Incentive Travel:
Costa Rica is truly an amazing place. Is it the perfect destination for incentive travel? This all depends what your company is expecting from an incentive trip. Costa Rica should not be viewed as a beach destination but instead a vacation for those looking for either adventure and activity. The pools are great, wildlife abundant, views memorable, food tasty, and the culture inspiring.
A Rating:
"Checks all the boxes," "Constantly investing in improvements," "No is not in their vocabulary," "Surfset class was an amazing start to a day full of meetings"
Overall I would give this resort an A rating which is rare given my high expectations. From the minute you enter the lobby you are impressed by the staff welcoming, cleanliness, and overall Texas charm. Each day the resort provides a tasty complimentary drink by the check-in counter, throughout the spa and in the sports club (Arnold Palmer, peach iced tea, etc). The lobby has a great seating area with views of the pool and golf course which also doubles as a great spot to enjoy lunch, snacks throughout the day or drinks in the evening. Many guests enjoyed the comfort of the lobby lounge and were found escaping their rooms and working from this area.
Hotel Competition:
Executive Group Travel's Review of Four Aruba Hotels. Stay tuned for upcoming reviews on Aruba group restaurant options and DMC's
Unique:
This location is definitely unique given its breakup over two resorts but it has a few great features that make it a good option for your next sales meeting. Many companies are using it as an alternate to the Breakers given the Breakers availability is limited over the next two years for group meetings.
The Hard Rock Hotel:
We recently just returned from a two hundred and twenty person incentive trip to the Hard Rock Hotel in Cancun, Mexico. This was our second trip to the property which included a site visit back in November.
We provide this review to help others looking to book future events at the property. One thing is for sure, the views from the oceanfront rooms were amazing with impressive morning sunrises. And you won't be able to beat the service provided by the Hard Rock staff.
Location:
The Wynn is an impressive hotel and one of the few great last minute options for a large group (300+). The sheer number of guest rooms and meeting rooms available between the Wynn and Encore can only be matched in one other conference hub, Orlando.
Destination:
Year after year St. Maarten is on the list as one of the top destinations in the Caribbean. It is a hub for many of flights throughout the Caribbean and has daily direct flights from New York, Philadelphia, Charlotte, San Juan, Atlanta and Miami. Recently airlines have added busy season weekend direct flights from Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Newark, and Ft. Lauderdale.
So one major perk of St. Maarten for incentive travel is the ease of getting to the island. Another great thing about St. Maarten is the unlimited number of activities available from America’s Cup sailing races, to snorkeling excursions, zip lining, perfume making classes, Anguilla day trips, St. Bart’s shopping adventures, and spa options. A third benefit of choosing St. Maarten is the unbelievable restaurant options, from Grand Case to Marigot and even Simpson Bay as of recently. Finally, the white sand beaches, crystal clear water and eighty degrees year around helps increase the value of the destination.
South Beach, Miami:
Perfect property for your next incentive trip. Great location on South Beach, multiple pools, outdoor space for cocktail parties, impressive rooftop terrace, large rooms, and staff that makes you smile. The style is perfect for companies with guests from ages 25-60. The driftwood, natural living theme is warm and inviting as it presents the perfect backdrop for a relaxing few days. For those looking for more action, there’s a trendy upscale rooftop bar on property along with plenty of bars/clubs/restaurants just a few steps away. The staff that services the main pools and beach are always looking to please and are great about learning names and making sure you have the best experience ever. The drinks are refreshing, the menu is perfect for pool-side dining. Overall it’s the perfect spot with private cabanas, pool-side beach chairs and loungers throughout.
Highlights Include:
Today we are highlighting one of our favorite vendors we have partnered with for incentive trips in the past. If you are looking for a gift or prize to give on your next incentive trip Maui Jim is the perfect solution.
Royal Towers, Atlantis Bahamas:
For our first hotel feature we will introduce The Great, The Good and The Bad on the Atlantis in the Bahamas. One thing you will notice is that the Atlantis is a great option for a large group, >200 guests.
The size of the property, number of guest rooms and endless activities provide something for everyone. For a Caribbean destination they are one of the few hotels that welcome large group travel during the busy season.