One “happy island” just a got a little happier…
Ritz-Carlton executives, together with newly elected Aruba Prime Minister Mike Eman, announced plans to open The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, an exclusive 320-room oceanfront resort set on the island’s popular Palm Beach. The new resort, scheduled to open in 2012, will feature several restaurants, an on-site spa, two swimming pools and a 24-hour casino. The Ritz-Carlton Club Level will be available to guests who want a more private stay, complete with concierge service.
The announcement is one of a few new hotels scheduled to join the Ritz family this year. The focus: to bring a new level of elegance to Aruba, and keep the concept of luxury travel affordable.
“Aruba is an island destination with growing appeal to discerning travelers from Europe and the United States. Its stunning beaches and majestic views make the island one of those exceptional places in the Southern Caribbean, blending serenity and scenic attractions our guests seek when planning a vacation,” said Ezzat Coutry, senior vice president, Southeast Region, Caribbean and Latin America, in a press statement.
Aruba is one of the most visited islands for east coast travelers. Legacy carriers including American Airlines, Continental, and Delta offer daily flights to Aruba, and the emergence of JetBlue’s daily flights to Aruba have helped the happy island boost tourism efforts over the past year.
The Ritz-Carlton Aruba is the hotel group’s latest project in the Caribbean. Ritz-Carlton has hotels in St. Thomas, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Mexico and The Bahamas. The hotel group will welcome the Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles at LA LIVE next month, and continues its expansion into the Middle East and Asia. Check back later for my exclusive interview with Ritz-Carlton’s President and Chief Operating Officer Simon Cooper…