the Romance of Mexico

Transcription

the Romance of Mexico
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
A guide
to selling
destination
weddings,
honeymoons,
couples’
vacations
and more.
NOVEMBER 7, 2011•Section 2of2 •Vol70•No45
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
Left: Los Cabos is
dramatically situated
on the tip of the Baja
Peninsula. Below:
The wedding chapel in
Palmilla, Los Cabos
-
Los Cabos Convention
& Visitors Bureau
Time2romance? Time2cabo!
Why do so many travel agents go to
the “ends of the earth” to find just the
right romantic escape for their clients?
Simple: Los Cabos is dramatically
situated at land’s end on the tip of
the Baja peninsula, where the Pacific
Ocean merges with the Sea of Cortés.
“Romance central” for celebrities,
bridal parties or just couples wanting
to revive romance, Los Cabos sets the
stage in an out-of-this-world setting.
Award winning hotels and resorts,
championship golf courses, rejuvenating spas, world-class sport fishing,
and challenging outback and off-road
adventures give couples plenty to do,
when they are not snuggling or just
enjoying the non-stop Cabo sunshine.
“Romance and Cabo are so intertwined that we were inspired to create
-
a website section for TIME2KISS
vacation packages,” says Gonzalo
Franyutti, President of the Los Cabos
Convention & Visitors Bureau. For a
glimpse of these romantic packages,
go to www.TIME2CABO.com/time2cabo/time2kiss.
A peek at the romance packages:
Rose petals strewn on the bed on
arrival at the Westin Resort & Spa to
complement the sparking wine and
strawberries. A nightly “lavish chocolate “turn down service at the Zoetry
Casa del Mar—sweet! At the Solmar
All-Inclusive Resort and Beach Club,
a dreamy sunset cruise for two. At the
Sheraton Hacienda del Mar, indulge in
your own whirlpool tub by candlelight.
At the all-inclusive Riu Palace and Riu
Santa Fe Hotels, ease into a relaxing
massage at their Renova spa with a
$25 spa credit. The Pueblo Bonito
Los Cabos Resort pampers you with
a 50-minute couples massage. At the
Pueblo Bonito Rosé Resort & Spa
you’ll be indulged with a romantic
beachside dinner. Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort & Spa will spoil you
with three nights’ accommodations in
a junior suite. A fresh fruit basket and
sparkling wine greets you at the Hola
Grand Faro. Barceló Los Cabos Palace Deluxe intrigues you with romantic
movies. A couples massage and free
use of spa and amenities for one day
is your treat at Cabo Villas Beach
Resort. Sail into the sunset with the
Hilton Los Cabos romance package.
No matter how you package it, if it’s
TIME2KISS, it’s TIME2CABO.
Clients say “I do” with TIME2WED packages
2
One&Only Palmilla’s chapel ceremony is the choice of celebrities.
Esperanza’s classical guitarist and hour of photography zooms in on
romance. Marquis Los Cabos’ “green wedding” features a release
of baby sea turtles. The Villa Group properties pamper you with an
aromatic Jacuzzi followed by a couples massage. Fiesta Americana provides special rates at Cabo del Sol Golf Club. Cabo Azul’s
El Corazon chapel touches your heart. Casa Dorada even provides
the bridal bouquet. Dreams Los Cabos includes sparkling wine and
wedding cake for 10 guests. At Melia Cabo Real, recorded music will
set the mood. For details visit www.TIME2CABO.com/time2cabo/
time2wed.
ADVERTISEMENT
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
-
The Basics: How to Sell
Romance Travel to Mexico
contents
02 Los Cabos Convention & Visitors
Bureau
06 Paradisus Resorts Playa Del Carmen
08 Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach
Cancún Resort & Spa
10 Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos
Golf & Spa Resort
12 fiesta americana Grand Hotels
and Resorts
14 Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
15 Palace Resorts
16 El Dorado Spa Resorts and
Azul Hotels, by Karisma
18 Palladium Hotels & Resorts
20 Starwood Hotels and Resorts
22 Le Blanc Spa Resort
23 Oasis Hotels & Resorts, Cancun
EDITOR
Diane Merlino
DESIGNER
Amy Bothwell
GROUP DIRECTOR,
CUSTOM CONTENT
Elizabeth West
VICE PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER
Bob Sullivan
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Michele Garth
PRODUCTION SPECIALIST
Lisa Gonzales
For comments, suggestions or questions, write to
[email protected].
NORTHSTAR Travel Media, LLC
100 Lighting Way, 2nd Floor
Secaucus, NJ 07094 201-902-2000 www.travelweekly.com
To inquire about advertising in Travel Weekly’s guides,
contact Bruce Shulman, Associate Publisher: 561-799-1788
or [email protected].
Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any
form without permission. ©2011 by NORTHSTAR Travel
Media, LLC All rights reserved. Trademark TRAVEL WEEKLY
used under license from NORTHSTAR Travel Media, LLC
Printed in USA
4
Romance travel to Mexico can
be a big-ticket sale for agents.
