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.
Iberostar is set to open its first hotel in Aruba – JOIA Aruba by Iberostar. Set to welcome guests late 2024, the property will feature 240 suites located on Eagle Beach, 15 minutes from Queen Beatrix International Airport. The property is designed to appeal to guests of all ages and intends to serve as an attractive option for weddings, honeymoons, special occasions and family getaways. For clients looking to indulge, concierge service, butler service and select rooms with swim-up features will be available. A state-of-the-art 10K+ square foot Convention Center, a spacious spa, a casino, and a fully equipped Fit & Fun gym also await.
Lion Star, Everest Place, and Paramount are partnering up to bring a Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Orlando in Kissimmee, Florida to life. Slated to open in 2026, this resort will be located in the Everest Place development and feature over 400 hotel rooms and condo units combined. The family-friendly resort will showcase uniquely themed accommodations, including suites inspired by iconic characters and ensuring epic experiences. Guests will have the opportunity to interact with Nickelodeon’s globally beloved franchises, including SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Dora, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
RIU Hotels & Resorts is returning to Mauritius with two new hotels: Riu Palace Mauritius, a four-star adults only hotel, and the four-star Riu Turquoise, which is ideal for family holidays as well as couples. The two new builds replace two previous hotels that were demolished.
With 310 rooms, Riu Palace Mauritius has five bars, multiple dinning venues, and two pools, one with a swim-up bar. With its Elite Club service, it offers the opportunity to book a luxury experience with rooms in a privileged location. Elite clients will enjoy a welcome gift, an exclusive pool area, reserved area on the beach, and an exclusive Elite Club restaurant.
With 390 rooms, Riu Turquoise was designed to offer both families and couples, will also feature five bars, multiple dinning venues, two main pools, a third with a bar and a children’s pool for the youngest members of the family who also have access to RIULand kid’s club.
Clients looking for a new option in the Dominican Republic can soon check into Viva Miches by Wyndham. The new eco-conscious resort will feature 538 accommodations with garden, ocean and oceanfront views, some featuring private plunge pools, when it opens on Dec. 11, 2024.
Set across three buildings, Viva Miches by Wyndham is located in the picturesque town of Miches situated on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. Following an initial investment of $80 million, a second phase is planned to bring the resort to approximately 750 rooms, with a total investment of $130 million.
