Playa Announces New Kimpton Property at VIP Event in Toronto

Playa Hotels & Resorts continues to grow, with an announcement made Monday night at their VIP event, they're opening a Kimpton Riviera Maya in early 2024.

"We're a growing company and we've always got surprises up our sleeve," Rose Cosentino, VP Sales, tells TravelPulse Canada. "The fact we are able to still grow even in a pandemic, is because of the fact our brands are so strong. Our occupancy levels have never been experienced before."

The current Hacienda Tres Rios Resort in Riviera Maya will undergo renovations and an expansion and will be ready to sell in late 2023 / early 2024. It will be the first all-inclusive for Kimpton and located not very far from the new Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun.

"If you know the Kimpton brand, it's very cheeky, it has its own little nuances," explains Cosentino. "It will go through a refurbishment and rebranding and it's new and exciting for us, in that there will be more of these types of hotels in our portfolio. When I say we're a growing company, here's a perfect illustration of what that looks like."

The breaking news was announced at their first event in three years; where top agents and partners were invited to celebrate at an evening reception in Toronto.

"The whole idea of being here tonight was really and truly, just to get us all together to celebrate what we've been through and to celebrate where we're going, with our biggest partners, our supporters," said Amanda Morris, Director of Sales, Canada.

While occupancy rates are at their highest in the company, the hotel group is also seeing a strong number of luxury bookings across properties. It's a trend that the industry has reported on seeing as well, and one that doesn't show any signs of stopping.

"Revenge travel is absolutely a real thing," says Cosentino. "People are looking to travel and we're finding they want to stay in higher end category of rooms. Remember, Canada just opened up earlier this year, so we're still playing catch up to the rest of the world that was already traveling last year."

Playa continues its growth with properties throughout Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. Just last week it was announced that Sanctuary Cap Cana became the first luxury all-inclusive resort for Marriott International and joins the celebrated ensemble of experiential hotels by The Luxury Collection brand.

"Our newest property, Hyatt Ziva Cancun that we opened almost a year ago now, had a full and complete renovation" said Morris.

"It's located right between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, in Puerto Morales areas. A fantastic location, full renovation, beautiful suites, very spacious. Pricing for this property is still incredible. It's a really great option for families who have had their eye on the highest portfolio, but maybe just haven't taken the leap yet. It's a great one to get them in and get them hooked. And I promise you, once they come, they're going to love it."

Also on hand at the event was Melissa Forbes, Director, Sales & Marketing at Hyatt Zilara and Ziva RoseHall.

"We have really a beautiful connection in Jamaica, We promise 100 per cent that you can trust clients are in good hands when they're with us at any one of our properties. As we like to say from Jamaica, it's service from our hearts and one love."

With occupancy rates high, and demand even higher, Cosentino says the time to book travel is now. Inflation is affecting everything - groceries, gas, not just travel and people are seeing more and more the postitive impact travel has on mental health.

"From mental standpoint, I think many people now feel that it's a need, I need to do this because for my own well being. We recognize that, and we do have price points for everybody.

If your clients are thinking of traveling, you've now got to get them booked a lot sooner than last minute. Last minute you won't be able to, the pickings are slim. I would say strike while the iron is hot and don't let them wait."