A sprinkling of new hotels and other goodies in Mexico.
the cape, a thompson hotel
Coming soon—this summer to be exact—is The Cape, a Thompson Hotel. This 161-guestroom hotel, located along Monuments Beach in Cabo San Lucas, offers picturesque views of the Sea of Cortez and El Arco; it’s also the first Thompson hotel to open in Mexico. The resort will feature an architectural and design look of a 1960’s Baja-meets-Southern California vibe. Your clients can expect two pools, including an infinity pool with swim-up bar; a rooftop lounge and garden with city and sea views; a spa and fitness center with a private outdoor cabana for oceanview treatments; and a private staircase leading down to Monuments Beach. thompsonhotels.com
dining & romance in los cabos
At Hacienda Encantada Resort & Spa your clients can indulge in a fine dining experience at the onsite restaurant, Los Ricos. Its new dining program, La Mesa del Patron, gives guests a chance to dine from a selected tasting and wine-pairing menu. Dishes include roasted lobster tail or a catch of the day entree, and price is $103 pp. Also, for honeymooners looking to be pampered in luxury, the resort is offering its new Only You package. From rose petals decorating the room to a gourmet private dinner and a 50-minute couples’ massage, newlyweds may decide to stay a few extra nights—especially if they upgrade to a Master Suite. Only You is available now through Dec. 20, 2015 and starts at $449 per night. (855) 544-4644; haciendaencantada.com
hook & cook at grand solmar
Solmar Hotels & Resorts’ new Hook & Cook program is made for fishing enthusiasts who love a good culinary treat, too. Each Solmar property offers a different variation of the program, which allows guests a chance to catch their meal while fishing off the Baja Peninsula and having it prepared by a team of chefs at the resorts. At Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa, for example, guests can have their catch prepared cold or hot and in a variety of ways, from ceviche to sashimi, fried, grilled, blackened, or pan seared for $25 pp. The resort’s concierge will help with the details. Grand Solmar is also finalizing its last round of construction this fall with the addition of 90 guestrooms and new spa experience. (800) 344-3349; solmar.com
one&only, coming soon
One&Only Resorts is expanding its brand in Mexico with two new properties: the One&Only Mandarina in Riviera Nayarit and the One&Only Santa Maria de Xala in Puerto Vallarta. With construction expected to begin at the end of 2015, the One&Only Mandarina will feature 145 luxury villas, private residential estates, farm-to-table dining options, a retail component, a One&Only Spa, and a beach club. Accommodations vary from Ocean Cliff Villas to Tree House and Mountain Villas. The One&Only Santa Maria de Xala, expected to break ground in 2016, will offer 75 luxury villas and suites with private pools, a spa, and onsite dining options. oneandonlyresorts.com
for LGBT clients
Costa Sur Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta has introduced an adults-only section with 12 new Premium Ocean Front Suites. Guests can find perks like complimentary WiFi, concierge staff and special culinary dishes offered exclusively to guests staying in the new suites. The resort, which is LGBT-friendly and is ideal for LGBT destination weddings, is located only minutes from Puerto Vallarta’s gay-friendly neighborhood, the Romantic Zone, which features art galleries and LGBT-friendly bars. Book the Proud to Travel package, which includes oceanfront accommodations, upgrade to a Master Suite, snacks and a bottle of wine upon arrival, a 50-minute couples’ massage and breakfast each morning. Starting price is $135 per night for a 3-night minimum stay. (866) 921-0126; costasurpuertovallarta.com
eco-chic at isla holbox
If your clients are searching for a different hotel experience in the Yucatan, look into the new Hotel Casa Las Tortugas, located on the beaches of Isla Holbox. This charming 21-suite, eco-friendly hotel is big on its mission to serve organic food at its restaurant, Mandarina Beach Club, and offer guests eco-friendly toiletries and mosquito repellent. The hotel offers Standard Suites, a Beach Bungalow by the shore, or Ocean View Suites with complimentary spa treatments; accommodations include breakfast. For clients who love the outdoors, the hotel offers such activities as whale shark tours and kiteboarding lessons, as well as a tour of the nearby islands. Rates start at $180 per night. holboxcasalastortugas.com
eco-exploration for kids
Camp Mayakoba, a new kids’ program featured at all three Mayakoba resorts—Fairmont, Rosewood, Bayan Tree—isn’t all about keeping kids entertained so Mom and Dad can slip away to enjoy a spa treatment. The new outdoor program gets young guests up-close with Mother Nature by offering an array of outdoor activities such as kayaking, archery, hiking, golf, croquet and tennis. Kids 12 to 17 can join the Yucatan Ranger program, a day-long experience created to educate kids on the various wildlife that can be found throughout Mayakoba. The price for the Yucatan Ranger program is $100 per child. mayakoba.com
finest for families
The new Finest Playa Mujeres, an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, is a mega-property with 10 swimming pools, nine gourmet restaurants and 17 bars, and ideal for friends, couples, or multigenerational clients. Families can find comfort in the 1,750-sq.-ft. Pool Family Suite with its own 140-sq.-ft. pool, a furnished terrace with a lounge bed and two sun beds, and a separate bedroom for the kids; the suite sleeps up to five guests. Kids also have access to mini-spa services, a climbing wall, ziplining, watersports, board games, air hockey and archery, just to name a few activities. There are also onsite kids’ clubs. (866) 540-2585; finestresorts.com
flights to mexico
A few airlines are introducing new service from the U.S. to Mexico. This spring, Aeromexico launched direct flights from Miami to Monterrey, and United Airlines started service from Washington, D.C. to Los Cabos. Southwest will begin service from Baltimore to Los Cabos in June. These flights to Los Cabos are only two of many scheduled to come to Los Cabos in the coming months from major U.S. markets, including Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego and New York City. aeromexico.com; united.com; southwest.com
