As we emerge from the pandemic, top luxury resorts and hotels are opening, reopening or planning to reopen after major renovations and upgrades. Here are five properties in Mexico and the Caribbean where you can book right now or in the near future—Maroma, Ser Casa Sandra and TRS Coral in Mexico; The BRIX in Trinidad; and The Ocean Club in the Dominican Republic.
Belmond Plans to Renovate Iconic Maroma Resort on Riviera Maya
Located on 200 acres of dense tropical jungle and the white sands of Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya will reopen on May 25, 2023 following an extensive renovation and redesign by internationally renowned designer Tara Bernerd and her team. With buildings aligned to the Sacred Geometry of Mayan masons, the famed hideaway will be completely reimagined while honoring Mexican artisanal traditions, authentic craftsmanship, and local materials throughout the interiors.
Inspired by the surrounding nature and ancient healing rituals, the indoor-outdoor spa will be a place where guests can feel rejuvenated, while the four dining destinations will celebrate Mexico's regional cuisines. Overlooking one of the finest beaches in the Yucatan Peninsula, with access to the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, the renovated Maroma will have 72 rooms, suites and villas.
Ser CasaSandra Unveils a New Design Concept on Mexico’s Holbox Island
Ser CasaSandra, a boutique property located on the Caribbean on the island of Holbox, recently completed a substantial renovation of its guest rooms and public spaces. The 17-key resort features a luxury villa whose design draws inspiration from the Yucatecan architecture with exposed beams, buttery leather armchairs, sturdy wooden furniture made by local artisans all framed within white-washed walls. The beach-facing gardens have been groomed so the entire property feels like a stylized study in indoor-outdoor living.
Founded by Cuban artist and art collector Sandra Perez Lozano, the hotel showcases an eclectic collection of art and design pieces from the owner’s personal collection as well as her own artwork. Art and furniture pieces by Jorge Pardo, Patricia Urquiola, Ernesto García Sánchez, amongst others, are found within the public areas and the guest rooms are juxtaposed with illustrations and drawings by renowned artists from Arsenal Habana Gallery and Isla Residencia. Ser Casasandra is an open-air gallery space with great ocean views.
“Ser Casasandra’s remodeling was a special project for us,” says Perez Lozano. “The idea was to make a sanctuary of harmony and peace for local art and to create a tranquil environment around the resort. Together, we focused on blending thin lines between nature and Mexican and Cuban cultures for this destination to become a truly unique place. It’s a space to share unity, family moments, to create connections with art and awaken the spirit within.”
Duplas Design oversaw the creation of the resort’s redesign aiming to find a balance between the Mexican and Cuban inspired décor with its rustic notes, modern understanding of comfort and nature-inspired atmosphere. To spotlight the authenticity of Mexican décor, Mahogany and Cedar wood were used to furnish the property. Cedar wood stands out with its light and dark tones and is paired with Mahogany's pink and reddish undertones to achieve a soothing color palette.
The rooms, common areas and villa are decorated with one-of-a-kind artisan pieces such as rattan furniture and rough-cut antique wooden tables from Guadalajara. The combination of wood and Mexican inspired color palette fills the space with elegant and sophisticated décor. Artisans from all over the world participated in achieving this lavish and eclectic atmosphere: handmade Indian linens and fine Egyptian cotton have been handpicked to offer the highest standard of comfort while colorful hammocks, made locally, offer a chance to soak in the serene ocean views.
Ser CasaSandra is also home to the gourmet Esencia Restaurant, known as one of the best eateries on the island for its extraordinary traditional dishes with a modern twist. Specialties on the menu are tropical ceviche and shrimp tamale. A more casual but equally luxurious culinary experience can be found at the Mojito Beach Club and bar, which offers small bites and cocktails on the sand.
TRS Coral Hotel Caters to Fans of Reality Series “Love Is Blind”
Couples who are fans of the hit reality series “Love is Blind” can now vacation like their favorite couples at TRS Coral Hotel, the all-inclusive adults-only property in Costa Mujeres in Mexico where the stars of season two enjoyed a romantic getaway. In episodes three, four, and five of the series, which aired Feb. 11 just in time for the show's two-year anniversary, engaged couples jetted off to TRS Coral Hotel, part of Palladium Hotel Group, for bonding time in paradise.
Located on the beach of Costa Mujeres on the Mexican Caribbean, TRS Coral Hotel is less than 30 minutes from Cancun. Each of the hotel's 469 suites includes a balcony or terrace, whirlpool bath, and views of the Costa Mujeres landscape. TRS Coral Hotel offers exclusive features like four international a-la-carte restaurants and an Ibiza-style beach club with an infinity pool and poolside bar service, plus personal butler service.
