplines and to make it extra special we were all treated to a yoga massage. With the love and care of a dedicated practitioner, bodies stretch and bend into positions I never dreamt possible. The gentle rhythm of the running water leaves an indelible print on my memory.
FACT FILE
• Eight-day packages include 12 spa treatments, all meals, 12 yoga sessions and 12 meditation sessions, yoga equipment, a cooking class, transfers and the services of a butler. A twin-share room with two king-size single beds and an outdoor bathroom with a shower starts from $3395. chintamani.com.au
Di Bauwens was a guest of Chintamani Retreat Spa.
The Global Spa Wellness Summit (GSWS) today announced that the Governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, will be a keynote speaker at their sixth-annual conference being held in Aspen, Colorado from June 3-6, 2012.
New York, NY (PRWEB) May 15, 2012
The Global Spa Wellness Summit (GSWS) today announced that the Governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, will be a keynote speaker at their sixth-annual conference being held in Aspen, Colorado from June 3-6, 2012. Governor Hickenlooper is widely recognized for his strong record on smarter, more prevention-focused healthcare policies; creative public-private partnerships; and responsible environmental policy and job-creating clean energy initiatives.
The Summit, whose 2012 theme is “Innovation through Imagination,” will be held in collaboration with the world-renowned think-tank, The Aspen Institute, and is expected to draw top industry leaders from 40+ nations. The Governor joins a rich slate of thought-leaders from the medical, wellness, technology, government and policy sectors that will explore the many innovations poised to transform the world – and those that could specifically ignite important new directions for the spa and wellness industries. He will present at 11:45 AM on Tuesday, June 5, and a brief press conference will follow.
View the complete GSWS agenda here: http://www.globalspaandwellnesssummit.org/index.php/summit-2012/2012-agenda
About Colorado’s Governor: Hickenlooper’s path to the governorship is as unconventional as his name. Beginning his career as a geologist, he then turned entrepreneur, opening Colorado’s first brewpub in a Denver warehouse district. The restaurant proved so successful that it has become a cornerstone of the Denver community and transformed an entire neighborhood.
Despite having never run for political office (not even student council), he was elected Mayor of Denver in 2003, and just two years later was named one of the top five “big-city” U.S. mayors by Time magazine. After two successful mayoral terms, he was elected Governor of Colorado in 2010, with a forward-thinking legislative agenda that included more cost-effective, prevention-focused healthcare policies and a focus on innovative clean energy solutions.
A Democrat, his “Western” spirit of collaboration, and ability to forge effective partnerships between the private and public sectors (whether energy companies and environmentalists, or healthcare reformers and insurance companies), has made him popular with politicians and people of both parties – a rare feat in the highly polarized American political scene. In fact, he was recently ranked the second most popular governor in the U.S.* and numerous articles about his strong appeal in the 2016 presidential race have recently appeared.
Colorado – A Wellness Mecca: The governor presides over a state well known for its health and wellness. Not only does Colorado consistently rank as one of the “healthiest” of the 50 states,** it retained its longstanding title as the “leanest” (least obese) state in 2012.*** Famed for its breathtaking natural beauty and outdoorsy lifestyle – and rich in natural mineral and hot springs – Colorado has a vibrant culture of over 1,000 spas and wellness centers, including an ever-increasing number of award-winning ski/spa resorts in destinations like Aspen, Telluride and Vail. GSWS delegates can opt for a “Colorado Mineral Springs Tour” on June 7, the day after the Summit concludes.
Members of the press interested in attending the Governor’s keynote/the Summit on June 5, please contact: Beth McGroarty: beth {at} rbicom {dot} com or 213-300-0107
To register, or to learn more about attending the GSWS as a delegate: http://www.globalspaandwellnesssummit.org/
About the Summit: The Global Spa Wellness Summit (GSWS) is an annual event that attracts executives and leaders from around the world with an interest in the spa and wellness industries. Delegates from diverse sectors, including the hospitality, tourism, finance, medical, real estate, manufacturing, technology, consulting and product industries, attend this invitation-only gathering. Responsible for some of the most important recent spa industry research, including the “Global Spa Economy Report,” “Spas and the Global Wellness Market” (conducted by SRI International) and a comprehensive overview of global wellness tourism and medical tourism, the GSWS also recently launched SpaEvidence.com, the world’s first online portal to the medical evidence for common spa/wellness therapies. The Summit was honored as “Spa Event of the Year” for 2009, 2010 and 2011 by AsiaSpa magazine’s awards program.
