Kids Stay FREE this summer at Palace Resorts in Mexico!

{Playacar Palace}

Book 3 nights or more at any Palace Resorts in  México the kids ages 12 and under sharing a room with an adult stay and eat FREE. {New Booking only.}

{Cancun Palace}

Kids stay free promotion automatically included in package cost. No special code required.


Booking Dates: Through August 27th, 2012
Traveling Dates: June 1st, 2012 – August 31st, 2012

Cancun is a the perfect destination for family travel. The airport is one of the busiest in the region and welcomes nonstop international flights from most gateways in the US & Europe. This helps keeps the cost low and the selection of flight times wide and varied, offering something to accommodate every families needs. Airline tickets are often lowest than any other beach destination in the region.

Cheers,

The Iberostar Cancun to open after a $100 million renovation!

The Iberostar Resort company bought the former Hilton Cancun and has rebranded it as  the Iberostar Cancun. After spending over $100 million on renovations, the new hotel will open on February 3rd. 

Iberostar closed the now-all-inclusive beachfront property last August in order to renovate public spaces as well as to build a new theater and add new restaurants, including a new buffet and four specialty dining venues -- a gourmet restaurant, a steakhouse, a Japanese restaurant and a Mexican restaurant. Children’s and teens’ clubs were also constructed, as was a new kids’ splash park in the pool area. Outdoor space at the resort’s 12-treatment room spa was also enhanced as was the lobby and lobby bar. Also new palapa-style, or thatched, umbrellas now provide shaded areas for guests on the beach. The resort’s 50,000 square feet of convention space as well as 90,000 square feet of event space remain untouched, making the Iberostar Cancun the only resort in the destination with oceanfront meeting facilities as well as an on-site 18-hole golf course.

Other features of the property include seven swimming pools, a professional football field, and two tennis courts. 

Cancun is a the perfect destination for your meetings & incentive group travel. The airport is one of the busiest in the region and welcomes nonstop international flights from most gateways in the US & Europe. Airline tickets are often lowest than any other beach destination in the region.

The Mexico Taxi Project

Attention reality TV addicts! This one's for you! And anyone else considering Mexico for their next vacation...

Check out the super innovative project launched by the Mexico Tourist Board to find out what real travelers think of their visits to Mexico. 

You may view more on their website: The Mexico Taxi Project. Stay tuned for more real travel tales.

Viva la Mexico!!!

Celebrate FALL with reduced rates & resort credit at El Dorado Resorts.

Last FALL, I was lucky enough to visit the El Dorado Resorts in the Riviera Maya section of Mexico. I was attracted to their Gourmet Inclusive Meal Plan and sustainable practices, in addition to their luxurious amenities. You can read about my visits to El Dorado Seaside & El Dorado Royale & Casitas.

ALL El Dorado Resorts, including El Dorado Maroma located on the BEST beach in Mexico, are on sale this fall. But hurry - you must book by October 13 to secure reduced rates & resort credit.


The Resort Credit includes:
Five $10.00 USD credits towards a bottle of wine
$100.00 USD credit towards a couple's sky massage. 
$50.00 USD credit towards a beachfront dinner.


Ready to start packing? Drop us a line and we'll combine the hotel special with discounted international flights to for a great deal on a luxury vacation package. Cancun is serviced by all major airlines, including United Airlines & American Airlines. 

Riu Palace Las Americas launches FALL SALE!

{look at that water... seriously so blue!!!}

The Riu Palace Las Americas in Cancun, Mexico is on sale this fall! With reduced rates, spa credits, and discounts on golf at neighboring courses, now is a great time to visit! 

Book by October 28 for travel until December 23, 2011. 

{As with all promos, restrictions apply, please inquire.}

Cancun is serviced by all major airlines, including United Airlines & American Airlines. Drop us a line if you are ready to start planning. 

Cheerio,

In Celebration of Cinco de Mayo

There are a few Mexico Vacation Specials I'd like to highlight in honor of one of my favorite celebrations... CINCO de MAYO! But first... here's a little background info on Cinco de Mayo. 

Cinco de Mayo always makes me hungry. {If I wasn't expecting, these 3 simple words would make me crave an icy cold margarita with loads of fresh lime.}

{photo from Life's Ambrosia}

Bring a little bit of Cinco de Mayo into your kitchen with these great recipes from Life's Ambrosia.

