WHY IT RATES: Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort, Dominican Republic brings bespoke offerings and unique experiences to this resort enclave.All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy is proud to welcome the 30th all-inclusive property in its Caribbean and Latin America portfolio with the opening of Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort, Dominican Republic.This iconic adults-only resort marks the first luxury all-inclusive resort for Marriott International and joins the celebrated ensemble of experiential hotels by The Luxury Collection brand. Located just 15 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport and nearby the Punta Espada Golf Club, the Caribbean's number one golf course, Sanctuary Cap Cana combines beautiful architecture and design with impeccable service and lavish accommodations."Cap Cana is one of Dominican Republic's most coveted areas offering an inspiring getaway for our global explorers with a stretch of white sanded beaches, turquoise waters, and architecture resembling a storied colonial Spanish era," said Brian King, President, Caribbean & Latin America for Marriott International. "Sanctuary Cap Cana is proof of our commitment to provide discerning travelers with unique vacation retreats to continue collecting timeless memories, now in a convenient luxurious all-inclusive format.""The Luxury Collection is thrilled to expand its portfolio of destination-defining hotels and resorts with the opening of Sanctuary Cap Cana," said Philipp Weghmann, Vice President and Global Brand Leader for The Luxury Collection. "As a brand, we look forward to elevating the all-inclusive experience through the unique lens of The Luxury Collection, inviting guests to embark on new and transformative travel experiences."Sanctuary Cap Cana features 324 refined suites across its 19 unique room categories, including oceanfront luxury villas, and private island suites, with exquisitely furnished terraces and private pools overlooking the sea. Guest rooms present a design inspired by the timeless beauty of Europe's Mediterranean coast. The grandest accommodation is the Castle Island Suite, a 5,500-square-foot, two-level suite on a private island with a master bedroom, secondary bedroom, two and a half bathrooms, expansive living room, full dining room, and three indoor plunge pools with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing infinite views of the Caribbean Sea."Sanctuary Cap Cana is an ultra-luxury experience in which guests can expect a top-of-the-line service and quality that can't be matched at the all-inclusive level," said Gregory Maliassas, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Playa Hotels & Resorts. "This resort is the perfect choice for the level of style and sophistication that has made Marriott's The Luxury Collection resorts the standard-bearer for unique, one-of-a-kind vacations and we are honored to be partnering with the Marriott team."With many curated epicurean experiences, Sanctuary Cap Cana offers four a la carte restaurants featuring cuisines such as Italian, seafood, Asian, and a steakhouse; a buffet restaurant open for daily breakfast and lunch, a coffee shop, deli and seven bars. The Capriccio and The Steakhouse restaurants are the two signature restaurants onsite.The notable Sanctuary Town, located right across from the resort's main lobby, acts as an extension for guests to dine and explore with distinctively designed venues offering a wide array of gastronomies: from a Burger Factory, a Sushi town, or Mama's Forno pizza prepared in a wood fire oven to a Spanish Tavern among other offerings, while live entertainment is showcased on some weekdays.The property features six pools for relaxation, or if preferred, cabanas and sunchairs on the beach, ideal to lounge all day, soak up the sun, and unwind while savoring local and international beers or cocktails from the Beach Bar, all while surrounded by impeccable personalized service.For those seeking a sanctuary for the senses, the Sanctuary Spa lives up to its name with a sublime atmosphere of pure indulgence. A majestic oasis, the Sanctuary Spa showcases ayurvedic treatments, hydro and cutting-edge therapies combined to offer the ultimate spa experience, including beauty shop services and couples massage cabins featuring a romantic bathtub that can be arranged with champagne and chocolate delights.The resort is poised to be the backdrop for unequaled events facing the Caribbean Sea, with matchless facilities offering approximately 46,000 square feet of event space, 17 event rooms of indoor and outdoor venues, and a 400-person capacity in its largest space.Guests can discover through Sanctuary Cap Cana the Dominican Republic's intrinsic beauty, an ideal destination with a variety of sophisticated activities that can be reserved through The Luxury Collection Concierge service, such as water sports, outdoor activities, shopping, and dinner reservations to once in lifetime Dominican adventures. SOURCE: Marriott International press release. Adblock test (Why?)

