This tour operator is launching a bunch of private jet tours to some of the hottest destinations

September 2, 2022 No Comments

Remote Lands, the luxury tour operator offering bespoke travel and small-group private jet journeys is proud to announce their newest expedition within their remarkable travel collection. From Jan. 21, 2023, to Feb. 4, 2023, Remote Lands will offer an extraordinary itinerary through the United States, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Throughout this 14-night journey, just 14 guests will fly aboard a gorgeous Global Express 6000 jet and stay in five sumptuous AMAN properties for a magnificent travel experience.

New York (Jan. 21-23)

Guests will begin their journey at the newly opened Aman New York in New York City, home to world-class museums, rousing Broadway performances and acclaimed restaurants and nightlife. With 83 guest rooms and suites designed by renowned architect Jean-Michel Gathy in the iconic Crown Building in the heart of midtown Manhattan at 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, guests will enjoy their very own metropolitan adventure. Itinerary options will include unmissable stops to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), Central Park, Empire State Building, a private helicopter tour and much more.

Bermuda and Turks & Caicos (Jan. 23-26)

En route to Turks and Caicos is a touch down on the British colonial island of Bermuda, where guests will explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. George Old Town and walk on the incredible pink sand beaches.

Delving deeper into the tropics is Turks and Caicos, at the southern tip of the Bahamian Archipelago with the some of the world’s most spectacular coral reefs and beaches. Guests will have flexibility in choosing from an array of activities on both land and sea, including house reef snorkeling, kiteboarding, hobie cat sailing, yacht excursions and more. A beachside cocktail party with a well-known marine biologist as well as a kayak eco-tour spotlighting the iguana sanctuary and coastal ecology of the island rounds out the stay. For this leg of the journey, guests will stay in Amanyara’s fabulous Pavilions nestled amidst 18,000 acres of tranquil nature preserves.

Dominican Republic (Jan. 26 – 29)

The third stop on the jet adventure is the Dominican Republic, one of the Caribbean’s most geographically diverse countries touting rich, cultural experiences perfect for the curious traveler. Itinerary highlights include immersive day trips into the destination’s very best gems: Colonial Santo Domingo, a quaint fifteenth-century city and Puerto Plata, the oldest town in the area that offers spectacular city and coast views. Additional options include a private ceviche cooking class with a top local chef as well as reef and wreck diving in Sosua amidst 20 different dive sites. To celebrate the very best of the traditions within the Dominican Republic, a private rum and cigar class led by Juan Carlos Albert of Arturo Fuento will educate guests on how to blend, roll and distinguish cigars.

Guests will stay at Amanera, a luxurious sanctuary located around a verdant jungle with panoramic ocean views, perched above the golden sands of Playa Grande Beach.

Canyon Point, Utah (Jan.29 – Feb. 1)

A gorgeous vestige of the wild West, Canyon Point is cradled by a staggering landscape of dramatic canyons, mountains, rapids, gorges and desert, with traces of human life dating back 10,000 years. Here, the extraordinary accommodations of Amangiri await travelers, serving as the perfect backdrop of unobstructed desert and canyon views. Activities pay homage to the destination, including a three-hour canyon hike led by a Navajo guide, and petroglyph and ancient culture exploration with an expert guide at Broken Arrow Cave to learn about 6,000 years’ worth of local history. Additional activities include via ferrata climbing, Amangiri’s on-property rock-climbing site; Zion National Park; UTV excursions; hot air balloon rides and a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. To wind down, spa treatments, cocktails and dinners inspired by Navajo tribal cuisine and an array of resort activities await. 

Jackson Hole, Wyoming (Feb. 1 – 4)

The final stop in this great North American journey is Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a destination beckoning nostalgia of the American West and flanked by dramatic mountain ranges. Amangani, meaning ‘peaceful home,’ abides by its namesake by sitting at the nexus of extraordinary wilderness full of abundant wildlife. The choices of activities are plentiful, including skiing across a range spanning over 2,500 acres; snowshoeing in Grand Teton National Park; dog sledding; heli-skiing; a private tour of Yellowstone National Park; sunset sleigh rides and more.