The niche covers a variety of segments,
including bachelor and bachelorette junkets, proposal trips, destination weddings,
honeymoons, anniversary celebrations,
vow renewals, romantic getaways, and
hybrid trips that combine family togetherness with ‘alone time’ for mom and dad.
The entire romance market is in a
growth mode as more people seek new
experiences for major turning points in
their lives. The spend on two segments
in particular­—destination weddings and
honeymoons—has shown double-digit
increases in the last few years.
According to the 2011 Destination
Weddings & Honeymoons Reader Survey,
conducted by Walker Communications,
the average budget for a destination
wedding in 2011 was $21,800. The same
survey puts the average honeymoon
spend by a couple who had a destination
wedding at $7,500—more than twice the
average.
When it comes to honeymoons, Mexico
is the most popular pick for an international
destination, garnering 15% of the total
market, according to theknot.com’s third
annual honeymoon study. Average spend
for a honeymoon overseas is $5,219; for
luxury honeymooners, who comprise 15%
of the market, average spend is $7,000.
That all adds up to the potential for
strong sales. Travel Weekly asked Eduardo Chaillo, executive director, meeting
industry, for the Mexico Tourism Board,
how agents can tap into the lucrative
romance market to Mexico. His responses,
which include input from Carmen Laborin,
MTB’s romance director, are below.
What are the major categories of
“romance travel” to Mexico?
Eduardo Chaillo: Honeymoons are,
and always will be, the number one cat-
egory for romance travel to Mexico. It’s
said that honeymoons last an average of
eight days, not including travel time, and
represent an estimated 14% of the total
wedding budget. Anniversary celebrations and vow renewals are also strong.
An estimated 89% of married couples go
back to where they had their honeymoon
for these trips, at least during the first
few years of marriage. These trips create
brand/destination loyalty.
Also, sometimes an older couple wants
to have a thanksgiving sort of celebration,
a family vacation turned into a special
event with a symbolic ceremony at a spectacular setting that their grown kids and
even grandchildren can be a part of. This is
a time to get fancy and splurge, to do what
they couldn’t do when they were younger
and got married in a more modest manner.
Some agents are also involved in
selling destination weddings to Mexico.
Chaillo: Destination weddings (DWs)
are by far the fastest and strongest growth
category in the romance-related segment.
DWs account for about $18 billion annually, not including related honeymoon
business, which amounts to an additional
$10 billion annually. DW’s are changing
the way U.S. couples wed and have their
new families relate to each other and integrate in ways that otherwise would take
years. It’s a great excuse for a guilt-free
mini-vacation. Of course, you HAVE TO
go to your second cousin’s wedding in the
Riviera May and swim with a whale shark
before your return, don’t you?
Are you seeing any new categories
emerging in the romance travel market
to Mexico?
Chaillo: We are seeing more and more
people traveling south of the border to propose. Hollywood-style proposals involving
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
overseas travel are hot. Just look at the
tabloids; celebrities are proposing here and
there in Mexico, and Cabo is the top destination for A-list lovers to pop the question.
The general public is also traveling to do
the proposal, and they are doing so in the
most romantic and surprising ways.
Another romance category is bachelor
and bachelorette getaways, whether the
couple is planning a destination wedding
or not. This option is going strong. With all
the amazing deals going on in Mexico a
weekend trip with friends to be pampered
or play some sports is as feasible as a few
nights’ celebrating at home. On average
there are nine travelers on this type of trip,
and the average stay in the destination is
two nights.
Same-sex destination weddings are also
becoming more popular. Mexico has some
gay-friendly destinations that also happen
to be amazing places to visit, with magnificent special events venues and producers.
Although symbolic same-sex marriages
have been celebrated in Mexico for ages, it
is now possible for couples to legally marry
in Mexico City. We are truly happy that we
are making progress in overcoming cultural
and social barriers, and although Mexico
has always been very traditional and
conservative it is evolving and embracing
people’s heart’s desires.
What are the top reasons travel
agents should recommend Mexico for
romance travel?
Chaillo: Accessibility, hospitality, and
value for money. Not to mention the impressive natural beauty and the history, plus the
hundreds of activities there are to do.
What are your top “insider” marketing and sales tips for travel agents to
help them sell more romance travel to
Mexico?
Chaillo: For honeymoons, use social
media. Check out honeymoon blogs and
related sites, and comment as an expert
on bride and bride-to-be postings. Subscribe to as many of them as possible and
follow the threads. Be a “guest” at online
conversations and share your ideas and
stories. With your knowledge and the right
contact info along with your comments,
you will certainly get some direct ques-
tions that you can follow up with a call.
For anniversaries and vow renewals, work your database. Create a ‘vow
renewal’ digital brochure and send it out
to your database, and ask your clients to
pass it along to their family and friends.
