Anniversary


by Dream Vacations on March 9, 2012

Right at the beach and close to Playa del Carmen, the elegant Riu Palace Mexico is  decorated following the traditional style of Mexico.  The hotel provides of two swimming pools of fresh water surrounded by a vast park, a Jacuzzi, a solarium-terrace, a gym and the “Renova Spa” with different kinds of treatments and massages.

The restaurants are characterized by Mexico’s big variety of recipes. It is recognized by its distinctive flavors with a lot of different spices. It mixes up tradition, Mesoamerican as well as European.

This hotel is located in a shared complex with the Riu Palace Riviera Maya, Riu Playacar, Riu Tequila, and Riu Yucatan.  You can find numerous activities like table tennis, a gym, volleyball, golf and aquatic sports like windsurfing, catamaran, kayak, body board, snorkeling and much more. At night we suggest you to see the shows and to listen to live music or that you visit “La Piñata” disco where you can dance the night away. Your children can also participate in the Riuland children mini-club where they make handicrafts and activities with other children.

Highly rated as one of Trip Advisors’ hotels, here is a recent review.

My husband and I stayed at the Riu Palace Mexico 11/12-11/19 2011. I had always wanted to try a RIU property. We’ve stayed at some of the other chains before and been quite happy. The service here is top notch they anticipate your next need even before you do!! I chose this because of the beach and was not disappointed, it is beautiful. The food was very good, no complaints. We ate at the buffet every night but one. The place is spotless I have never seen a place cleaned daily as thoroughly as they do. The staff there is wonderful. We would definitely return here.

by Dream Vacations on March 7, 2012

AM Resorts have always had some great golf offerings.  Today they have announced an even better golf experience for guests staying at a their resorts in the Riviera Maya.  New access to the Grand Coral golf course means an even better vacation when you book these leading brands. Below is the details on this exciting news.

Guests of Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya, Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun, Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun, Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Now Jade Riviera Cancun and Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun are offered complimentary greens fees at Grand Coral Rivera Maya. Only steps away from the breathtaking Caribbean Sea, PGA champion and golf course designer, Nick Price, created Grand Coral Riviera Maya. Golf pros and amateurs alike can enjoy a round on this magnificent 18 hole, 7,043 yard course.

Guests of the seven resorts listed above can enjoy one complimentary round per person, per day when staying December 24, 2011 until April 30, 2013. There are additional fees that guests are responsible for at the golf course. Pricing is according to the season as follows:

Pricing from December 24, 2011 to April 30, 2012 and December 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013:

  • Premium Tee Time Supplement: $35 per person
  • Cart fee: $50 per person in a shared cart
  • Junior (under 18 years old): $40 per junior riding with an adult
  • Rider fee: $35 (includes access to the club areas)
  • Re-round fee: $50 per re-round (9 or 18 holes)

Pricing from May 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012:

  • Premium Tee Time Supplement: $35 per person
  • Cart fee: $40 per person in a shared cart
  • Junior (under 18 years old): $40 per junior riding with an adult
  • Rider fee: $35 (includes access to the club areas)
  • Re-round fee:  $50 per re-round (9 or 18 holes)

Additional pricing details: Premium Tee Times are from 6 am to 1 pm from December to April and from 6 am to 2 pm from May to November. Individual reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance through the resort’s concierge and are subject to availability. A no-show penalty of $50 will be charged to your room. To avoid this fee guests must cancel with a minimum of 24 hours before the booked tee time.

Guests also have access to a wide range of amenities and services at the Grand Coral Club House and the Beach Club including use of the fitness center, dressing rooms, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath. For an additional charge, guests also have access to the snack bar, pro shop, cabanas and beach towels and umbrellas.

Please note that the current golf offers for guests of Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort & Spa and Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa at The Riviera Maya Golf Club remain in effect until April 30, 2012.

If your looking to include a few rounds of golf then book the Dreams, Zoetry, Now and Secrets hotels.  Great hotels and great golf deals.

by Dream Vacations on February 17, 2012

Looking for some pampering and relaxation before midnight feedings and sleep deprivation become the norm? A pre-baby vacation is the perfect answer!

Babymoons are designed for optimum pampering and luxury. These “last hurrah” trips for parents-to-be provide the perfect setting to relax and reconnect as a couple before entering (or re-entering) parenthood. Pre-baby vacations are one of the hottest trends in travel today, and with good reason. Moms and dads-to-be know that luxury vacations without sippy cups and bibs may be out of reach for a while, so they’re seizing the opportunity for one last romantic getaway.

Our goal is to help you find the perfect babymoon vacation. We researched many hotel destinations tailored to the needs and interests of parents-to-be.   I would suggest the Secrets CapriEnjoy a babymoon to remember at this luxury, adults only, all-inclusive resort. The resort’s setting is stunning – nestled between lush, tropical foliage and a long stretch of sugary-white beach. Located in Riviera Maya, the resort is only a short ride from Playa del Carmen. Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun recently earned a spot on the esteemed 2009 Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List.

Although spa services are not included in the all-inclusive rate, a visit to the resort’s 13,000 square foot spa is definitely worth the added expense. Featuring a relaxing lounge and couples massage suites, Secrets Spa by Pevonia offers over 30 different spa services.

Or what about the Iberostar Grand Bavaro in the Dominican Republic, adults only, all inclusive resort offers “Grand Star Service” with butlers at your beck and call! Of course, all your meals, drinks, tips, entertainment and standard activities are included in your rate for a hassle-free getaway.

