Warm weather destinations are group-friendly in any season, including the off- and shoulder seasons, so take a look at what’s new under the sun for meetings and incentives.
From indulgent suites to Michelin-star dining under the stars and a first look at a California sweet new property, you’ll warm to these new choices for groups and events.
St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
After much anticipation, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort—the only St. Regis property set to open in the U.S. in 2024—will make its debut this summer on the Gulf of Mexico in Sarasota County as a new hub for events and meetings of all kinds.
Combined with Sarasota’s easily accessibility to some of the country’s top markets and boasting proximity to beautiful beaches and cultural attractions, The St. Regis Longboat Key is expected to put this west-central Florida city in the running with rival destinations like Miami for its share of the lucrative meetings and incentive travel markets. With 36,285 sf of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event space and the famed St. Regis hospitality, the new resort is expected to continue the brand’s legacy as a gathering place for groups of all types and sizes.
Set on the barrier island of Longboat Key, the 18-acre property will feature a private beach, pools with personal cabanas, a winding waterway for down-time relaxation and a saltwater lagoon wildlife experience complete with resident Aldabra tortoises. A waterfront spa with vitality pools, chef-driven dining, private terraces and butler service will pamper groups, while venues like the Astor Ballroom and manicured lawns offer expansive event space.
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Located between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, Grand Velas Los Cabos is inviting groups to embark on a new gastronomic journey, the prestigious “Michelin Dinner Under the Stars” experience. Against the glittering celestial backdrop of the Baja Peninsula, groups will savor a delectable meal crafted by the esteemed two-Michelin star chef Sidney Schutte. An appetizing addition to meetings and events in the destination, the experience is tailored for groups seeking an over-the-top culinary experience they can bond over and always remember.
Drawing from his extensive culinary repertoire acquired from renowned kitchens across Europe and Asia, Chef Sidney adds a contemporary twist to traditional Baja Sur dishes, creating a unique culinary journey. Set up on the beach under the stars, the open-flame dinner is prepared fresh in front of the group. Afterward, the team may opt for a guided stargazing experience.
Tryall Club, Jamaica
The Tryall Club, the luxury private golf club in Montego Bay, Jamaica, has announced the debut of two new villas – Oceana and Love & Livity – adding a lavish touch to the already luxurious 2,200-acre property. Perfect for groups of colleagues on a retreat or incentive winners enjoying getaways in a sun-soaked paradise, each of The Tryall Club’s new villas provides its own unique accommodation experience including enviable privacy, exquisite design and personalized service from a dedicated staff.
Oceana is an opulet luxury villa offering jaw-dropping scenery from its hilltop location and tastefully appointed spaces throughout three separate lodging options—the main house with master bedroom, grand living room and patio; a separate 2-bedroom carriage house; and a guest cottage with three bedrooms. Both the main house and carriage house also are fitted with private bars.
In addition to lush landscaping creating a cocoon of natural privacy, Oceana also offers two pools, a well-equipped Echelon gym and four golf carts for easy access around the entire Tryall property with its 18-hole championship golf, beach club, tennis and pickleball courts, and the new Spa at Tryall.
Meanwhile, Love & Livity—the name an ode to the island’s reggae legend, Bob Marley—includes an expansive wraparound and roof-topped balcony, one of several outdoor areas generously furnished for lounging in comfort among fresh tropical breezes. Each of the five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms is designed with plush furnishings and also offers access to the outdoors. The upper level offers a sitting room, while downstairs, a gameroom includes a pool table for pick-up tournaments and a cushy sofa for spectator seating. The villa stay comes with two golf carts to take guests around Tryall’s 2,200 acres.
W Punta de Mita, Riviera Nayarit
W Punta de Mita has revealed a new beachfront suite collection following the property’s $3M renovation. Composed of eight reimagined suites and one new E-Wow two-story suite—a 3,626-sf private beach house whose massive rooftop patio offers 360-degree views of the Mexican Riviera—the collection’s nine room-keys, each featuring private plunge pools, invite corporate and incentive groups to rediscover W. Lining the resort’s Instagram-worthy adults-only pool and secluded beach, known for having some of the best surf breaks in Mexico’s coveted Riviera Nayarit, the new sophisticated look embraces the region’s natural beauty and speaks to its destination-driven ethos with the use of natural stones, rich woods and traditional textiles in the suites’ design.
In addition to the nine new suites, the property offers 126 total rooms and suites, a 4,000-sf spa and an array of irresistible group activities, from ceviche-making and jungle yoga to cacao ceremonies and onsite surfing lessons. For groups who must break away for meetings or events, the property includes a wealth of airy, exterior spaces hosting up to 300 guests, as well as studio rooms capable of hosting small seminars and corporate gala dinners.
First Look: Regent Santa Monica Beach
Heralding a new era of refined luxury along the California coast this summer will be the new Regent Santa Monica Beach, set steps from the legendary Santa Monica Pier and the first destination in the Americas for the reimagined brand, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts‘ luxury and lifestyle portfolio.
Creating the impression of being worlds away while still offering close proximity to the excitement of the city, the resort will feature expansive and tranquil rooms and suites, a stunning beachfront pool deck, and a sprawling 10,000-sf wellness spa destination in collaboration with Guerlain. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the resort also will offer guests beach butler service and enticing chef-driven culinary destinations, among many other exceptional experiences.
Combining the glamour of Beverly Hills with the splendor of the coast, Regent Santa Monica Beach is comprised of 24 tastefully appointed suites and 143 guest rooms. Setting a new standard for spaciousness in Southern California, guest rooms start at a generous 720 sf with bathrooms that feature luxurious soaking bathtubs, rainfall showers, bidets in the water closet, and double vanities, creating a true oasis for guests. Boasting ocean-facing views, the resort also will feature 2,180-sf, 2-story Atrium Suites located on the second and third floors, while the eighth floor will hold the largest room, The Santa Monica Presidential Suite, which will be equipped with a game room, separate living room area, and four Juliet balconies.
Meetings and private events will be served by breathtaking outdoor spaces facing the Pacific as well as luxe indoor rooms for conferences and seminars.
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