Include a promotion. For example, if your
client or their family member or friends
book within XX days, you can offer some
perk at the host hotel, maybe a welcome
cocktail or a romantic dinner party by
the beach (which most hotels already do
for groups). Don’t sit around and wait for
people to call—be active, create. With so
much competition, be sure to clearly give
people reasons to do business with you.
It’s said that at every destination wedding, one or two other couples who are
there decide to get married or pop the
question. So, contact your now-married
clients who you handled the DW for,
and ask them to provide you the names
of their unmarried couple-friends who
attended the DW so you can send them
a “welcome back from your trip” type of
note/goodie. Make sure to introduce yourself properly and ask for their business.
They need to know you exist and that you
can make their life so much easier if/when
they plan their own romance travel.
What resources does the Mexico
Tourism Board have for agents who
want to learn more about how to sell
the romance market to Mexico?
Chaillo: One of the best ways agents
can learn about the romance segment is
through the MTB’s “Love Mexico” event,
where agents take part in educational
sessions and trade shows to meet face
to face with local vendors and Mexican
destination authorities. It takes place
three times a year, in Los Angeles, New
York, and the Riviera Maya, where it will
occur Dec. 5-7 at the El Dorado Royale.
Please contact the Mexico Tourism Board
at [email protected]. Also this
year we are launching a new Destination
Weddings in Mexico course as part of
our free online training program Magic of
Mexico. Agents and planners can work
on their own time to learn about Mexico.
I invite every agent to check this program
out at www.magicofmexico.com.
sales strategies
Laura Frazier, founder of Bliss Honeymoons & Destination Weddings,
Columbus, Ohio, primarily books
honeymoons in the romance sector to Mexico, and some destination
weddings. Business is great, she
says, up over last year, including
her romance and other business to
Mexico. “We have a booth and we hit a
lot of bridal shows—three major ones in
Columbus every year—and we really work
the leads we get from the shows. We get
probably 80% of our business from the
bridal shows, which we’ve been doing
for six years now. Based on the leads, we
do a mix of email marketing and events
at our office. We also send out an e-mail
newsletter every week to leads from the
shows. They include a variety of things,
and we always include something we
think is educational or adds value; we
never send out travel deals, ever. So many
agents are looking for the marketing silver
bullet and there isn’t just one, you have
to do a lot of different things. You have to
be really diligent and you have to be really
consistent.”
Marianne Braly, owner of Now Voyager Travel, Huntington Beach, Calif.
says at least 50% of her Mexico
romance bookings come from
referrals. She also incorporates a
significant amount of social media
into her marketing strategy, but for
romance sales, “The biggest thing is
the honeymoon registry, that’s huge.
So many people are already living
together so they already have everything they need—they already have their
toasters, they don’t want more, so doing
the honeymoon registry for them is great.
It helps the couple pay for their honeymoon, and the guests don’t gave to go
shopping—they just go online and press
a button. They never have to leave their
seat in the office as we are all so busy. We
have a registry on our website, it’s really
easy to do. There are different ways to do
it; your web designer can put it up for you,
or there are subscription services that
will do it for you and attach a link to your
website.”
5
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
Paradisus Resorts
Playa Del Carmen
Destination weddings & honeymoons
Two brand new five-star all-inclusive
Paradisus Resorts are opening Nov.
15, 2011. Situated along the pristine
white sand beaches of Playa del Carmen, both Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda and the adultsonly Paradisus Playa del Carmen La
Perla are poised to become the finest
all-inclusive properties on the Mexican eastern Caribbean shore.
The two new resorts will feature
signature, dramatic free-form pools
and artful landscapes built into the
peaceful sanctuary of Playa del
Carmen. For guests seeking rest, relaxation and rejuvenation, the resorts
will share a 20,000-square-foot YHI
Spa and Health Club offering top-ofthe line spa treatments and health
club facilities.
The resorts’ 14 restaurants will
offer exceptional food, exquisite
presentation, extraordinary surroundings and five-star service. Seven bars
on-property will provide variety for
guests looking to explore throughout
their stay. The GABi Beach Club
combines casual-chic with elegance
allowing bar, restaurant and beach
to come together in harmony for an
experience unique to Paradisus.
The Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda boasts 512
lavish suites, including 122 Family
Concierge Suites and two Presidential Suites. From pre-arrival to
the last day of vacation, the Family
Concierge will exceed all guests’
needs by providing a private family
check-in/out, milk and cookies turndown service, and exclusive family
activities.
Paradisus Playa del Carmen La
Perla—a retreat created exclusively
for adults—will feature 394 elegantly
appointed suites including 122 Royal
Service Suites and two Royal Service
Presidential Suites. Adult guests
staying in the Royal Service area of
the hotel will enjoy features such as
a private pool and bar surrounded by
palapas and Bali Beds, in addition
to a private beach. Discreet and
efficient butlers offer services such
as preferential reservations for specialty restaurants, spa treatments,
activities and excursions.
