The Resort Reset

New investments, new experiences

What makes a resort experience stand out? Increasingly, it’s the opportunities guests have to connect with a destination, prioritize their well-being and engage with one another in meaningful ways. From expanded wellness programming to elevated accommodations and recreational amenities, resorts are introducing new offerings that give meeting planners more ways to shape the attendee experience.

For groups, these investments can influence everything from the structure of a meeting agenda to the activities attendees enjoy during their free time. A wellness workshop might offer an alternative to a traditional team-building exercise, while a private luxury suite can provide a setting for executive discussions. Recreational amenities, meanwhile, give attendees opportunities to build relationships through shared activities that might not otherwise be part of a business gathering.

From the shores of Kauai and the British Virgin Islands to the mountains of Quebec and Vermont, resorts are making investments that reflect these priorities, creating new possibilities for group gatherings both inside and outside the meeting room.

Wellness With Intention

At Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, the focus on guest experiences extends beyond the property’s tropical surroundings. Anara Spa has introduced a new menu of wellness activities and intention-based classes designed to give groups opportunities to engage, recharge and connect.

“We have recently rolled out a new menu of wellness activities and intention-based classes such as a Mala + Mantra: Intention Bracelet Studio, Partner Acroyoga Basics and a variety of educational workshops that focus on topics ranging from somato-respiratory integration to epigenetics,” says Vanessa Yatsouka, director of group sales at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.

The offerings reflect a broader approach to wellness that incorporates movement, mindfulness and education. Groups can participate in guided fitness walks, sound healing sessions and stretching classes, with activities tailored to their interests and objectives.

These different formats give planners flexibility when considering how wellness might fit into a program. Some attendees may prefer physical activities, while others gravitate toward quieter experiences centered on reflection or learning. Offering a range of options can help accommodate those preferences without treating wellness as a one-size-fits-all proposition.

The flexibility also allows wellness to become an integrated part of an event rather than an optional activity squeezed between meetings. A guided group experience can provide a shared point of connection, while educational workshops offer opportunities to explore wellness concepts that extend beyond the resort stay.

“Some attendees may prefer physical activities, while others gravitate toward quieter experiences centered on reflection or learning.”

The property is also updating its dining experiences. The recently renovated Seaview Terrace offers indoor and outdoor dining overlooking the Pacific Ocean, while Stevenson’s Library, known for its freshly made sushi, has been undergoing renovations with a reopening targeted for mid-to-late October.

The restaurant improvements expand on the property’s existing appeal as a destination where dining and social experiences can be incorporated into a group itinerary. They also reflect an ongoing effort to refresh the resort while preserving the Hawaiian elegance that has long defined its identity.

A New Level of Luxury

In Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains, Fairmont Tremblant is taking a different approach to elevating the guest experience, with investments aimed at travelers seeking greater comfort, privacy and personalized service.

The resort’s new Presidential Suite, alongside the completion of its guestroom renovation program, represents a significant milestone in the property’s ongoing transformation.

Spanning more than 1,200 sq. ft., the suite is designed to function as both a luxurious retreat and a setting for private gatherings. Its open-concept living area features a fireplace and dedicated dining space, creating an environment suited to intimate meetings, executive conversations and small-scale entertaining.

“As we continue to make significant enhancements across the property, the creation of the Presidential Suite responds to a demand for elevated luxury and an opportunity to offer a large executive suite designed specifically for dignitaries, high profile guests and visitors seeking ultra-luxurious accommodations,” says Anne Marie Johns, general manager of Fairmont Tremblant.

The addition addresses a specific segment of the resort’s clientele: guests who require more than a traditional luxury guestroom. For planners organizing executive retreats or hosting high-profile attendees, accommodations that can serve multiple purposes offer advantages beyond luxury alone. Private gathering areas provide opportunities for informal conversations and smaller meetings without requiring guests to move between public event spaces.

The suite is part of a larger investment in the property rather than a standalone addition. Its planned opening coincides with the completion of a guestroom renovation program, extending the resort’s improvements beyond its most exclusive accommodation.

For meeting planners, these investments underscore the role accommodations can play in the overall event experience. Guestrooms and suites are not simply places where attendees retire at the end of the day. In some cases, they can also become settings for hospitality, networking and conversations that benefit from a more private environment.

