Property isn't an all-inclusive
IAN STALKER
Upscale European hotel chain Kempinski is happily bucking a trend in Mexico’s most popular tourist locale.
Xavier Destribats, COO for The Americas for Kempinski Hotels, reports the Kempinski Hotel Cancun hasn’t gone the all-inclusive route, somewhat unusual in the seaside community.
“We are not all-inclusive, and are actually one of the few non-inclusive hotels in Cancún,” he reports. “In an effort to offer exclusive amenities and to provide an exceptional food and beverage department, we make certain our service feels personalized to the needs of each individual guest. For example, we offer six onsite dining options where visitors will find carefully curated menus, from the award-winning Mediterranean fine-dining restaurant Fantino, The Club Grill, and the romantic Casitas dining experience, located on the beach.”
A property that Destribats bills as an “iconic beachfront resort” has just celebrated its 30th anniversary, and was one of the first luxury properties established in Cancún. Kempinski started managing the property in the fall of 2022, and at the beginning of this year finalized the hotel’s transition as Kempinski Hotel Cancún, making it the first Kempinski hotel in North America.
“Since then, we’ve implemented the Kempinski standard across everything we do, from the service, our Ferragamo toiletries, and the iconic Lady in Red, our brand ambassadors across all our properties, who provides guests with personalized service during their stay,” Destribats reports.
“We are indeed defined as an upscale hotel and known for our exceptional service, unparalleled gastronomic experiences, restorative treatments at our Kayantá Spa, and a luxurious stay at an elegantly designed property against an unobstructed, stunning backdrop of the Caribbean Sea.”
Destribats says Kempinski is one of the most established luxury hotel groups in Europe, dating back 125 years and now “providing exceptional service and experiences to guests all over the world. Our properties can be found across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. While some travelers in North America might have experienced the luxury hospitality in other countries, the North American region is still unfamiliar for the most part.
“We are honoured to introduce travellers to Kempinski Hotel Cancún, where we’ve brought the iconic elements of our European brand and blended these with local elements of the destination to create a one-of-a-kind luxury experience. The region is prime for an elevated hospitality that caters to luxury travellers, from great location and infrastructure to a vibrant culture and stunning natural landscape.
“We hope to attract locals, loyal guests and newcomers by providing an exceptional five-star experience, where they’ll embrace an elevated service and the classic Kempinski touch that distinguishes our hotels around the world, including the signature European flair at the property, the daily tea time, or our Lady in Red.”
Destribats points to a number of factors he says will ensure that Kempinski Hotel Cancun guests enjoy their stays.
“Our dedicated staff is passionate about the guest experience, and that can be seen across every interaction with all guests that visit us,” he states. “This custom guest experience is what Kempinski is renowned for across its international destinations, and we’re continuing to implement this here in Cancún. From the moment guests arrive, they are greeted by the Lady in Red who will be the most attentive host throughout their stay, always checking how they can make their stay memorable. In fact, we were recently recognized as one of the best hotels in Cancún overall.
“In addition, we have a classic elegant property with 315 guest rooms and 48 suites all featuring spectacular views of Cancún’s turquoise waters, a location on one of the most beautiful beaches in the area, and a reimagined culinary scene led by chef René Camelo, with 6 dining options on-site, including two fine-dining restaurants, Fantino and The Club Grill. Both of these restaurants have received AAA’s five-diamond rating, and are among the few fine-dining options in Cancún.”
Destribats says Cancún is a top destination for travelers across North America who are seeking “rich culture, fine dining, adventure and relaxation, all while enjoying picturesque white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs. It also offers easy connectivity with most cities across the U.S. and Canada, making it easy for many travellers to get to the destination for a weekend getaway or quick holiday vacation.”
Meanwhile, Destribats says Kempinski Hotels is exploring new destinations to join its.global portfolio. “We currently have around 20 projects in our pipeline, including a very first one to come alive in Brazil: Kempinski Laje de Pedra Hotel & Residences in Canela, a historic and architectural hotel icon, which we aim to bring back to life with our commitment to first-class quality combined with timeless European elegance and to position it as a top destination at the highest level. It is an excellent opportunity for us to tackle the South American market with such an exceptional project.
“Further destinations we move forward with new expansions include Thailand, Malaysia, Tanzania and Saudi-Arabia, just to name a few.”