WHY IT RATES: The 700 new rooms will offer business and leisure travelers a refreshing respite just steps away from the energy and excitement of one of Las Vegas’ premier hotels. —Janeen Christoff, Managing EditorMGM Grand Hotel & Casino launched the room remodel this week of its Studio Tower reflecting a retro desert feel with mid-century modern design and décor aesthetic. When completed this winter, the 700 new rooms will offer business and leisure travelers a refreshing respite just steps away from the energy and excitement of one of Las Vegas’ premier hotels.MGM Resorts International Design Group, in partnership with LA-based hospitality design firm Avenue Interior Design, drew inspiration from the mid-century design style of Palm Springs, incorporating a desert palette of fresh pinks and chartreuse greens with clean lines and soft shapes. Within the new Studio Tower rooms (formerly known as West Wing), guests will find rounded window seats, enlarged headboards, globe sconces and carefully chosen artwork that accentuates the sculptural furnishings. Each guest bathroom will feature stylish, space-saving barn doors, illuminated vanity, marble shower floors and all-new chrome fixtures. All rooms will also incorporate modern conveniences such as a built-in recessed mini-bar, 55-inch flat-screen TV, open closet, readily available USB power outlets and additional shelving.“We envisioned bringing a bit of nostalgia to MGM Grand that reinvents the past while incorporating a modernized version of mid-century Palm Springs,” said Ashley Manhan Justman, Co-Founder and Co-Creative Director at Avenue Interior Design. “We designed an exclusive retreat with a stylish color palette, contemporary furniture and geometric wall coverings to bring to life a retro-chic vacation revival.”The new Studio Tower experience begins once guests enter the space with renovated lobby and elevator areas decorated with neon signs and curvy sofas along with corridors featuring dimensional wall coverings and ombre carpet.Michael Neubecker, MGM Grand’s President & COO, said, “We wanted to make a fresh statement with our new Studio Tower rooms by creating a relaxing atmosphere that appeals to not only leisure travelers here on vacation, but also our business travelers looking for a refreshing reprieve after a long day of meetings. With this remodel, we found innovative ways to enlarge spaces and upgrade amenities while adding modern conveniences so our guests can truly enjoy a comfortable sanctuary during their stay.”Completion of all guest rooms is scheduled for December 2022 with the first collection of rooms available for guest stays in late October 2022. SOURCE: MGM Grand Hotel & Casino press release. Adblock test (Why?)

Fairmont Mayakoba, as part of its multi-million-dollar renovation, has debuted its all-new beach club, Maykana, with five food and beverage areas, large terraces, private cabanas, pools, fire pits and more.Maykana was created using locally sourced materials with an approach that blends local culture with modern design. The adults-only rooftop area features a bar and infinity pool, with sunken lounge areas. Rendering of the Cielo Rooftop Bar in Maykana, Fairmont Mayakoba's new beach club. (photo via Fairmont Mayakoba) The beach club offers several different dining options. The signature restaurant is Gaia Seafood Restaurant, which focuses on seafood dishes from around the world. Another signature is Cielo Rooftop Bar, the adults-only area featuring fire pits, stunning views of the sea and nightly Mayan sunset rituals.Other dining areas include Brisas, a Mediterranean-inspired dining option available throughout the day; Aqua, an intimate dining experience featuring a large palapa bar; and Fuego, a bohemian-inspired restaurant featuring a wood fire grill.Maykana’s debut is part of Fairmont Mayakoba’s ongoing renovations and expansions. The resort’s renovations are expected to be completed later this year.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter. Adblock test (Why?)

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has launched a new mobile tipping option for its franchisees in the United States and Canada to use, allowing guests to tip hotel team members using their mobile devices.The new platform is available across all Wyndham brands in the U.S. and Canada. Once a hotel opts into the program, guests will be able to scan a team member-specific QR code with their mobile devices and choose how much they’d like to tip that member. Tips are then deposited to the team members via direct deposit or through payroll.ADVERTISING Trending Now Users can tip via Apple Pay, credit card and Google Pay. Guests do pay a small transaction fee. The mobile tipping platform will help make it easier for guests to tip specific team members with a cashless and contactless option."The pandemic dramatically accelerated guest demand for digital payment solutions and that trend will only continue in the coming years," said Scott Strickland, chief information officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "Having previously empowered our franchisees to accept digital, contactless payment for stays at their hotels, the next logical step was to find a solution that allows guests to recognize housekeepers, wait staff and other frontline team members in a similar fashion. This platform does exactly that and at virtually no cost to franchisees.""The beauty of this solution is its simplicity and how easy it is for our franchisees to allow their guests to make the switch from cash to digital,” continued Strickland. “There's no app to download and no software to install. It's entirely web-based, which means so long as guests have a phone and an internet connection, they're able to tip and show their appreciation."For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter. Adblock test (Why?)