An Island of Their Own

For groups seeking an entirely private experience, Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands is taking exclusivity to a new level. Ahead of its Oct. 21 reopening for the 2026-27 season, the resort introduced a collection of luxury packages, including a $1 million private island buyout that gives guests access to hundreds of tropical acres, five beaches and an array of resort amenities.

Designed for up to 120 guests, the buyout includes accommodations for six to nine nights, depending on the season, along with meals at the resort’s two restaurants, Drake Steakhouse and Drunken Pelican. Guests can stay in beachfront rooms, suites and villas, including the property’s two luxury residential estates, Falcon’s Nest and Hawk’s Nest.

The package also includes access to the 10,000-square-foot Peter Island Resort Spa and Peter Island Yacht Club, which features a marina, recreational lawn and event space. A dedicated hospitality team attends to guests throughout their stay, while airport transfers and select beverages are included. Additional experiences, from private excursions to customized dining and spa programming, can be arranged at an extra cost.

“Peter Island Resort’s unique, private island setting lends itself to a variety of experiences and adventures that are difficult to find anywhere else,” says Wilbert Mason, general manager of Peter Island Resort.

The resort has also introduced a five-night Falcon’s Nest Villa package. Perched on one of the island’s highest points, the six-bedroom, 22,000-square-foot estate offers 360-degree views of the surrounding Virgin Islands. The package includes private helicopter or yacht transportation, dedicated staff and butler service, a private chef, a full-day yacht excursion and a beachfront dinner party for up to 12 guests.

While the new packages cater to a particularly affluent clientele, they also reflect a growing emphasis on experiences that can be tailored to individual groups. For planners working with generous incentive budgets or organizing gatherings for senior executives, Peter Island offers an opportunity to make the destination itself part of the reward.

Room to Reconnect

At The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Stowe, Vermont, recent improvements emphasize recreation, wellness and opportunities to bring groups together outside traditional meeting spaces.

One of the most significant developments is the comprehensive redesign of Stowe Country Club by golf course architect Beau Welling. The 175-acre course features rebuilt greens and tees, reshaped fairways, modernized bunkers and upgraded irrigation, drainage and practice facilities.

Together with The Mountain Course at Spruce Peak, the redesigned course creates a 36-hole golf destination with expanded possibilities for corporate tournaments, retreats, instructional clinics and group outings.

The improvements offer opportunities to incorporate recreation into the meeting experience, whether through a competitive tournament or a more relaxed group activity. The expanded golf offerings also allow organizers to consider different formats depending on participants’ experience levels and the objectives of the gathering.

The Lodge has also renovated its fitness center, adding Technogym equipment and offering daily fitness and yoga classes. The improvements complement the property’s existing wellness offerings at The Spa at Spruce Peak, which include cryotherapy, tailored sports massages and cold plunges.

For groups, the combination of fitness facilities, spa services and recreational activities provides options for balancing more active experiences with time devoted to recovery and relaxation. A retreat centered on outdoor recreation, for example, could incorporate spa services or fitness classes alongside its scheduled activities.

Seasonal programming adds another dimension to the resort experience. Located at the base of Mount Mansfield, The Lodge offers ski-in/ski-out access to Stowe Mountain Resort, making winter recreation a natural part of a group stay.

Activities extend beyond downhill skiing to include ice skating, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing and snow biking. The property’s nearly 10,000-square-foot seasonal outdoor ice rink serves as a gathering place in Spruce Peak Village, providing an additional option for attendees who prefer activities away from the slopes.

With 312 guestrooms, suites and private residences, The Lodge accommodates a range of travel styles. Its location within Spruce Peak Village places guests close to restaurants, outdoor activities and entertainment, including a 450-seat performing arts center.

For those organizing retreats or incentive programs, the property’s mix of accommodations and activities offers opportunities to develop itineraries that extend beyond the meeting agenda. Golf outings, wellness experiences, seasonal recreation and dining can each serve a different purpose, from encouraging informal networking to providing attendees with time to explore the destination.

The recent investments at Spruce Peak build on those possibilities, giving groups more ways to make recreation and wellness part of their time together.

This article appears in the November 2026 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.