- Public Policy Polling, 2012
** Gallup’s annual Well-being Index polls: Colorado currently ranks #6
*** Center for Disease Control data, 2012
For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebGlobalSpaWellnessSummit/GovernorHickenlooper/prweb9508503.htm
MIAMI—All is not lost for the Caribbean hotel industry. Yes, the recession created a challenging operating environment, and development has stopped completely. Yet there is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, according to hotel investors speaking during a general session Tuesday morning at the Caribbean Hotel Resort Investment Summit.
Partially fueling the renewed—albeit limited—optimism is interest in high-end residential components at mixed-use projects.
“We’re seeing more interest in residential (components),” said Kenneth Blatt, principal and COO of Hospitality for Caribbean Property Group. “Slowly but surely people are coming back. But it’s a trickle. It’s been very encouraging the last 60 days.”
CPG is in the final stages of redeveloping the former Dorado Beach Resort in Puerto Rico into a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property that will have a 115-room hotel as well as two-, three- and four-bedroom residential villas that sell for up to $1,200 per square foot. The hotel is scheduled to open in December. Blatt said the high-end consumers of the residential market are recognizing now is the time to take advantage of the economic environment to invest as the hotel nears completion.
Dave Johnson, president CEO of Aimbridge Hospitality, agreed with Blatt.
“It’s more onesies and twosies coming back, but the good news is it is coming back,” he said. “From 2007 to 2011 it was dead real estate sitting in the ground.”
There are other opportunities in the Caribbean as well. Aimbridge, primarily a management company that puts sliver equity in select deals, has four assets in the Caribbean. It has two deals in the near-term pipeline and other deals in various stages of discussions—one of which is repositioning an unsuccessful residential development into a resort.
Apprehensive lenders
Lenders are apprehensive about placing money into the Caribbean, which presents a challenge for the region, according to panelists.
“You have to adapt to the times,” said David Brillembourg, chairman and CEO of Brilla Group. “It is a very difficult time to raise money from institutional investors in the U.S. and Europe.”
Johnson said Aimbridge is involved in conversations with U.S.-based hedge funds and is finding some reluctance on their part.
“They want to know who the buyer is (at the end of a 3-to-5-year hold),” he said. “There’s not a natural exit, and that still scares them.”
“There’s no exit, but that’s not bad,” Blatt said. “With the top line (revenue) going up, as long as you can manage line items like insurance and utilities, the property will be OK. You have to look at the cash performance of the asset as opposed to ‘what’s my stabilization, what’s the (capitalization) rate and what’s the exit.’”
Blatt said the Caribbean financing picture includes cap rates in the teens and loan-to-value ratios in to 50% to 60% range.
“As the hotel operator is making money and covering debt, there’s no reason for the banks to be cautious,” he said.
Brillembourg, whose company owns resorts in the region and also provides financing options for investors through the Caribbean and Latin America, is bullish. Brilla Group looked at 390 potential deals during the past 12 months, signed 70 non-disclosure agreements and conducted 30 to 40 pro formas—and closed on three deals. He said opportunities could come in the way of Spanish banks selling some of the distressed properties they now have on their balance sheets.
Brillembourg said ultra-luxury markets in the Caribbean, such as St. Bart’s, are performing well.
“The margins there, even though the cost of operations is very high, are blowing the numbers out,” he said.
But by and large, the development opportunities in the region are few and far between because of the lack of funding.
“The Caribbean is amazingly depressing for hedge funds and institutional investors,” Blatt said, adding that a bright spot could be the emergence of hotel brands as financial partners. “You are now finding the hotel brands with a balance sheet to help the developer or institutional partner.”
The other source of potential funding is governments. Blatt said his company couldn’t have embarked on the Dorado Beach Ritz-Carlton Reserve if Puerto Rico’s government hadn’t provided mezzanine and sliver equity, as well as other incentives.
Opportunities abound
“I still believe there are opportunities,” said Alex Zozaya, president of AMResorts, which has 29 properties with more than 11,000 rooms open. “Right now at this specific moment I would focus on turnaround existing properties. We have all these abandoned or underperforming properties that are fantastic.
“This is a great opportunity to refresh the Caribbean, bring new ideas to the Caribbean,” he said.
