Resorts
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...
Beaches Turks & Caicos Is Back
Following its closure due to Hurricane Irma, Beaches Turks & Caicos has reopened its doors, offering guests several new features. “We know how important vacation time is and so we’re just delighted that Beaches Turks & Caicos is not only reopening its doors, but we’ve also introduced some amazing new features making this award-winning resort better than ever,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, founder and chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “The entire resort has been refreshed and our staff is eagerly awaiting the arrival of our guests.” Beaches Turks...
A Window To The Wilderness
Anyone skeptical that the staff at Ecuador's Mashpi lodge don't know its stuff need only look at tour guide Nestor Paladines, reports Ian Stalker in this week's Travel Courier cover story. Paladines, a guide at the National Geographic-affiliated property, can identify some 1,068 bird species in his country by their English and Spanish names and about 400 by their scientific monikers. And to top that off he can recognize hundres of species by their calls, with those feats taking three years. And says lodge manager Marc Bery, that sort of dedication enables Mashpi guests to head home...
Club Med Extends Air-Inclusive Offer
Club Med has extended its air-inclusive offer to Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico, through Jan. 10, 2018, and has launched a “Sun Guarantee.” The 298-room Club Med Ixtapa Pacific is well known for its year-round sunshine and credits clients for rainy days. Air-inclusive packages, starting from $1,699 per adult, per week, include: Flights and transfers from Montreal and Toronto, four dining options, a range of sports and activities, including three pools, a flying trapeze, archery and sailing, a spa, Kids Clubs from four months to 17 years old, and meeting and conference rooms for...