Prevue January/February 2016 - (Page 26)

Exclusive & All-Inclusive All-inclusive brands are bringing the highest level of comfort and service to some of the most spectacular settings in the world, from the Caribbean to the Canary Islands. [ON LOCATION] BARBARA SCOFIDIO A ll-inclusives have stepped up their game in recent years and gained visibility among meeting planners-not only for their convenience and consistent pricing, but for their exclusivity. Brands such as Club Med are adding features to their existing resorts that can be found only in the finest five-star resorts, such as the new Zen Oasis at its Punta Cana property. Others, such as Ocean Point in St. Maarten and Finolhu Villas in the Maldives, exude the feeling of a private club, rather than a giant megaresort, and are ideal options for incentive groups. With varying levels of packages offered by most brands, attendees can be treated to top-shelf food and beverage with no limitations. It's a win-win for both planners and the attendees. Club Med villages are also under construction in Senegal, Indonesia and Vietnam, with three additional properties planned for China. Club Med Punta Cana's new Zen Oasis area is a private haven within the resort focused on relaxation and wellbeing, and open to meeting and incentive groups as well as leisure visitors. It features a dedicated concierge, Zen pool and lap pool, secluded beach area and even a palapa for yoga sessions on the beach. Seventy-eight new Zen Oasis guest rooms have been outfitted with spa-like bathrooms with rainfall showers, large soaking tubs, soothing lighting and wellness amenities such as yoga mats. The resort's spa-the first L'Occitane Spa in the Caribbean-also has a new look with the addition of a second story with VIP spa suites overlooking the beach. CLUB MED HOTEL RIU PALACE ARUBA All-inclusive pioneer Club Med has several new properties on the horizon around the world. The new Finolhu Villas opened last year on a private island in the Maldives, with 52 villas positioned over the turquoise water and on the beach, a fine dining restaurant and a spa featuring organic treatments. The resort is fully solar powered. A new 267-room Club Med opened in China in August on Dong'ao Island, between Hong Kong and Macao on the South China Sea. Located on Aruba's Palm Beach is the just-refurbished 450-room Hotel RIU Palace Aruba. The $25 million makeover, which took place last summer, created a new look for the guest rooms, reception area, theater and restaurants (including Fusion, Japanese and Italian), and the hotel also added a lobby bar and a patisserie and ice cream parlor. A highlight is the new infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean. The resort has three meeting rooms, the largest of 26 | prevue magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue January/February 2016

Planner’s Pick: Jamaica
Fresh Meets: 3 Hotel Brands to Watch
Bureau Buzz: Myrtle Beach CVB
Good Business: FedEx Ground Honors Our Heroes
Sea Shores: RCI: Anthem of the Seas
Rediscovering Value
EXCLUSIVE & ALL-INCLUSIVE Ramping up offerings & expectations
URBAN TRANSFORMATION How convention centers are shaping communities
FLORIDA: MEETINGS INSPIRED Sunny skies and more than 1,100 miles of coastline create the perfect place to rejuvenate and reward attendees
4 CORPORATE RETREATS FOR 2016 Looking for wellness in all the right places
PARROT CAY [ON LOCATION] A tranquil retreat for wellness and creativity
On Location: The Broadmoor
On Location: Chicago Marriott CRN
On Location: Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun
On Location: Silversmith Hotel
Checkout: Delano Las Vegas, Rivea

Prevue January/February 2016