Sanctuary Cap Cana now managed by Salamander Hotels & Resorts

The prestigious luxury brand of Salamander Hotels & Resorts has recently been selected to manage the luxurious and exclusive Sanctuary Cap Cana, formerly known as the Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana and previously owned by AMResorts under the Secret Resorts & Spas brand. The Sanctuary Cap Cana has now been added to the collection of Grand Resorts of Cap Cana's exclusive portfolio.

Salamander has been appointed as the new management company of the luxurious resort with the aim of it adding even more glamour and exclusivity to offer already lavish Dominican Republic holidays in Cap Cana.

Image by : Altair Travel & Cruises, on Flickr.

From 1st October, the Virginia-based hotelier has been managing the beautiful and sumptuous 176-oceanfront suite resort, already a winner of the Five Diamond Award. Added to Salamander's collection of luxury Dominican Republic hotels in Cap Cana, the Sanctuary Cap Cana will now be featured alongside its exclusive sister resorts Fishing Lodge and Ocean Club.

Salamander is currently in the process of transforming the former Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana from an all-inclusive, couples-only basis to a more traditional luxury holidays format with a la carte dining expected to be offered by 31st October. As part of the transition, the Sanctuary will be lifting the adults-only restriction to welcome families taking Dominican Republic holidays at the resort from 12th December, 2011, right on time for the busy Christmas season. In the meantime, the resort will continue to honour all existing all-inclusive bookings, including weddings and group reservations. All bookings made prior to the change in management will be fulfilled with new luxury packages that include full meal plans and a host of recreational activities.

Image by : Altair Travel & Cruises, on Flickr.

"We are delighted to unite our collection of resorts under Salamander's unique style of management, we will make this transition carefully, fully respecting our existing and future guests," CHI President Juan Pelayo confirmed, "The Sanctuary is a very special resort and provides the type of luxury experience which is rare to find."

And despite converting from an adults-only concept to a more permissive plan accepting families of all ages and sizes, in-keeping with the aim to please romantic couples and offer something special just for adults, thanks to its unique design, the resort will continue to offer adults-only experiences at "The Castle", an upscale section within the hotel with swim-out villas, its very own reception, bar and lounge, and a panoramic infinity edge swimming pool looking out to the Caribbean Sea.

Image by : Altair Travel & Cruises, on Flickr.

Becoming the latest property to join the new Grand Resorts at Cap Cana collection by Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the Sanctuary Cap Cana was developed at a whopping cost of $110 million dollars and designed to reflect warm Caribbean touches and elegant European influences. The fabulous resort offers the most exclusive experiences to be enjoyed during luxury holidays to the Dominican Republic and features an exquisite collection of stunning suites and villas with sweeping ocean views and swim-out access. Five restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, an indulgent spa complete the picture.

About the Author

Orlando Consuegra has worked on the Cuba holiday industry from its very begining, initially as a Tour Guide for Saga and Kuoni, he travelled the island helping thousands of holiday makers to make the most for their holiday in Cuba.

Praised by many as one of the best tour guides in Cuba, both for his impeccable knowledge and his very correct manners, Orlando got promoted to Guides Coordinator in the Cubanacan Travel Agency. During this period Orlando helped organise fam trips for European tour operators as part of the insertion of Cuba in the world's holiday industry.

Promoted again as General Supervisor of The Holiday Place in Cuba, Orlando helped build very strong relationships with all the hotels in Cuba while enforcing a very high level of service and attention to all company's clients.

Orlando writes a blog "Know Cuba holidays like Us" at The Cuba Experience website where he shares his deep knowledge in Cuba and its holiday industry.

Dominican Republic to participate in Las Vegas IMEX America fair 2011

One of the most important business events of the year to be held in Las Vegas is the IMEX America Fair 2011. The famous event is organised by the IMEX Group, well-known for arranging successful fairs in Frankfurt, Germany. The Dominican Republic´s Ministry of Tourism has revealed it will attend the prestigious fair, in the hope of raising Dominican Republic holidays to a greater, more profitable level.

