Harlequin Hotels & Resorts in the Caribbean

 

Beachfront Villas
At the beachfront villas, guests can step off of their pool decks onto the white beach and into the blue sea.


 

Harlequin Hotels & Resorts isn’t wasting any time enforcing its plan to roll out a luxury experience of the highest level in the Caribbean. Although the company just launched its flagship property last month in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it already has several more Caribbean projects in the works and a host of other destinations on its wish list. To prepare you for the expected Harlequin takeover, Travel Agent looks at the company’s first hotel as well as news on its future projects.

 

Caribbean and Beyond

Mark Sawkins, vice president of operations for Harlequin Hotels & Resorts (as well as general manager of Buccament Bay Resort), told Travel Agent that the company is looking beyond the Caribbean and scouting destinations in Central and South America. In fact, the company is hoping to start construction on a new hotel in Brazil next year while Peru continues to be at the top of its wish list.

“The plan is to work on these Caribbean projects first, to build the brand, and then we can begin to look at other destinations around the world,” Sawkins says. “There are many destinations we are looking into. Peru is one of them.”

At the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange held earlier this year, Travel Agent heard about a new property, The Hideaway, in Las Canas, Dominican Republic, just outside of Puerto Plata and 30 minutes from the nearest airport. This 200-room resort is slated to open by 2013.

Harlequin Hotels & Resorts, the owner and developer of the planned Merricks Resort, has purchased the Allamanda Beach Hotel, Hastings, Christ Church in Barbados. The property is scheduled to open in April 2012 after a $5.5 million renovation. Harlequin also recently announced the commencement of the development of the Merricks Resort. Construction will begin next year for a resort in St. Lucia. Sawkins adds that the company is looking to build a resort in Jamaica as well, but no time table has been set yet.

Agents should contact Mark Sawkins (784-457-4100, [email protected]) with any inquiries about Harlequin.

 

Buccament Bay Resort

Harlequin Hotels & Resorts last month officially introduced to the U.S. market the all-inclusive, five-star Buccament Bay Resort—the first luxury resort on the island of St. Vincent. Ninety miles west of Barbados, St. Vincent is a tropical haven that gives visitors an opportunity to explore an island less traveled.

The Rooms: Buccament Bay Resort’s facilities include 95 villas. Situated among the tropical gardens or directly on the beach are a selection of one-, two- and four-bedroom villas, complete with living rooms and a sophisticated decor. With two master bedrooms furnished with king-size beds and two bedrooms with twin beds, Plantation Villas are the perfect setting for a vacation with family or friends. All of the property’s villas have large wooden shutters that open directly onto a deck with a plunge pool, the ideal location to enjoy views of the sea, lake or river.

Travel Agent learned, however, that the best rooms are the beachfront villas, which allow guests to step off of their private pool deck straight onto the white beach and into the blue water. These villas face west so the clients can enjoy views of the sunset. Beach bonfires are lit every night after sunset.

All eight beachfront villas are breathtaking. They are surrounded by an abundance of bird life and have excellent views of the lake, the valley with green mountains, and the clouds breaking when they hit the mountain peaks. The four-bedroom beachfront villa No. 1002 has the best lake views while the two-bedroom villa No. 3021 has the best mountain views.

Recreation: For water sports enthusiasts, Indigo Dive organizes a wide range of PADI courses and diving excursions around St. Vincent. Guests can also enjoy three swimming pools with sun loungers, umbrellas and waiter service; snorkeling; kayaking; motorized water sports; glass-bottom-boat tours; dolphin and whale watching; deep-sea fishing; and catamaran and motorboat trips.

 

Villas at Buccament Bay Resort
Villas at Buccament Bay Resort have spacious living rooms with sophisticated decor.

 

For guests who prefer to hone a particular skill, the property runs a one-of-a-kind resort academy that offers expert soccer and tennis coaching, and includes the Pat Cash Tennis Academy and Liverpool Football Club Soccer School. Music lovers have the rare opportunity to be coached in voice, acting and movement by world-class professionals from Broadway and the West End of London. Private as well as group classes are available. The syllabus is inspired by hit TV shows and musicals, such as Glee and Mamma Mia!

The Spa: For relaxation, The Spa at Buccament Bay Resort has a selection of treatments using ESPA products. Cocoon-like therapy suites, as well as outdoor gazebo and beach treatment options are also available for guests.

Dining: Safran serves fine Indian cuisine in a sophisticated and contemporary atmosphere. Ginger & Co. sushi bar is where guests can watch expert chefs creating authentic Japanese culinary delights for a light lunch or an afternoon snack by the pool. Surrounded by palm trees and bamboo, Bamboo is a chic restaurant that provides alfresco dining with popular Caribbean dishes and Italian stone-baked pizzas.

Overlooking the swimming pools and the Caribbean Sea, The Bay Beach Club is a cool spot for casual all-day dining. Popular among the younger guests, HQ serves freshly squeezed juices and smoothies as well as homemade croissants, pastries and gelati.

Rates: All-inclusive rates begin at roughly $1,365 per night for two and include connecting airfare from nearby Barbados, airport transfers, meals and beverages, as well as resort amenities and activities.
Contact: Agents should contact Mark Schmidt (917-208-8092, [email protected]), director of sales for Buccament Bay Resort.