Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 - (Page 101)

NEWS IMPACT Turks and Caicos on a Roll: Hotels Keep Island a Hot Spot a magnet for young couples and singles; ideal for guys’ or girlfriends’ getaways. Located just a little over an hour away from the Miami property, it could attract many of the same guests, with one more upscale twist, as it will have a marina for yachters. The property will rest within a gated 423-acre resort on the northeast tip of the island of Providenciales and comprise a five-star hotel, spa, nightclub, signature Nikki Beach Club and eco-friendly marina. The Nikki Beach Club, Marina Club Villas and the Marina will open in March 2008 and the 100-room Nikki Beach Resort and Spa will open in 2009. CARIBBEAN ABOVE: Author Joe Pike onsite, surrounded by conch shells collected by local fishermen LEFT: Living room of the Regent Palms Turks and Caicos’ Oceanview Suite, where the author stayed commission. Agents should contact Scott Hagan, reservations and revenue manager, at 866-8777256 or reservationstc@regent experience.com. FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, Travel Agent has been hearing of new luxury developments popping up left and right on Turks and Caicos. The fear of overdevelopment exists in every Caribbean destination, but even as the country continues to see new hotels opening, it maintains that unspoiled feel. So, how are the islands able to do this? After our latest visit there, we found the answer: good use of space, like many of the properties in the country. Take our recent stay at The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos (www.regenthotels.com/thepalms). The hotel was reflagged a Regent resort about two years ago, but management didn’t want to market CONNECTING YOU For more on Turks and Caicos’ tourism developments, visit www.travelagentcentral. com/turksandcaicos it as such until it was fully transformed into a Regent property—or until the necessary upgrades were finished. The hotel sits on 12 acres at the center of the popular Grace Bay Beach, and although it was only half full at the time of our arrival, we would predict that even when this place is filled to capacity (which it will be, come peak season) it won’t feel that way. Everything, from the pool to the spa, is so well situated that every piece of land feels as though it’s a separate resort. In other words, there is always a place to go for peace and quiet. The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos was one of the best properties we have ever stayed at in the Caribbean, and booking it for couples of any age should be a cinch. The 26,000-square-foot spa is amazing—stand-alone treatment rooms feature water beds (regular beds with water mattresses). The property offers a 10 percent Grace Bay Club Joins AmEx Program Turks and Caicos’ Grace Bay Club (www.gracebayclub.com) recently joined the hotels and resorts featured in the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts 2008 program for Platinum card members. The listing aims to distinguish luxury properties based on excellence and reputation. —JOE PIKE Nikki Beach to Open in Turks and Caicos in 2008 Miami-based Nikki Beach (www. nikkibeachhotels.com) recently announced Nikki Beach Resort and Spa Turks and Caicos as its newest property under development. If this Nikki Beach is anything like its Miami counterpart, it should be HEARD ON THE STREET WE HEAR THAT SIR ROCCO FORTE says he is anxiously seeking a location in Manhattan. The luxury hotel operator, who now has 11 hotels in Europe (“more than Four Seasons,” he boasts), has properties set to open in Prague, Marrakech and Sicily, but wants something stateside. “If you know of any locations in New York that are available, please let us know,” he recently joked at a New York press luncheon. For information on new hotels, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/hotels October 15, 2007 TravelAgent | 101 http://www.gracebayclub.com http://www.nikkibeachhotels.com http://www.nikkibeachhotels.com http://www.regenthotels.com/thepalms http://www.travelagentcentral.com/turksandcaicos http://www.travelagentcentral.com/hotels http://www.travelagentcentral.com/turksandcaicos

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Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe Central & South America Special Supplement: Ski University Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Caribbean Romantic Getaway and Honeymoon Packages Jamaica’s New Minister of Tourism Talks About the Country’s Future Special Package Deals Cruises Hotels Ski Multi-Generational Travel Tours Cover Story: Luxe Life of the Stewart Clan Business Operations - Agent Profile Technology Transportation The Industry - Agenda Caribbean News PATA Travel Mart ITME Report Latest Cruise and Hotel News Travel Week In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - October 15, 2007

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