Both Paradisus Resorts will offer
Romance by Paradisus destination
wedding and honeymoon pack-
Above:The new Paradisus Resorts feature
7 bars on-property. Below: The adults-only
Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla
6
ages. Brides can choose from four
exquisite and customizable wedding
packages with the helpful assistance
of expert Romance Planners while
honeymooning couples can choose
between Passion and Glow packages to make their celebration more
special.
Contact Paradisus Resorts, Playa
del Carmen, Mexico: 888-741-5600;
www.paradisus.com.
Romance
specialists
handle every
detail
For guests celebrating anniversaries, romantic getaways or looking for a spot in
which to ‘pop the question,’
Paradisus offers everything
imaginable for the perfect
romantic vacation. With weddings in mind, Paradisus’
in-house romance specialists are on hand to assist and
coordinate every tiny detail,
including offering a variety of
pre-arranged options with the
current wedding packages –
Wish (a complimentary package), Fantasy, Chill-out Chic,
and Aqua. Romance specialists are available to assist
in planning every part of the
ceremony, reception and
honeymoon. The specialists
are there to tailor each event
to perfection, ensuring that all
aspects of the occasion, from
booking date to departure,
run smoothly.
-
ADVERTISEMENT
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
-
The Gem Spa features
innovative treatments
inspired by gemstone
therapy
Fiesta Americana Grand
Coral Beach Cancún Resort & Spa
All-suite luxury…Cancun’s best beach
Nestled on Cancún’s finest stretch of
private beach, the Fiesta Americana
Grand Coral Beach Cancún Resort &
Spa offers the best of both worlds with
award-winning luxury that transports
the soul to pure relaxation, yet equally
stimulates with its proximity to the
area’s vibrant culture and entertainment.
Novice and nuanced couples alike
can warm up the fall and winter chills
with a romantic getaway to the oceanfront resort. All 602 suites offer spacious comfort and feature breathtaking
ocean views, bringing glimpses of sea
and sand at every turn. Décor is warm
yet refined, naturally complementing
the setting. The resort features an
authentic Mexican ambience, creating
a true destination getaway complete
with the luxurious comforts of warmth,
graciousness and style.
-
8
This Leading Hotels of the World
property features a new 40,000
square foot “Gem Spa,” which boasts
stunning, sophisticated design and
innovative treatments inspired by
gemstone therapy. The Gem Spa
features 26 treatment rooms including two spa master suites with hydro
massage tubs and color therapy, one
VIP spa couples suite with a double
Jacuzzi tub and steam room, and two
shiatsu and Thai massage rooms.
The spa’s 10-step hydrotherapy ritual
purifies the body and soul through
contrasts of warm and cool temperatures combined with high and low
water pressures. The healing effects
are achieved with a guided “circuit”
through an aromatherapy steam room,
multi-jet shower, clay steam room, ice
room, sauna, rain shower, whirlpool,
lagoon pool, and a “pool of sensation”
and completed in a relaxation lounge
area. The ritual is complimentary to
spa guests prior to or after treatments.
A gorgeous beachfront is framed
by tropical palapas along the sand
and a lagoon-like pool. Six restaurants
offer dining options perfect for special
occasions or any occasion. These
include the renowned French-Mediterranean Le Basilic, the oceanfront
fresh seafood restaurant Isla Contoy,
and the authentic and stylish La Joya.
Local Mexican flavor is infused into
the ambience nightly with traditional
Mariachi singers serenading at sunset
in the lobby.
Contact Fiesta Americana Grand
Coral Beach Cancún Resort & Spa:
(800) 830-9008; res1facb@posadas.
com; www.fiestamericana.com.
Romantic moment package
Six restaurants, a top spa, a lagoon-like pool, Cancun’s best beach,
a romantic and authentic Mexican-style atmosphere, and all-suite
luxury accommodations await your clients! Send them on a valuepacked getaway where they can bask in a moment of love and luxury
with our Romantic Moment Package. They’ll enjoy our awardwinning service complete with added touches designed especially
for a romantic getaway.
Sauna in the Gem Spa,
Grand Coral Beach
Cancún Resort & Spa
ADVERTISEMENT
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
Fiesta Americana Grand
Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort
Perfect setting for romance
A seamless fusion of sand, sea and
sky makes the southernmost tip of
Baja California, or Land’s End, the
perfect setting for a wedding, honeymoon or romantic escape. Flanking
a private stretch of beach within the
private resort community of Cabo del
Sol, between San José del Cabo and
Cabo San Lucas, Fiesta Americana
Grand Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort
offers an exclusive getaway with
contemporary Mexican flair. Each of
the 249 luxurious rooms and suites
comes with a private balcony overlooking the beach and Sea of Cortez.
Couples seeking the ultimate in privacy and personal attention for their
wedding party will want to reserve
the exclusive Grand Club with its 13
suites and 37 Grand Club rooms.
Personal concierge service and
complimentary continental breakfast,
snacks and cocktails are just a few of
the Club perks along with the highend Casa del Mar suite.
