The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Nusa Dua, Bali, unveils its newly-transformed 30-year old property, in time for the G20 Summit.
It was the first international resort in Nusa Dua then and was built by Rajawali Property Group. Since its opening, the resort has welcomed dignitaries and guests from around the world, many of whom became loyal clients of The Laguna.
“Last week, we welcomed a family who has marked their 100th visit to the Laguna,” said Lucia Liu, general manager of the hotel when introducing the newly transformed resort to the media in Jakarta recently.
Shirley Tan, CEO, Rajawali Property Group, in a statement said: “The heart of the remake of The Laguna, our very first in two decades, ensures that the next chapter of the resort’s journey honours its rich indigenous heritage through stunning décor.
“Our timely decision to renovate The Laguna in the midst of a global pandemic was driven by our commitment to restore this historic icon and inspire others to rebuild Bali for the future.”
The guestrooms, restaurants and public areas have undergone a restoration, along with an entirely revamped arrival and lobby experience.
The 287 rooms, suites, and villas have been refreshed with natural materials and inspired by the collective stories and traditions of Bali. Nautical elements take centre stage in the nuanced design, influenced by the resort’s seven lagoons.
Emblematic features such as a panel of Balinese sulaman embroidery on headboards and other details highlighting travel and discovery can be seen throughout the resort, part of the DNA of The Luxury Collection.
The F&B outlets have also been transformed into an Epicurean Destination for Gourmands.
The all-day dining Banyubiru is a tribute to the unique traditional warung stalls in the villages and offers breakfast and themed dinners.
De Bale is a re-enactment of a quintessential Balinese village courtyard, where come evening, showcases village dances and storytelling for all guests – the theatrical lounge and bar also features an expansive entertainment terrace, suitable for events.
This concept is in line with brand concept of “Hotel that Defines Destination”, Liu told TTG Asia.
“As part of the brand culture, The Laguna Bali is intrinsically connected to its locale, offering singularly distinctive experiences where once unfamiliar places are encountered, new connections are forged, and new cultures are embraced, leaving guests transformed – their stories enriched, their world expanded,” she said.
With family groups making up a sizeable portion of guests leading the travel recovery, top-end hotels are directing their creative juices towards programmes that all ages can enjoy together.
Ramesh Daryanani, vice president, global sales, Asia Pacific, Marriott International, told TTG Asia at ILTM Asia Pacific on Wednesday that families reuniting on a post-lockdown holiday are “looking for programmes to keep everyone entertained and engaged”.
“Crafting programmes for families is a priority now for our hotels and Marriott as a company. Everyone is looking for the next new experience on their trip, and wanting to share their stories when they go back. It is our job to give them the experience that they can talk about,” remarked Daryanani.
He pointed to various programmes offered in the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy collection that welcome all ages, such as activities at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa’s Turtle Shelter; nature trail and sapling plantation initiatives at Le Méridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa; Blue Swimming Crab rehabilitation at Sheraton Samui Resort; and volunteerism with the St. John’s Gold Coast Crisis Centre, coordinated by JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa.
JW Gardens installed in JW Marriott properties around the world offer families a chance to see how herbs and vegetables are grown and used by the hotel.
The Ritz-Carlton collection of properties across Asia-Pacific will roll out Ritz Kids 3.0 later this year, a new programme built around Leo the Lion who will take young guests on a journey to spark their curiosity, instill a sense of responsibility and bring them closer to nature and the local culture in whatever destination they visit.
These programmes are not only fun, but they also expose children to sustainable and regenerative tourism concepts, opined Daryanani.
Minor Hotels, which has also witnessed an energetic pickup in family travel demand, has properties all ready to engage the young and the old.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas offers a kids club that comes with a trampoline park, a splash park and slides as well as a full line-up of activities from 10.00 to 18.00 daily, giving children little reason to stay indoors.
Paul Counihan, director of sales and marketing for the property, said there are a number of “very creative” activities that are a big hit with the little ones. One of which is a marine biology class conducted within the SEA underwater restaurant, while another whisks little pirates off on a sailboat to ‘conquer’ a sandbar.
Guests looking to bond can sign up for a story-telling date with grandpa and enjoy free cookies and milk. Families can also stargaze at the resort’s over-water observatory and interact with a Maldivian astrologist.
Andy Nightingale, cluster director of sales and marketing for Anantara Dhigu, Veli & Naladhu Private Island, Maldives, said properties offer a mix of programmes unique to children and for everyone in the family because “while families are eager to go on a holiday together post-lockdown, parents are also going crazy after 24 hours with their kids”.
“They need a break, and we are happy to help,” he said.
Properties under his care offer complimentary kids programmes, like movie nights, so that the grown-ups can enjoy a tranquil drink or meal for a couple of hours.
Illustrating the hearty appetite of travelling families, Marion Walsh-Hédouin, vice president public relations & communications, Minor Hotels, said the 15 residences within Anantara Layan Phuket Resort in Thailand are sold out even during the low season. These units offer five to eight bedrooms each.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas’ five residences with between two and four villas are also popular with family groups.
“We are creating more facilities that cater to multi-generational groups,” shared Walsh-Hédouin, adding that “there is a greater focus on tailoring experiences that are good for both kids only and for the whole family”.
“Pre-Covid, couples often travelled without the kids. But when the pandemic kept families apart, they missed each other and learnt to appreciate time together,” she said.
Walsh-Hédouin also found that families are now travelling for a longer duration – up to seven nights per destination – and staying in fewer places at one go. Instead of packing Bangkok, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang and Phuket into a single trip to Asia, for instance, they are choosing to do just two.
“They are also preferring to stay with the same hotel company in the various destinations they visit for seamless travel. For example, families would stay at Anantara Hoi An for a couple of days, then get on The Vietage (train) to Anantara Quy Nhon for another few days. The train is a seamless travel option, and guests can enjoy the views along the way,” she said.