Top 10 Destinations for Incentive Travel

Top performers are itching to travel again. Which destinations will be highly motivational in 2022 and beyond? These 10 places are in high demand right now, according to industry sources and Northstar’s latest Incentive PULSE Survey (take the April survey here).

Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu is enjoying renewed popularity. Adventurers can split their time between surfing and hiking to the top of a volcanic crater, while those seeking R&R can chill on the beach.

What's New: 

• The Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa’s $80 million renovation updated all 1,310 rooms plus the lobby, spa, pools and amenity deck. 
• On the North Shore, the 410-room Turtle Bay Resort completed several upgrades in 2021. The guest rooms and seaside bungalows were redone, and the lobby bar now offers coastal views.

Montana

In Big Sky Country, top performers can bond with nature and indulge in a range of thrilling adventures. Dog-sledding, soaking in hot springs and white-water rafting are just a few options for groups.

What's New: 

• The brand-new, 139-room Montage Big Sky features ski-in, ski-out access to 5,580 skiable acres in winter and to the Spanish Peaks Mountain Club’s golf course in summer. An on-site recreation room has its own bowling alley, and amenities include a 10,000-square-foot spa.
• The Green O, part of the 37,000-acre Resort at Paw’s Up, debuted in June just outside of Missoula. Guests of the 12 secluded luxury houses — set in a pine forest — have access to the resort’s amenities, such as ATV tours and fly-fishing in the warm months, and ski-mobiling and snowshoeing in the cold.
• The gateway to Yellowstone National Park welcomed the 143-room AC Hotel Bozeman Downtown in March, with two dining outlets and a rooftop bar. The heated wraparound deck lets guests enjoy the views year-round.

Miami 

With its diverse population, Miami offers more international culture than most U.S. destinations. Winners can sample Cuban cuisine in Little Havana, wander through the Wynwood art district or soak up the sun in South Beach.

What's New: 

• Hospitality entrepreneur David Grutman and singer Pharrell Williams launched the trendy Goodtime Hotel in South Beach in April 2021. The 266-room hotel offers a beach club and the Strawberry Moon restaurant.
• Also new on the hotel scene is the 202-room Moxy Miami South Beach with two pools and a beach club. An all-day taco stand and a seafood restaurant serve guests’ dining needs.

Vail, Colo.

The largest mountain resort in the state, Vail is a winning choice for avid skiers. But this vacation mecca also offers the quaint Vail and Lionshead villages, hiking and biking in the mountains, and a number of festivals throughout the year.

What's New: 

• The 344-room Hythe, a Marriott Luxury Collection Resort, just debuted with four food-and-beverage concepts. The hotel has teamed with Adventure IO to offer culinary and extreme-sports activities such as a mushroom-cooking class and heli-skiing with Olympic freestyle skier Anna Lisa Drew.
• The 121-room Four Seasons Resort Vail finished a multimillion-dollar transformation in 2021, which included a revamp of the property’s public spaces.
• The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon renovated its lobby and outdoor spaces, and upgraded the athletic club with TechnoGym equipment.

Palm Springs, Calif.

This desert jewel offers year-round gorgeous weather; hiking trails; golf; spas galore; the Californian destination is home to a wide range of outdoor activities.

What's New:

• Azure Sky will reopen on May 1 after undergoing a two-year renovation. Built in 1959, the 14-room luxury boutique hotel upgraded its lobby, guest rooms and outside area, which has a pool and a Jacuzzi surrounded by a courtyard. Fire pits and lounge seating can be found on both the north and south ends of the property.
• The Thompson Palm Springs in downtown Palm Springs will open in late 2022, joining Hyatt’s luxury lifestyle portfolio. Formerly planned to be the Andaz Palm Springs, the 164-room hotel will have a restaurant, indoor and outdoor bar and lounges, and a fitness studio.
• Following a $15 million transformation, The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa has been rebranded as The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa. Amenities at the 512-room resort include a championship golf course; pickleball and tennis facilities; three pools and a bowling alley and arcade.

Spain

Renowned for its rich history, exquisite cuisine, lively nightlife and sun-drenched beaches, this European hotspot is back on the map for U.S. incentives. Madrid’s outstanding cultural attractions include the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace. Head to Andalusia and the Costa del Sol for golf, swimming and more.

What's New:

• The 154-room Rosewood Villa Magna reopened in Madrid last fall after an extensive revamp. The hotel offers a restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Jesus Sanchez.
• Owned by soccer star Lionel Messi, the MiM Sotogrande Club Marítimo debuts in April in Andalusia. The 45-room boutique hotel has a pool, a spa and two restaurants.
• When the 486-room Club Med Magna Marbella opens soon, it will feature a wellness area, five restaurants and four pools.

Los Cabos, Mexico

This destination is prized by incentive groups seeking stunning beaches and outdoor adventures. Nature enthusiasts will love whale-watching and snorkeling with whale sharks.

What's New: 

• The 310-room Corazón Cabo, a Noble House Resort debuted this year with two infinity pools, a beach club and the highest rooftop bar in Cabo.
• The 308-room Villa La Valencia also just opened. The resort features the longest lazy river in Cabo, which doubles as an infinity pool.
• Opening this fall, the St. Regis Los Cabos will offer 120 guest rooms, seven pools, a spa, a golf club, three restaurants and butler service. For those who can break away from the 1,200 feet of beachfront, more than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails await.

Puerto Rico

Known for its beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture, the island has come back strong from hurricanes Maria and Irma. A number of hotels have been revitalized, and events can be held at the new entertainment venue, Distrito T-Mobile.

What's New:

• The 229-room El Conquistador Resort reopened last May after a four-year closure. The property has five dining outlets, a golf course and the Coqui Water Park.
• The 43-room Palacio Provincial opened in Old San Juan last year. The hotel features a rooftop infinity pool, a beach club and an open-air eatery.

The Bahamas

With their turquoise waters and candy-colored buildings, the Bahamas are a tropical balm for groups looking to escape the gray of winter. From Freeport to Inagua, the 700 islands of the Bahamas are home to pink-sand beaches, ocean reefs and amazing swimming pigs (really!).

What's New:

• The Beach at Atlantis on Paradise Island is being converted into a new 400-room resort, Somewhere Else, by the team who launched Miami’s Goodtime Hotel — David Grutman and Pharrell Williams — and is scheduled to open in 2024.
• The Margaritaville Beach Resort has debuted on Nassau. All 300 rooms have ocean views and private balconies. The massive resort also has 11 on-site food and beverage outlets and the Fins Up Water Park.
• Sandals Royal Bahamian recently reopened following an extensive renovation. The all-inclusive resort on Nassau now has Island Village, a neighborhood of private butler-style villas with their own pools. Coconut Grove, a lounge with live entertainment and three food trucks, is also a new addition. Other than the food trucks, visitors can grab a bite at any of the 13 restaurants with various cuisines from Caribbean to French.

Ireland

The Emerald Isle is an enticing destination for many reasons: trendy Dublin; the lively pub culture; the world-famous music scene; the castles; and the locals’ love of good craic (having fun).

What's New:

• The 204-room Samuel Hotel is scheduled to open in Dublin in April. The hotel on the River Liffey is close to many historic landmarks.
• Eco-minded groups will appreciate the 137-room Wren Urban Nest, a sustainable Dublin hotel that opened last fall and uses 100 percent renewable energy. Its signature restaurant, ALT, sources locally and ethically produced ingredients.