Another unique treat for guests:
Fiesta American is the first resort in
Mexico to introduce Somma WineSPA. Capitalizing on its location in
the heart of Baja California’s up-and-
coming wine country, the spa calls
on the grape’s powerful anti-aging
properties to offer an extensive menu
of wine treatments, from massages,
facials and mud wraps to exfoliating
scrubs, bubble baths and hydrotherapy. Post-treatment, health seekers
can relax in the spa lounge with a
signature wine drink designed by the
Wine Spa’s own sommelier.
Wedding celebrations at Fiesta
Americana Grand are typically set
on the oceanfront Whales Terrace,
beachside, or at the Casa del Mar
suite. As part of the resort’s wedding
package, the Grand staff adorns the
bridal venue of choice with bright
white linens and brilliant floral arrangements, also treating guests to
a champagne toast, international
buffet or three-course plated dinner,
a custom wedding cake, and an
open bar serving premium wine and
drinks. Newlyweds get to spend
their first night together as husband
and wife in a Grand Club Master
suite, toasting with complimentary
champagne. To help coordinate any
special wishes and requests, brides
and grooms may call on the resort’s
-
own team of wedding and group
coordinators.
Contact Fiesta Americana Grand
Los Cabos Golf & Spa: Lorena Canedo at [email protected], or 011
52 (624) 1456200 ext. 30075; fax 011
52 (624) 1456283; www.fiestamericanagrand.com/experiences.
Complimentary
amenities for
your clients
When you book clients a
minimum of three nights at
the Fiesta Americana Grand
Los Cabos Golf & Spa they
will receive $600 in complimentary luxury amenities and
services including: a relaxing massage at the SOMMA
WineSPA (the only WineSPA in
Mexico); one romantic, candlelit setup at the beach in a
private cabana including bonfire and tiki torches; access
to fitness center; one day
use of the beach cabana with
pampering amenities; an exclusive wine tasting for two;
an in-room welcome amenity
including a bottle of wine and
hors d’oeuvres; daily in-room
coffee and bottled water.
Above: Somma
WineSPA, Grand
Los Cabos Golf
& Spa Resort
Left: The private
beach at Grand
Los Cabos Golf
& Spa Resort
ADVERTISEMENT
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
-
Fiesta Americana Grand
Coral Beach Cancún
Resort & Spa
Fiesta Americana Grand
Hotels and Resorts
The true spirit of Mexican hospitality
Your wedding and romance clients
can count on Fiesta Americana Grand
Hotels and Resorts to provide unforgettable memories based on exceptional
service that is a true reflection of Mexican hospitality.
Live Aqua Cancún is an innovative
all-inclusive resort where guests are
encouraged to let loose and just be
themselves in an open, relaxed and cool
beach setting. The all-inclusive property
celebrates “barefoot luxury” and is
designed for today’s stylish, modern
adults. Luxurious amenities cater to
different lifestyles, moods and desires
at different times and places throughout
the day and night. Specialists at Aqua
Spa, a unique concept in Cancún, offer
world-class massages and treatments
that restore harmony and unleash a
sense of wonder.
-
Fiesta Americana Grand
Coral Beach Cancún Resort & Spa,
awarded the AAA five diamond rating
or 15 consecutive years, offers a truly
elegant, refined and exclusive Cancún
getaway. The Coral Beach Gem Spa is
the largest spa in all of Latin America,
covering about 43,000 square feet.
Premium services and amenities are
designed to meet the needs of travelers
already accustomed to the very best.
Fiesta Americana Grand
Los Cabos Golf & Spa, set in a land
of contrast where the desert meets
the sea, has been ranked ninth in
Golf Digest’s “50 Best Golf Hotels
in the World”. The resort features
SOMMA WineSpa, Mexico’s only
spa offering treatments based upon
the health benefits of fresh grapes
and wine.
Luxury, elegance and exclusivity
12
Fiesta Americana Grand properties place a particular emphasis
on luxury, elegance, sophistication and exclusivity. Grand
resorts offer incredible hospitality experiences for sophisticated travelers, integrating Fiesta Americana’s renowned service
with spectacular architecture in Mexico’s Cancun and Los
Cabos beach destinations. Premium services and amenities
are designed to meet the needs of travelers already accustomed to the very best. Fiesta Americana Grand properties
in Cancun, Cozumel or Puerto Vallarta are the perfect recommendation for your upscale romance clients.
Fiesta Americana
Condesa Cancún All Inclusive,
awarded the AAA four diamond rating
for 20 consecutive years, gives a new
meaning to the all-inclusive concept.
The resort experience here is like taking
a journey through the flavors, aromas,
details, colors and endless surprises of
contemporary Mexico.
Fiesta Americana
Cozumel All Inclusive offers a taste
of modern Mexico in an atmosphere
immersed in nature and surrounded by
the stunning Caribbean Sea. Experience
and live every detail of Mexican culture
and explore an island paradise boasting
the second largest reef in the world.