Last but not least, how about the Le Blanc Spa and Resort in Cancun?  One word Awesome!!   This adult’s only resort offers an experience of sophisticated style, lavish personal attention, contemporary and minimalist decoration that create a exceptionally exotic ambiance. Flanked by Nichupte lagoon and the gorgeous Caribbean Sea, this resort provides 260 luxurious accommodations, a Spa offering the ultimate space for total well being, the finest haute cuisine at five upscale restaurants, and three outdoor pools including two infinity pools complete with swim-up bars.

Let us get you relexed before partenthood arrives!!

by Dream Vacations on February 10, 2012

I had a great trip to the Gran Bahia Principe Tulum.  The Bahia is part of a multiple hotel complex in Tulum in the Mexican Riviera Maya.  The Gran Bahia Akumal and the Gran Bahia Coba are the other 2 hotels on the complex and you can utlilize the other hotels.  It is just over an hour from the airport.

The rooms and suites are distributed throughout 3-story villas surrounded by acres of tropical coconut palms and exotic vegetation.  All the rooms have a balcony and we did have an ocean view.  They do not list any of their rooms as having an ocean view but our villa had a great view.  The pools are huge and feature a great swim up bar.

The beach is a bit rocky (coral) in some places but it made for great snorkeling.  The evening entertainment was the best I had seen in a family friendly all inclusive.  At the entrance of the complex is a small shopping center for souvenirs and any essentials you may have forgot.

I really enjoyed the food.  I thought all the ala carte restaurants and the buffets were super.  The service at the Lobby Bar was awesome and each bartender treated us as if we were the only guests in the bar.  This hotel also seems to be the best prepared for bad weather with Hurricane doors on the rooms.  I was actually here post hurricane and they moved several hundred guests to the Bahia from other hotels.  The hotel still did not miss a beat and continued to provide an amazing service level.  If your looking for an affordable hotel that outperforms you need to experience The Gran Bahia hotels in Tulum, Riviera Maya.

by Emily Kupersmith on February 6, 2012

Nassau/Paradise Island, Bahamas is the prefect destination for the traveler who likes to leave the resort and experience the local way of life. No Nassau vacation is complete without a visit to the Straw Market, the unique market featuring everything from hand made trinkets to souvenir t-shirts to wear when you get back home. Surrounded by local restaurants, shopping and muesums, the Straw Market is a great starting spot to check out the local Nassau experience. After shopping till you drop, head a few blocks away to the Pirate Museum. Learn the legend of Blackbeard the pirate, check out their pirate ship and have your picture taken with your very own pirate as he hustles you into the guillotine for your final words. For those who chose a resort on Paradise Island, head over to the the ferry, where for $3 a person you can ride the ferry right to the Straw Market. For those interested in the local cuisine a 20 minute walk from the Straw Market to the Fish Fry is the perfect locale for fresh fish and unbeatable conch. If you get a little warm on the way, dip your feet in the stunning turquoise waters as you pass the famous Junkanoo Beach.

Paradise Island offers plenty of opportunity for off resort fun as well! Head over to the ancient Cloisters for beautiful stone work, statues, flowers and arches. Built by monks in the 12th & 13th century in Montreux, France, this stunning beachfront garden takes you back to the days of the yonder year.

Located just next door to the Riu Palace Paradise Island, the gambler in your group will love the Atlantis Casino, which is free to enter, and make your vacation pay for itself after a few wins on any of their 750 new slot machines or 80 table games.

As always the best feature of the Bahamas are those beautiful powdery white beaches and sparkling turquoise waters. Even if you’re family wants nothing more than to enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation by the ocean, Nassau/Paradise Island offers the perfect vacation experience every time!

by Dream Vacations on February 3, 2012

The Excellence Playa Mujeres is about 25 minute from the Cancun airport.  It is not in Cancun’s hotel zone or the Riviera Maya.  It is located in Playa Mujeres which is a new area northwest of Cancun.  It is an adult only hotel with and amzing spa, marina and a Greg Norman golf course right on the property.  The hotel is close to downtown Cancun and you have a wonderful view of Isla Mujeres.

They offer many  different room styles and they are all gorgeous.  Their best room is a roof top terrace suite with a private plunge pool.  Every room has a glassed in Jacuzzi that will open up completely to your balcony.  The pool is a lagoon style that runs through the entire resort.  Private Cabanas line the lagoon pool and they offer plenty of lounge chairs by the swim up bar.  This hotel also has an activity pool for volleyball and other pool games.

The beach here is very nice and it offers great views of both downtown Cancun and Playa Mujeres.  As you enter the resort they have some caged jaguars I guess to add a little mystique?

The food was excellent.  They have 9 different restaurants so you never had to wait for a table.  The Lobster House and The Grill  was our favorite.  The weather was perfect so we wanted to have dinner outside.  We usually like to try all the different restaurants but on this trip we only got to 3 of them.  The Spa looked real special and everyone we talked to said it was one of the best.  It is located by the pool and had huge linens draped at the entryway.

We did the Excellence Club and I really enjoyed the added benefits.  The check in and check out was private and when our room was not ready the concierge ordered lunch for us and had it sent to the Excellence club lounge.  I would head down to the lounge for drinks and snacks every evening while my wife was getting ready for dinner.  After a few days we sort of had a pre-dinner club going on with some of the other guests.  The concierge was on the top of his game and even offered suggestions on his favorite entrees at the restaurants.  He was so good  I was 30 minutes late picking up the Mrs. for dinner. The next night he set me an alarm to keep me out of hot water!  Now that is service.

The Excellence was also listed on Conde Nast Traveler’s gold list for 2011.  This resort is wonderful and if your tired of the Hotel Zone or the Riviera Maya come check out Playa Mujeres.  This is one resort you have to experience.