Showing posts with label Vacations in Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vacations in Mexico. Show all posts

Thursday, February 06, 2014

Grand Velas Resorts are Fabulous!


Last January we loved our stay at the Grand Velas Resort Riviera Nayarit near Puerto Vallarta. In fact, we liked it so much we thawed out at the Grand Velas Resort Riviera Maya near Cancun.


Now we're back in the freezing winter wonderland of Minnesota and the memories of our stay in Mexico last week are all we have to keep us warm!

We have always loved luxury cruises - most notably Silversea Cruises and Seabourn Cruises - largely because of the extraordinarily friendly and efficient service… and the fabulous food. The Grand Velas resorts are every bit as good as those two cruise lines - and that's saying a lot!!!!

Our travel company, Acendas/Gateway Express, recommends Grand Velas Resorts for the very finest in all-inclusive resorts!

If this sounds good to you, I would be happy to share more and perhaps give you some tips. Just email me.

Happy Landing,

Dick

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

I Love Mexico; I Hate Mexico

Proving again that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we received post-trip comments from two people who were part of the same spring break group to the Riu Santa Fe in Cabo San Lucas.
  • One had nothing good to say about the resort or the trip - nothing!
  • The other loved it and is already planning to go back there next winter.
Not much more that I need to say!


Cheers,
Dick

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Cabo San Lucas is Hot...

... in so many ways!
There are 3 "hot", sun destinations going these days.... Costa Rica, Punta Cana and Cabo San Lucas. (More on the first two another day.) We just returned from our 3rd trek to Cabo and enjoyed it even more than on previous visits. This place rocks!

Those of you who know me are aware that I'm not that big a Mexico fan. (Hawaii is my first love, second love and third love!) But, man cannot live on Hawaii alone!

Each time we go to Cabo, we find something new. This time it was the new Capella Resort which is situated "through" the mountain from downtown. Yup, I said through! The only access to this incredibly upscale resort is through a 1/4 mile tunnel that was drilled through the mountain that separates the town from the Pacific Coast.

Literally built into the beach-side of this very large rock, the Capella Resort gives you seclusion only 1/3 of a mile from nightlife of downtown - Cabo Wabo and such!

If you can't afford to stay at Capella, you at least should dine there- and be sure your credit card accounts have plenty of available credit. (But, a word of warning.... you won't get past the front gate without being on the resort or restaurant reservation list.)

I'm exaggerating a bit... it IS pricy, but well worth the splurge!

Cheers,

Dick

Thursday, July 07, 2011

Mexico: A Great Vacation Choice!

At my travel agency, we have been alarmed by the number of clients who are telling us that they don't want to consider a Mexican vacation because of the reports of violence.

There are many valid personal reasons for a specific client to not care for Mexico, but concern over the reports of violence should not be one of them - unless you're thinking of those wonderful vacation spots such as Juarez or Tijuana. The drug wars along the U.S. border are thousands of miles from the popular beach resort areas of Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. It's sort of like avoiding Vail or Big Sky because of border violence around Tucson or El Paso!

My agency, Gateway Express Travel, doesn't particularly "push" Mexico, but it is a fine option for beach vacations. Our two most popular destinations in Mexico (by far) are Cabo and the Riviera Maya. Both are at the tips of thousand mile long peninsulas - far from the crossroads of Mexico and even further from the U.S. border. Both present dozens of great resorts with outstanding service and dining. And the values are terrific! Your vacation dollar goes further in Mexico than any place else.

Actually, my personal favorite is, and will always be, Hawaii. But I often recommend Mexico to certain people depending upon their interests for a specific outing... It's a great value and, with a lot of non-stop flight options, it's easy to get to.

Happy Traveling,

Dick

Note: The owner of another travel agency reported that she had a client cancel a Puerto Vallarta vacation because of a recent incident there. Where did they go instead? Phoenix... one of the most troubled cities in the country because of the drug violence. Go figure!!!!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Vacation Tips: Why Won't They Listen?

A good client of our agency just returned from Mexico and reported that, although there were a lot of good things, the experience was poor - and they won't go back to Mexico.

Turns out, they ignored almost everything we advised. First off, we urged them to book a resort that we have had great "happy traveler" results but they opted for a lesser (cheaper) property. Then, because they were staying during the very, very busy spring break period, we urged them to book the premium section of the resort which would allow them special privileges including better access to the specialty restaurants. They "passed". Then, they did not heed our advice about eating at restaurants away from the resorts, staying in the mid-day sun too long, etc.

