Selling Elegant Hotels’ Barbados Resorts to Millennials

Nicole King, director of sales for North America for the Elegant Hotels Group, told TravelPulse that her company is always looking for ways to keep its hotel products up to standard for the millennial client.

Well, we put her and Elegant Hotels to the test.

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Good news: the first agents to attend travAlliancemedia’s inaugural Millennial Travel Forum in Barbados this past December said Elegant Hotels passed with flying colors.

The company recently became the first hotel partner to participate in the new Millennial Travel Forum, a multi-day, hosted event that brings 15 to 20 millennial travel agents to a specific destination around the world. The new program brings suppliers and destinations better insights and reach into the millennial mind of travel.

“Barbados highly values the Millennial client and we recognize this generation as an essential piece of the travel industry,” said Petra Roach, director of the Barbados Tourism Marketing, Inc. (BTMI). “Elegant Hotels was chosen as the hotel partner for the first Millennial Travel Forum because of its commitment to this generation’s needs and desires. Stylish suites, spa treatments and top-tier restaurants are just a few highlights to get travelers excited about these trendy resorts.”

Here’s what else Roach, some of the Millennial advisors who attended the forum and King had to share about selling Elegant’s best Barbados hotels to millennials.

Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels

“As Barbados’ very first all-inclusive, mind-and-wellness, boutique hotel, the Waves stands out to me as a true innovator in the hotel space,” said Roach. “I love the chic, trendy atmosphere created in this space. I think it’s so important to re-think the traditional all-inclusive resort. In this case, it's swapping stale ideas for a new concept of convenience wrapped in a boutique, modern package.”

More specific offerings include motorized water sports, daily yoga and two pools. Foodies will be at home at Shiso, the resort's restaurant that offers pan-Asian and sushi, and at the open air restaurant, Seascape, which offers impressive sea views.

“The Waves is the perfect option for young families,” said Daniela Harrison, a travel specialist with Avenues of the World Travel in Flagstaff, Arizona. “Nestled on a nice calm stretch of beach, with healthy nutrition in mind, this property loves families. It’s all-inclusive and offers an array of healthy snack options, which help instill good habits for the little ones. Mom can enjoy a spa treatment while the kids enjoy some fun activities on site like banana boat rides or beach cricket.”

And the Waves offers millennials perhaps the one feature they always crave—value. In fact, King told TravelPulse that the resort offers four spa treatments per person, per stay, as well as other unusual offerings.

"The trend for millennials is wellness, so we wanted to make that part of the hotel experience," said King. "We have a coffee bar and a lot of places where millennials can grab something quick on the go. They are always on the go, on the move.

"And they want convenience. They want technology. They want USB ports all over and a lot of outlets. These are all the types of things we focused on when we opened Waves and it seems to be working."

Treasure Beach by Elegant Hotels

Millennials—and all generations—will love the spot of beach at the adults-only Treasure Beach by Elegant Hotels.

And the drinks and food are just icing on the cake.

“Treasure Beach is perfect for a honeymoon couple or a small group of friends looking for a fun getaway,” said Harrison. "The adults-only resorts offers daily sundowners, a great breakfast selection, free WiFi and spacious suites overlooking the ocean.”

Aside from the impressive culinary offerings here, the resort also offers an original and refreshing art theme, with local artists often painting on property as the sun goes down. Guests can further immerse themselves in Bajan art by touring local galleries and museums with a complimentary Treasure Art Crawl during their stay.

“Treasure Beach is perfect for millennials because it's so ‘Instagrammable.’ The swing, lounging area and the lights at night make it perfect for relaxing with friends,” said Caitlyn Gambino, owner of Aum Journeys in Detroit, Michigan.

With a welcome cocktail upon arrival, guests can indulge in daily breakfast and a nightly Sunset Happy Hour, included in their stay. Clients can choose from 34, one-bedroom or deluxe suites.

“The rooms are designed in a cottage-house style and give ample space to spread out,” said Harrison. “Sundowners every night are designed to help guests mingle and be social. Travel with a group of friends and make the resort your own for the week, or enjoy some peace and quiet for just the two of you—all while getting spoiled in your own island paradise.”

The House by Elegant Hotels

For couples seeking an adults-only, VIP, chic escape, The House by Elegant Hotels is a solid option.

Located on Barbados’ Platinum West Coast on a stretch of white sand beach, this redesigned, beachfront property offers some of the best service on the island and is home to Daphnes, one of the most popular restaurants in Barbados. In fact, famous musician Rihanna, who is from Barbados, has said Dahpne's is her favorite place to dine on the island.

“[It’s the] perfect hotel choice for clients who prefer a more sophisticated spring break option," said Meredith Donaldson, an advisor with World Citizen Travel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. "The Elegant brand serves more than one type of client, which makes it a great hotel collection to work with as advisors.”

“The House is the ideal spot for anniversary celebrations, destination weddings or proposals,” said Harrison. “It’s a bit quieter than Treasure Beach. High tea is offered each afternoon, as well as evening canapes for an elevated vacation experience.”

Clients can also indulge in the hotel's new boutique spa, offering treatments and holistic therapies. And millennials staying here will want to end their day checking out the sunset at the new Upper Deck Bar.

The Colony Club by Elegant Hotels

For the sophisticated traveler wanting to unwind at the beach or pool, The Colony Club by Elegant Hotels is the best fit.

It has four freshwater swimming pools, healthy dining options and a gorgeous beach.

“The Colony Club offers swim-up rooms that make your guest experience feel extra unique,” said Stephen Scott, an advisor with Protravel International in Chicago, Illinois. “I found many more families at Colony Club. They were well-traveled though. It wasn’t loud or out of control. Just relaxed and enjoying their vacation together."

The Tamarind by Elegant Hotels

Looking for a spot where both families and couples can have a good time?

The Tamarind Hotel by Elegant Hotels is perhaps Elegant's best hotel at combining top-notch amenities for both families and couples. And neither type of clientele bothers the other. It offers kids and teen clubs and daily activities.

“The Tamarind encompasses Bajan hospitality with endless choices,” said Roach. "Each guest can customize his or her own unique experience at this one-of-a-kind property.”

Follow the Agents of MTF: Barbados

If you missed it, be sure to follow all 15 Millennial agents who chronicled (and continue to post about) the event. Also, use #MTFBarbados on Instagram to check out some of the best social media postings from the four-day forum.

MTF: Barbados Agents’ Instagram Handles

— Marisa Costa, AMIKO and Protravel International @marisagoesglobal/@helloamiko
— Daniela Harrison, Avenues of the World Travel @avenuesoftheworld / @traveltheworldwithdaniela
— Caitlyn Gambino, Aum Journeys @aumjourneys
— Jennifer Carr, The Tropical Travelers @tropicaltravelerjenn
— Avery Harris, Viking Travel @avery.vt
— Michael Shane Stephens, Curated Global Travel @themichaelshane
— Hannah Schremp, FROSCH @wherentheworldishannah
— Paul Stroncek, Dreamlines @travelmanager_paul
— Caroline Bracewell, Protravel, Inc. @Fivestarnomad_caroline
— Brian Moses, HE Travel @brian_moses
— Stephen Scott, Travel Hub 365 and Protravel International @travelhub365
— Maggie Crockett, Sanders Travel Centre @onthemovewithmaggie / @magsmaggie
— Meredith Donaldson, World Citizen Travel @worldcitizentravel
— Bailie White, BE The Travel @bethetravelgram
— Cathleen Richards, SmartFlyer @curatedbycath