The IMEX America fair, which will be held in the U.S. for the first time in its history, is a business platform for group and incentive-oriented businesses. The participants will include around 2000 executives with great experience and knowledge of the convention, more than 800 exhibitors, hotels, convention centres, airlines and a large representation of international tourism organisations.

Image: Las Vegas by Mike_fleming, on Flickr.

The fair will be the largest trade show of the year, and will gather a huge part of the U.S. buyer community. Aside from its Ministry of Tourism, executives from Dominican Republic hotels and resorts will also accompany the country´s delegation. The IMEX Chairman, Ray Bloom, is really looking forward to the celebration of the event and reassures everyone that the fair will bring beneficial consequences for businesses in the U.S. and the international community.

"We have spent almost two years communicating why the IMEX business model is different and precisely how and why it will benefit the meetings industry in the US," he says "Business is at the heart of everything we do and the reason why we launches IMEX America in the first place. We believed that the US needed a fresh trade show format and I have every confidence that IMEX America will now deliver – on business volumes, buyer quality and number and exhibitor numbers and diversity."

"What is more," he continues "with the help of our strategic partner and premier education provider, MPI, our education programme is second to none. With unparalleled industry support we´ve also been able to deliver an extraordinary 14 co-located trade association evens. I´m confident that the sum of the parts is going to be greater than the whole and I urge everyone in the meetings, events and incentive travel to come to Vegas and experience ‘the IMEX effect' on their business foals for themselves."

Image: Dominican Republic northern coast by http2007, on Flickr.

This fair qualifies as the most prestigious and exciting business event of the year: more than 1,800 exhibitors will assist to represent their countries and take part in the brilliant business strategies which will be developed. The Tourism Ministry of the Dominican Republic will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to platform Dominican Republic holidays to a higher standard.
Amongst the many creative activities that will take place during the fair we can include: Wild Card and Techno How Zone award winners being announced, MPI will announce speaker line-up for Smart Monday, Forums and Meeting to Share Thought Leadership with Industry, New Industry & Association Partnerships Unveiled, and others.

Bruce Macmillan, president and CEO of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) says: "We couldn't be more excited to see this event come to life in Las Vegas with our long-time partner IMEX. We look forward to connecting with thousands of professionals through our innovative education programmes and keynotes each day. We're confident that attendees will find inspiring ideas they can act on at the show throughout their careers - which is exactly the remarkable professional development MPI consistently delivers."

About the Author

Orlando Consuegra has worked on the Cuba holiday industry from its very begining, initially as a Tour Guide for Saga and Kuoni, he travelled the island helping thousands of holiday makers to make the most for their holiday in Cuba.

Praised by many as one of the best tour guides in Cuba, both for his impeccable knowledge and his very correct manners, Orlando got promoted to Guides Coordinator in the Cubanacan Travel Agency. During this period Orlando helped organise fam trips for European tour operators as part of the insertion of Cuba in the world's holiday industry.

Promoted again as General Supervisor of The Holiday Place in Cuba, Orlando helped build very strong relationships with all the hotels in Cuba while enforcing a very high level of service and attention to all company's clients.

Orlando writes a blog "Know Cuba holidays like Us" at The Cuba Experience website where he shares his deep knowledge in Cuba and its holiday industry.

Construction Begins on the Caribbean's Largest Resort Development

As construction work commenced on the Baha Mar resort complex in the Bahamas last month, officials celebrated with a ceremony as 5,700 pilings were driven into the ground of the site which would soon become a huge resort complex for Bahamas holidays and the largest in the Caribbean.

Image by: The Beach by AnDy631, on Flickr.

The ceremony was attended by executives from Baha Mar Ltd. Including the President Don Robinson, Executive VP of Construction and Development Tom Dunlap, Senior VP Sales and Marketing Rick English, and the Senior VP of External Affairs and Government Relations Robert Sands.