Fiesta Americana
Puerto Vallarta, awarded the AAA four
diamond rating for nine consecutive
years, blends of the flavor of Jalisco,
Mexico, with the quiet calm of the
beach. The hotel’s warm, comfortable
atmosphere makes for an unforgettable
stay in one of Mexico’s most picturesque villages.
ADVERTISEMENT
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
Iberostar
Hotels & Resorts
Fall in love at every turn
-
Gracing the shores of Mexico’s
most idyllic beaches, IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts are a
true couples’ paradise. Here,
beneath swaying palms and
sun-kissed beaches, couples
are invited to relax, reinvigorate
and rekindle like never before.
Each of our nine resorts in
Mexico share common values,
beginning with a warm, friendly
staff devoted to a guest’s
complete happiness. IBEROSTAR has thought of everything,
including a personal wedding
coordinator to take care of all
the details, a delicious selection
of all-inclusive dining options,
well-appointed rooms with
14
private balconies or terraces,
expansive pools and a huge
range of activities.
Wedding packages at IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts include
every detail from the cake to
the flowers. And with only one
wedding per day, you can rest
assured your client’s once-ina-lifetime event receives the
focus and attention it deserves.
Plus, receive a free wedding at
IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts in
Mexico when you book at the
following levels:
• IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel
Paraíso: book 5 rooms or more
for 3+ nights or a Grand Oceanfront Room for 7+ nights.
• IBEROSTAR Cancún, IBEROSTAR Paraíso Lindo and IBEROSTAR Paraíso Maya: book 10
IBEROSTAR’s
nine resorts in
Mexico are ideal
for romance
rooms or more for 3+ nights.
• IBEROSTAR Cozumel,
IBEROSTAR Paraíso Beach,
IBEROSTAR Paraíso del Mar,
IBEROSTAR Tucán and IBEROSTAR Quetzal: book 20 rooms or
more for 3+ nights.
At IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts your clients will begin their
life together in a true paradise.
For more information about
IBEROSTAR destinations and
FREE weddings in Mexico, contact your favorite tour operator
or call 1-888-923-2722.
ADVERTISEMENT
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
Palace
Resorts
Quintessential settings for romance
With 11 all-inclusive resorts in
some of the most breathtaking locations in Mexico and the
Dominican Republic, Palace
Resorts offer your clients a
quintessential setting for the
most important day of all.
Our complimentary Wedding
and Honeymoon Package is
designed to keep your clients
stress free. With their own
dedicated wedding planner, dinner, champagne, a cake for 35
guests, and an oceanfront wed-
-
Palace Resorts’
all-inclusive
properties
offer the
quintessential
setting
for wedding
and romance
clients.
ding location, they are sure to
have a day they’ll never forget.
Palace Resorts also offers our
exclusive $1,500 Resort Credit,
which can be used for golf, tours,
spa, or even upgrading your
clients’ wedding to one of our
Precious Wedding Collection™
packages. On top of that, you are
eligible for bonus commission,
complimentary nights and 20%
commission on wedding packages, all included in our great
travel agent incentive programs.
Give us the chance to make
your clients’ wedding even more
memorable. Visit www.palaceresorts.com/travelagents.
ADVERTISEMENT
15
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
Karisma properties
feature Gourmet
Inclusive packages
El Dorado Spa Resorts and
Azul Hotels, by Karisma
Romantic getaways in the Riviera Maya
The El Dorado Spa Resorts and Azul
Hotels, by Karisma, are the perfect
destinations for traveling with your
loved one. Enjoy a Gourmet Inclusive
experience at our resorts, and take
advantage of the wide variety of pools,
swim-up bars, restaurants, and entertainment, all located on stretches of
white sand beaches along the Caribbean Sea in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.
Visit our award winning spas for
couples massages, sky massages,
and unique spa treatments. Dine outdoors at one of our romantic candlelit
dinners for two on the beach, order
room service delivered to your room
and dine on the balcony or terrace,
or visit one of the many restaurants
on property that serve a variety of
gourmet options for breakfast, lunch,
and dinner. We also offer themed bars
located at our various hotels with
signature drinks like flavored mojitos
and martinis.
Our choices of luxurious hotel
suites feature such amenities as
king-size beds, in-suite Jacuzzis large
enough for two, private outdoor showers, plush bathrobes and slippers, and
even direct access to the lazy river
meandering to the main pool in certain
room categories.
Spend the day relaxing on one of
the large canopied beach beds on the
beach and by the pool, enjoying beach
butler service at select properties, and
even beach picnics. After a relaxing
day at the beach, guests can enjoy
evening entertainment.
Our online store offers couples the
ability to purchase spa treatments
and special services to surprise their
partner with once they arrive. It also
offers the chance for friends and
family members to give services and
experiences as gifts to honeymoon
and wedding travelers.
