Resorts
Karisma Looks to Further Global Expansion
Karisma Hotels & Resorts, which owns and manages properties across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, has announced further global expansion plans, encompassing a projected growth model to own and operate 30 resorts around the world by 2020. As the company continues to expand worldwide with offices in Miami, Cancún, Belgrade, Bogotá, Mexico City, London, Toronto and Quebec, key executive personnel have been promoted to lead the charge of sales, marketing and operations from a vast global perspective. Within the next year, Karisma Hotels & Resorts will introduce its...
Starwood Unveils ‘Sheraton Grand’
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has introduced Sheraton Grand, a new premier tier that recognizes exceptional Sheraton hotels and resorts for their enticing destinations, distinguished designs and excellence in service and guest experiences. Starwood revealed the first 10 Sheraton Grand properties, which span from Bangalore to Beijing, Dubai to Edinburgh, Miyazaki to Seoul, Taipei to Bangkok, and Tokyo to Rio de Janeiro. By year end, Starwood expects to have 50 newly designated Sheraton Grand hotels around the world with plans for 100 by early 2017. “Sheraton is...
Getting High in Peru
Peru's Natura Vive has introduced Skylodge Adventure Suites suspended from the side of a mountain in the Sacred Valley near Cusco. The three glass capsule “suites” offer a 300-degree view of the Sacred Valley through transparent aerospace aluminum and weather-resistant polycarbonate. Each capsule is 7.2 metres long and 2.4 metres high/wide and can accommodate up to eight people with four beds, a dining area and private bathroom. In order to get to the suites, guests can either scale 400 metres of a via ferrata or hike a trail that includes ziplines. When guests arrive, a gourmet...
Karisma Properties Now Offering Free WiFi
Karisma Hotels & Resorts, which owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, has debuted complimentary WiFi at every Gourmet Inclusive property. The company is providing this service to give guests the option to be as connected or disconnected as they so choose while on vacation. The Gourmet Inclusive aspect at Karisma Hotels & Resort extends beyond the confines of food and beverage, also speaking to the style of service and hospitality, accessibility and overall convenience. The addition of free wireless Internet effectively complements this...
Margaritaville Resort Coming to Orlando
Margaritaville Holdings LLC, and Encore Capital Management have announced the development of a Margaritaville Resort community in Orlando, a project that will include a hotel, vacation ownership and vacation homes. Inspired by the lifestyle celebrated in Jimmy Buffett’s iconic songs, “the resort will become an oasis for relaxation and fun – that 'one particular harbour,' and will offer many experiential opportunities including a 'FinCity' arcade, a St. Somewhere Spa, a planetarium and the Son of a Sailor fishing school, paddleboarding and kayaking. Ancillary to the Margaritaville...
Marriott Responds To ASTA Concerns
In response to comments and questions from the travel agency community – along with a strong reaction from ASTA – regarding its “It Pays To Book Direct” marketing campaign, Marriott International has issued a statement to clarify its position as it relates to the agency community. Marriott states, “We highly value our relationship with travel agents and recognize the service they offer to customers. The current digital marketing campaign is simply another common practice effort to create awareness of our existing site to inform customers who choose to make their own...
Caesars Prepares For Palace Milestone
With The LINQ's transition from the former Imperial Palace now officially in the books (as of this month), making the hotel-casino the newest on the Las Vegas strip, Caesars Entertainment (CE) will turn its attention to its iconic Caesars Palace property, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. Minor renovations to the hotel-casino have taken place during the past couple of years, but CE was mainly occupied with the development of Project LINQ, a new entertainment district across the street from Caesars, which includes The LINQ Hotel & Casino, an outdoor entertainment...
Virtuoso’s ‘Best of the Best’
International luxury travel network Virtuoso unveiled the winners of its 2015 Best of the Best hotel awards Wednesday at the 27th annual Virtuoso Travel Week conference in Las Vegas. The 11 winners, all participants in the renowned Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts Program, include Ashford Castle in Ireland as Hotel of the Year. Virtuoso surveyed its 370 agencies and their more than 9,800 elite travel advisors to decide the Best of the Best winners in 10 categories, ranging from the most innovative guest experience to top hotel and hotelier of the year. With a diverse portfolio of...