Four Big Developments in All-Inclusive Resorts

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia has a new agent rewards program.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia has a new agent rewards program.

Don't miss a single headline with our roundup of the latest in all-inclusive resort news. From a new reward opportunity for travel agents to reopenings and deals, here's what you need to know. 

St. Lucia’s Coconut Bay Beach Resort Rewards Agents

Travel agents booking Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia will earn $50 branded e-vouchers, free nights and more when they join “CBAYREWARD$.” This new rewards program replaces the resort’s Sterling Agent Program, current enrollees of which will automatically be enrolled in the new program.

CBAYREWARD$ agents receive their choice of a $50 prepaid MasterCard, Amazon.com or iTunes e-voucher for every booking of five nights or more in a Premium or higher room category. For every seven-night booking in an Oceanview room category or higher, agents also receive one free night toward a Coconut Bay all-inclusive getaway.

In addition, members will earn up to 15 percent commission on all direct bookings and Coconut Bay will have special amenities presented from the agent to their clients in room on arrival, including a welcome letter, bottle of sparkling wine and fresh fruit plate. Agents can also pass along up to 55 percent savings to their clients on all-inclusive rates.

Club Med Offers Discounts, Plans Punta Cana “Oasis”

Guests who book Club Med vacations now through August 25 for travel through December 18 will enjoy up to $150 air credit per adult; a complimentary upgrade to a Deluxe room and waived single supplement. It’s all part of the all-inclusive company’s “Extra Perks” flash sale. Clients can also take advantage of 40 percent off extended stays at 40 of its resorts located in Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Alps, Europe, Asia and South America.

Meanwhile Club Med Punta Cana is adding a new adults-only area in December. To be known as the Zen Oasis, it will have 78 guest rooms with rainfall showers, large soaking tubs, chromatherapy lighting and L’Occitane spa products. The rooms will also have yoga mats and outdoor daybeds on private terraces or gardens. Rounding out the Zen Oasis experience will be a pool with in-water lounge chairs, a lap pool, a palapa for yoga lessons and a wellness bar serving healthy smoothies, teas, snacks and cocktails.

The new Riu Palace Antillas Hotel is the adults-only companion hotel to the newly revamped Riu Palace Aruba.
The new Riu Palace Antillas Hotel is the adults-only companion hotel to the newly revamped Riu Palace Aruba.

Riu Palace Aruba Reopens, Unveils New Refreshed Look

Riu Palace Aruba has reopened this summer after a thorough refurbishment. Sporting a new look with a modern, comfortable feel, the all-inclusive resort occupies a stretch of the island’s Palm Beach, known for its white sand and crystal clear water. Hotel facilities and amenities include two fresh water swimming pools (one with adjoining whirlpool bath), sauna, gym, solarium-terrace and Renova spa with a range of treatments. Dining options include a buffet and four themed restaurants. Next-door is the new, adults-only (18 years and older), beachfront Riu Palace Antillas Hotel, which opened this past winter. It also has a pool, spa and multiple restaurants, as well as an Aquagym and diving school. Both hotels offer free entry to the Pacha discotheque and the casino.

Ski Indoors With Hard Rock And Camp Woodward

Hard Rock’s All-Inclusive Collection and Camp Woodward have partnered to launch Woodward Riviera Maya and Woodward Punta Cana, which will offer guests the chance to snowboard and snow ski indoors. Set to debut in 2016 at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, Camp Woodward offers a variety of programs for kids, teens and adults of all skill levels, as well as team-building activities. In addition to snowboarding and skiing, there will be skateboarding and BMX, Parkour, cheer and hip-hop dance programs and amenities, trampoline activities, dry-land snowboarding and snow skiing and a digital media program. The programs will be instructor-based and available to hotel guests with resort credit, while non-guests can participate for a fee.