Two new Sensatori Resorts in the Dominican Republic and Rhodes
Return to Cuba for Thomson and First Choice
New SplashWorld for First Choice
Thomson Couples re-brands as Thomson Sensimar for summer 2016
14 April 2015: Thomson and First Choice today announce exciting additions for the summer 2016 programme, on sale from 23rd April.
THOMSON SENSIMAR
From May 2016, Thomson Couples will be re-branded as Thomson Sensimar. The adults only range comprises 38 contemporary properties in 27 resorts across the globe. All hotels are four or five star and are located in beautiful spots with fantastic views. They have been designed with space and relaxation in mind so guests can leave their busy lives behind and enjoy a peaceful escape.
Hundreds of thousands of adults have enjoyed Thomson Couples holidays since the launch in 2011. However, Thomson understands that the appeal of an adults only hotel goes beyond just couples looking for a romantic escape. Research showed more than three fifths (61 per cent1) of adults go on holiday with friends, siblings or parents and 77 per cent1 of them would consider an adults only hotel.
The couples market is also on the rise with 34 per cent2 of parents now going on holiday without their children at least once a year to spend quality time with their partner.
With this mind, Thomson has reviewed its Sensimar portfolio of holidays, which remain just for adults, to make sure they are entirely relevant to today’s holidaymaker – whether it’s couples or simply adults travelling together.
Guests staying at Thomson Sensimar hotels will enjoy special dining experiences across the range, including ‘Cullinarium’ – an a la carte culinary experience designed for foodies. Also included are evenings of food and theatre such as murder mystery nights and, for couples, romantic candlelit dinners under the stars.
The hotels offer plenty to keep guests busy, with a dedicated, sports and wellbeing team offering BODYPUMP™ and BODYBALANCE™ classes and activities like yoga and nordic walking. For guests who just want to relax, there are zen-like spas or simply an afternoon by the pool. In the evening, guests can relax with live acoustic music or in a chic cocktail lounge.
In addition to existing Thomson Couples hotels, the range will see five new hotels added including a brand new hotel – Sensimar Bavaro in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The hotel has a chilled-out pool scene with a swim-up pool bar and al fresco workout zone. It is set right on the beach, surrounded by almost 10 acres of peaceful, tropical greenery.
THOMSON SENSATORI RESORTS
Thomson is delighted to announce two new Sensatori Resorts for summer 2016 in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Rhodes in Greece. With three new resorts opening this summer, this is the next step of Thomson’s growth strategy for the Sensatori product.
Sensatori Resort Punta Cana
Opening in May 2016, Sensatori Punta Cana is located on the golden sands of Uvero Alto beach, 60 km north of Punta Cana airport.
The hotel has 256 rooms (10 different room types) with an adults-only section, decadent honeymoon suites with jacuzzis and spacious family suites. Guests will enjoy meals at eight restaurants including cuisine from the Far East and Sicily as well as a new restaurant by Le Chique, offering mind dazzling gastronomic experiences.
There will be plenty to keep the whole family entertained, with non-motorized water sports such as kayaks, boogie boards, stand-up paddle boarding and hobie cats included in the holiday. A full programme of children’s activities as well as Sensatori Playhouse (a children’s club for 3-12-year-olds) and evening entertainment including an open air cinema completes the offering.
Sensatori Resort Rhodes
Also opening in May 2016, over 30 per cent of the 330 rooms at Sensatori Resort Rhodes will boast swim-up access, the largest proportion in the Sensatori portfolio.
Water lovers will enjoy outdoor pools and a children’s splash pool and the well-being area will house a spa, gym and indoor pool.
In keeping with the Sensatori experience the hotel will have plenty of choice for food and drink with a range of restaurants and bars on site.
CUBA – BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
Thomson and First Choice will be returning to Cuba in summer 2016, in response to demand from customers. For the first time, flights will be direct to Cuba’s biggest beach resort Varadero and operate on the Thomson 787 Dreamliner from Gatwick airport.
