Islands of opulence
01-Feb-08
A host of luxurious hotel launches, paired with existing properties that regularly renovate and innovate, mean competition for business in the Caribbean is intense.
"The Caribbean's top-end product has developed considerably over recent years," notes Tanya Faurot, product manager, marketing and commercial, Elegant Resorts.
The region's efforts to boost its luxury offering have not gone unnoticed, and it won a clutch of category awards in the Luxury Travel Reader Awards 2008 (see January issue and p13 of this issue). Rob Stevens, product manager Caribbean, USA & Mexico, Azure Collection, says: "St Lucia will be a highlight for upmarket visitors in 2008/09 with the addition of many new hotels to the already established luxury properties."
Visitor numbers are booming. Carol Hay, director of tourism for the UK Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Office, says: "2007 arrival figures from the UK to Antigua and Barbuda are up to 96,797 from 89,563 in 2006. This reflects an increase across all categories - families, weddings and honeymooners, as well as sports enthusiasts and groups - and indicates the growing diversity of attractions on the island and its overall popularity as a holiday destination."
According to Judy Davis, Caribbean product manager at ITC Classics, a luxury hotel and perfect beach are no longer enough for most upmarket guests. Be it a holistic spa experience, adventure trip or private chef demonstration, visitors require more.
"Resorts that are truly luxurious are due to their extreme privacy (Hermitage Bay in Antigua); unparalleled views (Jade Mountain in St Lucia) or the most luxurious ingredient of all - time," she says.
A Winair flight from Antigua to St Barthelemy is set to launch in December, connecting with Virgin Atlantic and British Airways flights from the UK. The service improves access to properties such as Hotel St Barth Isle de France, which has added a range of new treatments to its spa menu. International Travel Connections and Sandals have launched Complete Caribbean, offering luxury, all-inclusive holidays in nine resorts, including Antigua, St Lucia, Jamaica and the Bahamas.
BA's London Gatwick to St Lucia service will increase from two to three a week and operate non-stop rather than flying via Antigua, saving two hours' flight time.
Deals for 2008 at Discovery at Marigot Bay, St Lucia, include a family pirate package, an adventure holiday, diving special and new romance and honeymoon creation. And Mount Hartman Bay Estate, Grenada, is offering seven nights for the price of six for most of 2008.
HOTELS
Galley Bay Resort, Antigua, has launched the Indulge spa, with two open-air treatment pods, beauty suite and treatment room. www.eliteislandresorts.com
The Verandah Resort & Spa, Antigua, has opened a children's club, designed by UK interior designer Linda Barker. www.verandahresortandspa.com
Jake's Resort, Jamaica, has opened the Driftwood Spa. It uses local materials and specialises in natural holistic remedies. www.jakeshotel.com
Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa, Jamaica (right), is set to open eight Plantation Suites in late April, with West Indian-themed decor. www.sandals.co.uk
The spa in Sandy Lane, Barbados, is launching a collection of luxury treatments, including a range specifically for golfers. www.sandylane.com
LaSource, Grenada, has reopened following damage by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 with 100 newly refurbished rooms, a new beach bar/restaurant, additional pool, dive centre and a renovated spa. www.caribtours.co.uk
Turtle Beach, Barbados, is offering free weddings in 2008 with a minimum seven-night stay in an Ocean View Junior Suite. www.turtlebeachresortbarbados.com
Set in lush tropical gardens on the sandy north shore of Antigua, Hodges Bay Club opens an environmentally conscious resort in October. www.hodgesbayclub.com
Eden Rock, St Barts, has opened an 8,000sq ft, two-bedroom villa with a Mini Cooper, art gallery, two private pools and home cinema. www.edenrockhotel.com
Molasses Reef, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve on West Caicos, Turks & Caicos, is set to open next winter with a 125-suite boutique hotel and 60 Ritz-Carlton-branded villas. www.molassesreef.com
La Toubana, in Guadeloupe's Sainte-Anne, has been completely refurbished and transformed into a boutique hotel. www.deshotelsetdesiles.com
The Hyatt Regency Trinidad Hotel has launched with a rooftop bar, ocean view infinity pool, spa and fitness centre, and fine dining facilities. www.hyatt.com
Cotton Bay Village, St Lucia, offers the Humming Bird Children's Club with activities for children between three and seven. cottonbayvillage.com
Angsana Resort and Spa on Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, is to open in 2009 with 45 luxury beachfront villas and 120 one- to three-bedroom villas. www.angsana.com
Parents can enjoy the Winter Escape Family Time and Good Life Family Time packages at Half Moon, Montego Bay, Jamaica, to 15 April. www.halfmoon.com/agents Funway Holidays has added all-inclusive Almond Smuggler's Cove and Almond Morgan Bay, St Lucia, to its Caribbean & Mexico 2008 programme. www.funwayholidays.co.uk
Viceroy Anguilla Resort and Residences is set to open in November with a 10,000sq ft spa and restaurant, tennis courts, two swimming pools and a beach activity pavilion. www.viceroyanguilla.com Baccarat Hotels and Residences at Temenos, Anguilla is set to open in November with 18,800sqft spa. www.temenosanguilla.com
The Reef Atlantis opens in the Bahamas in December. www.atlantis.com
WHAT'S NEW TO DO
- Jack Nicklaus is to design a golf course for the Pointe at Cas En Bas, set to open late 2008 in St Lucia. www.cap-estate.com The 140-room Fairmont Anguilla is set to open in 2010, and will also boast a Jack Nicklaus Golf Club.www.fairmontanguilla.com
- The Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour takes visitors from tree to tree via an assortment of suspension bridges, zip lines and swings, climaxing with a daredevil 60-foot controlled parachute jump. www.antiguarainforest.com
Private members club the Royal Palm Villa has opened in Montserrat, set in four acres of tropical woodlands. Temporary memberships are priced at just under £5 per week. www.montserrat-royalpalmvilla.com
The St Lucia Jazz Festival runs 2-11 May (below): Wyclef Jean, Angie Stone and iconic singer Dionne Warwick will be performing.
