77710 Travel Guide
Tags: Hotel Deals / Riviera Maya Hotels / Swine Flu Hotels / → All Tags
The Upside of Swine Flu? 'Splurge' Deals at Riviera Maya's Esencia Estate
Hoping for an economic inoculation against swine flu fears, and what it calls "negative media reports and unsubstantiated fears of the H1N1 virus," the "residential retreat" Esencia Estate is introducing a battery of deals right now. The Esencia has dubbed the promotion "Splurge on the House," and it is intended to revive the tourism industry that has been in a slump since the H1N1 scare earlier this year.
The Mayan-themed resort on Mexico’s Riviera Maya is offering guests a daily account credit equal to the amount they pay for their nightly room rate. Rates start at $459 per night, so we’re talking some big money here. The credit can be used at the hotel’s “organic” spa (treatments use indigenous fruits, plants and herbs, many of them grown in an onsite garden), at the poolside restaurant, or on other expenses like airport transfers, room service, in-room babysitting, and even beachside drinks.
Tags: Hotel Cocktails / Hotel Services / Tequila / Riviera Maya Hotel / All-Inclusive Resorts / → All Tags
Along Came a Margarita Trolley and All Was Well Again
It's no secret that we love margaritas at HotelChatter although we have been branching out as of late to try some of the great summer cocktails that hotels have been putting forth this summer. Yet, when a hotel introduces a Margarita Trolley, it's kind of hard to think about anything else.
The Grand Velas in Mexico, an all-inclusive resort, has just announced their Margarita Trolley in the hotel's Frida restaurant. Here's how the heavenly service works:
The Margarita Trolley is wheeled to the dinner table where diners choose from a selection of top Tequila brands - Don Julio, Herradura, Frida and Milagro - and margarita flavors. Tropical mango, tamarind, guava, cucumber and traditional lime juices are kept on ice in silver ice buckets. Once diners choose the Tequila and flavor preferences, the bartenders then prepare the margaritas table side and spice things up by serving it in a chili-salt rimmed glass.
And since the resort is all-inclusive, the margs are included in the room rate which start at around $450 for a master suite that can sleep four people.
Tags: Reader Reviews / Riviera Maya Hotels / Banyan Tree Hotels / Hotel Openings / → All Tags
Banyan Tree Mayakoba is 'Simply Stunning'
Every so often we feature a hotel review from one of our readers that we feel should be shared with the rest of you dear hotel guests. These reviews are highlighted because they are timely, about cool hotels in cool places and are relatively level-headed. Think you can submit one just like this? Send it in.
March 1st marked the opening of the brand new Banyan Tree Mayakoba on the Riveria Maya, the first South-of-the-Border property from the chain of super-luxe retreats. With its 132 pool villas and a indulgent Banyan Tree Spa, this hideaway offers a bit more of an adult experience than the boozey Spring Break frat-storm of Cancun — but the peace and pampering is pricey. Could the several-hundred-dollar room rate be worth it? Reader L. from HeWhoTravels, one of the first guests at the property, weighs in:
I have to say, the Spa Pool Villas are simply stunning. The resort is built next to the ocean and linked via a series of lagoons/canals to other resorts throughout the complex. Each Villa is like its own self-contained house...
The rest of the review — plus a couple more snapshots — after the jump.
Tags: Riviera Maya Hotels / Banyan Tree Hotels / Hotel Openings / → All Tags
The Banyan Tree Riviera Maya Wants You to Forget the Recession
Just in case you still enjoy daydreaming about tropical resort vacations, we've just heard that the luxurious line of Banyan Tree Hotels is prepping to open their first Mexico property on the Riviera Maya on March 1st. Joining the Mayakoba development with other hotels and the first PGA tour golf course outside of the US and Canada, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba serves as an indulgent getaway option far from the cheap thrills of Cancun.