Guests can choose from a range of hotels, all scoring more than four out of five on Trip Advisor, including Memories Grand Varadero and Royalton Hicacos. Twin centres are available with a few days in Havana for the perfect mix of beach time and a city break.
Memories Grand Varadero is a 4T beachfront hotel, with a separate adults only section and six a la carte restaurant choices. ‘Diamond Club®’ upgrades are available, which include access to an exclusive beach area with dedicated bar and waiter service, luxury amenities in the room and discounts on spa and beauty treatments.
Royalton Hicacos is a 4T adults only hotel within the Thomson Platinum range. It provides guests all inclusive luxury in a beautiful setting on a snow white beach. Guests can dine at the five restaurants and enjoy six bars, which include a jazz bar.
MORE LONG HAUL CHOICE FOR THE REGIONS
Thomson and First Choice know how important it is for customers to be able to jet off on their holiday from their local airport. Therefore, for summer 2016, new long haul holidays will be available from the regions. A weekly flight into Aruba will operate from Manchester and, for the first time, Thomson and First Choice will be operating long haul flights from Stansted allowing the area’s holidaymakers easy access to the sunshine of Mexico’s Caribbean Coast and Florida.
NEW SPLASHWORLD FOR FIRST CHOICE
The First Choice SplashWorld portfolio will expand to 27 hotels with the introduction of the 4SUN Globales Bougarvilla in Majorca for summer 2016. Located in a quiet spot, the hotel is only a 15 minute walk to the main beach of Sa Coma.
A brand new water park is on site, and the hotel itself is being refurbished for summer 2016. The hotel will have a modern look and with manicured gardens for parents to relax in and with kamikaze slides to entertain the whole family, it is set to be a popular choice.
THOMSON PLATINUM LIFESTYLE RANGE EXTENDS
Thomson’s Platinum Lifestyle range, which is new for summer 2015, will expand for summer 2016 with the introduction of eight new hotels. To join the range, a hotel must be stylish with luxurious and modern rooms decked out in neutral tones, have spacious sun terraces and sleek spas with indulgent treatment menus.
The 4T+ Riu Tikida Dunas in Agadir is set in a beachfront location, with four swimming pools for guests to enjoy. The 4T Riu Monica in Costa del Sol is a half board hotel overlooking the beach and promenade, with a handful of tapas bars in the surrounding streets. The hotel itself is opposite the beach and will be adults only from May 2016. Finally, the 4T Almyrida Residence Boutique Hotel in Crete is offered on a bed and breakfast basis, with two restaurants on site. It is just a few steps from the heart of Almyrida, an old fishing village with Greek tavernas lining its streets. The hotel’s rooftop terrace has an infinity pool with stunning views of the coastline.
Tie the knot with thomson & first choice
To celebrate the start of the first summer season for Costa Rica in the Thomson and First Choice programme, couples will be able to tie the knot in the beach destination from summer 2016. Weddings are available at the 5T RIU Guanacaste and RIU Palace Costa Rica.
The return of Cuba to the programme also sees the opportunity to marry on the Caribbean sand at one of Thomson and First Choice’s hotels.
Also new to the weddings programme for 2016 are Majorca (blessings only), Portugal, Italy (external venues in Lake Garda and Venice) and Iceland.
David Burling, Managing Director for Thomson and First Choice, says: “Summer 2016 will offer our customers even more choice for their holidays. I’m delighted that we are continuing the expansion of our Sensatori collection to 11 luxurious resorts, and Thomson Sensimar will offer those travelling without children a fantastic choice of high quality hotels in unrivalled locations.
“Our return to Cuba is also a highlight of the programme that we know customers will love. It is an amazing island with so much culture and history, as well as fantastic beaches, and we are really pleased to reintroduce it to our long haul offering. This, combined with the new choices for customers for long haul holidays from the regional airports, means that it has never been easier to find the perfect holiday.”
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Notes to editors
1 Research by One Poll on behalf of Thomson Holidays surveyed 1,000 adults in March 2015
2 Research by One Poll on behalf of Thomson Holidays surveyed 2,000 parents of children under 18 in July 2014.
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