Amanyara, the ultra-luxurious hideaway from Amanresorts in the Turks and Caicos islands, has opened a Nature Discovery Center with a full-time naturalist in residence to introduce visitors to the island’s natural wonders.
For the past four years, Lindsay Mensen has studied the indigenous flora and fauna on these tropical islands, and now the on-site naturalist will be educating guests of all ages. Younger visitors will get a kick out of the daily programs created by Lindsay and teachers from the American Museum of Natural History’s Science and Nature department. Think research expeditions, nature-themed yoga classes, beach walks, scavenger hunts and even turtle nesting site conservation.
Adult guests can also learn about the islands’ diverse wildlife. Morning eco-hikes shed light on the geology of the island of Providenciales, the dry tropic forest, the medicinal uses of native plants and the many bird, reptile and invertebrate residents of the island.
Guests can also explore the ocean, learning about the marine biology of the area while kayaking, snorkeling or diving. Complete a fun-filled day at the Nature Discovery Center with stargazing, a screening of a nature documentary or evening discussion with one of the Center’s regular guest speakers, including: Dr. Glenn Gerber of the San Diego Zoo, Founder of the Caribbean Wildlife Foundation; Dr. Graham Reynolds, Philosophy in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Dr. Peter Richardson, Marine Conservation Society and The Turtle Project; and Brian Naqqi Manco, Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources, Turks & Caicos Islands.
–Mary Winston Nicklin
A major tour operator entered the villa business rather quickly last year when Travel Impressions hired Robert Eastman, the founder of Villas of Distinction. Turns out, after Eastman sold his villa company to Creative Leisure, he sat on the sidelines for a year to honor a non-compete agreement. During his downtime, he crafted a plan for a new villa enterprise. Knowing he didn’t want to get into business on his own again, he interviewed five tour operators and decided to go with Travel Impressions as he was impressed by the top management team.
Today, The Villa Experience by Travel Impressions has venues in the Caribbean—St. Martin, St. Barts, Anguilla, Barbados, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos—and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. In Europe, the company has villas in the south of France (think the Riviera and Provence) and Italy (primarily Tuscany and Amalfi, with a touch of Lake Como). In Mexico, villas are available in Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Maya. And in Hawaii, The Villa Experience is offered in Maui, the Big Island and Oahu.
Travel Impressions is indeed a mass-market operator, but it has created a dedicated reservations team, which is specially trained to sell villas and responds to a dedicated toll-free number (888-284-3786), Eastman says.
Reservationists are aware that the villa experience is one that needs to be tailored for each client, so the first step in the process is to interview the client to find out what their needs are. (A typical question is, ‘What type of hotel do you like to stay at?’) Eastman says this is so they go to the right island that has the right infrastructure for the services they are looking for. Next up? Finding the right house is vital, Eastman says.
Once the right venue has been determined, services are set up with a “never say ‘no’ attitude.”
For that, Eastman depends on the local partners he’s established over the years in each venue; ideally, this will be someone with at least 20 houses in their inventory who can step in if there are any issues with the house, which, after all, doesn’t have the size of the staff at a hotel.
A concierge in The Villa Experience’s home office liaises with those on-the-ground connections; some of the local operators have their own concierges as well. Either way, the crafting of a client’s trip program always begins in the main office for such services as pre-stocking the kitchen with food, arranging for transfers from the airport, securing the services of a private chef or even chartering a private yacht for the day.
Renting in Tuscany? Eastman has found a lovely little company that provides custom tours for small groups; it’s ideal for villas clients, he tells us.
Next up for the company is southern Spain, and apartments in London and Paris. Clients have also been asking for Costa Rica—a logical expansion market it appears, Eastman says.
– Ruthanne Terrero
At one time or another you may have encountered accommodations branded as “boutique” that don’t always measure up to the status that word implies.
So, when you come across the genuine article, it’s worth taking a closer look. Grand Cayman’s Cotton Tree is one such noteworthy property.
On a recent visit, Luxury Travel Advisor stayed in Almond, one of four cottages in the property, which officially opened just a little more than a year ago. We loved the cozy-chic vibe of the cottage (think high ceilings and wide windows with views of the tropical gardens). Nice Touch: Almond is tucked away to the back of the resort and is just about 20 feet from the main swimming pool. It boasts a living room, full kitchen, a washer and dryer, a guest room with twin beds, and, of course, a master bedroom with a king-size bed, flat-screen TV and a bathroom that has a tub and open-wall shower. Note: The guest room also comes with a bathroom, but it just has a shower.
Hint: Don’t be fooled by the classic cottage look, as this place is sure to please your audiophile clients. There are speakers throughout the room, including two each in the ceilings of the living area, bedroom and guest room. The entertainment system placed under the living room TV comes with an iPod docking station and a Nintendo Wii.
Top Pick: The crème de la crème at this resort is Thatch cottage. Cotton Tree has three sea view cottages which accommodate four people and a garden view cottage that can accommodate six.
True to Caribbean form, the grounds are lush and very well maintained. There is an outdoor area for massages as well, or clients can request in-room treatments. The beach is just 10 feet from the resort, but luxury travel advisors should note that it is only good for sunbathing. A rocky floor makes swimming unsafe.
Note: While Cotton Tree does not have the space for large wedding receptions, it is able to accommodate those for 30 people or less. The property can be taken over for a maximum of three nights. VIP limousine transfers are also available upon request.