If the picture above and the fact that they'll have 132 pool villas and a complete Banyan Tree Spa get your motor running, then we'd advise you to jump on it now as they begin with an opening special rate of $495 a night for the month of March. This includes the serious incentive of a 90-minute spa massage, and the knowledge that you beat their usual rates of $655-$800 a night by a longshot. Let's not forget that each room comes with more than just a private pool, but also the exhibitionist's delight: an outdoor bathtub. That's it, we're down for it--when's the next flight south of the border?
[Image via Banyan Tree Mayakoba]
Tags: HotelChatter Reader Deals / Air Fare Credits / Hotel Deals / Occidental Hotels / Mexico Hotels / → All Tags
Royal Hideaway Playacar Will Give You Airfare Credits
Last month, we were all giddy about the airfare credits that two of the Tides Hotels in Mexico were dishing out. It turns out that the all-inclusive Royal Hideaway Playacar is doing the same sort of thing.
The airfare credit varies from resort to resort and depends on the length of stay. For example, guests who book a five to seven night stay by January 30th will receive a $500 air credit AND a "night of romance" which is basically just the standard romantic amenities--champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a one hour couples massage.
Similarly, guests who book a four night stay will receive the same romantic amenities and $300 in airfare credit. All travel must be booked by January 30th for stays through March 31st. Another bonus at this resort? No children under the age of 13. Yes.
Tags: Cubicle Dreamin' / Mexico Hotels / → All Tags
The Mayan Riviera's Maroma Resort and Spa
Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving companies dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway--at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.
In this episode, Hotel Maven KatieK visits Mexico...in her mind. Enjoy.
It’s unfortunate, if inevitable, that Christmas equals cold in a lot of the world. Granted, the idea of decking the halls with boughs of palm trees always seems a bit screwy to some of us, but even the sweetest sugarplum dreams go sour with frostbitten toes. So this holiday season, I’m trading my parka for a sarong and heading to the Mayan Riviera--er, at least for the purposes of this fantasy.
I’ll steep in luxury at Maroma Resort and Spa, one of National Geographic Traveler’s picks on their Stay List of the most authentic, eco-friendly hotels in North America (not to mention a highlight on the T+L 500). “Mayan craftsmanship…merges with unabashed Caribbean-front luxury,” NatGeo says. So not only can I have all the benefits of a cushy resort, I can feel self-righteous about supporting the hacienda’s responsible practices and commitment to Mayan culture. Sweet.
Lazing on the terrace of my oceanfront master suite, I’ll absorb the cheery glow of paradise without the contrived bliss of nearby Cancun. When I tire of swinging in my hammock (uh, right), I can take my pick of three restaurants and two bars, from formal dining to tequila and sangria ocean-side. (Or just for fun, I’ll request a private dinner on the beach.) And to top it off, re-invigoration will be mine after a few trips to the Mud Bar and Temazcal sweat lodge.
Are you taking notes, Santa?
[Photo: Maroma Resort and Spa]
Tags: Hotel Deals / Yucatan Hotels / Occidental Hotels / → All Tags
Only Real Presidents Can Get This Deal in the Yucatan
While the Democratic nominee is not clear yet--Hilary ain't giving up--there is some respite for real presidents.
We're talking about presidents of big corporations or presidents of the PTA or anything in between: the Royal Hideaway Playacar doesn't care what kind of president you are, as long as your business card or letterhead proves it, you'll get presidential treatment at their Yucatan all-inclusive resort.
Tags: Tides Hotels / Insane Hotel Packages / Romance Packages / Wellness Packages / Riviera Maya Hotels / → All Tags
Is Your Relationship Worth the $8,000 for a Couples Retreat at the Tides Riviera Maya?
Your significant other is going to be maaaaadddd if you say no to this retreat.
Like most couples chained to each for more than a decade, our relationship could stand a tune-up. And so can we. And while a romantic and spiritually enlightening package called The Art of Re-Connecting: A Couple's Retreat at the The Tides Riviera Maya sounds dreamy, it'll remain that way for us. A dream.