During the ceremony, a gold commemorative Baha Mar coin was embedded into the pilings as a symbol of good luck for the largest single-phase resort in the Caribbean.

The Baha Mar resort complex is scheduled to open its doors to tourists taking holidays in the Bahamas in late 2014 and will feature six resorts, the largest casino in the Caribbean, a few shopping centres, an entertainment centre, convention and meeting space, gourmet restaurants, spas, and an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

President of Baha Mar, Don Robinson, said: "With the start of construction on our core project, Baha Mar continues on its planned timeline to deliver the largest resort development presently under construction in North America.

"Today's ceremony is yet another milestone in the development of a project that is vital to the economy of The Bahamas and will go a long way to help address the current economic challenges facing the country.

"The realisation of Baha Mar is due in large part to the confidence and strong support given by the Bahamian people and the Bahamian government."

Situated upon 1,000 acres on New Providence Island in the Bahamas, the enormous $3.4 billion resort is partly owned by Harrah's Entertainment, managed by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, and will provide luxury Caribbean holidays for leisure and business travellers from across the globe.

Image by: New Providence Island, Bahamas by Wilson X, on Flickr.

For their Bahamas holidays, tourists will be able to choose from many Starwood-branded resorts which include W, St. Regis, Westin, and Sheraton Bahamas hotels, or the Caesar's Resort Hotel, managed by Harrah's and which will feature 1,000 guest rooms and a 100,000-square-foot casino and entertainment centre.

The Caribbean resort complex will provide plenty of entertainment, activities and lavish accommodation for travellers going on holidays to the Bahamas, within a resort set within breathtaking surroundings comprising white sand beaches, turquoise ocean waters and a warm tropical climate.

About the Author

Born in Cuba and having lived and studied in London for over 5 years, Susana is a recent university graduate with a passion for travel who has taken much inspiration from the exotic destination she has visited throughout the years.

Upon graduating she has ultimately come to join an important UK tour operator specialised in Cuba holidays to share her love for travel with holidaymakers as the company's very own travel reporter and news editor. Her interest in the tourism industry was formed from a very early age, following her father's footsteps, a travel representative and manager, who worked for Cuba's national air carrier and whose travelling job was also the reason she found herself travelling from an early age and living in different parts of the world with her family.

Having travelled extensively herself, throughout her home country in Cuba, Europe and other faraway destinations in Asia and the Middle East, including exotic hot spots like China and Egypt, she continues to nourish and build upon her tourism knowledge to bring our travel readers with a fresh outlook on the latest happenings in the holiday industry.

Necker Island reopens for luxury Caribbean holidays

Sir Richard Branson has announced the reopening of his private island in the Caribbean, following a huge fire last month. Tourists taking Caribbean holidays will be able to stay in Branson's private house and newly-refurbished Bali Houses on Necker Island while the Great House is being rebuilt.

Last month, the Great House caught fire when it was hit by lightening during a storm as Hurricane Irene raged through the Caribbean. The luxury-eight bedroom property was destroyed by 200-feet-high flames but fortunately guests staying at the private retreat managed to escape.

Oscar-winning actress, Kate Winslet was spending Caribbean holidays with her children on Necker Island when the house caught fire in the early hours of the morning on Monday 22nd August, 2011. Branson's son raised the alarm after he heard explosions and Winslet carried Branson's 90-year-old mother, Eva, from the house to safety.

A Virgin Limited Edition statement said: "Sir Richard Branson's privately owned island and part of the Virgin Limited Edition collection, can confirm that it is business as usual with plans already in place for the rebuild of the Great House."

Smaller groups of holidaymakers will be able to take holidays to the Caribbean at the private retreat where they can stay in the six Bali Houses, Branson's 105-foot-long luxury catamaran Necker Belle, and the billionaire's private home, Temple House.

The company stated: "As for the Great House itself, much of its beautiful features will be incorporated into the new design to ensure it retains its authentic Balinese style with panoramic views of the Caribbean but will include a couple of new and innovative twists."

