Playa del Carmen:
Riu Palace Riviera Maya gives me a fresh, new view of Mexico.
My wife and I recently spent a week at the brand new Riu Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen and loved it! I was as surprised as anyone since I haven't been especially fond of Mexico in the past. The place was elegant and the service truly the equal of first-class cruise lines - something I thought to be impossible. The food quality and presentation was far beyond that of any all-inclusive resort we have ever visited. In a seven night stay, we dined in a different restaurant each night. And, every one of them was perfect. The cocktail lounge in the main lobby was our favorite nightly spot before dinner. Live piano music and palatial atmosphere made it a perfect relaxing cocktail hour after a day in the sun. For golfers, the newly renovated Playacar Golf Club is directly across the street.
Our travel agency, Gateway Express Travel features Riu Resorts all over the world, so we thought we should try this area out since they have 5 resorts just in Playa del Carmen alone. I can heartily recommend it to anyone who wants the best. Tell your travel agent to check it out for you - especially if you haven't been a big fan of Mexico (as we weren't) before now!
Las Vegas Vacations...THE QUIETER, ELEGANT SIDE OF LAS VEGAS
My closest "friend" hates Las Vegas. It seems that her biggest objection is having to plow one's way through the crowded casino to get to her room after a lovely dinner or a great show. Well, there is a cure! My post of a few weeks ago spoke of the trend toward upscale everything - the elegant shops at Bellagio, The Venitian, Caesar's Palace and others; the Celebrity Chef Restaurants, and so on. Add to the list of elegance, some new hotels (with no casinos) that provide private entrances, private pool and spa areas and all the elegance of the finest upscale hotels in Manhattan. THE hotel at Mandalay Bay, the Skylofts at the MGM Grand are just a couple options and more are being built as I write this. (Hint: Trump is coming to Las Vegas soon.)
The other alternative destination within a destination is Lake Las Vegas. Two elegant lakeside resorts, two world-class golf clubs and relatively 'sane' casinos are yours here... and you are only 20 minutes from The Strip for those great shows and other attractions.
On your next adventure, fly First Class to Las Vegas, ride to your hotel in a private executive car, check in at the Invited Guests desk, and get 'front of the line' status at the popular Celebrity Chef Restaurants (and for the 30-something crowd - the hot nightclubs!) at a price well-below what you might expect. If you love the excitement of The Strip but want it in small doses with a quick escape route to quiet, elegant surroundings this is for you!
I would be happy to give you some additional tips. Send a comment to this blog post OR just email me.
Cheers,
Dick
My wife and I recently spent a week at the brand new Riu Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen and loved it! I was as surprised as anyone since I haven't been especially fond of Mexico in the past. The place was elegant and the service truly the equal of first-class cruise lines - something I thought to be impossible. The food quality and presentation was far beyond that of any all-inclusive resort we have ever visited. In a seven night stay, we dined in a different restaurant each night. And, every one of them was perfect. The cocktail lounge in the main lobby was our favorite nightly spot before dinner. Live piano music and palatial atmosphere made it a perfect relaxing cocktail hour after a day in the sun. For golfers, the newly renovated Playacar Golf Club is directly across the street.
Our travel agency, Gateway Express Travel features Riu Resorts all over the world, so we thought we should try this area out since they have 5 resorts just in Playa del Carmen alone. I can heartily recommend it to anyone who wants the best. Tell your travel agent to check it out for you - especially if you haven't been a big fan of Mexico (as we weren't) before now!