After a long day of exploring one of the world’s most beautiful destinations, or lounging by the pool with a glass of Cava, guests can wrap up their day at the Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness center. They get access to the spa’s hydrotherapy areas, including Jacuzzis, a pool, sauna, and steam bath, or can choose from an extensive list of spa treatments. TRS Coral Hotel is also ideal for travers interested in playing tennis with its Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, the first and only of Nadal’s facilities in North America.
Palladium Hotel Group operates 43 hotels and over 13,200 rooms, distributed amongst six countries: Spain, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Italy and Brazil. It manages nine brands: TRS Hotels, Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts, Palladium Hotels, Palladium Boutique Hotels, Fiesta Hotels & Resorts, Ushuaïa Unexpected Hotels, Only YOU Hotels, BLESS Collection Hotels and the Hard Rock Hotels brand under license for two hotels in Ibiza and Tenerife.
The BRIX Lifestyle Hotel Opens in Trinidad’s Port of Spain
The BRIX, Autograph Collection has opened in Port of Spain, Trinidad, as a new lifestyle hotel member of Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of independent hotels. The name BRIX is derived from the chemical measurement of sugar in solution—a crop with deep historical, financial and cultural meaning for the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Like sugar in solution, The BRIX fosters chemistry in every sense of the word where guests will find “human chemistry in action.”
Owned by the Superior Hotels Group and managed by Highgate, the hotel was designed by the Gettys Group and Sow Design Studio, featuring modern architecture inspired by its story of sugar, including 161 guest rooms and suites inspired by a passion for the eclectic, The BRIX’s rooms feature custom-designed furniture, warm color palettes, and an idyllic artistic touch that reflects the history and culture of Trinidad and Tobago by promoting local artwork throughout the hotel.
Elevated food and beverage concepts can be found at The Exchange, the hotel’s signature restaurant, bar and lounge open daily. The restaurant features dishes that celebrate both international and local cuisines as diverse as Trinidad. The Merchants Grab and Go offers artisan sandwiches, specialty coffees and afternoon cocktails. Also located on the lobby level, is the South Beach inspired pool deck, featuring cabanas and ample seating for lounging or sun-bathing. Located on the rooftop, with panoramic views of the city skyline, The Sugar High Rooftop Lounge invites guests to enjoy tapas and cocktails.
For meetings and events, The BRIX offers 2,400 square feet of indoor meeting space, laid out across three meeting rooms. The largest meeting room, St. Madeleine, accommodates up to 100 attendees, while the Sevilla Meeting Room offers an intimate meeting setting for smaller meetings and events.
Located in St. Anns on the outskirts of Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain, the hotel is minutes away from the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Magnificent Seven Buildings, and the Emperor Valley Zoo, and is within driving distance to the heart of city center. Rates at The BRIX, Autograph Collection start at $169.
The Luxury Collection Debuts in Dominican Republic with The Ocean Club
The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 hotel brands, is welcoming The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, located on Dominican Republic's northern coast. Just a 15-minute drive from Puerto Plata Airport, the resort features a contemporary and sophisticated design, by Chapi Chapo Design.
The Ocean Club offers 64 spacious suites by French interior designer Nathalie Pain, ranging from one to three bedrooms and five multitiered four-bedroom penthouses. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the interior with natural daylight and ocean views, while a light color palette with curated artwork and furnishings brings residential feel to the suites. The top accommodation is the resort's three-floor Presidential Penthouse suite, the largest in the Caribbean at 9,732 square feet of space. The suite has five bedrooms, a fitness center, jacuzzi and multiple terraces offering views of the surrounding tropical landscape.
The Ocean Club features three distinct dining experiences celebrating the best of the Dominican Republic's produce and cuisine and The Cellar, a Caribbean speakeasy. Baia, the hotel's signature restaurant offers familiar staples as well as new dishes inspired by the region's produce. Aguazul highlights Asian-Peruvian fusion cuisine, a menu where the cuisine of Japan meets Peruvian specialties. Rock Bar & Grill, a casual outdoor restaurant, offers meals at the foot of the ocean. The Cellar showcases an intimate room to enjoy a world-class vintage spirits collection and limited-edition cigars.
The Ocean Club has three pools, two of which are adult-only and beachfront whirlpools with firepits. Guests can enjoy the secluded beach, with private wooden cabanas, several lounges and beach service. The property also features a dedicated marina and helipad where guests can arrive by boat or helicopter.
At L'Occitane Spa, guests can enjoy a range of holistic and wellness therapies in a contemporary setting. With four treatment rooms, the spa has open-air relaxation areas as well as two sauna rooms, and a café featuring light delicacies. The hotel also offers complimentary access for all guests to a 24/7 Fitness Center with cardio equipment and free weights. Rates start at $750 per room per night and include both breakfast and airport transfers.
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