Hotels
Transat Offers European Charm in Mexico
Transat is now offering the new The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences, Curio Collection by Hilton, located in the heart of Playa del Carmen in Riviera Maya. The five-star hotel, which opened its doors on Dec. 15, is offered exclusively by Transat in Canada. It's ideal for both those looking to relax and explore – an all-inclusive stay in the comfort of a boutique hotel and a prime location that allows its guests to soak up the local culture. Its 93 rooms, some of which have kitchenette, are near the colourful 5th Avenue, which buzzes with boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs....
Sunwing Adds Royalton Bavaro Resort to Sun Lineup
Sunwing has added the new, luxurious Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to its sun lineup. The resort offers travellers an “All-In Luxury” experience along with several new unique features, including the FlowRider surf experience and a 1,200-ft. lazy river leading to a grotto bar. A Sunwing Smile Resort, families can also take advantage of several exclusive perks, including “Kids Stay, Play and Eat FREE” deals all year round, teen pricing, no supplement for single parents and more. Accommodations include swim-out suites, as well as options...
Growing, Growing, Growing
Karisma Hotels & Resorts' Daniel Scheiman took the recent marketing forum at the 10th annual Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultants conference as a platform to let travel agents – the company’s No. 1 partner – know there’s plenty of developments in the works, reports assistant editor, Ann Ruppenstein in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. “We truly understand you are the force behind the wheel. You run the factory,” said the senior business development manager for North America at the event held at El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya, Mexico. “Our way of saying...
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts Re-brands
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, a major presence in all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, is reorganizing its 24-hotel portfolio, reclassifying properties into four categories and segmented experiences. The new categories and segments will ultimately simplify the process for agents and consumers to identify which hotel will best fulfill their vacation goals. The four hotel categories are Luxury Bahia Principe, including the brand’s most luxurious hotels; Grand Bahia Principe, featuring five-star hotels; Sunlight Bahia Principe, for all Spain-based properties; and Fantasia...
Sandals Royal Barbados Makes A Splash
Sandals Resorts International has opened its newest property – the all-suite Sandals Royal Barbados, its second resort on the island. Featuring 222 concierge and butler-level suites, including Sandals’ signature Rondoval, Millionaire Butler, Skypool and Crystal Lagoon Swim-Up suite concepts, the new-build also introduces three new restaurants, the brand’s first rooftop infinity pool, gentlemen’s barbershop and a four-lane bowling alley. “Every new resort we develop stands on the shoulders of what came before. We keep getting better and better and for us, right now –...
‘New’ Club Med Turkoise Set To Open Jan. 31
A fully renovated Club Med Turkoise in the Turks & Caicos will reopen Jan. 31. Eighty new Deluxe rooms have also been added to the resort. Other highlights include an infinity pool and a renovated Blue Coral main bar, for all-day poolside refreshments, pre-dinner drinks and after-hour...
Choice to Acquire WoodSpring Suites Brand
Choice Hotels International has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the brand and franchise business of WoodSpring Suites from WoodSpring Hotels Holdings LLC, a portfolio company of Lindsay Goldberg, for approximately US$231 million, subject to customary adjustments. The acquisition will add nearly 240 extended-stay hotels in 35 US states to the Choice Hotels portfolio, creating an extended-stay portfolio of more than 350 properties with existing brands, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay. Choice plans to hire the WoodSpring Suites franchise business employees and...
Club Med Rewards Loyal Agents
Club Med has launched a new agent loyalty program, offering enhanced benefits for its travel partners. The Great Agents Loyalty Program offers more opportunities for Turquoise, Silver, Gold and Platinum Great Agents to redeem various rewards for points earned. Under the program, agents will receive one point for each dollar sold; more sales equals more points, and more rewards. “We are committed to reward our valued travel partners for their efforts, and have taken into consideration their comments to build a new rewards program inspired by them,” said Jacinda Lowry, national...