AMResorts, which specializes in all-inclusive properties flying the Zoëtry Wellness Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts Spas, Dreams Resorts Spas, Now Resorts Spas and Sunscapes Resorts Spas flags, will have 32 properties comprising 13,000 rooms by the end of 2012.
Zozaya said the all-inclusive resort market is a solid business model.
“The question is can the market work in areas where there is high payroll,” he said. “That’s a big factor. It’s all about getting value for your money.”
Zozaya is counting on more Americans visiting the Caribbean. He said 76% of his company’s guests are Americans, and 40% of those are taking their first trip outside of the country.
“The potential of the Caribbean is to double or triple the number of Americans who visit,” he said.
Brillembourg said U.S. banks, with the exception of J.P. Morgan for some deals, are not being aggressive in regards to lending money for projects in the region
“It’s still complex to get financing,” he said.
But local lenders are beginning to step to the forefront because they were left out during the peak years as they couldn’t compete with the terms large banks were offering, according to Zozaya.
“Local lending is becoming like a whole new industry,” he said, specifically citing Jamaica, Costa Rica and Mexico as prime examples. “All these local players are being a lot more active, taking an active role in financing projects, not just hotels. They are a reliable source of debt now.”
Looking ahead
The next three years will provide numerous chances for investors looking to get into the Caribbean region, the panelists said.
Blatt said he expects money from South America to migrate into the region. Plus, the addition of the Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas—and the Chinese financiers that come with it—could open the Caribbean to more Chinese investors, he said.
In addition, CPG will look at more investment opportunities and plans to increase its portfolios during the next 18 months—provided the gap between the bid price and ask price narrows, according to Blatt.
Zozaya said he expects stronger participation of Spanish companies in Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
“I see them acquiring, reflagging and even managing (the properties), which they don’t usually do,” he said. “I also see the large U.S. (brands) becoming more aggressive. They have a huge opportunity in Mexico and the Caribbean.”
Lenox, MA (PRWEB) May 09, 2012
The award-winning musical satire group Capitol Steps returns to Cranwell Resort, Spa at Golf Club in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts for the sixth consecutive summer. Performing from July 2 to September 2, including a new Sunday matinee, they will entertain audiences with numbers from their latest album “Take the Money and Run for President!” Since they began, the Capitol Steps have recorded 32 albums including their special holiday release, Barackin’ Around the Christmas Tree. They’ve been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS, and can be heard 4 times a year on National Public Radio stations. Larry King of CNN has said, “They’re the Best. There’s no one like them, no one in their league.”
Capitol Steps’ 90-minute shows will be performed in Cranwell’s Olmsted Manor at 8pm, Monday and Wednesday through Saturday, and new this year, on Sunday with a 3:00 pm matinee. Cranwell offers convenient pre-show Prix Fixe dining from 4.30 – 6:30 at its Wine Spectator Award Winning restaurant in the Gilded Age Mansion or a casual a la carte menu at Sloane’s Tavern, where diners have the option of outdoor terrace seating with views of the golf course. In-theatre wine and beer is offered before the show. Following each performance, guests can visit the Mansion where a late-night dining menu featuring an extensive selection of International coffees and desserts is available until 11:00 pm.
Show tickets and optional dinner can be reserved by calling 413-881-1636 or tickets may be purchased online. or by calling 800-272-6935. See performance videos or for more information visit Capitol Steps online.
ABOUT CRANWELL RESORT, SPA GOLF CLUB
Cranwell is located just two and one-half hours from New York City and Boston in the historic New England village of Lenox, Massachusetts. This award winning resort features 114 distinctive guest rooms and suites, an 18-hole historic golf course set on 380 hilltop acres, and is home to one of the largest resort Spas in the Northeast. Guests also have complimentary spa use including the glass-enclosed heated indoor pool, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and fitness center. With three restaurants and spacious banquet rooms, Cranwell also hosts numerous year-round conferences, weddings and social events.
Cranwell Resort received the Condé Nast Traveler: 2011 Readers’ Choice Award and is listed in Zagat’s “Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts Spas”. Additional recognitions include SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Award for one of “Best Spa Resorts for Golf” and the Wine Spectator Magazine Award for Excellence.
Cranwell is a partner with Stash Hotel Rewards®, an innovative hotel rewards program that enables travelers to quickly earn free nights at distinctive, independent hotels without blackouts or expiration date restrictions. The resort is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ brand and is also a long time member of Historic Hotels of America, which preserves the authenticity of over 200 of America’s most prominent historic hotels and inns.
