The resort report: what's new in the hotel world
ANN RUPPENSTEIN
Checking out the latest hotel and resort news from fresh renovations to brand new or upcoming properties to entice your clients.
For clients looking for something a little bit different, The Rockley recently opened on the South Coast of Barbados. Owned and operated by the Ocean Hotels Group, The Rockley is the reincarnation of the old South Beach hotel. The hip new boutique hotel features 49 rooms featuring colourful local touches including playful Bajan sayings on throw pillows, the island’s iconic Bus Stop sign, and thoughtful amenities that celebrate Bajan culture.
Guests can relax in style in junior suites with kitchenettes or the spacious, 700-square-foot one-bedroom suites with full kitchens and separate living areas. The hotel’s new outdoor covered bar area offers a trendy beach club vibe that with daily and nightly entertainment, while the stylish air-conditioned interior dining area is perfect for grabbing a quick snack or coffee. The Rockley has also upgraded and repurposed its reception, pool deck, and communal spaces including the fully equipped fitness room, play space, and guest hospitality suite that allows guests to continue to enjoy the property even after check-out and to freshen up before heading to the airport.
Travel advisors can book through many tour operators are at www.therockleybarbados.com to earn a 12% commission.
Bookings are now open for The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, a beachfront property slated to open this summer. Located on Sarasota’s barrier island, the resort will span over a sprawling 18 acres and marks the largest development on the island in over 50 years.
The hotel features 168 guest rooms, including 26 suites with terraces, with a luxurious rainfall shower, a freestanding bathtub, and a spacious walk-in closet. The four-bedroom Presidential Suite provides a residential feel with a living area, private dining room, and a terrace, all overlooking the ocean and sunset views.
The resort will have 800 feet of private, white sand beach, multiple swimming pools and luxurious cabanas, and a 475 ft. long winding river with cascading waterfalls leading into the grotto, a private sanctuary complete with jacuzzi jets and champagne service at the touch of a button. An under the sea lagoon wildlife reserve comprises a 350,000-gallon habitat with nearly 50 stingrays, three different species and over 2,800 local reef fish spanning 50 species and two Aldabra tortoises, offering guests a meaningful connection to nature.
Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition is expanding with the addition of Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp in Kenya to its exquisite collection of luxury retreats on July 1. Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp, located in the Tsavo National Park of Kenya will be the ninth property within the collection and its fifth in Africa.
The safari camp features 17-luxury tented suites and three decades of safari experience from the Kenyan-based Gehlot family — the owners of Finch Hattons and co-owners of Mahali Mzuri.
Rates start from $796 per person per night, including accommodation, all meals and drinks, as well as all scheduled activities including game drives, excursion to Shetani lava flow, Oldonyo Larami volcano hike, yoga, nature walks and return airstrip transfers.
Towering above the city’s dynamic Dojima district, the all-new Four Seasons Hotel Osaka is now accepting reservations ahead of its grand opening this summer.
The hotel will feature six dining and drinking concepts, a full floor dedicated to wellness, sunny event spaces and airy contemporary accommodations – including the city’s first modern ryokan experience in a major hotel. Ryokans are small Japanese inns dating back to the 8th century, and still popular today, particularly in regions with onsen (hot springs).
The entire 28th floor of Four Seasons will house 21 guest rooms and suites decorated by SIMPLICITY designers as a contemporary interpretation of ryokan culture, including tatami mat flooring, sliding doors within each space, a platform bed (rather than the traditional roll on the floor), and a dining area that allows for traditional or standard seating. The Gensui 玄水will also have its own check-in desk, where guests will be personally welcomed with Four Seasons care.
An additional 154 rooms and suites are spread through the 29th to 35th floors (for a total of 175 throughout the hotel).