“My favorite itineraries include lots of scenic and cultural diversity, which Adventures in the Americas has in abundance across five different countries,” said Catherine Heald, CEO and Co-Founder of Remote Lands. “We visit tropical islands, snowcapped mountains, remote deserts, big cities, charming villages, UNESCO World Heritage sites and great natural wonders of the world aboard a gorgeous Global 6000 private jet.”

The Adventures in the Americas journey will be led by Remote Lands’ CEO and Co-founder, Catherine Heald, on January 21 – February 4, 2023. This trip is priced at $112,888 per person, with a single supplement of $39,888. Children are welcome. While Remote Lands will not require proof of vaccination, travelers must abide by all local government health protocols within each destination. To learn about the Americas journey and other luxe excursions, please visit www.remotelands.com.

Resort Report

November 12, 2021 No Comments

With cold weather in full swing and Canadian winter just around the corner, a sunny escape down south is long overdue. Many sun-soaked destinations have been busy this past year and a half, and have quietly opened, or are all set to open a series of striking new hotels and resorts. From adults-only getaways, to family-friendly adventures, here are seven breathtaking, luxurious five-star properties to keep an eye on.

Story by Christine Hogg

HOTEL XCARET ARTE

Hotel Xcaret Arte, from Grupo Xcaret, officially opened on July 1, 2021. Located in Riviera Maya, Cancun, this adults-only hotel (welcoming guests 16 years and older) features 900 artisanal suites that were carefully curated to reflect the traditional arts of Mexico.

At Hotel Xcaret Arte, guests can enjoy the brand’s signature “All-Fun Inclusive” which offers hotel guests unlimited access to Grupo Xcaret’s parks and exciting experiences including roundtrip transportation to the parks, hotels, and airport. The hotel’s ecointegrated design and architecture pays homage to Mexican art in its various iterations, highlighting the most important symbols and artistic expressions of Mexico’s culture through the creation of six distinct Casas. Casa de los Artistas will inspire guests to paint, Casa del Diseño, a textile workshop, offers weaving lessons, Casa de la Música holds dance lessons, Casa de la Pirámide explores Mexico’s rich and diverse pottery traditions, Casa del Patrón will serve as the resort’s main event and convention space, and Casa de la Paz offers cooking workshops.

Gastronomy is a large focal point, which is heightened by the sheer talent that can be found in the resort’s nine restaurants, and includes cuisine served by 3-Star Michelin chef Paco Méndez who is behind the menu at Encanta. Hotel Xcaret Arte also has two convention centres and an entertainment stage that can host between 1,140 and 2,065 people, as well as a chapel facing the Mexican Caribbean that seats 120 guests.
(hotelxcaretarte.com/en/)

SANDALS ROYAL CURACAO

Situated on 44 acres within the Santa Barbara private estate, an exclusive 3,000-acre protected preserve, Sandals Royal Curaçao is slated to open Apr. 14, 2022. The luxury resort has undergone $72 million in developments and is conveniently located just 15 miles from the airport. Its three oceanfront wedding venues and an admirable west-facing position captures the allure of one of the Caribbean’s most spectacular sunsets, making it a highly sought-after spot for couples looking to tie the knot.

With 351 luxurious rooms and suites in 24 room categories, Sandals Royal Curaçao debuts two new signature suite categories, the Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows and Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows, complete with tranquility soaking tubs, private pools, and butler service. In true Sandals fashion, guests gain access to complementary convertible MINI Coopers to drive around and do some sightseeing on the island. Sandals Royal Curaçao will also be home to the brand’s first Dos Awa infinity pool with views overlooking the sea and the rugged mountain landscape, and The Duchess, Sandals’ first-ever floating restaurant and bar, constructed from a 92-foot authentic Dutch ship with nine on-site 5-Star Global Gourmet restaurants. Couples can also dine on-the-go at three new beachside gourmet food trucks offering traditional Curaçao fare, Spanish tapas, and Asian fusion, or grab a drink at any of the resort’s 10 unique bars. Sandals Royal Curacao will also feature a luxurious Red Lane Spa with six outdoor spa cabanas and treatment rooms; expansive pools; access to the neighboring 18-hole Pete Dye championship golf course; 38,000-square-feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, the largest on the island two on-site marinas and 70 dive sites. (sandals.com/curacao/)