PDF
Print
I can’t but agree to the positive statements about your portal:
easy to use, clear layout, very good search function, and quick editing!
Jens O’Brien, Borgmeier Media Communication
Up to two kids stay free of charge; Guests can choose from nearly ten resorts in six different destinations.
Philadelphia, PA, USA – May 9, 2012 — AMResorts, provider of sales, marketing and brand management services for Zoëtry Wellness Spa Resorts and Secrets, Dreams, Now and Sunscape Resorts Spas, is extending its popular “Kids Stay Free” promotion just in time for the summer vacation season. Guests that book travel through May 11, 2012 are eligible for AMResorts’ “Kids Stay Free” promotion where up to two children can stay free with the purchase of accommodations for two paying adults for travel between June 30 and December 21, 2012. Travelers can choose from nine luxury resorts and six different beachside destinations:
• Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort Spa
• Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta
• Dreams Huatulco Resort Spa
• Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort Spa (black out dates in June)
• Dreams Tulum Resort Spa
• Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort Spa
• Now Amber Puerto Vallarta
• Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun
• Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa
All Dreams and Now Resorts Spas guests enjoy the Unlimited-Luxury® vacation concept where everything is included; from elegant and spacious accommodations, 24-hour room and concierge services, and gourmet, reservation-free restaurants, bars and lounges serving premium domestic and international beverages to endless entertainment for every age and more. While Sunscape Resorts Spas offer families, friends and singles lively, Unlimited-Fun® vacations where everything is included from spacious accommodations to limitless dining options including room service, day and nighttime entertainment for every age and more.
Dreams, Now and Sunscape Resorts Spas also feature fully-supervised children’s’ programs at the Explorer’s Club for Kids where children, ages three to twelve, enjoy arts and crafts, sandcastle competitions and weekly camp out adventures as well as movies on the beach, ocean trampolines and Euro-bungee. For older children, the resorts offer The Core Zone Teens Club where teens enjoy a variety of land and sea adventures, competitions, gaming systems and excursions.
In addition to these kid-friendly activities, adults with children have the opportunity to participate in the “Dreaming of Freedom” program. Between May and October, guests at select resorts have the chance to take part in the daily turtle release event by interacting with a baby turtle before releasing it into the sea.
About AMResorts
AMResorts (http://www.amresorts.com) is the provider of sales, marketing and brand management services to five brands of exclusive resort properties in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic: ultra luxurious Zoëtry® Wellness Spa Resorts (http://www.zoetryresorts.com; 1-888-4-ZOËTRY); adults-only Secrets® Resorts Spas (http://www.secretsresorts.com; 1-866-GO SECRETS); luxurious Dreams® Resorts Spas (http://www.dreamsresorts.com; 1-866-2-DREAMS); vibrant and contemporary Now® Resorts Spas (http://www.nowresorts.com; 1-877-NOW-9953) and fun-filled Sunscape® Resorts Spas (http://www.sunscaperesorts.com; 1-866-SUNSCAPE). Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya and Secrets Marquis Los Cabos are members of Leading Hotels of the World.
Images, logos, and informational material about all of AMResorts brands and properties are available at http://www.amresorts.com/media.
Media Contact:
Maite Velez-Couto
rbb Public Relations
355 Alhambra Circle, Suite 800
Miami, FL 33134
305-448-1923
rebecca.stella@rbbpr.com
http://www.rbbpr.com
Celebrity names such as Kelly Osbourne, Bear Grylls and Katherine Jenkins joined host Piers Morgan at the BritWeek Gala in Los Angeles last week.
Celebrities attended the Beverly Wiltshire Four Seasons Hotel, where Champneys launched their USA venture, having been a hit in the UK. Other stars who attended the red-carpet event included Jerry Springer, Jackie Collins, Ross King, Jamie Bamber, Bruno Tonioli, Poppy Montgomery, Carly Steele, Joey Lawrence, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Philip Treacy, Max Caulfield, Juliette Mills, Noel Fisher and Santiago Cabrera.
Kelly Osbourne left a lasting impression in the VIP area, dressed in an Anthony Franco dress, Judith Leiber clutch and Chanel heels.
Gushing over the spa brand Kelly said, ‘Since I can remember I would always go to a Champneys UK spa when I needed a relaxing getaway. The spas are gorgeous and now I can finally have a little piece of home here in the US!’
