RIU Hotels & Resorts recently finished the refurbishment of the Riu Negril, the All Inclusive resort that was built in 2004 on the beachfront at Bloody Bay in Negril, Jamaica. This attractive 5-star hotel, which offers both relaxation and fun, now has 600 fully refurbished rooms and new services such as the "American Country" themed restaurant and RIU Party events.
Auberge Resorts Collection, the award-winning portfolio of one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, resorts and residences, has been selected to manage Moncayo, Auberge Resorts Collection, a new beachfront resort and exclusive collection of Resort Villas and Private Residences set within Moncayo, the 1,100-acre community on Puerto Rico's pristine eastern shoreline. Moncayo is led by leading real estate firms, Juniper Capital and Capital United, and renowned investors and philanthropists, José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones.
Meliá Hotels International has announced the expansion of its INNSiDE by Meliá brand in the Dominican Republic, which is deemed a strategic destination for the company. The plan includes the opening of two new establishments in Punta Cana. Notably, these will be Meliá's first franchised hotels in the Caribbean, marking a significant milestone in the group's regional expansion.
The Strand Turks and Caicos, the highly anticipated luxury resort community located on 2,230 feet of oceanfront on Cooper Jack Bay in Providenciales, is now open for overnight guests. Part of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd, The Strand features luxury suites, multi-bedroom villas and expansive private residences designed in collaboration with RAD Architecture, Inc. and Modus Operandi, each offering breathtaking ocean views and floor-to-ceiling glass doors, spacious terraces, and hand-crafted infinity pools. The property is one of the most sustainable resorts in the Caribbean with solar integration from local leader Renu Energy TCI providing more than 75% of the community's power and a designated "Pollinator Sanctuary" in partnership with renowned Denver-based Butterfly Pavilion.
Zel, a collaborative lifestyle brand from Meliá Hotels International and tennis player Rafael Nadal that blends relaxation, sports & fitness, and social connection, has announced its first establishment in Punta Cana will open on December 12, 2024. Nestled amongst nature and from spectacular beaches, Zel Punta Cana will welcome guests from around the world with a unique hospitality experience that combines the Mediterranean lifestyle with the island charm of the Caribbean. Following the success of its inaugural hotel, Zel Mallorca, in 2022 and the opening of its second location, Zel Costa Brava in 2023, this hotel marks the brand's expansion into the Americas.
In my view, last-minute discounting is a super lazy and rookie approach to revenue management and a sure downward spiral to hotel insolvency. One question: why airlines and car rental companies never engage in last-minute discounting?
No actions that drive business to OTAs away from direct channels are good for hotels. It's a simple concept. OTAs have been very creative in finding ways to train the consumer to choose their booking channels over hotels' own websites and this is just another attempt to do the same.
Last-minute discounting is a double-edged sword for hoteliers. It can help fill unsold inventory, but it also carries significant risks that can undermine a hotel's broader revenue strategy and brand perception. From a revenue perspective, unsold rooms are a perishable asset, and this type of policy can be useful to sell those rooms.
Properties should take resilience measures not just to lower insurance premiums but also to keep their doors open and stay in business. Insurance companies can protect their own profits and keep their customers by offering lower premiums to owners who better protect their properties.
While I would like to suggest that there is a massive "Game Changer Opportunity" presented here in accelerating sustainable best practices though engagement from the Insurance Industry, that is going to have to wait and see what comes unless someone has more information related.
To fully embrace their role as enablers and game changers, insurance companies could focus on two aspects that would make a difference in the way hospitality professionals make decisions. The first one is the availability of data about present and future risks (catastrophic events…) and their correlation with some hotel features (construction materials, construction year, location of technical equipment in the building…).
Renowned for its inimitable brand of immersive extravagance, SLS Baha Mar continues to evolve its group offering with the introduction of a new guest room concept. Centered around delivering extraordinary group experiences, the new rooms and suites completely furnished by RH, will delight all those who wish to say farewell to the everyday - from guests looking for next-level family vacations to ultra-luxe incentive travelers.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Cobbo Bay Developers SA for a new Dreams Resorts & Spas branded resort in the Dominican Republic by the end of the year. Dreams Cap Cana Resort & Spa will feature 519 guestrooms, including 40 villas and 100 swim-up suites, creating an ideal retreat for families seeking a Caribbean getaway.
The short answer is no.
The threat by the genAI search engines has to be taken seriously and this is exactly what Google is doing. First, Gemini AI and its latest version Gemini 1.5-pro-002 is comparable to OpenAI's GPT-4o and better in more complex tasks like coding and problem-solving.
It's an interesting situation. Those who've always had the information and also the commerce. Versus those that have started with the information retasked to be more informative. But not yet the commerce. My view is that the more informative information coupled with commerce will prove out in the end.
