Prevue January/February 2016 - (Page 74)

Parrot Cay A tranquil corporate retreat for wellness and creativity [ON LOCATION] LAUREL HERMAN W ellness is becoming an integral part of corporate retreats. A recent trip to Parrot Cay by Como, a private island resort situated on 1,000 acres in the Turks and Caicos, got our highest recommendation as an excellent corporate wellness retreat. "Parrot Cay is luxury without being pretentious-it's about enjoying and being yourself," says Crawford Sherman, managing director. "Corporate execs want a chance to breathe, think and re-energize. They don't want to be distracted." Perfect for select corporate groups of up to 24, this luxury Caribbean resort is owned and operated by the Asian boutique hotel group Como Hotels and Resorts. The vision of Como's founder and leader, Christina Ong, is unsurpassed service and quality, privacy and understated elegance. There are no jackets or ties, and the staff (a blend of Asian and local) is impeccably well-trained with a sincere wish to make guests happy. With C-Suite executives often leading hectic lives, the resort's wellness theme is paying off with important benefits, including heightened creativity and clarity. SERENITY Accommodations are varied from spacious rooms in the main complex to fabulous, one- and two- bedroom beach homes and villas right on the Atlantic Ocean's white sandy beaches. This tranquility seeped into every facet of our visit. Most of the villas have an organic feel; serene colors matched with Balinese furniture: four poster beds in guest rooms and high wood-beamed ceilings. 74 | prevue magazine All guest rooms have sliding doors looking out at the private pools and decks and the ocean beyond. Groups can also make use of eight Parrot Key Estates, also right on the ocean. Most if not all of the accommodations have decks, pools and outdoor spaces for relaxation or events (some restrictions at the private homes). Whatever the accommodation, there is WiFi service, direct dial phone with voicemail and satellite too. The meeting portion of a retreat can take place at the main building, new boardroom or at one of the fabulous homes, depending on the size. For example, a retreat for up to 11 execs can experience our favorite, the Sanctuary, a compound of three homes owned by Donna Karan. Here, three butlers will be on hand to take care of the group and all food will be catered at the compound. Execs can join each other via golf carts, teambuilding activities, or dining in the main restaurants. Of the 25 butlers, 23 are Asian and have been trained by the Como team, which makes sure the service is genuine, guests feel relaxed and their needs met. All of the two-bedroom villas and homes at the resort also come with a butler. Getting around is easy as your butler is right there in minutes with golf carts to whisk groups away to their destination in minutes. STAY WELL So many choices abound as different menus and meals will be customized for a retreat. Not to be missed are the 12 Como Shambhala wellness juices and the Shambhala dining menu. From

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