The Gourmet Inclusive vacation
experience offered at El Dorado Spa
Resorts and Azul Hotels, by Karisma,
does not stop at the food and deluxe
accommodations. The service at the
resorts is unparalleled, offering such
amenities as sparkling wine and a cool
towel at check-in, honeymoon and
wedding suites, concierge services
stationed throughout properties, and
even a shuttle service at some of our
larger properties.
Weddings and honeymoons
-
Our honeymoon registry offers family and friends the opportunity to
gift romantic experiences for wedding and honeymoon travelers, as
well as a customized wedding website. Our wedding coordinators can
arrange any personal touch to ceremonies and receptions, as well as
free wedding packages to qualifying wedding parties. Return on your
wedding anniversary and receive an anniversary package including a
king-size bed, a bottle of domestic champagne on ice in your suite,
a romantic candlelight dinner for two on the beach served by beach
waiters, a free half-hour massage lesson, and deluxe bathrobes and
daily suite decorations.
16
Spa services include
couples massages
ADVERTISEMENT
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
Palladium
Hotels & Resorts
Luxury wedding destinations in Mexico
Located on Mexico’s Atlantic and
Pacific coasts, Palladium Hotels &
Resorts offers two 5-star all-inclusive
beachfront complexes that provide the
ideal setting for a fairytale wedding. In
the world-renowned Mayan Riviera,
the complex boasts a selection of
beautiful ceremony sites for a flawless wedding. Guests may exchange
vows at sunset on the beachside
gazebo with the Caribbean Sea in the
background or submerge themselves
in the exotic, tropical flora at the stunning garden gazebo site. A brand new,
charming colonial style chapel for up
to 150 guests is perfect for couples
looking for the ultimate destination
wedding without sacrificing the religious element of the ceremony.
In a similar paradisiacal setting, the
other Mexican complex rests in the
mystic region of Puerto Vallarta. Its
private beach of fine white sand offers
an exceptional location for wedding
ceremonies as the crashing waves
of the Pacific Ocean create beautiful
background music. Couples can promise each other eternal love on a sundrenched terrace as the late afternoon
sky is painted with myriad colors.
These luxury eco-hotels have been
designed with top-notch amenities
and an exclusive attention to detail
that have become standard features
in all Palladium Resorts. Thanks
to the great variety of on-property
restaurants, guests can enjoy an
exquisite cuisine worthy of the most
discerning palates. From buffet-style
to “a la carte” theme restaurants,
they’ll find delicacies from all over the
world, including Japanese, Mediter-
ranean, Italian and many more.
Every Palladium Resort offers a funfilled agenda of sports and entertainment activities. Refreshing swimming
pools, live music, discotheques, night
shows…in addition, both complexes
boast an ultramodern spa equipped
with the most advanced facilities
offering guests a wide variety of therapies and services.
And for those looking for even
more luxury, there’s The Royal Suites
by Palladium. These ultra exclusive
and adults-only resorts, located
within the grounds of the Palladium
Resort complexes, offer a boutiquelike feel and all the amenities and
services of a 5-star luxury all-inclusive resort, including butler service,
24-hour room service, gourmet “a la
carte” restaurants, pillow menus, top
shelf drinks, personalized service and
much more for a once in a lifetime
experience.
Contact Palladium Resorts:
www.palladiumresorts.com.
With 10-room
minimum, bride
& groom stay free
Couples looking to share
their wedding happiness with
their loved ones can stay for
free at Palladium. Booking a
picture-perfect wedding in
any of our 5-star all-inclusive
Grand Palladium or The Royal
Suites Resorts in the Mayan
or Nayarit Rivieras comes with
a free room* for the bride and
groom. With this special offer, the phrase “the more the
merrier “certainly holds true.
With a minimum of 10 rooms,
the happy couple can stay for
free* during the same number
of nights booked for the rest of
the party. *See offer details at
www.palladiumweddings.com.
18
-
ADVERTISEMENT
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
-
Starwood Hotels
and Resorts
Featuring all-inclusive options
throughout Mexico
Offer your clients an experience like
never before with Starwood Hotels
and Resorts in Mexico. Whether your
clients choose to discover the beauty
of the clear blue waters and white sand
beaches of the Caribbean or set out on
a fishing excursion in the Pacific, Starwood has options throughout Mexico
for everyone. Snorkeling, diving, fishing
or golfing, guests will leave more energized than when they arrived.
With distinct resort locations to
choose from, the toughest choice
will be which one to see. Cancun
offers the unparalleled beauty of the
Caribbean Sea’s turquoise-blue water,
where visitors enjoy scuba diving,
-
parasailing or taking a spin on a wave
runner. Los Cabos is one of Mexico’s
most beautiful and exclusive destinations, with much more than just sun
and beaches — although there’s no
lack of either here. Exciting activities
are available to fill guests’ days with
adventure and nights with glamour.
