Cutting rates to $30,000 a week
Luxury hotelier Laurie Weltz, owner of Anguilla’s Cerulean Villa, says many luxury travelers today are still seeking a five-star experience but are hopeing to do it for less — booking a less expensive room at their favorite hotel instead of their usual housing, for example.
She believes a cost savings of nearly 20 percent without compromising service is a solution.
The Cerulean is offering one free night for every six booked. The Villa features seven bedrooms and a staff of 14.
Rates are $30,000 per week for up to 14 guests or $2,143 per person per week. Also included: complimentary long distance phone service to the US and England, as well as wi-fi and other services. New activities have also been added.
“In the past our guests were less concerned by the price of activities,” said Ms Weltz. “But this year everyone is looking for savings. One of the places we thought we could really lower costs were in the add-ons.”
A Champagne Shipwreck Lunch on a deserted island was a very popular activity, but it was costly, “So is the private band we used to hire to entertain our guests at our beach barbecue dinners,” she said.
New activities that include a “Beach BBQ with Bonfire and Storytelling” were substituted at about a fifth of the price. The BBQ is $400.
Another relative bargain is a horseback ride on the beach at sunset for $70, she added.
Situated on the white sand beach at Barnes Bay on the island of Anguilla, Cerulean is a 13,000 square-food villa designed by award-winning architect Deborah Berke. Amenities include a 3,000 square foot pool.
“It is often said that it is much easier to trade up then down,” said Ms Weltz. “During the economic challenge that many are facing these days, trading down seems inevitable; however, we feel that a first-rate travel experience does not need to be compromised.”
Report by David Wilkening
David
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