It is totally worth it if you and your special someone have an extra $7,460 laying around the house. It's on the Mayan Riviera amidst tropical forests and pearly-white beaches, first of all. With a luxurious six-night stay at an exclusive resort, number two. And it comes complete with your own private 1,000 sq. ft. palapos (translation: a kick-ass villa).
Tags: Playa del Carmen Hotel Guide / Mexico Hotels / Chillmex Hotels / → All Tags
Playa del Carmen Hotel Scene: Hotel Kinbe
Hotel Maven Annie0007 who made the Oregon Hotel Trail easy for all of us to follow has taken a different path. This time she's summing up the Playa del Carmen Hotel Scene in Mexico. Enjoy.
We almost walked by the Kinbe hotel, but it was the pool water lapping up against the lobby window that got us to stop and peek inside. The pool is small, but simply put, amazing. From the lobby you walk across a tiny footbridge that leads you into a courtyard, and the pool runs the length, getting deeper and deeper, enough to accommodate a pretty fine cannonball.
It sits inside an interior courtyard with balconies that look out and up to the open air, and a four-story waterwall adds to the tropical ambiance.
Tags: Playa del Carmen Hotel Guide / Mexico Hotels / Chillmex Hotels / → All Tags
Playa del Carmen Hotel Scene: Mosquito Blue
Hotel Maven Annie0007 who made the Oregon Hotel Trail easy for all of us to follow has taken a different path. This time she's summing up the Playa del Carmen Hotel Scene in Mexico. Enjoy.
Mosquito Blue is the other Mosquito in PDC -- and as sweet, if not sweeter, than its sister hotel, and just as "Chillmex."
Just steps from the heart of the action on Avenida 5, and one block from the playa, Mosquito Blue is so low-key you might walk by it -- but for little blue velvet ropes and a view through the glass windows of an inviting pool.
Tags: Playa del Carmen Hotel Guide / Mexico Hotels / Chillmex Hotels / → All Tags
Playa del Carmen Hotel Scene: Hotel Basico
Hotel Maven Annie0007 who made the Oregon Hotel Trail easy for all of us to follow has taken a different path. This time she's summing up the Playa del Carmen Hotel Scene in Mexico. Enjoy.
Sure, The Basico has been covered to death, but it is definitely a cool place to visit, if not stay, when you're in Playa del Carmen. It has so many innovative touches, it's worth stopping by to check out.
Although this boutique hotel sits along the action of Avenida 5, its entrance is along a sidestreet. You enter into a very long, narrow, and tall (four stories high!) vestibule. On one side is a bar; along the other are bistro tables and chairs, and the entire wall is lined with an array of art books.
Underfoot the floor is entirely fitted with tire treads, a very groovy way of reusing materials, a nice "green" touch.
Tags: Playa del Carmen Hotel Guide / Mexico Hotels / Chillmex Hotels / → All Tags
Playa del Carmen Hotel Scene: The Hotel Deseo
Hotel Maven Annie0007 who made the Oregon Hotel Trail easy for all of us to follow has taken a different path. This time she's summing up the Playa del Carmen Hotel Scene in Mexico. Enjoy.
[Photo: Scarhead]
Forget the highrise Vegas-style hotels and wild parties of Cancun...hop a collectivo and head down to Quintana Roo's up-and-coming, decidedly more mellow counterpart, Playa del Carmen (PDC).
It's got live music and Senor Frogs, to be sure, but you'll find a car-less Avenida stretching for several miles, offering an incredible array of of outdoor restaurants to suit all tastes, art galleries, hidden alcoves, bars under palapas, live music on the beach, and even Mayan ruins around the corner from the Cozumel ferry slip.
It's also home to hotels that are the very definition of "Chillmex" -- smaller boutique hotels incorporating a bit of South Beach style (lounge beds, modern amenities and even DJs) with strong architectural elements of native stone, wood, adobe, and thatch.
Together these create a laid-back feel accentuated by the beauty of the Caribbean sea, a combination that can only be found along the Riviera Maya.
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