SIX SENSES LA SAGESSE

Set to open in late 2022, the all ages Six Senses La Sagesse in St. David’s, Grenada, marks the luxury brand’s debut in the Caribbean. Located on the southern part of the island and 15 minutes from Grenada’s airport, Six Senses La Sagesse features a resort and residences that are spread over 38 acres and include stunning views of the turquoise sea, thanks to two beaches. The resort will offer 56 guestrooms, seven one-bedroom and five two-bedroom oceanfront villas. For those who yearn to extend their stay, a selection of three- and four-bedroom greenroofed residences are available to purchase. Each has a 56-foot horizon-edge pool and wrap-around pool decks. Six Senses La Sagesse will feature a community hub (the Experience Center) where guests of the resort can go to book spa treatments from Six Senses Spa at La Sagesse, which will offer a menu of specialty spa and beauty treatments using indigenous plants and traditional practices.
Several sensory dining experiences await from several eateries on site, including a signature restaurant which will serve a mix of local, Creole-inspired dishes including plant based and locally foraged menus. In a nod to sustainability, Six Senses La Sagesse will bottle all of its own water from a water bar, and all of the ingredients for the restaurants and spa will be picked from the kitchen gardens, herb gardens, and native fruit trees found on property, and seafood will be sourced from local fishermen.

(sixsenses.com/en/residences/la-sagesse-grenada)

ALAIA BELIZE

Alaia Belize opened in the historic district of San Pedro, Belize in May 2021, marking Marriott International’s first-ever luxury boutique resort in Belize. A part of the Autograph Collection Hotels, Alaia Belize spans more than 20 acres and rests on more than 1,000 feet of direct beachfront access. The resort is a 155-unit complex, ranging from studios to three bedrooms, including eight oceanfront villas. All of the rooms were done in natural colour schemes to complement the ocean views, and offer an average of 1,200 square feet indoors and almost 900 square feet in open air, per unit. Alaia Belize is the first true four-diamond resort on Ambergris Caye. Raising the luxury bar in Belize, the resort complex is also home to Belize’s first-ever suspended rooftop pool and lounge with 360-degree views. Other amenities include a dive shop that also allows guests to receive a PADI certification onsite, the K’in Spa & Wellness Center, a piano bar with a self-playing baby grand piano, a kids’ club, adventure concierge, swimming pools with live DJs, and branded golf carts and bicycles available to book. Alaia Belize has five restaurants including Sea Salt, where the freshly-caught fish of the day is the main event, as well as the Vista Rooftop, which offers 360-degree views of the Caribbean and small plates and cocktails. A spa, beach club, wedding venue, and beach club are all found on the property.
(marriott.com/hotels/travel/sprak-alaia-belize-autograph-collection/)

THE RITZ-CARLTON TURKS AND CAICOS

The Ritz-Carlton Turks & Caicos made its grand seaside debut on the world famous Grace Bay in Providenciales in June 2021. Keeping the region’s natural beauty in mind, endemic local cacti, sisals, and sponges are thoughtfully incorporated in the hotel’s surroundings. The resort features
147 refined ocean-view guest rooms, including 23 suites, which show off the remarkable turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos also offers five three-story penthouse suites with private rooftop plunge pools and endless horizon views. A signature Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge offers an exclusive sanctuary that features private check-in, a dedicated Club Concierge, and multiple culinary presentations throughout the day, in addition to dedicated service at the beach. The Ritz-Carlton Turks & Caicos has an extensive array of amenities, including an adults-only pool with private cabanas and a recreation pool, both set within lush tropical landscapes. The resort also has its own private catamaran, the Lady Grace, which lets guests explore beyond the shores, while activities such yoga on the beach are also available. A signature Ritz-Carlton Spa with an holistic approach to wellness offers therapies inspired by the calming power of the ocean and treatments that embrace indigenous plants. As far as dining goes, Coralli features cuisine prepared with a local flair, while BLT
Steak offers modern steakhouse fare. The Lobby Lounge provides the
ultimate spot to wind down with a handcrafted cocktail in the evening
and offers spectacular views of Grace Bay.(ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/caribbean/turks-and-caicos)

