22 JUN 2018: Typically, it’s cold, snowy weather that has Canadians dreaming of the Caribbean. But on a far too steamy evening in Toronto this week, thoughts of the region’s cooling trade winds and turquoise waters were just as present as any frigid day in February. Indeed, the cocktail segment of Canlink Travel’s Caribbean evening had to be moved inside to counter a heat alert in the city and accommodate more than 50 travel agents who had come to George Restaurant on Queen Street to meet hoteliers from three of the region’s top luxury resorts.
As Canadian representative for each of the properties (plus more than 10 others), Canlink, with new partner Resort to the Best (whose founder Lillian Day was on hand), invited agents to take home the latest news from the properties, but also urged agents not to be shy about calling for sales help, specifically the kind of detailed information that tour operator web sites don’t list.
“We’ll call you back on the same day and help you close the sale,” Canlink president Elaine Carnegie promised. “And you’ll be the star!” (www.canlinktravel.com)
Here’s a brief update from evening’s featured resorts:
ANSE CHASTENET/JADE MOUNTAIN
The sister resorts on Saint Lucia share a 240-hectare estate overlooking the iconic Piton mountains and close to some of the island’s best dive sites. Popular Anse is known for its “classic Caribbean” feel, while hilltop Jade is a colourful “castle in the sky,” renowned for the unique design of Russian-Canadian architect and owner Nick Troubetzkoy.
Co-owner Karolin Troubetzkoy highlighted the resorts’ two spectacular beaches, sunset and sailing cruises, 20 kilometres of walking/hiking trails, as well as onsite farm, with 2,000 coco trees – giving rise to a unique “chocolate lab” for guests.
“You can make chocolate, taste chocolate and, if you go to the spa, slather it all over yourself,” she laughed. As for renowned Jade Mountain, the only resort on island to offer helicopter transfers (six minutes) from the airport, Troubetzkoy lauded its 29 three-wall “sanctuaries” – all open to the Pitons – adding with a tongue-in-cheek boast that most have infinity plunge pools so large that “you can swim laps.” She also pointed out that Anse and Jade continue to develop and innovative, with, for example, Mango Month currently underway, and the addition of two new staff yoga instructors. “After all,” she observed, “it’s no longer just about sun, sand and sea.” (jademountain.com; ansechastenet.com)
THE SANDS AT GRACE BAY
Not surprisingly, it’s all about the beach at The Sands at Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos. Famed Grace Bay Beach – No. 1 at the World Travel Awards and No. 2 on TripAdvisor – is 4.8 kilometres long with “clean water, white sand and no rocks, seaweed or pollution, (and) the barrier reef found 1.6 km. out protects Grace Bay from the ocean swells of the Atlantic.” Enter The Sands at Grace Bay, an upscale “gem” of an all-suite resort, that nevertheless is “a great budget option for who don’t want five-star prices on Grace Bay,” according to Karen Witt, VP of sales and marketing at the Hartling Group.
Celebrating 20 years, the resort completed a US$6 million makeover last year to enhance its “quietly elegant, spacious studios and suites” – some with kitchens. Another favourite amenity is Hemmingway’s restaurant, the oldest beachfront establishment on Providenciales. Guests may even bump into celebs like Justin Bieber who was spotted on the beach earlier this month. (thesandstc.com)
JAMAICA INN
“Intimate” may well be the best word to describe Jamaica Inn, says the resort’s sales and marketing manager, Ella Owens. Just ask the owners, who meet and greet guests on the terrace each morning, she says; or guest relations “manager,” Shadow – the resort’s resident black lab!
A favourite haunt of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Noel Coward, Ian Fleming and Errol Flynn in its early years, the resort still maintains its “timeless grace and understated elegance” now, 60 years later. With 55 suites, plus one- and two-bedroom cottages (and three new ones added last year), the luxury boutique resort sits on three hectares of land in Ocho Rios and has its own 215-metre “champagne-coloured” beach.
“It’s very different, very Old World charm,” Owens added of the hotel’s colonial British heritage. Meanwhile, during 60th anniversary celebrations this year, all guests staying three or more nights will be entered into a special Diamond Jubilee drawing for six prizes: A commemorative 60th anniversary diamond pendant; a three-night stay; $600 resort credit; complimentary 60-minute full body massage; oil painting of Jamaica Inn by a local artisan; and 60th anniversary Jamaica Inn polo shirt. (jamaicainn.com)