Hilton’s newest brand will debut in New York City when Tempo by Hilton Times Square opens to the public next year.The 661-room lifestyle hotel is located at TSX Broadway, the city’s new 46-story entertainment and hospitality destination, which is also scheduled to be the home to TSX Entertainment. Tempo by Hilton will be a contemporary lifestyle brand designed for the modern traveler and ideal for Times Square.ADVERTISING Trending Now Hotel guests will have access to entertainment and performance programming onsite from TSX Entertainment, as well as convenient access to some of the city’s most important institutions and sought-after neighborhoods.“We’re delighted to introduce Tempo by Hilton to the world from the heart of Manhattan with the debut of Tempo by Hilton Times Square,” Hilton chief brand officer Matt Schuyler said. “As our newest brand, Tempo by Hilton is designed to create an elevated and innovative stay, with thoughtfully appointed rooms that offer comfort and functionality plus an emphasis on well-being.”The hotel’s accommodations will include a dedicated Get Ready Zone for working, a spacious bathroom with Bluetooth speakers and a sleep environment to help guests unwind. For visitors keeping up with their fitness routine, they can also book a Peloton spin bike and products from Therabody in the Tempo by Hilton Wellness guest rooms.“Tempo by Hilton Times Square will set the stage for a new standard of hospitality in Times Square, for today’s discerning traveler,” Schuyler continued.Guests can also eat well with premium culinary options, including a signature restaurant, a bar and lounge and an outdoor dining terrace overlooking Times Square.Tempo by Hilton Times Square will be located at 1568 Broadway in New York City and form part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

After a three-year hiatus, Sandals Resorts once again hosted its annual golf tournament for top U.S.travel agents.Sandals’ 18th annual USA Travel Advisor Golf Tournament kicked off Saturday night with an outdoor dinner at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.More than 150 agents and guests attended the al fresco dinner. Speakers included Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and Gary C. Sadler, executive vice president-global sales and industry relations for Unique Vacations Inc., the marketing representative of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Jody and Cara Dillon of Wondrous Adventures in Kansas City, Mo. Photo by Theresa Norton On Sunday, travel advisors toured Sandals Ochi Beach, Beaches Ocho Rios and Sandals Royal Plantation Resort before returning to Ochi Beach for a Global Gourmet Dine-Around.The golfers teed off Monday morning at Sandals Golf & Country Club, playing an 18-hole scramble and getting assistance from caddies who didn’t carry the bags – golf carts were ridden – but offered helpful advice on where to aim and how to improve your stroke, as well as track down errant golf balls. Donna and James “Chaps” Cassie of Cassie’s Travel based in Danvers, Mass. Photo by Theresa Norton The tournament will continue Tuesday with another 18-hole scramble, to be followed by an awards dinner at Ochi Beach Club. TravelPulse and AGENTatHOME magazine are the media sponsors of the event. Adblock test (Why?)

Having already sold out all 2022 dates for ‘Usher – My Way The Vegas Residency’, global megastar and eight-time GRAMMY Award-winner Usher recently announced 25 new show dates from March through July 2023.Usher’s new Las Vegas residency was custom-designed for the spacious Dolby Live amphitheater, located on the grounds of Las Vegas’ Park MGM casino hotel, and is produced in partnership with Live Nation and MGM Resorts International. Since the show’s premiere on July 15, 2022, it has garnered rave reviews from critics and fans alike.ADVERTISING The exclusive production, available only at Park MGM in Las Vegas, is a multi-sensory spectacular performance by the multiple GRAMMY Award-winning, diamond-selling artist, which is packed with smash hits spanning Usher’s 20-year career; including “Yeah,” “U Remind Me,” “My Boo,” “Love In This Club,” “OMG” and “You Make Me Wanna…” The show features interactive staging and up-close encounters with the audience so that every guest enjoys an up-close and personal experience.Located at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, the extraordinary Dolby Live venue is equipped with state-of-the-art lighting, video and special effects technology; and features a first-of-its-kind, fully integrated Dolby Atmos audio system with 402 speakers and new mixing tools that enable artists to create uniquely immerse audience experiences.The indoor amphitheater contains 5,200 seats, with the furthest seat situated just 145 feet away from the stage, and one of the world’s widest stages measuring 140 feet across. It also boasts a 4K LED video wall, nine HD and 4K projectors, and a 240-foot-wide projection surface with projection mapping technology. The result is a transformative live music performance that can’t be replicated anywhere else. The 'Usher - My Way The Las Vegas Residency' is performed in Park MGM's Dolby Live theatre. (photo courtesy of MGM Resorts International) Fans are also invited to attend ‘A Taste of Passion’, the ‘Usher – My Way’ residency’s immersive after-party experience, featuring in-person appearances by Usher himself and other residency cast members. The exclusive experience, which is open to guests 21 years of age or older, is held at ‘On the Record’ in Park MGM, also features DJ Mars, Brian Michael Cox and Keith Thomas as mixologists create four custom cocktails. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com and include one complimentary cocktail.The 25 new shows dates (on sale now) are:March 2023: 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18April 2023: 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29June 2023: 28July 2023: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

