The Landings St. Lucia, A RockResort

Gary Thulander, managing director of The Landings St. Lucia, A RockResort (www.landings.rockresorts.com), recently sat down with Travel Agent to discuss the upcoming opening of RockResorts' first Caribbean property in more than a decade.  The Landings, St. Lucia sits on the beaches of Rodney Bay

The Landings, St. Lucia will open in December and will be RockResorts' first Caribbean opening in 13 years. Agents can start booking now; the property offers a 10 percent commission. Here's a look at why and how you can sell The Landings to your clients.

Ideal for Group Travel

Although the property offers something for just about every client, we suggest targeting multi-generational travelers or multiple couples. Single families and couples are welcome, but there are opportunities here to book many people, as rooms are spacious enough to accommodate large families or couples traveling with other couples. About the Managing Director

Stay Updated: Resort Plans

The resort is set on 19 beachfront acres on Rodney Bay near the northern tip of St. Lucia in the West Indies. The Landings, St. Lucia is slated to open in four phases. Phase one, which will be complete by December when the resort officially opens its doors, will include 62 one-, two- and three-bedroom guest suites, entrance pavilion, spa, salon, fitness center, pool, water sports center and the Beach Club restaurant.

Phases two, three and four will incorporate additional suites, pools and restaurants, and will be completed during 2008, 2009 and 2010. This is important to note, because Thulander did tell us that construction will be going on during the remaining phases, so be sure to contact the resort before booking rooms for your clients, to make sure you are not booking them in a room that might subject them to noise.

Also, inquire about discounted rooms and added amenities offered, as we were told that there will be deals announced as the renovations continue, in order to encourage people to visit the property.

The Highlights

The Landings, St. Lucia was designed to be an exclusive waterfront residential development. Some standout features at the resort include the 7,000-square-foot RockResorts Spa, a full-service marina and an 800-foot private beach. The spa will include eight treatment rooms, including one couples' rooms, several relaxation rooms, a fitness center and full-service salon. Large accommodations are ideal for families or group vacations

Taking advantage of its waterfront location, the property will offer water sports and beach services such as sailing, wind surfing, kayaking and snorkeling.

Other amenities include a marina with 80 yacht moorings, a complete fitness club, salon, concierge services, swimming pools, hot tubs and tennis courts.

The resort will be accessible by helicopter. We highly recommend booking helicopter service for your clients if they are flying to Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort, which is about an hour-and-a-half drive from Rodney Bay. The drive there is rather uncomfortable, too, as the roads are windy and bumpy. A helicopter cost $125 each way. The service isn't needed however if your clients are flying to Vigie Airport, which is a 20-minute car ride to the property. Four-poster beds complete the elegant look of the guest rooms at The Landings, St. Lucia, A RockResort

Accommodations

There will be a mix of 231 one-, two- and three-bedroom grand residence condos. Each will have a fully equipped, high-end kitchen with premium-brand appliances, spacious living room, dining room, bathroom, bedrooms with bathrooms en-suite and either two balconies or a landscaped terrace.

The best room is the three-bedroom Grand Suite. This 2,300 square-foot unit, which also has 1,000 square feet of terrace space, is perfect for a large family or group. Butler service is available for an added charge, as is the service of private chefs who will cook for you in your room. The chef will bring all of the food items needed to prepare meals. The cost of this suite ranges from $749 to $1,249 per night.

Dining and Events

The Beachfront Club Lounge and Restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and provide 24-hour in-room dining. Plans also call for the Sunset Bar and Restaurant on a pier extension, as well as a gourmet deli.

There are opportunities for corporate travel here as well, and the resort is equipped to host weddings. For business meetings and corporate events, there will be a 2,000-square-foot meeting room and a 600-square-foot boardroom that will feature state-of-the-art technology.