It's quite sad... their $2,800 vacation was largely ruined... and they have a negative view of a very nice sun destination.

Why don't people listen to us?

Journey Well,

Dick



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Where to Go on Vacation

Just a quick follow-up to the last post...

Several people were surprised by my "where to go" thoughts. Many thought that knowing where they want to go is a no-brainer. But, it isn't!

Here's the problem: You see the TV ads; you see the beautiful beach depictions on the web sites. They leave one with the perception that tropical beach locations are just heavenly - and most are. But some are not. And, even with those that are wonderful, there are good areas and not-so-good areas. (TV ads can even make North Dakota look interesting!)

I remember several years back when a young couple asked specifically for a honeymoon on Waikiki Beach. They wanted a relaxing, romantic atmosphere. As you all know there is nothing relaxing or romantic about Waikiki Beach. We tried to talk them out of it.... to no avail.

Journey On!

Dick

Friday, February 18, 2011

Riviera Maya - Know Before You Go!

Sharing a Martini with a new acquaintance recently, the subject of vacations in Mexico came up. He had just come back from Mazatlan (not one of my favorites) and I asked if they had ever been to the Riviera Maya, south of Cancun.

He said they had been there once and didn't like it. "The Riv" is one of my travel company's most popular destinations so, needless to say, I was surprised!

They didn't like that they were in the middle of nowhere and couldn't do a thing without taking taxis. It turns out that they found a resort that "looked nice on-line" and booked it without giving any thought to details other than pictures, descriptions and prices.

We know the resort where they stayed - and it is a very nice resort that we have sent clients to for the 7 years since it was built. But, we would have never recommended it to these folks! They were interested in "seeing & doing". We would have recommended one of several great resorts within easy walking distance to downtown Playa del Carmen.

The place where they stayed is perfect for people (like us) who are going for "resort living"... to enjoy the pool, the beach, the spa, the fine dining and the cocktail lounges... and a couple books. But, it wasn't right for these people!

That's why a good travel counselor is worth their weight in gold! If you don't have one, find one! Dispelling the myth, a travel agent will usually save you money... and will always assure the right situation for you!

Cheers,

Dick

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Destination Weddings on the Riviera Maya

Destination Weddings are the hottest trend in the country... and they now account for almost one fourth of all weddings! WOW!

My travel agency, Gateway Express Travel has almost accidentally become a leading resource for weddings on Mexico's Riviera Maya (among other beach destinations).

Here's a "free tip" for anyone planning such a project: NEVER go to a resort that doesn't specialize in weddings. Making everything run smoothly is not as easy as one might think. My further warning is that many resorts that CLAIM to be experts in weddings, are not!

If you know anyone so inclined, please warn them that this is not a do-it-yourself project! Find a good travel consultant (hopefully us!) that is experienced with this specialty. There are so many elements involved that even experienced travelers typically don't consider.

I will be happy to share more tips with anyone thinking of doing this... totally without any obligation to plan their event with my agency. Just email me: dick@gatewayexpress.com

Cheers,

Dick


Friday, November 26, 2010

Gateway Express Travel of Minnesota

Note: This post is an update of one posted about a year ago. The original post was among the most "liked" of any I've done.

My agency's most popular sun destination is Mexico's Riviera Maya. If you look at our web site (and I really hope that you do!) you'll see that we feature 3 or 4 different resort groups along this fabulous coast.

Every one of them is 4-Star or better; and every one of them is very high quality. So, why do we "specialize" more than one? The answer is simple: Every client has a little different set of interests.

For example, our personal favorite has the very best cuisine and a fabulous spa. And, we love fine dining as well as nice spa facilities and service. But, we are not beach people! We prefer being around the resort's pools. This particular resort does not have a particularly great beach. In getting to know our client, we learn that they love walking the beach and playing in the ocean. Further, they are not spa people. So, for them, our favorite is not right for them. We recommend another resort that does have a gorgeous beach.

Another element: A client matching the desires noted above may have been to XYZ Resort seven years ago, loved the beautiful beach and want to go back. What was a beautiful beach before the last hurricane is now gone. We know that... but do they? Will that resort honestly point out that their beach is gone?

Now, if you look them up on-line, the pictures and descriptions are lovely. The price for each is about the same. But these nuances are not contained in the information. That's why you need a professional!

We've been there. And, we get constant feedback from the clients we've sent. Rely upon a good travel agent!!! I would hope you choose Gateway Express Travel, but there are many good travel agencies out there!