After cocktails and gala dinner, each took turn to leave their ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ style hand prints, which will be donated to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, along with a charitable donation from Champneys.
In the past names such as Princess Diana, Daniel Craig, David Beckham and Simon Cowell have all stayed at one of the company’s four luxury spa resorts. Now consumers can buy Champneys products in the US. A far cry from the 1970s when the closest thing to a luxury spa was a should-know-better teen breaking wind in the swimming pool.
[Written by Don Westbury]
The design and decor of the Secrets Marquis Los Cabos exude high-end luxury. A dramatic open-air reception lobby, with an arc-shaped roof, frames an expansive view of the Sea of Cortez. Each of the 235 ocean-view suites and casitas has a balcony overlooking three infinity pools and the sandy beach. In addition to a 15,000-square-foot spa, the property boasts a museum-quality art collection of more than 400 pieces, with monumental bronze sculptures by leading Latin American artists in public spaces and original oil paintings in every guest room.
When the Marquis Los Cabos opened in 2003, the hotel drew a steady stream of honeymooners, families on vacations, and corporate incentive travelers. But as the global economic downturn arrived, occupancy rates and revenues spiraled downward. So the private owners (who also own Marquis Reforma Hotel Spa in Mexico City) took the bold step of relinquishing management responsibilities to AMResorts last November, rebranding it as the adults-only, all-inclusive Secrets Marquis Los Cabos. Since the changeover, occupancy rates have increased by nearly 300 percent.
“Today’s travelers are focused on getting the best possible value for their travel dollars,” says Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst with the Atmosphere Research Group in San Francisco. “Our latest survey of more than 5,000 US leisure travelers shows that 87 percent of travelers establish a budget for their trips. When looking to save money, 54 percent focus on lodging, versus 41 percent who focus on airfare. All-inclusive resorts offer travelers a way to manage their budgets.”
Beyond buffet lines
When Club Med began in 1950, it was aimed at fun-loving singles traveling on a shoestring budget. A typical vacation package included meals, soft drinks, some alcohol, use of resort facilities, and tips. In 1967, Mini Club Meds began sprouting up to accommodate guests with children.
Like the entire travel industry, Club Med suffered after 9/11 but weathered the recession by diversifying. Club Med now has more than 80 resorts worldwide, catering to singles, couples, and families, and is expanding its emphasis on children’s programming, themed vacations, as well as on luxury. Twenty-three of the properties offer Club Med’s “ultimate family vacation experience,” targeted to the upscale family travel market.
Particularly in Mexico and the Caribbean, there has been industry-wide proliferation of upscale all-inclusives. “According to our American Express Travel booking data, we’re seeing substantial year-over-year growth to destinations that are known for top all-inclusive properties,’’ says Ellen Bettridge, vice president of American Express US Retail Travel Network.
“In difficult times, people may not necessarily be looking for an inexpensive alternative, but like to know upfront what the vacation will cost,” says Bjorn Hanson, divisional dean of the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management at New York University.
Looking for luxury
Like its sister resorts (there are nine other Secrets Resorts spread across Mexico and the Caribbean), Secrets Marquis Los Cabos now offers an “Unlimited Luxury” package, which includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks each day; unlimited premium beers and top-shelf spirits; in-suite mini bars refreshed with soft drinks, bottled water, and beer; gourmet reservation-free restaurants; 24-hour room service and poolside wait service; live nightly entertainment; and a menu of daytime activities — all with taxes and gratuities included.
Brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, Fairmont, and Starwood are dipping their toes in the all-inclusive waters by offering packages at selected properties. The Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica, offers an “Escape to Luxury” package that includes unlimited beverages and meals at the resort’s dining venues coupled with a fifth night free.
Since last November, the Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, has experimented with an “Appetite for Luxury” package that includes 24-hour food and beverage service, children stay free, three hours per day supervised Kids Club activities, and several other amenities.
Late last year, Starwood announced the opening of its first two all-inclusives, the Westin Resort Spa, Playa Conchal in Cabo Velas, Costa Rica, and the Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort in Panama.
Finding their niche
With the increase in numbers, all-inclusives are seeking to distinguish themselves from each other by offering unique and memorable experiences. Here are a few examples:
Wellness and self-improvement: Located on Pink Gin Beach, Grenada, LaSource Resort recently added scuba yoga and a “sleep school” to its holistic offerings, which already included a rotating series of master classes on such topics as Tai Chi, meditation, Pilates, and Zumba.