[unable to retrieve full-text content]We surveyed travel advisors to find out the best all-inclusive resorts around the world.

When you think of a Caribbean getaway, a bunch of visions probably pop into your head. But we’re willing to bet at least one of those daydreams involve lying in a hammock near a sun-kissed beach and relaxing with a significant other.That’s exactly what you’ll find at the aptly named Hammock Club Antigua, and now you’ll have a chance to win a trip to the luxurious resort with the help of legendary rocker and KISS front-man Gene Simmons.ADVERTISINGTo celebrate the sale of the 1 millionth bottle of Gene Simmons MoneyBag Soda, the hotel and the singer are giving away an all-inclusive vacation to the five-star destination. The value of the prize is a whopping $13,000. The sweepstakes runs through October 31 and includes:-Complimentary all-inclusive 5-night stay for two adults at Hammock Cove Antigua in villa complete with spacious verandah, private infinity-edge plunge pool, and customizable cocktail and beverage bar stocked with Gene Simmons MoneyBag Soda-Gourmet dining and unlimited beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)-A wide range of resort activities including kayaking, stand up paddle boards, Hobie Cat sailing, swimming, snorkeling, Pickleball, fitness center, wine tasting, gourmet cooking classes, and more-A couples massage at the resort’s Tranquility Body & Soul Spa-Ground transportation to and from VC Bird International Airport in Antigua-$500 air credit-Limited edition MoneyBag Soda Guitar hand-signed by Gene Simmons“So proud to let everyone know that we have sold over one million bottles of our MoneyBag Sodas. Come celebrate with us,” Simmons said in a statement. Adblock test (Why?)

Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts in Riviera Maya, which comprises three all-inclusive properties, is celebrating it 20th anniversary with an enhanced selection of features and amenities.During the past two decades, the resort has welcomed upward of 18 million guests.ADVERTISINGGrand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa and Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa debuted in June 2002, followed by Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa and the neighboring adults-only TRS Yucatan Hotel. The Grand Azul Swim-Up Bar. (photo via Palladium Hotel Group) On the culinary front, the resort debuted “a new dish, made up of a corn curated salmon filet, mashed cauliflower and seed sauce, which was introduced during the anniversary celebration organized on Aug, 11, at the hotel,” resort officials said.“In addition, the team of mixologists designed the ‘Izamal’ special cocktail, made from mezcal with hints of pineapple and lemon.”MORE Hotel & Resort In all, Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts in Riviera Maya features 14 restaurants, nine of which are a la carte, and 21 themed bars.New events include painting classes combined with wine tastings, macrame workshops, chocolate tastings and new pool inflatables and jet skis adapted for kids.“For those looking to relax, the Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness center has a new selection of massages in palapas, called Jungle Cabins, or the option to enjoy a sauna in temazcales, created to get carried away by the spirituality of the Mayans within an incredible natural space,” resort officials said.Additionally, the property, which features an animal conservation program, added a melipona bee apiary.The resort is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of its turtle camp is also celebrating its 10th anniversary and has released upward of 684,200 baby turtles since its inception.“It is an honor for Palladium Hotel Group to celebrate this anniversary together with our guests and all those collaborators of the Riviera Maya property,” said Pilar Arizmendi-Stewart, Palladium Hotel Group’s vice president of sales and marketing for the Americas.“We hope to continue providing the best experience for those who visit us in this beautiful destination known for providing unique and incomparable vacations.”For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter. Adblock test (Why?)