(One final note: Many people think that reviews on TripAdvisor will guide them. But, it is becoming increasingly evident that many reviews are skewed. Resort owners and managers posing as past guests are making glowing comments AND people connected with competing resorts also posing... this time to unfairly criticize a resort. Beware!)

Cheers,

Dick

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Here's Why You Need a Travel Agent

My agency's most popular Sun Destination is the Riviera Maya. If you look at our web site (and I really hope that you do!) you'll see that we claim to feature 3 or 4 different resort groups along this fabulous Mexican "sun coast".

Every one of them is 4-Star or better; and every one of them is very high quality. So, why do we "specialize" more than one? The answer is simple: Every client has a little different set of interests.

For example, our personal favorite has the very best cuisine and a fabulous spa. And, we love fine dining as well as nice spa facilities and service. But, we are not beach people! We prefer being around the resort's pools. This particular resort does not have a particularly great beach. In getting to know our client, we learn that they love walking the beach and playing in the ocean. Further, they are not spa people. So, for them, our favorite is not right for them. We recommend another resort that does have a gorgeous beach.

Another element: A client matching the desires noted above may have been to XYZ Resort seven years ago, loved the beautiful beach and want to go back. What was a beautiful beach before the last hurricane is now gone. We know that... but do they? Will that resort honestly point out that their beach is gone?

Now, if you look them up on-line, the pictures and descriptions are lovely. The price for each is about the same. But these nuances are not contained in the information. That's why you need a professional!

We've been there. And, we get constant feedback from the clients we've sent. Rely upon a good travel agent!!! I would hope you choose us, but there are many good ones out there!

(One final note: Many people think that reviews on TripAdvisor will guide them. But, it is becoming increasingly evident that many reviews are skewed. Resort owners and managers posing as past guests are making glowing comments AND people connected with competing resorts also posing... this time to unfairly criticize a resort. Beware!)

Cheers,

Dick

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

El Dorado Resorts in Mexico set a New Standard!

Sometimes, at my travel agency, we just swerve into "a find". Our founding of Gateway Golf Vacations several years ago was unintended. A corporate traveler, knowing that one of our corporate agents was a golf fanatic, asked if she had any ideas for a golf trip for 4 guys. She did; they went; they loved it; within 6 weeks, he referred over a dozen other people to her. By the end of the winter season, she had booked over 60 people to this place.

It is the same scenario that led Gateway Express Travel to feature the three El Dorado Resorts on the Riviera Maya. We were aware of these resorts and decided to try one of them for our own winter escape. We were impressed well beyond our expectations and came back singing their praises to our clients. Just this season we have sent dozens of couples - including honeymooners - and a large destination wedding group. I won't bore you with all the reasons why our clients have loved these places and have referred others to us. If you do want to check this out, click the link above!

Do something REALLY special for your next sun vacation!

Cheers,

Dick

Saturday, June 20, 2009

El Dorado Resorts in Mexico set a New Standard!

OK, so it was back in April when I said I would blog about the three El Dorado Resorts along the Riviera Maya. So, I've been busy since the golf courses opened. (Hope my wife doesn't see this!)

As I said in my April 22 post, we had stayed at the RIU Tropical Bay in Negril just 5 days before visiting the El Dorado Resorts. Our clients love RIU resorts for family vacations... but for romantic, adult-only escapes, we passionately beg our clients to try the El Dorado Royale, El Dorado Maroma or El Dorado Sunset. Imagine an all-inclusive resort with no buffets, no wrist bands and no need to fight for limited reservations in the themed restaurants! Imagine a place where all restaurants are Gourmet!

Here's the trick, though... each of these properties presents a distinctly different style and ambience. (Which one will be right for you? You really need a good travel agent who has been there - and who knows your lifestyle and preferences... I can recommend one if you wish!)

We stayed at the El Dorado Royale, the largest of the three, about half way between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The ambiance was romantic but somewhat lively and the Spa was drop-dead fabulous. Even within this one resort, there were two distinct atmospheres. The junior suite section and the casita section are quite different in several ways. (Hint: The Royale is large enough to host smaller corporate meeting groups.) It was hard to decide which restaurant we liked best - they were all fabulous. We visited the other two resorts and had a hard time picking a favorite. We agreed that it all would come down to what we would be looking for in a specific outing... not only in terms of the elements of the properties but also with regard to location. If you want to know what I mean by that, send a comment or email me at dick@gatewayexpress.com.

