Dubai-based luxury property marketer, The Travel Collection, has boosted its portfolio for summer 2007 to include hotels in Greece and the US.
The company now offers four properties in Greece – Grand Resort Lagonissi in Athens; Elounda Beach and Elounda Bay Palace in Crete, and Nafplia Palace Hotel in Nafplion, Peloponnese – as well as two in the US; Heritage House Mendocino, California and The Setai in South Beach, Miami.
The Travel Collection managing director, Jacqueline Campbell, said the reason for adding new hotels in each destination was simple – demand for both countries had rocketed over the past year.
“The unfortunate situation in the Middle East last summer meant that suddenly Cyprus and Greece became very popular as an alternative short break destination and we started taking it more seriously,” she explained.
“We have noticed we have been getting business from Doha and the UAE, particularly over the November Eid break.”
Direct daily flights from the Middle East to Athens operated by Emirates Airline, Gulf Air and Qatar Airways had made Greece an easy sell and a viable alternative to Lebanon, she added.
Campbell highlighted the key features of the Grand Resort Lagonissi, Athens, which is located on a 72-acre peninsula, just 15 minutes from Athens International Airport and a 40-minute drive from key attractions.
The resort comprises 290 rooms, bungalows, villas, suites, including the 1250m² Royal Villa, as well as a Blu Spa and 10 restaurants. A Grand Hall, with a capacity for 1600 delegates, caters to business functions, incentives and corporate meetings.
The Napflia Palace, located in the ancient fortress of Akronafplia in Nafplion – Greece’s first capital city, just 140kms from Athens – is also worth considering for clients requiring an intimate setting. The property features 51 rooms, including three suites and 22 recently remodeled bungalows and vials, each with a pool or outdoor Jacuzzi and overlooking the sea.
Campbell said the business to the US had also picked up over the past two years, with couples visiting Miami pre- or post-Caribbean cruise and families combining a stay in the city with a trip to Disney World up state.
The Travel Collection has therefore introduced The Setai, Miami, dubbed “a meticulously replicated art deco landmark”, which is situated on prime oceanfront in South Beach surrounded by tropical gardens and facing the Atlantic Ocean.
The property, owned by GHM Hotels, which also owns The Chedi Muscat in Oman, features 75 guestrooms and 50 suites, including a new suite, located on the 37th floor of the tower, which boasts unrivaled views of the ocean and city, and also includes and spa room and entertainment room.
The Setai, Miami will be represented at next month’s Arabian Travel Market and is offering two special summer packages; book three nights and get the fourth night free, and reserve a Tower Suite and receive a daily credit of US $100 to use in the spa. The offers are valid from May 1 until October 31 and November 30 respectively.
“Heritage House in Miami is also new for us; it’s great for people who are travelling around the US, particularly couples. It’s a taste of the old world,” said Campbell.
Located 160kms from San Francisco on 37 acres along the Mendocino Coast, the property comprises just 47 rooms both on the coast and inland, but all with ocean views.
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