OCEAN EDEN BAY

Opening November 2021, Ocean Eden Bay by H10 Hotels is a new five-star, adults-only resort located in Montego Bay, Jamaica. There are seven room categories available including swim-up and rooftop suites. The sea-facing resort grants guests access to a spectacular white sand beach and features modern rooms, a large swimming pool with bar service, and a wide range of dining options, including an exclusive dinner-show restaurant with themed
performances, the Senses Dinner Show. In addition, it has a Despacio Spa Centre which includes a 24-hour gym, an indoor pool, and a Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam bath. Indoor and outdoor massages can also be booked through the Despacio Spa, as can personalized health and beauty treatments. All guests of Ocean Eden Bay will also have full access to the services and
amenities of the adjacent sister resort, Ocean Coral Spring Resort, which is all-inclusive and all-ages. It features a lazy river, a water park, two tennis courts, and both a family and teen club.
(oceanhotels.net/en/jamaica-hotels/ocean-eden-bay)

Serenity Now

November 26, 2019

If you haven’t experienced the Caribbean’s Out-Islands, put it on your bucket list immediately. Out-Islands offer something different from a large resort vacation; the pace is slower, the beaches are quieter, the waters seem bluer, you breathe a little deeper.

Sailrock, an uncompromising, low density resort community on the Out-Island of South Caicos, Turks & Caicos, is a meticulously master-planned oasis of white sandy beaches, finely appointed villas, ocean-side bluffs, uninterrupted ocean views, quiet backwater bays, and the world’s third largest barrier reef system. For short-term vacationers looking for a luxurious Out-Island experience, there’s Sailrock Resort. And for connoisseurs of authentic experiences wanting to own real estate in this island paradise, Sailrock Living offers hassle-free home ownership.

REST AND RELAXATION
Offering both serene tranquility and soft adventure, Sailrock Resort is a boutique resort featuring unparalleled service and exclusivity in a secluded island setting. Uniquely situated between the Caicos Bank to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Sailrock Resort boasts two beaches and a carefully curated collection of activities for guests to experience and explore the surrounding ocean environments.

If you’ve been looking for total rest and relaxation, you’ve found it. Whether you want to rejuvenate at Na Spa, relax on the sun deck surrounding the infinity-edge pool, spend an afternoon snorkelling the expansive barrier reef, dine on seasonal Caribbean cuisine, watch pink flamingos dance at the nearby salt flats, or take in a spectacular sunset while sipping on a signature cocktail – it’s all here.

LIVING THE DREAM
Serenity, luxury, and natural beauty are core attributes of the Sailrock community. Designed as a low density and naturally preserved environment, Sailrock’s Peninsula Neighborhood offers a varying mix of homesites and floor plans across its 770 acres of unique topographies, vegetation, and shorelines. Luxury interiors offer a refined living experience with organic furnishings, open and airy design, and natural connections to the outdoor terraces, decks, and gardens. Homeowners enjoy the added benefits of hassle-free ownership via the turn-key management services offered by Sailrock Resort, which include a structured rental program designed to maximize your vacation home investment. As an added benefit, all Peninsula Villa owners have access to Sailrock Resort’s activities, luxurious amenities, and authentic dining experiences.

OUT-ISLAND ACCESS
There are over 90 international flights to Turks & Caicos every week, including direct flights from Toronto. South Caicos is just 40 miles southeast of the island of Providenciales, and is serviced by daily commercial flights that take just 25 minutes. Charter and private jets can also access South Caicos directly from the United States and beyond. Plus, commercial ferry service and charter boats are also available between Providenciales and South Caicos. Always careful and respectful of the island, Islanders, and their culture, the best of South Caicos and Sailrock await you. Visit sailrockliving.com.

Story by ASHLEY ROCHEFORT