Recommend October 2010 - (Page 44)

The St. regis Punta Mita resort. A GrowinG destination Riviera Nayarit is, hands down, Mexico’s shining star these days. Despite a still-wobbly world economy, investors keep moving forward with new openings and strong plans for more development in the area. It’s no doubt a combination of consumer interest and a flurry of seemingly nonstop accolades that’s pushing this growth along, with a blessing and commitment from Fonatur to keep developing its own resort areas. “We have such an array of products, from extreme luxury to four- and five-stars. Because the average is four stars and up, it does provide that line-up of satisfaction,” says Marc Murphy, director general of the Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau. “What agents should expect in the coming 12, 24, and 36 months, is continued growth in Riviera Nayarit. As you know, we’ve been growing quite a bit over the last six years. That continued growth is expected.” What the Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau and the state of Nayarit has done, he explains, is “…focus on promoting to the investors and the developers the idea of investing in Riviera Nayarit, but investing in different locations in Riviera Nayarit, rather than concentrating all of their investment and development in one single location. So…you’ll find pockets of investment and pockets of development so that things are spread out within the dozens of seaside towns and resorts.” And between each of these pockets, Murphy adds, there are “miles of virgin beaches and vegetation.” In the past 12 months alone, a sizable number of properties have opened their doors in Riviera Nayarit. Despite being less than a year old, Marival Residences & World Spa in Nuevo Vallarta has caused quite a stir with its 162 gorgeous luxury residences ranging from one to four bedrooms and its “Seriously All-Inclusive” concept, which means that its high-caliber dining options and a number of great tours—some of which include swimming with dolphins, a canopy experience and unlimited rounds of golf at Nicklaus and Weiskopf courses—are all included R6 october 2010 / recommend.com in the price. Another highlight is its unique World Spa, with each of its eight treatment areas—Turkey, Japan, Thailand, Mexico and others—representing a different country in both feel and spa experience. Imanta Resort opened in February in Punta de Mita on 250 acres, next to the natural preserve of Sierra de Vallejo. It’s said the owner saw the spot he liked from a boat and jumped right off, then lived there in tentlike accommodations as he studied the crab migration and other natural processes of the area, not wanting to disturb the surroundings once he began construction. Much of the stones built for the two casonas and five casas—totaling nine rooms for now—were found right where the resort now stands. The sustainable-focused project is poised to become the next celebrity hideaway in Mexico, ensconced within verdant jungle and very private. In fact, Imanta feels so disconnected from the outside world, it’s almost like being on a private island. Each 1-bedroom oceanview casa has its own private pool, while the casonas come with huge living and dining areas, two or three rooms, full kitchens, private pools and terraces—some even have outdoor stone tubs. The views are magnificent and the details simple but very elegant, with the freshest of seafood served right by the beach and “green” roofs covered with vegetation. Among the highlights here are kayaking, snorkeling, yoga, and jungle and beachside hikes. Although many recent guests are loving in-room pampering, a jungle spa is set to open soon. Next year, four more rooms will be available. Marina Banderas Suites Hotel debuted in March as an eco-conscious boutique hotel in Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, comprised of three bedrooms, three suites and six Master Suites. Its location is ideal for the more nautically inclined, although it’s within such close proximity to beaches and golf courses that it allows for many choices for guests. One month later came the Grand Luxxe in Nuevo Vallarta, a luxury http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2010

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Luxurious India by Rail, Plane and Boat
The Heavenly Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces
Experiencing the High Life in Kenya
Savoring the North of England
Riviera Nayarit Travel Planner
Marival Residences & World Spa
Wildly Luxurious––High-End Vacations
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Does it Again
Guadeloupe
Five High-End Villa Stays
Compagnie du Ponant's Le Boreal
Palm Beach: Playground for the Rich and Famous
Hawks Cay Resort, Florida Keys
La Costa Resort and Spa, California

Recommend October 2010