St. Lucia Update

 

Hotel Chocolat’s Club Boucan
The infinity pool at Hotel Chocolat’s Club Boucan affords a view of St. Lucia’s iconic Pitons.

 

From a resort set at a working cocoa estate to Sandals’ new over-the-water suites, St. Lucia has one of the most diverse hotel products in the region. Travel Agent breaks down some notable renovations, brand-new resorts and soon-to-open hotels that will make St. Lucia an easier sell than ever before.

St. Lucia Hotel Renovations

Groundbreaking on Sandals Resorts’ over-the-water suites at Sandals Grande St. Lucian will begin August 15. Opening date for the 26 overwater suites is currently slated for February 2013. The Kokomo Island bungalows will be three to four times the size of the average Caribbean hotel suite. Each overwater bungalow will have a private sitting room, with doors that fold away. In addition, these suites will feature outdoor Jacuzzis and showers, as well as hammocks above the Caribbean Sea.

Contact Sales Manager Nadia Augustin (758-455-2000, [email protected]) with any queries.

The BodyHoliday reopened in October following a $20 million renovation. The resort debuted a Penthouse Suite as part of the refurbishment. The most striking element of the penthouse is the private Turkish-style hammam. A steam room with a mosaic curved bench and rain-head shower lets guests have a unique spa experience in the privacy of their room.

Agents should reach out to Victoria Stover-Micali (732-998-0808, [email protected]), sales manager for the U.S., for more information.

The Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach is undergoing a $100 million enhancement and will be rebranded and relaunched as Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort in late 2012. So far, the physical transformation includes the opening of eight brand-new Luxury Beachfront Bungalows and the Rainforest Spa, the construction of new luxury villas and the gut renovation of its Luxury Sugar Mill Rooms.

Agent can get in touch with Tim Luksa (305-414-9814, [email protected]), director of sales, North America, with queries.

As part of the Bay Gardens Hotel renovation project, several Standard Rooms have recently been converted into two Superior Rooms and a Junior Executive Suite, each with an open terrace and enhanced amenities.

Contact Reservations Manager Anice ONeil (758-457-8007, [email protected]) with any queries.

In December, Elite Island Resorts acquired the former Almond Morgan Bay St. Lucia, now renamed Morgan Bay Beach Resort. The resort features four freshwater pools, four restaurants and five bars, a fitness center and a full-service spa.

Travel agents can reach out to Francina Mason (201-841-7650, [email protected]), Elite Island Resorts’ regional sales manager.

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa recently added multiple enhancements. The newly renovated Kai Mer Spa features three new oceanfront cabanas, an organic product line and a range of new treatments. Coconut Walk, the resort’s main restaurant serving all meals, and Calabash, the resort’s new Caribbean specialty restaurant featuring Creole and Caribbean cuisine, were both refurbished as well.

Reach out to Hilary Lanzer (305-479-2571, [email protected]) of sales administration.

Coco Palm is currently upgrading the Ti Bananne Caribbean Bistro & Bar, three conference rooms, the lobby and premium rooms. The luxe Swim Up Rooms and various other suites will showcase upgraded amenities and features.

Agents should contact Claudine Gilbert (877-655-2626, [email protected]), senior operations manager/revenue manager.

On the Horizon

Freedom Bay has announced the launch of its early-investment hotel villas and the first three- and four-bedroom private residences on 10 prime plots located directly at the foot of the Pitons. The eco resort development will include the first Six Senses-branded five-star hotel in the Caribbean. The resort will have 53 detached one- and two-bedroom hotel villas, plus an exclusive private residential estate of 48 three- and four-bedroom luxury villas and 62 various-sized apartments, all with concierge service. The first phase, including the hotel, will be complete at the end of 2013.

Contact Sales and Marketing Manager Koprinka Aksaray (011-44-787-606-2147, [email protected]) for further information.

Recent Openings of Note

The Hotel Chocolat, which opened in 2011, is a boutique property set at The Rabot Estate, a working cocoa estate of the upscale British chocolatier. It has 14 luxury Cocoa Pods and Cocoa Pods Luxe, Club Boucan with an infinity pool, the cocoa-inspired Boucan Restaurant, and CocoaJuvenate spa with its exclusive range of wellness therapies.

Contact Serena Fidgett (011-44-1763-257-766, [email protected]) of special projects and PR for more information.

The Fond Doux Holiday Plantation launched a new Mamma La Terre Spa (Mamma La Terre meaning Mother Earth) in November. The spa focuses on the restorative powers of nature, with therapists using pure, all-natural, organically grown ingredients.

Agents should direct their queries to Eroline Lamontagne (758-459-7545, [email protected]), owner/general manager.