Nearly a ten percent hike in international visitors so far this year is making the tourist board in
St. Maarten a happy bunch. For the first quarter of 2012, visitor arrivals from outside the Caribbean to the French/Dutch island has hiked 9.5 percent compared to the first quarter of last year. This record jump is the best showing in international arrivals in the past five years and is attributed to increased airlift to the island. JetBlue which filled the void left by American Eagle flew 10,012 passengers in the first quarter which is a 77.0 per cent growth over last year while American Airlines reported 3,418 arrivals or a 9.2 per cent over 2011.
Ranking the airlines based on volume of passengers to St. Maarten, the top five have remained consistent over the past five years. American Airlines leads the pack with JetBlue moving into the fourth slot and knocking LIAT now out of the top five. US Airways holds a strong second position with Winair and Air France following in third, and fifth position.
On the southwest coast of sunny St. Maarten, five minutes from the Princess Juliana International Airport, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort is celebrating a $3 million facelift that has freshened up the largest resort on the island with additional renovations slated for completion in November. Sitting pretty on Maho Beach and smack dab in the middle of Maho Village with its clubs, bars, shops , casino and restaurants, the resort is a one-stop-shopping vacation experience with its own tennis courts, pools, lively swim-up bar, mini-casino in the lobby, spa, restaurants and nightly entertainment to beat the band.
Offering 537 rooms and suites on ten floors (we recommend the Moonlight Suite), the resort is now a fully all-inclusive property which means nightly rates include all meals and drinks, cocktails shaken or stirred with top-shelf liqueurs (none of that other stuff better known for wicked morning headaches). There are no reservations needed at the resorts three restaurants, no hidden surcharges if you indulge in a lobster dinner and no hidden fees for the nightly entertainment shows or movie screenings by the pool.
With general manager Armando Pizzuti at the helm, the property is guided by one of the most savvy industry veterans in the hospitality business. With three decades of experience under his belt including quality time spent with Sandals and Secrets Resorts, “Mr. P”, as his adoring staff refer to him, knows how to mold a great vacation stay into a grand vacation stay.
“I love living through a transformation of a resort from concept to completion, “he smiled, while showing guests the just-opened LogoShop in the lobby.
Recently appointed vice president of hotel operations, Mr. P. will oversee both the Sonesta Maho and its sister property Sonesta Great Bay in Philipsburg.
“Armando has proven his skills and determination in leading a remarkable turnaround of every aspect of hotel operations during the past year in his role as general manager of Sonesta Maho,” said Saro Spadaro, CEO, Maho Group, “He now rises to this next challenge with the support of all of us at the Maho Group.”
Additional enhancements will be done at Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort including room upgrades, revamped lobby, Spa with six treatment rooms and renovated restaurants including a new pizza eatery on the beach.
“We will be working all summer to re-brand the hotel adding extras like strawberries and champagne on the beach, “says Pizutti. “We’ll be targeting the romance market including newlyweds, honeymooners, those in love, those wanting to be in love and everyone else trying to rekindle and reignite the spark.”
The re-branding and launch of the island’s newest luxury small hotel is slated for November. Although the property will be fully all-inclusive, an EP option will be available for corporate guests.
“Many of our clients prefer the services offered by travel agents, “said Bernard Hunt, director of sales, “Especially those with knowledge of the destination and of the property.”
Referring to the baby boomer travel niche, Hunt observed that internet booking has not replaced bookings by agents.
“Travelers over fifty years old are returning to agent care after trying internet booking, “He said, “The baby boomers are a big market for us. They have money to travel and appreciate fine service in a fine hotel. “ |