These resorts take all-inclusives to a new level. Here's a link to more details of the El Dorado Resorts!

Cheers,

Dick

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Taking All-Inclusive Resorts to a New Level.

We've just completed an interesting few weeks having visited Jamaica for the first time in about 12 years then, just 5 days after returning from that trip, headed off for Mexico's Riviera Maya.

What a contrast! Both destinations and both of the all-inclusive resorts were absolutely great... in Negril we stayed at a family-oriented resort but in Mexico we chose an adult-only property. 

At Gateway Express Travel we book hundreds of families at a variety of RIU Resorts throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Their top tier of resorts, referred to as "Palace Class" properties, present the very best in accommodations, service and food.  RIU Palaces and their slightly more moderate standard class properties are perfect for family vacations. Over the years of sending clients to RIU's we have received just one complaint - and we didn't feel that one was a valid objection. (There are those that are just plain cranky, aren't there?)

Our stay at the RIU Tropical Bay was close to perfect - and we tip our hats to the employees who served us so well and made it clear that they appreciated our visit.

But here's where the contrast begins: The resort on the Riviera Maya took us to a new level. With no children present, the quiet was deafening and the ambiance was romantic without being boring. And the Spa was fabulous. If you have ever been to an all-inclusive you must paint a mind's-eye picture of a place with gourmet dining in 4 or 5 restaurants, no buffets and no wrist bands! And that's just for starters!

More on this experience next time. Stay aboard!
(If you are curious to know what resort I'm talking about, email me at dick@gatewayexpress.com)

Dick

To comment, please click the "comments" link below, type in your comments then, under “Choose an Identity”, select “Nickname" if you want to leave a name (your name or a ‘blog handle’) or just leave it blank. OR, you can select ‘Anonymous’. I would love to hear from you!

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

There's NEVER Been a Better Time to Travel!

The bargains are beyond anything I've EVER seen in my 34 years in the travel business! 

My travel agency just booked a few clients to Las Vegas - Round Trip Northwest flights from Minneapolis and 3 nights at the magnificent Wynn Las Vegas for $371 per person INCLUDING taxes and bellman gratuities.

This package one year ago was about $700 per person.

Ya Gotta Go!!!!

Dick

Monday, February 16, 2009

Why You NEED a Travel Professional - part 3


OK, I'm going to get off this theme, but every day we hear another story of woe from someone who has returned from a "blown vacation". Actually this title should be "Why you Need to Listen to your Travel Professional".

My travel agency has a few favorite resort groups... one that we like for families with teens; one for families with young children; one for couples looking for a peaceful, romantic escape where other people's children are not part of your vacation. In each case, our favored group is not the only quality group in that category - they are simply the ones with which we've had the most success over the years. (And, over the years, they change as some get stale and new groups emerge.) 

A client who we have sent to various RIU Resorts in Mexico over the last 4 or 5 years decided to go for a change of pace (They really, like most of us these days, were trying to cut costs a bit.) They had heard of another resort group from friends. We actually send some clients to this company - but we're careful as to who we recommend it to. It was a no-brainer to us that, given their past experiences, they would find this to be disappointing. But, they insisted.

And we were right. They found the resort facilities to be excellent... "Beautiful Grounds; Great Rooms; very clean; nice uncrowded pool areas and great beach".  Service and quality of food was quite a different matter... "Far less service than RIU's;  Hotel staff was not interested in helping us; consistently at buffets, once they seated us, they disappeared. We had go find our own coffee refills; Bar service very poor. Understaffed... and the staff that was there was totally inattentive; specialty restaurants were very nice but food was just ok... service was a little better than described above but not great. Food quality at the buffets was poor."

Nuff said! If you are accustomed to 5-Star quality, 3-Star won't cut it! We all need to reduce our spending a bit, but this isn't the way to do it. We typically advise clients to shorten their trip rather than to go down in quality. You are always going to remember the experience (good or bad!) but you won't remember whether you were there 7 nights or 5 to 6 nights!

Cheers,

Dick

To comment, please click the "comments" link below, type in your comments then, under “Choose an Identity”, select “Nickname" if you want to leave a name (your name or a ‘blog handle’) or just leave it blank. OR, you can select ‘Anonymous’. I would love to hear from you!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

You NEED a Travel Professional - part 2

If you flash back to my post of September 5, you'll see how easy it is to make a bad choice even in Paradise. We hear horror stories at our travel agency nearly every day. Here's the latest...