Peter Island Resort, the largest private island resort in the British VirginIslands, is pleased to announce its official opening December 1, 2024. Since its closure in 2017, the resort has undergone a reimagining that has transformed the property to a new level of luxury. In addition to relocating the heart of the resort to the island's spectacular stretch of Deadman's Beach, guests of the new Peter Island resort will find stunning new beachfront rooms and suites, two impeccably redesigned villas, an extensive Yacht Club, two restaurants, a 10,000 square foot seaside spa and an expanded events and meetings area. Throughout this transformation, priority was placed on preserving the 52-room resort's intimate, casual elegance, warm Caribbean hospitality and hundreds of acres of unspoiled tropical island.
Located just off the coast of Belize, Four Seasons Resort & Residences Caye Chapel will include a 104-key luxury hotel composed of expertly-designed guest rooms and suites, including a collection of 18 overwater bungalows. Designed by Mauricio Gomez de Tudo and Taller G, the hotel seamlessly blends the natural island allure with the five-star service attributed to the Four Seasons brand. Guests will enjoy world-class amenities, including two beach clubs, a full-service, cenote-inspired spa, and select access to a 10-hole championship, reversible course designed by Greg Norman—part of the Caye Chapel Golf & Ocean Club. The Resort will also feature a collection of 24 Four Seasons branded residences lining the Northern perimeter of the island, ranging from 2- to 4-bedrooms and available fully turn-key. The residences are expected to be delivered alongside the hotel in 2025, and begin at $4.5M.
During the 2024 World Travel Market (WTM) in London, Blue Diamond Resorts is thrilled to announce that the eagerly awaited Royalton CHIC Barbados will join Marriott International's distinguished Autograph Collection upon its opening as an adults-only retreat in Spring 2026. This exciting development follows the recent announcement of its debut and marks a significant step in delivering elevated, exclusive experiences to the Caribbean.
This renowned beachfront resort, nestled along the pristine, crystal-clear waters of the ultra-private Grand Cul De Sac in St Barths, embodies the vibrant spirit of the island. Guests are invited to embark on curated culinary journeys and explore the rich marine life through immersive experiences led by on-site experts.
For those traveling with kids, Princess Grand Jamaica is an all-inclusive, family-friendly resort complete with an aquatic park, kids club, teens center, nanny service and robust activities like tennis and water sports to keep everyone thoroughly entertained. Families can travel in style, with a choice to stay in 590 spacious ocean view suites or groups and large families can enjoy the Family and Master suites. Platinum suites are also available for upgraded amenities and a butler service. Families can make lasting memories with access to three pools with thrilling water slides, eight bars and nine restaurants, serving local and international cuisine, including Mexican, Italian, Jamaican and Asian delights.
For couples looking for an intimate escape, Princess Senses The Mangrove is an adult-only, all-inclusive resort, with 401 ocean suites and 14 spectacular overwater villas with partial glass floors and infinity pools, each adorned with thoughtfully crafted details, finished balconies and terraces with swim out pool options. For adults who want to add some spice to their trip, Pleasure Suites are available to provide an intimate and private ambiance. The Platinum Club suites offer exclusive Platinum Club areas, upgraded amenities and a butler service. The experience is complete with 14 restaurants, 15 bars and a rejuvenating spa.
Auditing hotels involves a unique set of tasks distinct from other types of audits. Certifications may encompass various departments, including Human Resources, Purchasing, Legal, Food & Beverage (F&B), Maintenance, Excursions, Housekeeping, Front Desk, Training, and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). To effectively conduct these audits, an auditor must possess extensive knowledge of hotel operations. This includes an understanding of the dynamics between services and the complexities of both horizontal and vertical management. The primary role of the auditor is to gather evidence to ensure that the hotel complies with established standards. While some evidence can be visually assessed, many aspects require in-depth discussions to accurately evaluate the level of commitment from the staff. This necessitates strong interpersonal skills to gain the trust of the team and elicit an honest portrayal of the hotel's operations. The technical component of the audit is crucial, as it constitutes a significant portion of sustainability certifications for hotels. Auditors must acquire knowledge in areas such as HVAC systems, thermodynamics, water and wastewater management, energy efficiency, health and safety protocols, and chemical storage. Currently, there is no academic curriculum that provides the comprehensive knowledge and skills required for hotel auditors. As a result, many auditors must rely on self-directed learning or their personal experience within the hospitality industry to conduct effective audits. With the increasing demand for hotel certifications, there is a pressing need to establish structured support for auditors specializing in the hospitality sector. The credibility of certifications rests on the qualifications of the professionals conducting the audits. It is essential that auditors are equipped with the necessary expertise to meet and exceed the expected standards.
Verification and certification on hotel sustainability are a key element the success of a property's pathway to net zero and net positive impact. Hotels under the brand umbrella of Radisson Hotel Group are required to complete the online verification process of Hotel Sustainability Basics and / or be certified by a leading hotel eco-label. Quality is defined by the transparency of the program, regular audits conducted by well-trained auditors and third-party verification. It is also a great differentiator.
With new ESG regulations coming into force (e.g. the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), there will be an even greater need and demand of environmental and social auditing.
Could there be a bottle neck of skilled auditors - absolutely, but we know that legislation will require skilled auditors to assess certified properties so the question shouldn't be will there be a bottle neck, it's how are we training a new wave of auditors.
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