www.stluciajazz.org
The 18th annual Moonsplash Reggae Festival, Anguilla, will be held 27-30 March. www.anguilla-vacation.com
The Anguilla Youth Sailing Club at Sandy Ground, Anguilla, is offering a two-week youth sailing course for children age seven-15. www.sailanguilla.com/tourist_camp.htm The Venus Spa opens in April at the CuisinAA Resort & Spa, Anguilla. www.cuisinartresort.com
Antigua and Barbuda launch the inaugural Romantic Rhythms Music Festival from 12-15 June. Performers will include international artists, as well as those from the Caribbean and South America. www.antigua-barbuda.com
Ultra luxury Silversea Cruises has 14 culinary and wine theme cruises planned for 2008, including a 16-day tour from Barcelona to Barbados, departing 3 November, 15 days from LA to Fort Lauderdale (18 November) and nine days from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados (departing 3 December). www.silversea.com
Book an underwater marriage ceremony (above) in the Cayman Islands. www.snooba.com
BEST ROOM IN THE HOUSE
THE CARLISLE SUITES
Carlisle Bay, Antigua
Client fit: Families.
Why: Each suite comprises of three bedrooms and is right on the beach. Not many other suites in the Caribbean offer larger families such a fantastic location or size. Guests also have the choice of ground floor accommodation, so they can walk straight out onto the beach, or the upper floor, which is more private and has beautiful views.
Price: From $1,975 (£1,002).
Contact: www.carlisle-bay.com
Recommended by: Tanya Faurot, product manager, marketing and commercial, Elegant Resorts. www.elegantresorts.co.uk
HAWKSBILL COVE ESTATE HOME
Jumby Bay
Client fit: Groups with something to celebrate.
Why: A five-bedroomed plantation-style home set in four acres of tropical gardens and access to a private, sandy cove - perfect for mooring the yacht. Large swimming pool. Price: From $8,000 (£4,062).
Contact: www.jumbybayresort.com
Recommended by: Judy Davis, Caribbean product manager, ITC Classics www.itcclassics.co.uk
PERSONALITY SUITE
Raffles Resort Canouan
Client fit: Couples seeking a romantic hideaway.
Why: These have recently been refurbished and are perfect just for couples who want to get away, with its own pool and stunning views.
Price: $1,365 (£696).
Contact: www.rafflescanouan.com
Recommended by: Rob Stevens, product manager Caribbean, USA & Mexico, Azure Collection www.azurecollection.com
TREETOP SUITES
The Sandpiper, Barbados
Client fit: Couples in the winter, families in the summer.
Why: The spacious walk-through shower in the oversized bathroom, and best of all is the large, wrap around balcony with its cool, shaded area with a large well-stocked bar, easy chairs, views, a sundeck and a private pool. Within walking distance of excellent restaurants.
Price: $1,150 (£586). Contact: www.sandpiperbarbados.com Recommended by: David Pollard, product manager, Harlequin Holidays. www.harlequinholidays.com
ROCK COTTAGE
Blue Waters, Antigua
Client fit: Honeymooners, families or groups of friends.
Why: The cottage has five bedrooms, its own plunge pool stunning sea views and is set on the rocky outcrop.
Price: $1,707 (£870) per night for 1st/2nd Master Bedrooms.
Contact: www.bluewaters.net
Recommended by: Sally Booth, sales and marketing director, Seasons in Style. www.seasonsinstyle.com
BUYER'S Q&A - Chris Edwards, project director, Complete Caribbean
How has the Caribbean's luxury offering for visitors developed over the past five-10 years?
The developments have been significant. There are huge choices and styles of accommodation to suit most budgets, and wide ranges of dining options.
- Is the type of upmarket visitor changing?
The "luxury included" holiday is now well within the range of both the aspirational and the well-heeled. Sandals, for example, still handle a large number of weddings, but the market has widened out and moved into renewal of vows, second honeymoons and any excuse for a celebration. It is not uncommon for several couples to travel out together for four nights in winter just for a mini "house party".
- What are the highlights for visitors in 2008/9?
Improvements in quality. Historically, in the UK, butler service may have been perceived as "stuffy" and potentially could make clients feel uncomfortable -not now. The view is more that they have earned their relaxation time - in this time-poor society - and should get the most out of it.
- What makes the Caribbean a great destination?
The Caribbean is primarily a winter destination and, taking into account the comfortable flying time, it falls well within the radar of those upmarket travellers who want accessible quality without reverting to the more traditional option of the Canary Islands or the variable quality of some parts of West Africa. There is also the kudos of the individual island names and amazing beaches, which stretch out endlessly.
- Which are your favourite hotels?
The Red Lane Spa, and Gordon's Restaurant on the Beach at Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort.
www.completecaribbean.co.uk.
