resorts

Love Mexico is all about it! It is a unique educational and networking event, held yearly, developed through a partnership with the Mexico Tourism Board. Love Mexico’s purpose is to showcase Mexico as a premier destination for weddings, honeymoons and romance. The event was packed with seminars, meetings with resorts, appointments with special suppliers, photographers, resort site visits and real experiences of Mexico. I’m proud of my new “Love Mexico Specialist” recognition and designation, that I earned by attending the events and seminars.

Several resorts were part of the Love Mexico experience for me: Royalton Riviera Maya, Royal Hideaway, Playacar Palace, Grand Velas, and Secrets Akumal. We spent a day doing site visits and learning about each property’s wedding offerings.

Playacar Palace, a family friendly property, is a part of the Palace family of resorts…and what an aawesome destination resort experience it offers! Location, location, location is an understatement here. Situated on a great stretch of beach with plenty of walking and swimming possibilities, makes it one of the best choices in Playa del Carmen. And, speaking of Play del Carmen, Playacar Palace is just steps away from the vibrant shopping experience travelers seek in Playa del Carmen – the renowned Playa del Carmen 5th Avenue and the Cozumel Ferry Dock. So, consider Playacar Palace a little”Palace” unto it’s own. “It is a trendy beachfront resort situated in the heart of Playa del Carmen, and it’s easy to see why we “Love Mexico”.

With 201 fabulous rooms, 3 restaurants, and 4 bars, this resort is considered the perfect spot to relax during the day and enjoy the nightlife and charms of “Playa” at night. It is perfect for families, couples, weddings, Honeymoons, and group Getaways. Add to all of this, guest can get up to $1500 in resort credits for excursions, spa, romantic dinners, and even the jewelry store. There is a max. that can be spent at any one time, like $300 in the jewelry store. Guests using resort credits must also pay a tax of 15% for any resort credits used, at check-out. Example: if $1000 is spent in resort credits, there would be a tax due of $150 – still a really good deal! Playacar Palace is due for a mega-renovation, to begin very soon. Once this is complete, the resort will be showing it’s best!

“Akumal”, or home of the tortugas (turtles) is located on Akumal Bay, an area between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, is yet another reason to Love Mexico. Secrets Akumal, the latest AMResorts resort opening, is located in an area of white sand beaches and in the calm, clear waters of Akumal. This stunning new resort offers Adults (only) a charming, picturesque and exceptional Unlimited-Luxury experience. The resort offers 434 luxurious guest suites, each featuring a king, or two double beds, private balcony or terrace, in suite jacuzzi for two, complimentary mini-bar & WiFi, unlimited connectivity, 24 hour room service (fabulous, by the way), and concierge services. Guests can choose from six gourmet, ala carte restaurants, a grill, 1 buffet, and a cafe – all of which do not require reservations. The resort offers so many fun activities, you’ll never have time for them all: 1. soak in the sun at one of the 3 amazing pools or beach 2. workout in a state of the art fitness center 3. kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, and windsurfing 4. live shows nightly 5. outdoor jacuzzi’s 6. ping pong 7. basketball & volleyball 8. beach & pool volleyball 9. Euro bungee 10. dance lessons 11. water aerobics 12. Hobie cats 13. paddle boards 14. water polo 15. water bicycles 16. golf, deep sea fishing, scuba and sportfishing *extra fee. This resort’s personality is social, active, fun-loving, and vibrant. There is a constant presence of snorkelers, kayakers and paddle boarders in the ocean (because it is just so good). Even tho there are also quiet pool areas, the main pool is busy with volleyball, basketball and drink matting (social drinking around a swim mat). The employees and staff at Secrets Akumal are very welcoming, helpful and friendly. They go out of their way to do their best and provide outstanding service to their guests!

If you would like more information or pricing about any of the resorts that I saw on this trip, or others, please contact me – Susan@GoTravelStl.com. Or, if you would like me to complete an analysis for your Dream Honeymoon, just go to my website, www.GoTravelStl.com to complete my well-known “Perfect Honeymoon finder”. It’s easy and fun!

