www.lux-review.com Page 29 Page 28 www.lux-review.com LUX 2021 Resorts and Retreats Awards LUX 2021 Resorts and Retreats Awards As soon as you step foot within the tranquil grounds of The Hacienda at Warm Sands, you will forget about the world outside of the entrance gate. Palm Springs’ sun-filled, cloudless blue skies provide the perfect canopy for the private, exclusive, lushly landscaped, renown resort sanctuary. The Hacienda at Warm Sands, an upscale LGBTQ resort, feels like a private villa, a sanctuary, with its lush Southwestern US landscape, tranquil water feature, extensive Saltillo-tiled patios and walkways, outdoor fireplace, in-ground spa, and two large swimming pools. The suites are always in a pristine condition, with exceptional attention to detail. An expanded complimentary continental breakfast is served in the morning, followed by restaurant-crafted gourmet sandwiches, salads and wraps at lunch. Before guests arrive, many call ahead and request specific foods, beverages, and other amenities, which will be waiting in their room for their arrival. The Hacienda at Warm Sands has a staff to guest room ratio of one-to-one – matched only by upscale, luxury, five-star plus leading hotels of the world. The Hacienda is well- Long Bay Beach Resort is an incredible experience all on its own. It overlooks the rolling, opalescent Caribbean Sea and azure sky, with a view of neighbouring islands like Jost Van Dyke. The adventures of Long Bay extend and appeal to individuals of all ages and tastes. From swimming and diving to hiking and exploring to unwinding and beachcombing, this resort will have each of its guests admiring its location and design. Long Bay provides its guests with beach umbrellas, towels, cabanas, and snorkel equipment all free of charge. It also offers in-room massages, facials and scrubs, and paddle boards and surfboards for when the waves liven up. As a renovated sugar mill from 1748, the restaurant is steeped in history, overlooking the ocean. Long Bay hosts weekly movie nights on the beach and themed events around the cocktail bar. So, whatever the occasion, guests can enjoy the peace of the island and the excitement of events and celebration of simple pleasures. So, for those looking for a getaway that entails the inspiring and everlasting memories, Long Bay is the place to stay. The Long Bay speed boat, “Strange Crossings,” can be rented out for day trips during guest stays. The resort’s central location makes it ideal for trips to neighbouring islands such as Sandy Cay, Jost Van Dyke, Peter, Cooper, Norman, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, St. John, and more. Jun21802 Jun21710 The Hacienda at Warm Sands LGBTQ Resort of the Year 2021 – North America Customer Service Excellence Award 2021 Long Bay Beach Resort Best Beachside Hotel & Restaurant - British Virgin Islands known for consistently delivering unequalled guest pampering and exceeding guest expectations – for every guest, every time, every day. Its service and amenities innovation are legendary, starting with its Pillow Menu of featured pillow selections which it implemented over 13 years ago. A mini white puff of a pillow with a top slit for inserting its Pillow Menu awaits each arriving guest as it sits prominently on top of their inviting duvet- covered bed. And for all returning guests, its Pillow Club is truly memorable. Prior to guest arrival, it embroiders the first name of each guest on decorative ultra-suede covered pillows that are placed side-by-side on their bed as a surprise ‘Welcome Back’ to The Hacienda at Warm Sands. Not only does The Hacienda provide exceptional and memorable getaways, but it has also been blessed to have hosted several very emotionally-moving same-sex wedding ceremonies at its venue. Some of these ceremonies have been performed by the City of Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem. Ultimately, Hacienda prides itself on its pampered, yet unobtrusive service by its experience staff who expertly provide ‘Hacienda Moments’ of ‘anticipatory yet unanticipated services’ for each of its guests. One example of this is for two of its long-term returning guests who are incredibly devoted to their beloved dogs. They miss them terribly whilst staying at The Hacienda at Warm Sands, so the staff created a ‘Hacienda Moment’ for them by obtaining photos of their pups from social media sites, and then enlarging them and beautifully mounting them into tabletop frames to be placed prominently in their reserved suite prior to their arrival. The first time the staff did this, the guests were overwhelmed with emotion and ‘blown away’ by the touching and truly unexpected, loving gesture. And now, every time they return to The Hacienda, the pups’ photos are positioned in their reserved suite, awaiting their arrival. Company: The Hacienda at Warm Sands Phone: 1-760-327-8111 Email:
[email protected] Website: www.thehacienda.com Guests can also enjoy activities such as kiteboarding, fishing, sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, farm tours, yoga, and much more. The Long Bay staff will helpfully recommend and book these additional activities for any guest, as they are there to help in every way that they can. The staff assist each guest to the best of their ability by providing 24/7 help and assistance. They book reservations, organize transportation, and entertain guests of all ages during their visit. The staff is also made up of locals who know the islands well. The Long Bay staff cares about the history and conservation of the Caribbean and wants to reveal all the beauty of the islands to guests. Long Bay only hires those who are professional, passionate, kind and have brilliant customer service skills. This is so that every guest can experience top quality service and feel genuinely cared for. Alongside all the opportunities provided and encouraged, Long Bay has free, unlimited Wi- Fi, daily housekeeping, and laundering services. Long Bay has thought of everything that could make guests feel special and at home. Even though it is a secluded island, Long Bay is easy to get to. Travellers can fly into St. Thomas and be taken by private boat to the West End of Tortola. They can also reach Tortola by ferry to Road Town or small plane to Beef Island. Beef Island Airport is a 45-minute taxi to Long Bay. This journey is straightforward, and Long Bay is worth every minute of travel. Having opened during COVID-19, with strict travel restrictions to the British Virgin Islands, Long Bay Beach Resort leaned into the local tourism market. Now that things are levelling out and international travel is on the rise again, the resort is expanding its market to a global audience. With twenty luxury suites, a restaurant, coffee shop, and two bars, Long Bay has opened a pathway to paradise for many visitors. By 2022, Long Bay is looking to have twenty more rooms, accompanied by a pool, gym, and complete spa. Long Bay is a place of serenity that leaves all guests feeling satisfied and rejuvenated. The Hacienda at Warm Sands is the longstanding favourite Palm Springs LGBTQ resort selected by discerning, ‘in-the-know’, experienced travellers from all over the world. The Hacienda has been consistently recognised in prominent mainstream and gay travel publications as the ‘best- of-the-best’, characterised by its distinguished facilities, beautifully lush tropical landscaped grounds, impressive physical setting with ever-changing 180-degree unobstructed views of the San Jacinto Mountains, and its market-leading reputation for uncompromised legendary personal services. Long Bay Beach Resort is situated on the coveted West End of Tortola, the largest island in the British Virgin Islands. On a mile of unspoiled white sand and Caribbean Sea, this resort features a gourmet organic restaurant, laidback beach bar, and oceanfront hotel suites with their own patios, lounges, and breath-taking views—even from the showers. When in need of an escape and a dip into the rich pleasures of Caribbean life, Long Bay Beach Resort offers a haven for its guests to experience the British Virgin Islands. Contact: Jan Valasek Company: Long Bay Beach Resort Web: www.longbay.com