USA. Starboard Group’s land-based retail division Starboard Resort has opened Crafted by Starboard, a new concept aimed at family holidaymakers, at Westgate Vacation Villas Resort in Kissimmee, Florida. The 780sq ft outlet is located in the resort’s lobby.
“This launch marks another major milestone in our Starboard Resort growth strategy and the latest expansion of our strong partnership with Westgate,” said Starboard Group President and CEO Lisa Bauer.
“Conceptualised and created with personalisation at the centre, Crafted by Starboard combines thoughtful curation and unique, immersive retail experiences to ultimately redefine vacation shopping.”
A Starboard statement said the name Crafted by Starboard is “a nod to both the creativity behind the concept and the personalisation offerings at the heart of the retail experience”.
The shop features the first dedicated personalisation station in a Westgate resort, where guests can customise items into one-of-a-kind keepsakes. Customisation offerings include embroidery of apparel and accessories, including tees, hoodies, hats, handbags, backpacks and plush toys, and personalisation of tumblers from The Darling Effect.
Jewellery customisation options include engraving by Metal & Stone, charm stations by Jet Set Candy and Canvas Style, and custom-length chain jewellery from Inch of Gold.
Crafted by Starboard also features a broad accessories range across apparel, sportswear, swimwear, accessories and lifestyle goods from brands such as America & Beyond, Eat My Socks, NYS Collection sunglasses, Shiraleah, Venus and Weekender. Guests can also shop watches from Citizen and Invicta, jewellery from Shae, Starboard’s exclusive fashion jewellery brand, and beauty and wellness essentials from NatureWell.
“We’re constantly innovating to create memorable experiences that offer convenience, connection and fun for our guests of all ages,” said Westgate Resorts Chief Business & Strategy Officer Jared Saft.
“By partnering with Starboard Resort, we’re able to enhance the vacation experience for our guests with a range of unforgettable shopping experiences in a single, on-site destination. Crafted by Starboard gives our guests new ways to discover products and brands, connect through creative retail experiences, and customise items to make them their own.”
The opening of Crafted by Starboard caps off an extensive series of renovations and new attractions at Westgate’s largest resort. In addition to Crafted by Starboard, the lobby is home to the new US$10 million Mystery Fun House Arcade Experience, Viva—a new coffee shop, and Sid’s American Bistro—a new upscale casual American restaurant.
Tailored for families
Crafted by Starboard offers assortments curated for kids with ranges including plush toys and dolls, customisable jewellery, accessories and more from brands such as Jellycat, Squishmallows, Charm It and Mon Ami as well as sweets from Candy Club.
“Crafted by Starboard is designed to cater to modern families, offering specially curated assortments for vacationers of all ages along with unmatched customisation options and fun, engaging retail experiences,” said Starboard Group Senior Vice President, Luxury & Resorts Stacy Shaw.
“We’ve drawn on our strong network of global sourcing partnerships and our curation expertise to craft an unforgettable array of products, brands and immersive experiences that will delight Westgate Vacation Villas Resort guests and enhance their stay.”