Sustainability: The El Dorado Spa Resorts Hotels, Riviera Maya, have green initiatives to preserve the ecological richness of the Mayan jungle. These include a 70,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse growing herbs and produce; energy-saving air conditioning; solar water heating; and recycled water systems.
Environmental immersion: The spa and water pools of the 82-acre, eco-friendly Grand Velas Riviera Maya derive their inspiration from the surrounding jungle. A personal spa valet guides guests through a signature seven-step “water journey.”
Gourmet dining: Also at the El Dorado, Riviera Maya, a “Gourmet Inclusive” package allows foodies to select fresh fish from the catch of the day to be prepared for lunch by the chef; a choice of Italian, Mexican, Asian, and grill dining; and unlimited, premium-brand alcoholic beverages.
Personal service: Sandals Resorts, another pioneer in the all-inclusive world for the last 30 years, offers “Luxury Included” vacations. For a high-end experience, guests can stay in suites with private plunge pools served by butlers trained at the Guild of Professional English Butlers. Stays at the Sandals in Jamaica and St. Lucia include unlimited golf with complimentary greens fees.
The bottom line
Similar to when booking a cruise, it is important to find out what is included in the price of an “all-inclusive” vacation before you place a deposit. If you are unsure, check the website, speak to your travel agent, or call the resort.
“All-inclusive pricing is very competitive as compared with the costs of staying at a conventional property,” says Glenn Haussman, editor in chief of HotelInteractive.com. “The real difference is piece of mind.”
Guests are reassured knowing there will not be another charge for every activity, meal, and amenity, and there will not be a gratuity to be paid every time. “For many it is more an issue of convenience than cost,” says Hanson.
Irene S. Levine can be reached at irene@irenelevine.com.
HAWLEY, PA, May 02, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
After last summer’s announcement that 75 acres of private land
would be added to the surroundings at The Lodge at Woodloch, a spa
resort, management wasted no time in crafting plans about how best to
put the land to use. Gathering together several masterminds to create
the ultimate garden, the plan was created through the expertise of
newly-appointed Outdoor Adventure and Grounds Manager Josh Heath,
Executive Chef Peter Schott, Master Gardener Alison Peck, and Organic
Advisor and former Executive Director of the Northeast Organic
Farming Association of New York Greg Swartz of Willow Wisp Organic
Farm. With a common goal of creating the ultimate garden for the spa
resort’s TREE Restaurant as well as a learning environment for the
guests and community, the masterminds went to work.
The new Farm-To-Table Garden measures approximately 100′ wide x 170′
deep and is within walking distance of the 57-room destination spa
resort. While building the footprint of the farm, a 50-year old
handcrafted cistern was discovered which will eventually be restored
and used as a resource to help water the plants along with rainwater
management techniques. In addition, three compost bins were created
to ensure a constant supply of fertilization and food recycling.
The Farm-To-Table Garden will provide a selection of vegetables and
herbs that will be used at TREE Restaurant. In addition, occasional
Farm-To-Table cooking demonstrations and outdoor community-style
dinners will be served right by the garden. On Earth Day, new
gardening classes will begin, during which guests will learn
practical tips to use in their own gardens.
“It was important that we planned this garden with every
consideration of the environment. Knowing the importance of every
detail, we elicited the help of Organic Advisor Greg Swartz to help
ensure our organic practices were established from the start,”
explains Paul Fitzpatrick, managing director of The Lodge at
Woodloch. In addition to the Farm-To-Table Garden, the property will
provide new walking trails and a Wildlife Overlook. Also in the plans
are distinctive relaxation nooks throughout the property to help
guests unwind and truly let nature nurture.
About The Lodge at Woodloch:
The Lodge at Woodloch is one of the
finest full-service luxury destination spa resorts in the U.S.,
offering complete spa programs, treatments, outdoor adventure
activities, golf, classes and packages in a pristine mountain retreat
environment. Located on over 150 wooded acres with a private lake in
the Lake Region of Northeast Pennsylvania, The Lodge provides an
oasis for personal awakening and renewal just 2 1/2 hours outside of
New York City. The exclusive property features 57 luxury
accommodations and a 40,000-square-foot spa. Additional information
and reservations are available toll-free at 1-866-953-8500 or on the
Web site at thelodgeatwoodloch.com.
SOURCE: The Lodge at Woodloch
Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.
