Linda Schilling, Viceroy Riviera Maya;
Lillian Day, Resort to the Best;
Mona Beeson, The Sands at Grace Bay &
Jonathan Reynolds, Carlisle Bay
Walk over the Koi pond to be personally greeted at Carlisle Bay
The Sands at Grace Bay
Viceroy Riviera Maya's lush jungle setting
A small group of travel professionals awoke from holiday hibernation to attend the 1st industry event of the year. Resort to the Best, hosted a lovely luncheon at YTO’s George Restaurant last week. In a private dining area, guests escaped below 0 temperatures and were virtually transported to 3 luxury resorts in more tropical climes - Antigua’s Carlisle Bay, The Sands in Turks & Caicos and the Viceroy Riviera Maya - 3 of the 20 properties in Resort to the Best’s exclusive portfolio.
Jonathan Reynolds of Carlisle Bay, Mona Beeson of The Sands at Grace Bay and Linda Schilling of the Viceroy Riviera Maya, were on hand. “We wanted to bring in different destinations and offer a varied product to our partnered agents,” said Lillian Day, President of Resort to the Best. “The 3 reps will meet with YTO-based agents, make sales calls and deliver their message for the winter season.”
According to Day, Resort to the Best represents smaller hotels that offer unique and special experiences - ones that commit to high standards in luxury travel. “We want to represent the best,” she said. What Carlisle Bay, The Sands and Viceroy Maya Riviera have in common is that they are 3 resorts that are intimate in size and true to the definition of luxurious. But when it comes to the experiences and amenities offered at these properties, each is one-of-a-kind.
At Antigua’s Carlisle Bay, guests walk across a serene Koi fish pond and are personally greeted by Reynolds, the resort’s General Manager. Talk about a 1st impression. Check-in is a breeze and a concierge service tailors the guests’ vacation to their desire. With 3 restaurants, oceanfront accommodations for both couples and families, complete spa and fitness facilities, tennis courts, kids’ clubs and more, the Carlisle Bay caters to all travellers and interests.
The Sands in Turks & Caicos was one of the 1st properties to be built on beautiful Grace Bay. Because of a natural coral reef, motorized water sports are not allowed, making the resort’s beachfront property a relaxed and peaceful environment. The coral reef also protects the property from inclement weather.
The Viceroy Riviera Maya, formerly known as The Tides Riviera Maya, changed ownership and was remodeled a year ago. A truly cultural experience, guests are welcomed with a “Mayan Blessing” before being escorted to their villa. Now we’ve all heard of a hotel concierge and maybe a pillow concierge, but have you ever heard of a soap concierge? Unique to the Viceroy, guests are presented with a variety of handmade soaps. Then, a personalized bar is sliced from a larger block. The artisanal soaps are made in local Mayan communities following ancient traditions.
Another impressive feature, the Viceroy is an adults only resort that prides itself on its lush jungle location. According to Schilling, they are dedicated to being eco-friendly, sourcing local and organic ingredients. “We did not build in the jungle. We built within the jungle,” she said. With spider monkeys as neighbours, a luxury experience could not get any more natural.
Resort to the Best was founded 22 years ago. “I started with the idea that these smaller properties were not being represented by larger tour operators,” said Day. “The price point for these resorts is not for the average traveller and I thought that there was a market for this type of luxury product in Canada.” Now that the luxury travel niche has become a growing trend, perhaps one could refer to Resort to the Best not only as a representational company, but also as a trendsetting company.