Situated in the British Virgin Islands, Necker Island is a luxury destination for wealthy travellers. The island has accommodation for up to 28 guests and for approximately £33,000 per per night tourists can enjoy upscale facilities and services during luxury holidays in the Caribbean. Luxury facilities private pools, tennis courts and a personal chef.

After buying the island in the early 1980s, Branson married his wife Joan on Turtle Beach where he arrived at the ceremony clinging to a helicopter. Necker Island is now one of the most luxurious Caribbean hotels and resorts for weddings, honeymoons and idyllic lavish escapes.

About the Author

Born in Cuba and having lived and studied in London for over 5 years, Susana is a recent university graduate with a passion for travel who has taken much inspiration from the exotic destination she has visited throughout the years.

Upon graduating she has ultimately come to join an important UK tour operator specialised in Cuba holidays to share her love for travel with holidaymakers as the company's very own travel reporter and news editor. Her interest in the tourism industry was formed from a very early age, following her father's footsteps, a travel representative and manager, who worked for Cuba's national air carrier and whose travelling job was also the reason she found herself travelling from an early age and living in different parts of the world with her family.

Having travelled extensively herself, throughout her home country in Cuba, Europe and other faraway destinations in Asia and the Middle East, including exotic hot spots like China and Egypt, she continues to nourish and build upon her tourism knowledge to bring our travel readers with a fresh outlook on the latest happenings in the holiday industry.

Destinations to visit during your trip to the Caribbean and Mexico

Whether you're traveling to Mexico or the Caribbean; luxury holidays are an extraordinary experience. The only drawback about visiting those two wonderful destinations is the moment your holiday ends and you have to travel back home.

Luxury Holidays Caribbean

The Caribbean offers soft rolling waves, unspoiled beaches, blue skies and water clear as crystal. Once you step foot on the rich Caribbean soil, it's like a dream and when you wake up, you're in paradise. It offers gentle breezes and exotic adventures.

Activities in the Caribbean include jet skiing, windsurfing and scuba diving. Best of all, these outdoor activities are open all year round. So whether you travel in September or April, the weather is perfect.

Luxury beach holidays

Do you find yourself daydreaming about luxury beach holidays? Well, now you can finally plan an all inclusive luxury beach holiday. There are several luxury hotel accommodations to choose from that are walking distance to the beach. The only problem with luxury beach holidays is actually choosing a location because there are so many to choose from.

Turks & Caicos holidays

Turks & Caicos holidays are known as a beautiful island situated in the southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas. Turks & Caicos luxury holidays offer a tranquil and slow-pace environment. The architecture includes 18th and 19th century colonial buildings. Its unspoiled beaches are beautiful to spend the day.

Sightseeing in Turks & Caicos Islands is amazing. When you visit this paradise island you won't want to leave before visiting Providenciales, known as the Turks and Caicos' main urban centre. When you're not at the beach, you can go horse-riding along the luscious white sand at Grace Bay Beach.

Then take a nice boat ride from Salt Cay to watch the humpback whales. Turks & Caicos also provides tourist delicious French cuisine. You can enjoy seafood at popular waterfront eateries in Cockburn Town. There is also mouthwatering fresh fried fish at a popular beachfront diner located in North Caicos.

Mexico Luxury Holidays

A luxury Mexico vacation not only offers stellar accommodations, it has the most gorgeous beaches on the planet. It is very rich in culture and it offers delicious food at local restaurants.

One of the main reasons why so many people choose to go to Mexico on their holiday is because of the beaches. There are luxury resorts and beach towns in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. Mexico is also rich in history. Their magnificent ruins date back 2000 years.

About the Author

Relax your mood with Luxury holidays with a stay in the most popular hotels and resorts. Whether you are planning for luxury holidays Morocco or luxury holidays Caribbean Quintessentiallytravel offers a wide range of luxury tailor made holidays to let you experience the luxury throughout. Visit www.quintessentiallytravel.com for more details.