Plans for Expansion
Heather Lockington, owner of the resort, told us the property is already planning to expand. Lockington says she is looking to purchase the adjacent plots on either side of the resort for building some additional cottages. Although she didn’t give us an exact number of these new cottages in the works, she said these would include one-bedroom cottages. All the cottages at the property now have at least two bedrooms, making them more suitable for smaller families. The idea behind the expansion is to add some more couples-friendly rooms.
Note: Cotton Tree does not have a restaurant on property but is in walking distance of one of Grand Cayman’s best restaurants, Ristorante Pappagallo, which has entered into an agreement with the hotel to offer VIPs room service upon request. We recommend paying Ristorante Pappagallo a visit. Most tables face the window, with stunning views of the water. Dine here when it is not completely dark outside so they can appreciate the views. We recommend the New Zealand lamb chops with a cold, local Caybrew beer.
Nice Touch: The resort has a Caribbean caboose, which is similar to a barbecue grill but constructed from local hardwoods. A Caymanian caboose is a wood-fire grill that relies on a layer of sand to protect its wooden base from burning. Just steps away from the beach, local chefs will be able to serve up fried fish, fritters wrapped in sea grape leaves, limeade made from local limes, and other Caymanian delicacies. Demonstrations will reveal the techniques used in caboose cooking so guests can give old-time Caymanian dishes a try at home.
For couples looking for a true Caribbean boutique, this resort gets our vote. We also think it is great for small families.
– Joe Pike
Not much grabs our attention more than when a hotel adds new accommodations. Imagine our excitement, then, when we heard Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France, on Flamands Bay in St. Barts, debuted two Flamands Villas.
Both 4,300-square-foot villas have direct access to Flamands Bay, which, we are told, is widely regarded as one of the island’s best beaches. Each villa comes with a screening room, a personal fitness room and a patio with a private plunge pool. Top Touch: Specially commissioned artwork is found throughout the villas.
Note: The property’s secluded Eden Villa is also another great choice for families. The villa, which sits in the garden, consists of two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a separate sitting room, a private splash pool and a patio kitchen.
The hotel’s spa comprises four treatment rooms and a Spa Pavilion in the tropical gardens. Hint: One treatment that stands out is the Ambrusca purifying Kese ritual (think 90 minutes of purification for the body, skin and, even, hair). Travelers can book spa appointments by contacting Spa Manager Stéphanie Verrier (spa@isle-de-france.com).
Tip: For VIPs looking for off-property excursions, private tours can be arranged by Guest Care Manager Romain Vinsot (hotel@isle-de-france.com).
For all other inquiries, contact Managing Director Charles Walker (charles.walker@isle-de-france.com).
Scrub Island, the BVI’s first new resort in roughly 15 years, was pretty fabulous, we thought, during our first visit for its opening in January 2010. But it wasn’t even close to being 100 percent finished. Since then, the resort has opened multiple restaurants, shopping and dive facilities, at least one of its villas and more.
The resort now has two restaurants, Caravela for fine dining and Tierra! Tierra! for outdoor casual dining, both of which have a bar. The resort also has a swim-up bar called Freebooters. Caravela’s menu is described as Contemporary Classics with a bit of a twist (examples would be the Lobster Thermidore, Veal Oscar, Steak Tartare, Coq Au Vin). Tierra! Tierra! serves multifaceted casual cuisine and has a regular menu as well as specific events throughout the week. For instance, Caribbean buffet on Monday, Tuesday is Tapas & ‘Tinis, Continental fare on other nights (examples would be Crispy Snapper, Jerk Game Hen, Snapper Ceviche, Truffle Boudin Blanc).
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Biras Creek Resort is a 31-suite, bungalow-style boutique resort on Virgin Gorda, probably the BVI’s most popular island. Originally opened in 1973, Biras Creek was acquired and renovated by Victor International Corp., a resort development and management company, in 2006.
A member of the Relais & Chateaux hotel group, Biras Creek Resort is a great for couples seeking a romantic getaway with a private-island feel. Honeymooners, couples in general, and adventurous couples may also feel at home here. The property comes with an array of activities that includes kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, sailing, fishing, boating and diving.
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Continue reading »Amanyara, the ultra-luxurious hideaway from Amanresorts in the Turks and Caicos islands, has opened a Nature Discovery Center with a full-time naturalist in residence to introduce visitors to the island’s natural wonders. For the past four years, Lindsay Mensen has studied the indigenous flora and fauna on these tropical islands, and now the on-site naturalist will be educating guests of all ages. Younger visitors will get a kick out of the daily programs created by Lindsay and teachers from the American Museum of Natural History’s Science and Nature department. Think research expeditions, nature-themed yoga classes, beach walks, scavenger hunts and even turtle nesting site conservation.
Continue reading »Not much grabs our attention more than when a hotel adds new accommodations. Imagine our excitement, then, when we heard Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France, on Flamands Bay in St. Barts, debuted two Flamands Villas.
Not a bad way to end the travel year. My very last trip in 2010 brought me to St. Lucia and perhaps the best resort I ever stayed at.
Was Jade Mountain the best hotel I have ever stayed at in the Caribbean. Well, there was an infinity pool in the bedroom of my three-wall room at this ultra-luxury resort in St. Lucia.
Enough said.
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Jetsetters are gearing up for another fun-filled season on St. Bart’s, the favored tropical playground for well-heeled sybarites. One of the best places to bed down on the sexy Caribbean isle is Le Sereno, the first hotel to get a coveted five-star rating from the French government. Situated on the Grand Cul-de-Sac beach, the chic, 37-suite hotel specializes in giving guests the VIP treatment starting with reception at the St. Maarten airport to expedite customs, immigration and luggage handling.
