Escape to luxury at Serenity at Coconut Bay
ANN RUPPENSTEIN
During the planning stages for Serenity at Coconut Bay, the new all-inclusive, adults-only luxury resort in Saint Lucia, president and CEO Mark Adams wasn’t deterred by the fact that the ground didn’t quite measure up, so to say.
“If you would have come to the site before we built the pool, you would have been shocked that the ground was probably eight feet below the level you’re standing on when you’re on the pool deck,” he tells Canadian Travel Press. “When we were brainstorming about how we were going to build the pool, you can just imagine that it was a grass field. I got a ladder, put it into the middle of the field where I thought the pool should go, and stood up on the ladder until I got almost to the very top and I said okay, I can see the ocean now, so we’re bringing the pool up until here.”
Today, the pool sets the scene for the 36-suite resort, which is located a short drive from Hewanorra International Airport. During the evening, the area is transformed by an illuminated pool with a multi-coloured light show and two fire pits.
“It’s already got a lot of accolades about being one of the best pools in the Caribbean,” he adds.
A serene oasis
Beyond the pool, a big selling point for Serenity is the suites themselves. Ranging in size from 1,250 to 1,900 sq. ft., all suites feature large private patios with plunge pools, hammocks for two and outdoor rainfall showers for guests to enjoy in exclusivity with enclosed fencing.
“Because Saint Lucia is such a honeymoon destination, I would say 60% to 70% of the guests are honeymooners,” he says. “What’s amazing is the number of repeat travellers that we’re already experiencing within a year, being that we only opened last June and July with a soft opening, and the official opening was in August.”
Rooms come complete with a personalized wet bar, butler service, 24-hour room service, airport transfers, and a pillow menu.
A resort within a resort
Agents familiar with Saint Lucia will know Serenity’s sister property, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa. Guests are able to enjoy all the facilities and amenities of the sister resort, which is within walking distance (although butlers are happy to offer a lift on golf carts), while being able to retreat to the adults-only property.
Serenity’s main restaurant is the Great-house, where travellers can get a variety of Caribbean and American dishes, and during breakfast, some freshly made juices by staffer Gina. On a weekly basis, the Chef’s Table at the restaurant is taken over by local chef Aunty Debbie, who serves up her spin on the island’s creole cuisine.
Selling tips
As travel is very promotion driven, Adams says agents can take advantage of specials to help increase bookings to the resort. The latest initiative is a partnership with Air Canada Vacations, offering an exclusive promotion where members can earn up to 10,000 bonus Aeroplan Miles per couple for a seven-night flight-inclusive stay. The air-inclusive packages start at $3,639 p.p. based on double occupancy, including tax, booked now through June 30, and for travel through Dec. 20, 2018.
Meanwhile, in light of the success of its Grand Romance Experience, Serenity has left the package in place throughout 2018 and 2019, although it was originally designed as a grand opening promotion. Travel agents earn 15% commission and more for direct bookings, while clients receive a slew of value-added perks like a private chauffeured island tour, a champagne and jazz sunset catamaran cruise, and $1,000 in instant air credit.
“One of the best ways that we’ve learned from our guests in personal experience is that getting out on a catamaran – because the typography [of Saint Lucia] is so beautiful from the water – that we went ahead and built in an exclusive sunset cruise exclusively for the Serenity guests,” he says.
All-inclusive rates for the Grand Romance Experience start at $349 p.p., per night, based on double occupancy for stays of seven nights. For more information, visit SerenityResortRewards.com and serenity at coconutbay.com .