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Chapur states that since then, the corporate division Palace
Resorts has invested great amounts of money in both renovations and
acquisitions. “For example,” he explains, “we have invested $100 mil-
lion in the renovation of
Moon Palace,which is our flagship property in
Cancún.”
What’s more, Chapur points out, the returns have been spectacu-
lar. The company’s 2,500 units saw 80-percent occupancy in 2014,
and he expects to close out 2015 at 87 percent. And next up for Moon
Palace is an 800-unit expansion, which Chapur claims will make it the
15th-largest hotel in the world and the biggest all-inclusive.
But Palace Resorts’ growth isn’t limited to Moon Palace. The
developer purchased the former Sunset Jamaica Grand in Ocho Rios,
Jamaica, and is currently transforming it into another Moon Palace,
with a total price tag of US$200 million to acquire and completely ren-
ovate the 732-room property.
Palace Resorts acquired the landmark property in July 2014, and
has been busy modernizing guest rooms, refurbishing and expanding
meeting spaces, retooling the property’s façade and common areas,
updating restaurants, and adding upscale amenities such as a
FlowRider Double wave simulator.
The beachside resort provides 25,000 square feet (2,323 square
meters) of multifunction meeting and event space, as well as five din-
ing destinations throughout the property, including a “gourmet corri-
dor” and restaurants offering Asian, traditional Italian, and modern
Caribbean plates.
Designer Francois Frossard has sent the property’s appeal into the
stratosphere with chic Caribbean decor and design reflective of the
Jamaican setting. And the resort also features a breathtaking 35,000-
square-foot (3,250 square meters) wellness center, complete with the
Awe Spa and a state-of-the-art gymnasium.
Two more resorts, both to be purpose-built, are slated for 2016:
The Le Blanc Los Cabos in March 2016 and
Moon Grand in Aruba in October 2016. The two
resorts add about 1,200 units to Palace Resorts’
grand total.
Chapur says the Dominican Republic and
Costa Rica are next, and his plans are even more
long-term after that: “We’re working on expan-
sion plans for after these resorts open, in 2017
and 2018. We’ll be expanding the resorts in
Aruba, Punta Cana, and Costa Rica, and adding
another property in Jamaica.”
Sales and Marketing
Of course, such growth wouldn’t be possible
without finely tuned marketing and sales strate-
gies. The opening of the
Moon Palace Jamaica Grandewas a perfect example of the company’s
marketing expertise. Palace Resorts had
Grammy Award–winning Jamaican artist Shaggy
(of the hits “Angel,” “Boombastic,” and others)
perform. “We couldn’t think of a better way to
celebrate the event than with an electrifying per-
formance from Shaggy,” Chapur says, adding
that world-renowned artists such as Shakira,
Ricky Martin, and Enrique Iglesias have either
headlined shows or are slated to perform at
the resort. “The Moon Palace brand has
become synonymous with world-class enter-
tainment. It is our goal to bring that same
world-class entertainment to Jamaica.”
Sales, as mentioned previously, have
been rising spectacularly, especially among
U.S. citizens. Palace Resorts’ owners are
mostly Americans (85 percent), with the
remaining 15 percent consisting mainly of
Canadians and Mexicans.
Another component of Palace Resorts’
sales and marketing strategy? In 2014, the
developer entered into a multiproperty, multi-
year relationship with exchange company
Interval International. According to Chapur,
the affiliation was part of Palace Resorts’
commitment to “raise the bar for luxury, all-
inclusive resort accommodations by provid-
ing owners and guests with outstanding
hospitality in spectacular settings.” He adds,
“With its comprehensive membership bene-
35
Developer:
Palace Resorts
Headquarters:
Miami, Florida
Product:
25-year right-to-use vacation
club program
Resorts:
Cancún, Mexico
: Sun Palace,
Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort - Grand,
Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort - Nizuc,
Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort - Sunrise,
Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort - Villas,
Le Blanc Spa Resort, Beach Palace
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
: Playacar Palace
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
: Isla Mujeres Palace
Golf & Spa Resort
Cozumel, Mexico
: Cozumel Palace
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
: Moon Palace
Jamaica Grande
Website:
PalaceResorts.com
Social Media Sites:
facebook.com/palaceresorts
twitter.com/palaceresorts
instagram.com/palaceresorts
youtube.com/palaceresorts123
Palace Resorts
fast
facts
LE BLANC SPA RESORT
LE BLANC SPA RESORT
MOON PALACE JAMAICA GRANDE, OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA