 |
| At Seven Stars Resort, The Deck has been expanded and upgraded, and is the venue for “BBQ & Bonfires” on Sundays. |
When you are expecting company, you want to look your best. That’s why, in the best tourism year ever for Turks & Caicos, a number of hotels and resorts in these islands have been getting a few touch-ups.
Karen S. Whitt, who wears two hats as both the destination’s hotel association president and general manager of the Regent Palms Turks & Caicos, told Travel Agent that the new JetBlue service, launched in February, has prompted several popular resorts to up their game to draw potential first-time clients as well as repeat guests. If the prospect of relaxing in some of the best beaches in the Caribbean doesn’t appeal enough to clients, here are the most recent and notable hotel upgrades to go with it.
Regent Palms Raises its Game
Whitt told us that upgrades at The Regent Palms Turks & Caicos later this year will include new in-room designs, new poolside bar and possibly some spa refurbishments.
She also said the owners of the Regent brand, which represents seven hotels worldwide, are looking to return to their “old-school brand of luxury” for which it is widely regarded. In fact, Whitt and representatives of the other hotels will soon meet with Regent representatives in Shanghai to discuss ways to give the property that traditional Regent stamp.
The 72-suite resort also hired a new executive chef and plans to make some fun changes to the menu of the resort’s Parallel 23 restaurant, which we visited a few years ago and still consider one of the best in the Caribbean. Although Whitt would not budge on the specifics, we got the impression that she has big plans for the incredibly popular 25,000-square-foot Regent Spa.
Agents should contact Garry M. Perotin ([email protected], 954-392-5060), director of sales and marketing, for more information.
New Owner at Comfort Suites
Canadian businessman Dale Papke said he would spend about $2.5 million on the recently re-licensed Comfort Suites Ports of Call Resort in Providenciales. Renovation of the 98-room resort, acquired by Papke’s real estate company, has begun in earnest. Rooms will be completely refurbished and apart from enhanced lighting in the hallways, there will be changes to other public areas like the lobby and breakfast and bar area.
New large-screen TVs, 17-inch safe deposit boxes, poolside and balcony furniture, an eight-person hot tub, a fitness center, children’s playground and hourly beach shuttle service to and from Grace Bay beach will be some of the amenities introduced over the 12-month facelift.
“Guests will have the choice of walking 300 yards or being shuttled to and from the beach, or staying [put] at the resort and enjoying the incredible landscaping, the courtyard pool setting or the quaint shops,” said Papke. As he has also acquired the adjacent Ports of Call Shopping Village, the restaurants, bars and shops in the 18,000-square-foot plaza will be an extension to the resort’s amenities and services. The final product promises to be a trendy, upbeat resort with onsite restaurants, bars, an ice cream shop, gift and clothing stores, hair stylist, spa and dive shop.
Agents should contact Herber Valkenberg ([email protected], 888-678-3483) at the North American sales office for details.
Grace Bay’s $1 Million Upgrade
Last year, Grace Bay Club announced a $1 million renovation, much of which was devoted to a new adults-only, glass-edge infinity pool and bar. The poolside has been expanded to open up additional outdoor space for weddings and group events, and it now has a convenient connection to the resort’s Infiniti Bar, the longest in the Caribbean at 90 feet.
The resort’s Anani Spa also received a fresh contemporary redesign. Two treatment rooms—one with an outdoor soaking tub for specialized treatments, fronted by a new fountain—have been added. Relaxation Room and Manicure/Pedicure Room are now larger, and the locker rooms have been completely redesigned. The design palette consists of white-washed wood tile, white lacquer wood finishes, contemporary white Corian vanities, translucent walls in the lobby, and elegant linen curtains.
The fitness center has also been renovated with new flooring, bright colors and four new Life Fitness treadmills.
Agents should contact Angella Tyson ([email protected], 800-946-5757), reservations manager, with queries.
Seven Stars’ New Beach Service
Seven Stars Resort recently introduced a program of complimentary beach services and experiences to make a day spent on one of the world’s best beaches even more relaxing.
The services include sunglasses cleaning, chilled scented towels, chilled water, Evian misting, margarita shots, towels service, beach volleyball and such nonmotorized sports as kayaking, surfboarding and snorkeling. Seven Stars’ lineup of daytime beach experiences features concierge-like food and beverage service at your clients’ lounge chairs.
Daytime beach fun transitions into evening conviviality under the stars on Sundays as guests are treated to the new “BBQ & Bonfires” from 7-9 p.m. on The Deck. This beach party invites guests to dance on the sand to live music, while enjoying drinks and menu items. Recently expanded and upgraded, The Deck sits along the beachfront with plush seating, overhead umbrellas and views of the sunset.
Agents should contact Yngrit Reynoso ([email protected], 649-941-7777), reservations manager, for details.