If you're ready to taste Mexico for yourself, check out these travel deals to the Cancun area:

The Royal Hideaway Playacar is offering up to $500 in resort credits + 25% off their rates. The resort credit may be used towards green fees, spa treatments, and more! 

The Melia Cozumel is on sale with rates starting at only $68/per person, per night, ALL-INCLUSIVE! This hotel is great for golfers & divers - with a full service dive shop next door and a Nicklaus Designed Golf Course right across the street. 

{As with all promotions, restrictions apply.}

We look forward to helping you plan your own Mexican getaway! info@caribbeanjourney.com

866-236-1924

Salud!

MEXICO on SALE!

MEXICO is on SALE!

{This is Dreams Puerto Adventuras}

Our travel partners are offering great rates to Mexico right now! 


Off the top, you will save:

• $50 on vacations of $999 - $2,499
• $125 on vacations of $2,500 - $4,999
• $250 on vacations of $5,000 or more

Also, with select airlines, you could earn up to 2000 bonus frequent flier miles! 

In combination with these two perks, many of the resorts are offering their own booking incentives. A few we like are:

Adventura Cove Palace - kids stay free and up to $2500 in resort credit.

Azul Beach & Azul Sensatori - complimentary room upgrade.

Dreams Puerto Adventuras - complimentary golf, kids stay and eat free, up to 45% off room rates and up to $400 resort credit.

Iberostar Paraiso Beach - kids stay & eat free and complimentary golf.

Book by March 31, 2011 for travel through July 31, 2011. As with all promotions, restrictions apply. Please inquire for a custom quote and full package details! 


Best,

Enter the Beach Blogger Contest!!

Are YOU the best Paradise Beach Blogger?

The Beach Blogger Contest gives up-and-coming bloggers and travel lovers alike a chance to visit a resort of their choice from within the Collection (Marriott & Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico Resorts) and then blog on-location. To enter the contest, applicants have through Feb. 24, 2011 to visit www.ParadiseBeachBlogger.com and provide submissions highlighting their passion for travel and writing and convince fans as to why they are the ideal blogger to report on one of Marriott & Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico Resorts remarkable properties. 

            After the submission period is over, five deserving finalists will be chosen and from March 1-15, 2011 family, friends and travel enthusiasts will cast their vote at www.ParadiseBeachBlogger.com  to determine which finalist will embark on their dream vacation.  The applicant with the most votes will be awarded a stay at the participating Marriott & Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico Resorts property of their choosing.

            The winning blogger will receive a five day/four night stay in an ocean view room with all resort meals included, as well as a resort credit of $100-$500, welcome amenity and activities unique to destination, including but not limited to snorkeling, sailing or a destination tour.  The blogger will chronicle their stay by creating and posting at least three blog entries per day which will be available on www.ParadiseBeachBlogger.com and MARCAM’s Facebook page. 

Visit Marriott & Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico Resorts Facebook page www.facebook.com/MarriottCaribbeanMexico or Twitter handle www.twitter.com/MarriottResorts to learn more about the contest and the Collection. 

As with ALL promotions, restrictions apply. Please visit www.ParadiseBeachBlogger.com for full details.

Good luck!

The 6th Room is FREE at some of my FAVORITE Resorts

{This is Zoetry Agua Punta Cana}

Hurry! Book 6 rooms by November 30, 2010 at any AMR Resort - the parent company of Dreams Resorts, NOW Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Zoetry Resorts - and the 6th room is absolutely FREE! Travel must be completed by April 30, 2011.

Plus, your group will receive a complimentary room upgrade, VIP private check-in and $200 in resort coupons.

Dreams & NOW Resorts are family friendly resorts, while Secrets & Zoetry cater to adults only.

Ready, Set, Go? Let us know!