Susan

Jamaica Gets All Right

A week ago, I attended the Jamaica Tourism Board’s dinner and seminar at Maggiano’s in Clayton, MO. It was a fun evening, full of “ya mon’s” and great reggae music accompanying the videos of Jamaica. As a group of travel agents, we got the latest updates to what is happening and changing in Jamaica. Have your travel experiences included a trip to Jamaica in recent years?

Jamaica’s Hotel and Tourism sectors are expanding and improving on a wide scale basis. It’s product continues to change & evolve to meet the preferences and the diverse needs of all types of guests: families, couples, singles, nature-lovers, and adventure seekers. Everyone can find something to love in Jamaica with the new attractions, hotel and resort developments and renovations, infrastructure development, new restaurants to satisfy all tastes, and so much more. Some new resorts and entertainment options are now appearing, while the existing resorts and attractions are stepping up to make improvements and renovations to their properties. Some of the new properties include: Karisma’s Azul Sensatori, Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara, RIU Palace Jamaica, and the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande.

Did you know there are 3 International Airports in Jamaica? The 3rd Int’l Airport, Ian Fleming International Airport, located just 5 miles East of Ochos Rios, is named after the author of the James Bond novels (who wrote most of his books in Jamaica). The Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, is currently working on phase 2 of it’s expansion project & opening a new section containing: a Customs area, police station, baggage delivery systems, rental car agencies, tour operators, food & beverage outlets, and hotel arrival lounges. And in the Kingston Airport, the expansion is working in 3 phases, including a new 2 level passenger pier, several jet bridges, 66 additional airline check-in positions, and the most current and updated airport technology.

Making travel easier for residents and visitors, Island-wide road improvements are continuous. An example of this would be the North Coast Highway and Highway 2000 both cut the driving time from Ochos Rios to Kingston to just a little over an hour.

Do you know how many cruise passengers arrive in Falmouth, Jamaica, in the month of April? This is amazing…50,000! And, a ship the size of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas can be accommodated in the pier. Arriving passengers will find more than 40 attractions in and around Falmouth. The Ports Authority of Jamaica and RCL have joined together to create this joint venture.

And, what else is everyone waiting for? If you guessed new resorts, you’re correct! Karisma Hotels, famous on the Mexican Riviera Maya, has just opened the Azul Sensatori Jamaica, formerly Beaches Sandy Bay in Negril. This all-inclusive property has 140 rooms and is gourmet inclusive for couples, singles, and families – a truly multi-generational resort.

Ochos Rios – The Moon Palace Grande (formerly Sunset Jamaica Grande) is re-opening in late spring of 2015, and is the Palace’s first hotel outside of Mexico. When complete, it will feature 730 renovated & modernized guest rooms, restaurant upgrades, and a 17 acre beachfront on the longest private beach in Ochos Rios.

At Jewel Runaway Bay, a $5 million dollar waterpark is being constructed to open early in 2015. The resort has just completed a $20 million dollar renovation & building of new suites, pools, and restaurants. A new low rise block of 30 rooms, with oceanfront appeal, was added on the West beach.

Montego Bay – Sandals Resorts Int’l plans on building 5 over the water villa suites on it’s private island in Montego Bay. Each villa will have glass floors, a private jacuzzi tub with steps leading directly into the ocean, king beds, over the water hammocks, and soaking tubs. Do these sound like Bora Bora, but without the 20 hour flight? Traveling to Jamaica from St. Louis on a charter flight, is a quick 4 – 4 1/2 hours. Projected date of completion is late 2015

Montego Bay – Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, situated in a privileged pristine white sand beach with spectacular views of the Caribbean, welcomes guests of all ages, and will open following a multi-million dollar renovation that has totally recreated this former Rose Hall. Right next door is the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, a gourmet indulgent escape for adults, couples, friends and individuals.

Jamaica, where nothing is a problem “mon”, is an island paradise where reggae, romance and the Caribbean sun come together. It’s vibrant Blue Mountains tower above the shimmering sands and “true blue” turquoise waters. Did you know that Jamaica was the pioneer of the all-inclusive vacation concept? Most travelers find this to be an island that just “does it better”.

Susan