NEW YORK -- Karisma Hotels & Resorts and Margaritaville
Holdings unveiled a new luxury all-inclusive brand, Margaritaville Island
Reserve by Karisma.
Karisma CEO Kelly Poling said the brand aims to marry "the
fun and escapism and the lifestyle that is Margaritaville" with "the
five-star luxury, best-in-class service and F&B that comes with Karsima."
The first of four confirmed properties under the new brand,
the Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun, is scheduled to open this
winter. The partners did not say if the resort is a conversion, and if it is,
what resort will be reflagged. They said further details will be forthcoming
over the next few weeks.
The partners also plan to brand resorts in Mexico's Riviera
Maya, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
"Our partnership with Margaritaville delivers inclusive
resorts unlike anything that has been done before, where guests will enjoy
unforgettably luxurious vacations without any pretense," said Mandy
Chomat, president at Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive representative
of Karisma.
Margaritaville chief marketing officer Tamara
Baldanza-Dekker added, "With breathtaking beach views, friendly and
anticipatory service and our signature Margaritaville state of mind,
Margaritaville Island Reserve is truly the 'mi casa es su casa' experience
guests deserve at an inclusive resort."
Karisma and Margaritaville representatives, who were in New
York for the annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment
Conference, said the brand's laid-back luxury would be seen in amenities such
as the rooms' minibars: Guests will receive credit at their resort's sundries
shop, which will enable them to customize their bar's selections according to
their preference. Guests could also opt to have Frozen Concoction drink machines
placed in their room during their stay.
Karisma operates resorts in Latin America, the Caribbean and
Europe under several brands, including El Dorado, Generations, Nickelodeon,
Azul and Sensatori. Margaritaville's portfolio currently comprises 18 locations.