A “taste of luxury”: Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection wines & dines agents, shares property updates

Luxury is a state of mind, or in some situations, a really good piece of shrimp.

In the case of the Hyatt Inclusive Collection’s “Taste of Luxury” event at Toronto’s Park Hyatt hotel Monday night (Sept. 30), both statements applied as the hospitality brand brought reps from its most luxurious and AAA Five Diamond all-inclusive resorts and travel advisors together for an evening of culinary bliss.

Unfolding in the sky-high Terrace Room, where epic views of downtown Toronto turned heads, the gastronomic get-together, which doubled as a networking do, served up a parade of delectable dishes reflective of the type of meals guests staying at an Inclusive Collection resort can expect.

Bringing some culinary street cred to the table was Yvann Monteiro, executive chef at Secrets Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, who was flown in to prepare a mélange of plated pieces, such as octopus with romesco sauce, brioche with fig jam and foie gras, and the pièce de résistance, a crispy shrimp with chorizo and silky-smooth carrot puree.

Let’s just say the inventory didn’t last long as hungry travel advisors, within seconds, scooped up the prettily-prepared samplers, filling the room with an approving chorus of mmmms, ohhhhs, and wooowws.

Music to a chef’s ears.

Making a good Impression

It takes a lot to impress a room full of experienced travel professionals, but “Impression” – and the ability to leave a good one – has been the word du jour at Hyatt in recent years.

Leaning into the realm of ultra-luxury hotel stays, the brand’s new-ish “Impression by Secrets” concept – a line of boutique, adults-only havens – presents new possibilities of what a luxury all-inclusive experience can be.

The latest properties to join this upscale category are in Mexico: Secrets Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen, which opened in December 2022, and Impression by Secrets Isla Mujeres, which launched in May 2023.

In addition to offering “Endless Privileges” inclusions, the line promises “next-level” getaways complemented by a romantic ambiance, lavish suites with views, curated gastronomy and a heightened level of service.

READ MORE: Hyatt opens upscale Impression by Secrets Isla Mujeres

For example: when guests arrive at an Impression property, they don’t sign in at a check-in desk. Instead, they’re escorted directly to their suite, where an attendant completes the registration process.

Personal butlers, meanwhile, are deployed “to take care of everything,” including the unpacking of suitcases and organization of clothes in drawers and closets, explained Carolina Bellina, director of Canadian sales at Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, speaking to PAX at the event.

The Impression concept is all about personalization, she said.

“Before your stay, you submit a letter that outlines everything you like so it’s all there when you arrive,” said Bellina. “It’s a more personalized service. Everything is about the experience.”

That extends to the menus. Impression’s culinary programs revolve around organic ingredients, local flavours and contemporary techniques (in gorgeous settings, no less). It’s also an eco-conscious brand. For example, glass bottles are used instead of plastic.

Impression, in a way, is “one level up” from Zoëtry, the Inclusive Collection’s well-established line of soulful boutique retreats that specialize in wellness, said Bellina.

While both brands promise luxurious vacations, one main difference between the two is the fact that Zoëtry isn’t exclusively for adults.

Zoëtry resorts are certainly adult-oriented (there aren’t any kids’ clubs in sight), but children are allowed.

Impression Makers Supper Club returns

Last night’s mix and mingle unfolded as Hyatt announces the return of its Impression Makers Supper Club, a series of exclusive dining experiences from the Impression by Secrets brand.

As previously reported, the club offers dining experiences at Impression Moxché and Impression Isla Mujeres, operating in collaboration with a team of talented chefs.

This year’s edition features Michelin-starred chef Stefano Secchi, from New York City’s Rezdôra and the newly-opened Massara restaurants.

The $200 per person, eight-course dinner and wine pairing serves up a menu crafted by Secchi alongside the Impression culinary team, and diners have the option to choose their preferred destination in an intimate setting.

Hyatt’s who’s who of luxury

Last night also welcomed the who’s who of luxury hotels in Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection.

Joining the event (and raffling off free stays) was Pablo Lopez, sales manager, Impression Moxché by Secrets; Rodrigo Centeno, associate director of sales, Impression Isla Mujeres; Lionel Gomez, general manager, Secrets Cap Cana; Ana Bravo, director of sales, Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya; Denisse Ulerio, director of sales, Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana; Alisteer Nelson, director of sales, Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia; Jurandy Regina, general manager, Zoëtry Curacao; Diana Rios, social media manager, Zoëtry Casa del Mar Los Cabos; and Sashena Clarke, group sales manager, Zoëtry Montego Bay.

Also spotted on the scene was Karla Laurenzana, who joined the Inclusive Collection’s sales team last month as a “luxury business development manager” for Canada.

In this newly-established role, Toronto-based Laurenzana, a former BDM for Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, will assist luxury travel advisors in selling the portfolio’s fancier brands, like Impression by Secrets and Zoëtry, as well as Secrets and Dreams properties that have obtained AAA Five Diamond status.

The new role reflects Hyatt’s commitment to expanding in the “ultra-luxury, ultra-personalized” space, Laurenzana told PAX.

“It’s simple – Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection wants to get into the luxury business,” she said. “There are plans to open more resorts in the future. The collection is growing.” 

To learn more about Laurenzana and her new role, see PAX's one-on-one interview here).

The luxurious road ahead

Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection includes the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara, Impression by Secrets, Zoetry, Secrets, Breathless, Dreams, Hyatt Vivid, Alua and Sunscape brands.

Newcomers to the portfolio this year include Secrets Tides Punta Cana (Dominican Republic); Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres (Mexico); Hyatt Vivid Grand Island Cancun (Mexico); and Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort (Mexico).

Expansions to Casa Zamna at Secrets Tulum and the Indigo Preferred Club at Dreams Sapphire in Puerto Morelos, Mexico were also completed this year.

Looking ahead, the new adults-only Il Mare section at Dreams Curaçao is set to open this November. Then, next year, new properties are set to open. This includes Secrets Baby Beach (Aruba), Secrets St. Lucia, Breathless Puerto Vallarta (Mexico); Secrets Playa Esmeralda (Dominican Republic) and Dreams Playa Esmeralda (Dominican Republic).

“This year has been remarkable for Canada,” said Bellina, thanking the trade for their support. “As we look forward to 2025, we continue to see positive trends, and we count on your continued support to support our mutual success.”

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