Recommend March 2012 - (Page 21)

All-Inclusive Resort Guide— the Caribbean & Mexico Guide written by Sarah Muñoz & Stacey Zable All-inclusive brands are not created equal. We’ve pared down each brand—checking out ambiance, upgrades, special inclusions and other must-knows—to see what makes each unique from that resort next door. Dreams Resorts & Spas dreamsresorts.com; (866) 2-DREAMS Ambiance: Elegant grown-up escapes, part of the AMResorts group, with or without children in manicured settings at each of the 10 properties. Special Inclusions: Its signature Unlimited Luxury service: premium dining and beverages, mini-bar goodies, live entertainment nightly, aerobic classes and other daytime activities, Explorers’ Club for kids, 24-hour room and concierge services, all taxes and gratuities. Extras/Upgrades: Complimentary weddings and honeymoons based on room bookings. Target Clientele: Couples, families, brides/grooms and newlyweds. Destinations: Cancun, Dominican Republic, Huatulco, Los Cabos, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya Signature Property: The Dreams Riviera Cancun, which features octagonalshaped suites and rooms that face the Caribbean Sea, a playground on the beach and a Mayan-themed Explorers’ Club. Most ground ﬂoor suites offer a private outdoor plunge pool. Shoutout: Keep an eye on Sunscape Dorado Paciﬁco Ixtapa, the ﬁrst of the recently re-launched family-, friends- and singles-friendly Sunscape Resorts & Spas. This particular brand has its own twist on the all-inclusive experience: Unlimited Fun. Besides meals and beverages, this concept also includes a Core Zone Teen’s Club, Explorers’ Club, campout adventures on the beach, and theme parties. Secrets Resorts secretsresorts.com; (866) GO-SECRETS Ambiance: Built for romance and one-on-one experiences, Secrets’ nine properties—part of the AMResorts group—provide privacy and adults-only perks that are tweaked the way all-inclusive was regarded. The setting is modern, sleek and welcoming. Special Inclusions: Wristband-free Unlimited Luxury as only AMResorts can do it: a la carte dining, premium beverage brands, in-suite bar, 24-hour room and concierge services, daytime activities, nighttime entertainment, ﬁtness facilities, and a Secrets Box for private room service delivery. Extras/Upgrades: Access to nearby golf courses, theme parties, movies on the beach, dance classes, generous spa offerings, bridal registry, complimentary weddings with minimum bookings. The Preferred Club option at select locations adds exclusivity to stays through a private lounge, afternoon hors d’oeuvres, complimentary in-suite Internet access and more. Target Clientele: Couples, brides/grooms and newlyweds. Destinations: Dominican Republic, Huatulco, Jamaica, Los Cabos, Riviera Maya; Secrets Vallarta Bay opens next month in Puerto Vallarta, while Secrets The Vine is set to open in August in Cancun. Signature Property: The Secrets Marquis Los Cabos, the latest in the family, is an all-suite favorite with mesmerizing views of the Sea of Cortez and a built-in reputation for greatness. march 2012 A3 http://www.dreamsresorts.com http://www.secretsresorts.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend March 2012

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Vikram Chatwal Hotels
Tour Talk: SITA World Tours
From Zambia to Zimbabwe
Small Ship Cruising in the U.S.
All-Inclusive Resort Guide: The Caribbean & Mexico
Alaska: New Action in an Old World
Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater, Florida
European River Cruising 2012
Pantanal: The Brazilian Serengeti

Recommend March 2012