A young woman returned from her honeymoon in Naples, Italy in tears... booked a hotel on the internet and it was a dirty pit. We hear this again & again: "It looked really cute and the price was really good." (Ever hear of PhotoShop?) Not only would a GOOD travel counselor never put a client in such a hotel; they would have warned clients not to go to Naples which is one of the dirtiest cities in all of Europe. Amazingly, one of the most beautiful places in Europe is Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast - just 30 miles south of Naples!

Honestly, kids... I'm not shilling for my travel agency - in fact, I won't even reference my company here! My point is that you need a good agency. If you don't have one, check with the American Association of Travel Agents . There is no guarantee that every ASTA member agency is excellent but your odds are extremely good.

Cheers,

Dick

P.S. - If there ever was a time to travel now is it! The incentives being offered by resorts, cruise lines and vacation packagers are phenomenal. We just booked a client on a luxury European cruise in June for $2,798 per person. The same itinerary in 2008 - even with discounts at that time was $4,119. Brochure price is $4,876
A brand new 5-Star all-inclusive resort at Puerto Vallarta is now $1,279 including airfare, ground transportation, taxes, fees, etc! last year we were selling identical "sister properties" in Los Cabos and Playa del Carmen for around $1,600.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

...more on our Spa Resort stay:

As I said in the last post, I'm not ordinarily known for an ability to lay around and do nothing. But, this place just soothed the beast! For 3 days my golf clubs sat in the corner... and those who know me would be shocked to hear that it didn't bother me a bit! We did spa treatments each afternoon (I didn't go in for any of the exotic treatments - just some great massages) just before getting dressed for cocktails and wonderful dinners. After dinner, we would go to the wine bar off the outdoor section of the lobby and just sit overlooking the grounds and the ocean. What a way to end a perfect day!

OK; so what's so great about a massage? We all have had them at our local health clubs or day spas, right? Apart from the fact that spas in these 5-Star Resorts are something special, the total environment is one of relaxation. They are so quiet and peaceful that you generally will feel as if you are the only client in the spa.

And here's the real difference: When I go on a golf trip with the guys, the thing that makes it so special is that we are away from all the normal commitments. Nobody is late to the course because of a business tie up. Nobody has run off after golf because of a kid's game or concert. Nobody is pressured to be home in time for dinner. After golf on these trips, all we need to worry about is how much time we have for the pool or hot tub before getting ready to go to dinner! Same thing here: You have enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, taken a walk on the beach and relaxed in the sun at the pool before going to the spa. After your massage, you have as much time as you want to relax in the spa's lounge or whirlpool. Cocktails and dinner are on your terms.

If you are one who THINKS you are not a "spa resort type", think again!!!!!

Cheers,

Dick

To comment, please click the "comments" link below, type in your comments then, under “Choose an Identity”, select “Nickname" if you want to leave a name (your name or a ‘blog handle’) or just leave it blank. OR, you can select ‘Anonymous’. I would love to hear from you!

Saturday, February 09, 2008

"Our Cabo Stay Got Even Better..."

... the meeting that we were managing in Los Cabos broke up Sunday morning and we headed for a few days of personal time on the Pacific side of Cabo. And, what a treat we were in store for! We drove down through the town center of Cabo San Lucas and up the hills (almost mountains) and down the other side (a winding road for sure!) to the Pacific coast and our new home, the beach side Pueblo Bonito Pacifica - a quiet adults-only holistic spa resort.

The resort is the only structure of any kind on a mile and a half long beach (the picture in my previous post gives you some idea of how expansive and "private" the beach is). So, now, I am a good 30 minutes from the nearest golf course and I wondered how I would exist for 3 days without playing. It was no problem!!! This place was the most relaxing and regenerative place I've ever experienced. Being one that has a hard time sitting still for very long, I had some reservations about this stay. It didn't take long for me to know that I didn't care a hoot about leaving this oasis - much less beat myself up on a golf course.

Passing through, not one - but two security guard stations before arriving at the front door, we walked into the lobby which exuded the soothing spa aroma of lavender that immediately relaxed us. The first thing we did was to go to the spa to reconfirm our treatment reservations. The eucalyptus aromas in the spa practically put us to sleep!

Our suite overlooked the pool, grounds (the picture above and that with the last post were taken from our veranda) and ocean. We were welcomed to our room by soothing "spa music" which was playing from the television. And a candle diffuser that was emitting more lavender aromas.