Happy Weekend,

My Visit to Excellence Playa Mujeres

The Excellence Resorts have one of the highest repeat guest ratings in the category of adults only all-inclusive resorts. They have 3 properties - the Excellence Riviera Cancun, the Excellence Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and my favorite, the Excellence Playa Mujeres. Playa Mujeres is north of Cancun proper. From the amazing beach, you can see Isla Mujeres. I love it that while this hotel is chic and modern, it doesn't stray entirely from classic Mexican decor:

All hotel rooms and bathrooms on property are created in the same design, with the same soft furnishings - the only difference between room categories is location and your travel agent will be able to help you decide on the best location for your stay:

The Excellence Spas are noteworthy for any spa connoisseur. They are clean & minimalist without feeling stark or cold. See the curtains below? They create a giant circle, or "the cloud" and inside you'll find aromatherapy candles, soft music, and cozy chaise lounges. This is where you will relax and wait for your service:

The open air design of the communal spa space houses a state-of-the-art water circuit to rival any spa worldwide:

These are the spa cabanas which are conveniently located in front of the spa and the lazy river:

There are so many pools on property that at any given time you will surely find one practically empty so you may enjoy a quiet and peaceful swim:

The pristine beach is a highlight. It is wide enough to house all guests comfortably and long enough to allow for lazy sunset strolls, cocktail in hand:

 The Excellence Playa Mujeres is a great choice for a honeymoon or a group of friends wanting a sophisticated beach getaway. The hotel is also one of our bride's top choices for a Destination Wedding. We've booked 11 weddings here in the past few years, including this one that I was lucky enough to attend.


For more photos from my visit click here to view our Flickr gallery!

We'd love to help your plan your Excellence vacation! Contact us!

Enjoy!

Azul Sensatori Hotel

Welcome to the Azul Sensatori Hotel. This is check-in:

Complete with easy access for the little ones to check in too... all located in a super chic lobby:

The hotel was completely full during my visit... and it was October - LOW season! This alone speaks volumes about the hotel but also meant I wasn't able to see any rooms. Having seen the rooms at the other two Azul Hotels, I'm confident the Azul Sensatori rooms will not disappoint. 

We did have some time to relax on the super chic roof-top lounge:

This is the view - beautiful pools, clear ocean, and a cruise ship in the distance:

The grounds were lush and green yet still very open and spacious.

We ended our night with a lovely dinner on the beach. Jump over here and see the photos... 

Mexico Tourism Board Launches iTunes App

The Mexico Tourism Board launched the Visit Mexico iPhone application -- the first iPhone travel application to provide nationwide coverage. Users can select to receive information from six regions and all 32 states, in addition to receiving in-depth information about 27 top tourist destinations. The app includes several features, such as online news and weather, interesting activities, videos and Google Map links for top destinations. The application also includes an interactive “piñata” game where users can shake the iPhone to receive a treat -- a destination suggestion. By tapping the name of the suggested destination, users can learn more about its culture, cuisine, climate, geographical setting and much more. This is the perfect game for spontaneous travelers, who love nothing more than jetting away to new and enticing locales.

One of the best features of the application is the “Activities” section located on the home screen. By tapping into this section, users can learn more about Mexico’s wide range of activities. From beaches to camping to entertainment, users can see their favorite activities in a multitude of Mexican destinations, such as Tijuana, Cancun, RivieraNayarit and Queretaro, among others. By using the application, users can also learn more about Mexico’s numerous World Heritage sites, festivals and rich history all with the “tap” of a button.

Get it here, its FREE! 

Have fun,

My Visit to El Dorado Royale & Casitas, Riviera Maya

The El Dorado Royale is one of three El Dorado Resorts - the luxury adults only resorts by Karisma. 

I haven't visited this part of the Riviera Maya since before Hurricane Wilma destroyed the beach. The exposed reef and large sandbags resembling beached whales in the shallow water, were a bit of a shock, but they don't take away from the clarity of the water and might actually be helping the environment as they form artificial reefs. 

The resort has plenty of places to relax with your toes in the sand:

The accommodations at Royale are private villa suites featuring dark wood furnishings, white linens, and marble baths. And every room has a jacuzzi for two...

 The newer Casitas section is more luxurious with outdoor showers, full size beds on every veranda, pillow & aromatherapy menus, and some rooms with private pools: 

The El Dorado Hotels are very popular and were almost at max capacity even in October. We'd love to help you book early and lock in your preferred dates at a great rate. info@caribbeanjourney.com

Click here for more of my photos from the El Dorado Royale & Casitas.

Stay tuned for more reports from my trip! 

Cheers,