CASTRIES,
ST. LUCIA (September 20, 2011) – The BodyHoliday, St. Lucia’s
premiere
all-inclusive resort dedicated to health and well-being, will re-open
on
October 3, 2011, following a $20 million renovation. Since July,
The
BodyHoliday has been closed in order to complete a series of upgrades
designed
to maintain the level of excellence that the resort is known for.
The
extensive renovation will unveil significant updates to the resort’s
public
spaces and dining venues, a new infinity-edge swimming pool and
boardwalk, and
an expanded Watersports Center. True to The BodyHoliday’s promise of
“Give us
your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind!”, the
renovation will
upgrade the resort’s offerings to further rejuvenate and revitalize
each and
every guest. The resort embodies the concept of a vacation for the
body––offering
relaxation, restorative beauty, exercise and diet.
This
project has opened up the resort to its inspiring surroundings while
preserving
its unique Caribbean style that has made it a favorite of travelers to
St.
Lucia. To that end, the resort tapped noted design firm
International
Design Concepts to shape a setting that relies as much on innovation as
tradition. The renovation will transform the public areas into a
stylish
haven for socializing, fine dining, and relaxation, and also add on an
extraordinary
Penthouse Suite to the current guest room options.
“Our
decision to renovate the property was motivated by requests for
upgraded and
expanded facilities from guests of the resort,” said Craig Barnard,
owner of
The BodyHoliday. “We are fortunate to have a large percentage of
repeat
guests, and we are excited for them to experience the resort after the
renovation is complete. We listened to their feedback and are
very proud
to invest in maintaining our world-class standards of excellence.
We know
they will be delighted with the results.”
AN ENHANCED ARRIVAL EXPERIENCE
One
element that has been preserved is the welcoming approach to the
resort,
complete with several new elements that are tied together with a
contemporary
design aesthetic. Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed to a soothing
atmosphere, immediately transforming the travel experience into a
serene
moment. The lobby is designed in a cool and deep blue color
palette with
driftwood, mahogany, and beige accents. Giacometti-style artistic
statues are
positioned at the lobby entrance. In the center of the lobby
area,
clusters of upholstered seating are centered around a striking crystal
chandelier (from the Tzar’s Palace in Russia), making for a convivial
environment for socializing with fellow guests.
A
prominent 14-foot photograph-on-canvas landscape of tropical waters
ushers
guests from the lobby to the Cariblue courtyard, immediately putting
visitors
into relaxation mode. The color palette includes natural rattan
and
wicker, lime green, and stark white.
THE CULINARY SPIRIT OF THE
CARIBBEAN
Each
of The BodyHoliday’s five unique food and beverage venues will also
undergo a
series of updates, including new design aesthetics, additional seating
and more
expansive menu offerings. The Clubhouse, the center of the action
at The
BodyHoliday, will receive a complete facelift resulting in a modern,
full-service facility that can better serve guests’ needs, whether it
be
planning out their activities for the day or spending a rainy afternoon
in the
new game room. The Clubhouse will also increase its food and
drink
options by serving casual lunch and dinner, and by adding a permanent
grill and
wood-fired-oven to its patio, ideal for quick beachside bites.
New
additions to The Clubhouse area include a Pavilion, Piazza, outdoor
dining,
infinity-edge pool and boardwalk promenade. A new 360-degree,
17-foot
circular Clubhouse Bar occupies a prominent location looking over the
beach and
out to sea––a natural meeting spot for cocktails and catching the live
entertainment on the performance stage at The Clubhouse. The new
Pavilion
structure features a buffet, grill and pizza oven. The Piazza is
a
multi-use space complete with pagoda umbrellas and casual bistro
seating.
A trickling natural stone fountain with blue glass mosaic tiles, local
Soufriere stone wall with niches of orchids, and lantern-lighting glows
as a
cozy respite from the larger dining spaces. Outside of The
Clubhouse, an
oversized 200-year-old chaudière––characteristic of
sugar-producing
islands––has been creatively transformed over an inviting fire pit in a
show of
authenticity and local craftsmanship.
Finally,
The BodyHoliday’s signature restaurant, Cariblue, will enclose its
buffet area
and add a classic wood and stone finish wine room to the main dining
room––where guests can partake in exclusive tastings or meet one-on-one
with
the sommelier.
NEW FITNESS AND WELLNESS
OFFERINGS
Blending
function and design, The BodyHoliday introduces a sense of luxury,
superior
amenities and soothing interiors into the resort’s wellness
spaces. The
all-new entrance to the property’s wellness centre has been transformed
into a
magnificent structure with Jerusalem stone and mosaics. The Skin
Clinic
has been a success at The BodyHoliday for some time and is being
upgraded to
reflect this success. A new cool, contemporary, state-of-the art feel
will be
the signature and it will boast its own reception area and four
treatment
rooms, one with a private shower. A luxurious couple’s treatment room
was
fashioned with highlights such as mahogany cabinetry, natural stone
finishes
and special seating area for foot rituals; the wet area with a
shower-for-two
rain-head and large soaking tub is accented in curved, glass mosaic
surround.
