INTERNATIONAL REPORT—From hotel brand firsts to beachfront openings to personnel appointments, the resort space is heating up in far-flung locations. Here’s a closer look:
Planet Hollywood Opens in Costa Rica
Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica is now open, marking the opening of the first-ever, all-inclusive resort for the brand. The hotel is located at the base of the Papagayo Peninsula in the Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica.
The hotel has 294 suites, each with Phabulous Beds, a handcrafted custom mattress with bedding developed exclusively for Planet Hollywood guests, seven globally infused restaurants and six bars, Pumped Fitness Center, PH Spa, two swimming pools and splash zone.
Trust Hospitality Enters All-Inclusive Space With Panama Resort
Trust Hospitality adds to its growing collection of managed hotels outside the U.S.—the Sheraton Bijao All-Inclusive Resort, Bijao, Panama. Located on the Pacific Ocean, this all-inclusive beach resort has 293 rooms (19 of which are suites) and amenities such as pools, a spa, golf, tennis, fitness center, multiple F&B outlets and free in-room WiFi, among others. This is one of two Marriott-branded, all-inclusive properties and is the world’s only third-party-managed, Marriott-branded all-inclusive hotel.
The property will be the first Trust Hospitality property in Panama and precedes the opening of several other Trust Hospitality-managed Caribbean properties in Antigua, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Riviera Maya, St. Lucia and Trinidad.
Four Seasons Set to Open in Brazil
Four Seasons Hotel São Paulo at Nações Unidas is set to open on Oct. 15. The new hotel is the vision of HKS Architects in partnership with Aflalo e Gasperini Arquitetos, with principle interiors including guestrooms, lobby lounge and public areas by San Francisco-based Bamo. There’s 15,160 sq. ft. (1,409 sq. m.) of flexible event space, designed by EDG. In addition, the hotel has a spa, fitness center and indoor and outdoor pools.
Andaz Brand to Enter Caribbean
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has plans for Andaz Turks & Caicos at Grace Bay, a hotel and residences development expected to open in 2021, marking the Andaz brand’s first property in the Caribbean. To be developed by Vista Development Ltd. of Pronet Capital LLC, the property will stretch more than 5.5 acres on the Grace Bay Beach. The property is being designed by Rad Architecture Inc. with interiors by Francisco Jove of Modus Operandi.
The resort will be comprised of two buildings, the 59-key hotel and the 74-unit branded residences, with co-located amenities. Andaz Turks & Caicos Residences at Grace Bay will include studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, as well as penthouses with four bedrooms. Plans call for residential owners to have the option to participate in a hotel rental program, managed by Andaz Turks & Caicos at Grace Bay.
Hilton Grand Vacations Acquires Barbados Property
Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. has acquired interests in The Crane Resort in Saint Philip, Barbados. The timeshare weeks that will be available to HGV owners and guests will be branded “Hilton Grand Vacations at The Crane.” This will be HGV’s first offering in the Caribbean market.
The Crane Resort was founded as Barbados’ first resort in 1887 and is the oldest continuously operating resort in the Caribbean. This resort is located on 40 acres of beachfront property.
Resort amenities include a 1.5-acre cliff-top pool complex, spa, retail, fitness center, kids’ club, gardens, rooftop terraces and dining with seven restaurant and beverage options. In addition, many suites have private swimming pools.
Kempinski Names Leadership to Launch Resort in Dominica
Two luxury hospitality veterans have been appointed by Kempinski Hotels to lead Dominica’s first beachfront five-star resort, Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica. Michael J. Schoonewagen, general manager, and Tracey Fentem, director of sales and marketing, will head the 2019 opening of Kempinski’s second Caribbean venture situated within the Lesser Antilles. Together, Fentem and Schoonewagen will establish Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica at Discovery Bay next to Cabrits National Park.