No children! OK, we all love kids, right? But, who doesn't look forward to a break? This place was soooo peaceful - without being boring! The atmosphere there just breeds "quiet relaxation". Even those of us that aren't exactly known for being quiet and docile just fall into this state of quiet. People all around were visiting but everyone seemed to converse in low volume - almost at a whisper.

Whale watching from our veranda! What a show we were treated to! Because the ocean gets very deep very fast, we saw whales surfacing "up close & personal". A few times we saw 5 at a time and once, while walking the beach, a whale surfaced so close I could hear the exhalation (the water spout). From our veranda one morning, we saw a whale jump completely out of water (as in those Pacific Life Insurance commercials). WOW!

Gotta go... I'll add more to this later.

Dick

To comment, please click the "comments" link below, type in your comments then, under “Choose an Identity”, select “Nickname" if you want to leave a name (your name or a ‘blog handle’) or just leave it blank. OR, you can select ‘Anonymous’. I would love to hear from you!

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Greetings from Cabo San Lucas!


(Note: This post was created last week from Mexico but, because of a cyber road block, I couldn't upload it until I got home...)

Greetings from Cabo San Lucas! If you look back to my post of mid-December, you'll see that I have developed a new view of Mexico in the last couple years. Nothing could have demonstrated how far Mexico has come than this "return to Cabo". This is my first time back here since 1999 and the changes were astonishing! The "aeropuerto", (still very small) has a new terminal building; the number of private jets parked throughout the airport grounds was particularly eye-catching; a new highway from the airport to "resort row" and the town is now open. And, the new resorts and villas... Our magnificent 5-Star Resort, The Marquis, didn't even exist back then. In fact, there are about 20 high-end resort hotels that are new since then! Finally, a major sign of the "new" Mexico went almost unnoticed - At least if you are staying at an upscale resort or hotel, the old "don't drink the water" mantra is a thing of the past. (All bets are off if you venture into eateries away from the resorts!)

If you are at all familiar with the "Leading Hotels of the World" group of which the Marquis is a member, you know that's all you need to know of a hotel's quality! The service was friendly & efficient and the food was
wonderful. If you're a golfer, Cabo is THE place in Mexico for you. And the Marquis is just across the highway from my favorite among the many great courses here - Cabo Real. (For more on the golf, go to my Golf Blog.) The Marquis is a relatively small property that has you feeling quite well-attended. you don't get lost in the crowd - and you don't need to wait for a table or fight for a poolside lounge chair. The best way I could describe the Marquis would be "understated elegance". If you want over-the-top splashiness, I would recommend the Palmilla Resort or Las Ventanas.

It gets even better! We were at The Marquis managing a corporate incentive group (and this place is great for meetings of 50 to 150 people) but when that group disbursed on Sunday morning, we headed to the Pacific side and spent 3 glorious days at quiet adults-only holistic spa resort - the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica (pictured above). Those of you who know me have just fallen off your chairs!

More on that experience in the next couple days.

Dick

To comment, please click the "comments" link below, type in your comments then, under “Choose an Identity”, select “Nickname" if you want to leave a name (your name or a ‘blog handle’) or just leave it blank. OR, you can select ‘Anonymous’. I would love to hear from you!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Mexico has Come of Age!

Most of you know that I have not always been too wild about Mexico as a tropical winter sun destination. But, as I reported in a blog post last spring, I have been impressed with the remarkable improvement in the quality of the higher-end resorts in the last several years. They were pushed by the cruise boom 15 to 20 years ago and it took them awhile to figure why they were losing their clients to the cruises. And, so began the birth of the "All-Inclusive Resorts". Early on, the food was awful and the service - well, it was spotty at best! But, they certainly have figured it out and now can rightfully boast that their resorts are a worthy match... particularly in the areas of food quality and personal service. By far, the best of the All-Inclusive Resorts center around Playa del Carmen and Riviera Nayarit - the new resort area just a couple miles north of Puerto Vallarta. There are All-Inclusives throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, but these two areas offer the most choices.

The earlier post that I referred to focused upon our favorite - the
Riu Palace Riviera Maya at Playa del Carmen. (For more on that great 5-Star resort, refer back to my post of last May. Scroll down this page and click "older posts".) Now, we can heartily recommend the newest Riu Resort - the Riu Vallarta at Riviera Nayarit.

My travel agency has featured Riu Resorts all over the world for about 6 years now simply because they send our clients home happy... and, on our end of the table, they are delightful to work with. Tell your travel agent to send you to a 4-Star or 5-Star Riu Resort!

Cheers,

Dick