Guests will now be able to purchase their favorite specialty skin
products in a
new retail area.
The
BodyHoliday’s remodeled fitness center will more than double in
size. The
new 1,800-square-foot facility features expansive windows that overlook
the
lush Caribbean hillside, while the interior’s sleek palette is
comprised of
blacks, grays and stainless steel.
THE PENTHOUSE SUITE – A NEW
LEVEL OF LUXURY
With
this all-new feature of The BodyHoliday’s guest suite categories, the
Penthouse
Suite is the resort’s top option for luxurious accommodations in an
idyllic
setting. A private entry staircase leads guests to the
suite.
Featuring an open floor-plan with spacious living area, towering
11.5-foot
ceilings, cove lighting and a wet-bar, a free-standing wall unit
divides the
living and bedroom spaces with a 360-degree, rotating flat-screen
television
for viewing on either side of the suite. In the bathroom, sliding
frosted
glass doors reveal a striking bubble chandelier that floats above a
soaking tub
for two with a view of the sea. The most striking element of the
penthouse is the private Turkish-style hammam, which features a
marble-slab
heated massage bed, marble benches, and walls of mosaic marble. A
steam
room with a mosaic curved bench and rain-head shower offers guests a
unique spa
experience in the privacy of their room.
EXPANDED RECREATION OPTIONS
One
of the most impressive additions to the resort is a new two-level
infinity-edge
pool, complete with underwater raised stone seating. The pool,
tiled in
deep cobalt blue porcelain, will provide guests with additional options
for
swimming, lounging and water activities such as volleyball and scuba
training. While the upper pool is 20 x 50-foot in diameter and
four-feet
deep, it falls into 12 x 41-foot shallow waters at boardwalk
level. The
effect is an elegant cascade with views of the beaches, and the feeling
of
being in the ocean at every height of the pool deck. Intimate
cabanas-for-two contour the upper level of the pool, and the boardwalk
features
oversized specialty cabanas consisting of two day-beds and a center
table–perfect for sunset cocktails and private waterside dining.
In
order to continue providing guests with a wide range of activities, the
resort
is expanding its Watersports Center. It will double in size and
relocate
to the end of the beach, making it more convenient for guests to take
part in
water skiing, sailing, tubing, snorkeling and windsurfing.
The
BodyHoliday’s new Dive Shop will have its own dedicated building and
training
center. In its new location, the Dive Shop will offer guests easy reach
to the
dive pool and house-reef just off the beach. A variety of scuba
options
are available for guests of the resort, led by a team of qualified
instructors.
ABOUT THE BODYHOLIDAY
Situated
on a private cove in the northwest tip of St. Lucia, The BodyHoliday
provides a
luxurious and relaxing getaway experience in an idyllic setting.
Owned
and managed by the Barnard family, the 154-room all-inclusive wellness
resort
sits directly on Cariblue’s crescent beach and is surrounded by 42
acres of
lush tropical gardens. The BodyHoliday is a five star resort that has
become
synonymous with health and well-being the world over.
The
BodyHoliday offers unparalleled services and amenities including: a
30,000
square-foot wellness centre, five unique food and beverage venues
(including
the award-winning TAO, named as a Condé Nast Traveler “Hot
Table”),
scuba school, tennis and golf academies, archery, fencing, T’ai Chi,
yoga,
pilates, an array of watersports and recreational activities, and
personalized
“lifestyle consultation” services.
The
BodyHoliday closed in July 2011 to undergo a $20 million makeover and
when it
reopens in the fall, it will be the leading hotel in St. Lucia to
escape the
rigors of everyday life. The BodyHoliday will re-open in late-September
2011. To book a future reservation, or for additional
information, please
visit www.thebodyholiday.com
or call 1-800-544-2883.
The
BodyHoliday: “Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your
mind.”
ABOUT RENDEZVOUS
The
BodyHoliday's sister property, Rendezvous, is a couples-only boutique
resort. Rendezvous offers a personalized and intimate experience
allowing
guests to escape the rigors of everyday life. The 100-room
property
features a scuba center, an array of watersports, archery, fencing,
tennis
courts, two pools, the Piano Bar, a swim-up bar at the main pool, and
Terrace
Bar. Guests can enjoy two on-property restaurants,
including the famous “Trysting Place.”
www.sunsweptresorts.com
/ www.theromanticholiday.com