Puerto Vallarta is the ideal place for
a relaxing and enjoyable stay. After
spending a day in the sun, clients
can enjoy the exquisite regional
cuisine of Jalisco that so many people
have come to love and the relaxing
ambiance of the terraces in open-air
restaurants.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts fea-
ture accommodations from maximum
comfort to ultimate luxury. Full service
spas allow your clients to be rejuvenated with a full body massage or
calming facial. The dining options are
endless with a wide array of cuisine at
any one of the fine dining restaurants.
All-inclusive packages are now
available for Starwood guests staying
at The Westin Resort and Spa, Los
Cabos; The Westin Resort and Spa,
Cancun; The Westin Resort and Spa,
Puerto Vallarta; and The Sheraton
Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort,
Los Cabos. Take advantage of this
special offer and book your clients in a
Starwood all-inclusive package today.
Starwood offers all-inclusive packages
20
Treat your clients to Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ all-inclusive
package in Mexico’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts. With spectacular Mexico destinations to choose from, such as Puerto
Vallarta, Cancun or Los Cabos, your client’s beach escape will
be a most memorable experience. Starwood Hotels and Resorts offer seven distinctive hotel brands in nine Mexican destinations, ensuring guests experience the best of this beautiful
country. From sunrises to sunsets, travelers can explore all of
Starwood’s resort offerings throughout Mexico by visiting www.
starwoodpro.com/mexico.
Top: Beachfront
pool at the Sheraton
Hacienda del Mar Golf
& Spa Resort,
Los Cabos
Below: The Westin
Resort & Spa, Cancun,
sunset cocktails at
the lagoon
ADVERTISEMENT
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
-
Le Blanc
Spa Resort
Five-star setting, all-inclusive packages
Situated along one of the most
stunning beaches in Mexico,
this AAA Five Diamond resort
is the perfect destination for
your clients to say “I do”. Le
Blanc Spa Resort doesn’t just
offer a lavish oceanfront setting
for their special day: it also
gives them comfort and peace
of mind knowing everything
is taken care of under our allinclusive packages.
Our complimentary wedding and honeymoon packages
include their very own personal
planner, dinner, wedding cake,
breakfast in bed the morning after the ceremony, and so much
more. And with our $1,500
Resort Credit that can be used
towards golf, spa or one of our
wedding packages, your clients’
day will keep getting better.
In addition, you are eligible for
Le Blanc
Spa Resort
is the perfect
destination
for your
clients to say
‘I do’.
bonus commission, complimentary nights and 20% commission on the price of the wedding
package as part of our great
travel agent incentive programs.
Let us make your clients
wedding unforgettable. Visit
www.leblancsparesort.com.
22
ADVERTISEMENT
R
R
the Romance
of Mexico
Oasis Hotels &
Resorts, Cancun
Your love, your Oasis
Clients who seek a romantic
yet affordable getaway will love
the all-inclusive Oasis Hotels &
Resorts in Cancun, which feature
all of the ingredients necessary
for that perfect hideaway just
for two.
Start with some of the finest
beach locations in Cancun,
as well as the largest pool (at
the Grand Oasis Cancun and
Oasis Cancun), and the greatest
selection of restaurants among
all of our properties. Add in
well-appointed deluxe accommodations, a large selection of
restaurants and bars, 24-hour
room service, a full-service spa,
marina with non-motorized
water sports, par 3 Executive golf course, tennis courts,
fitness center, and shops and
boutiques, and you’ve got a
recipe for a romantic vacation
like no other!
Your clients will love the fact
that their room, meals, alcohol,
and activities (except for spa
treatments) are included in the
price. This means that they can
simply relax and enjoy their
time together without having to
worry about paying every time
they order a drink or sit down
for a meal. Best of all, they will
know how much their romantic
getaway will cost before they
even leave home!
A romantic vacation at Oasis
Hotels & Resorts means sleeping late, enjoying a bountiful
breakfast, and then finding a
special spot at the pool or on
the beach. Perhaps your clients
will schedule a spa treatment
(at an additional fee) before
cocktails at sunset, and then a
romantic dinner by candlelight.
Best of all, they need never
leave the resort — or Oasis can
help them plan an excursion
to enjoy the best that Cancun
has to offer, including a sail on
a catamaran, snorkeling, a tour
to see Mayan ruins, swimming
with dolphins, jet skiing, and so
much more.
It’s all here at Oasis Hotels
& Resorts and easily bookable through your favorite tour
operator. Contact Oasis
Hotels & Resorts, Cancun:
www.oasishotels.com or
your preferred tour operator.
Weddings and
vow renewals
If your clients REALLY
want to make this a romantic getaway to remember,
we can make arrangements for them to get
married here or renew their
vows! Oasis Hotels & Resorts will work with you to
design a romantic wedding
celebration just for two—
or we even have a free
wedding package valued at
$1,199 if they want to bring
their friends and family
along (a minimum number
of 25 room nights apply).
Simply e-mail us at
weddings@oasishotels.
com for information.
-
Below: Oasis resorts in Cancun
feature full-service spas.
Right: Weddings and vow renewal
ceremonies are available.
ADVERTISEMENT
23