Recommend March 2012 - (Page 36)

Palace Resorts Real Resorts palaceresorts.com; (800) 635-1836 Ambiance: Modern and carefree inside and out, with a ﬂurry of options for kids and several properties tailor-made for romance. Special Inclusions: Meals—buffet and a la carte—and snacks, 24-hour room service, WiFi, 30 minutes of Internet when using the business center or lobby computers, a wealth of daytime recreation, live shows and theme parties, supervised children’s activities via its kids’ club, unlimited phone calls to the U.S. and Canada, Eat and Play—stay at one Palace property and enjoy the facilities of another. Extras/Upgrades: Free wedding and honeymoon packages. Target Clientele: Families, couples at Palace’s adults-only resorts; brides/grooms and newlyweds. Destinations: Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit Signature Property: The large Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun, which has a watersports marina and the only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course in Cancun. Shoutout: The adults-only Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun, a high-tier, all-inclusive concept featuring 24-hour butler service and distinctive dining; after the huge success of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, three more Palace properties (of the current 10) are being rebranded into Hard Rock hotels this year in Cancun, Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta. Its all-inclusive offerings will include live concerts and other events. realresorts.com; (800) 760-0944 Ambiance: Real Resorts has stepped up the family-friendly vacations concept with four properties that offer expansive accommodations, sleek designs and a homey atmosphere. Special Inclusions: The all-inclusive experience here features all meals and beverages, 24-hour snacks and drinks, a wealth of daytime activities, theme nights and live shows, private butlers at The Royal resorts, all taxes and gratuities. Extras/Upgrades: A Romance concierge, onsite Civil Registry Ofﬁce at The Real Playa del Carmen, online check-in, family suites with bunk beds at the Gran properties, a water park at the Gran Caribe Real in Cancun, complimentary weddings. Guests of the Gran resorts enjoy reciprocal privileges between these two hotels, while guests staying at The Royal resorts may use the facilities and restaurants at all Real Resorts. Target Clientele: The Royal properties are suited for adults, while the Gran line provides unlimited fun for children. Destinations: Cancun, Playa del Carmen Signature Property: The all-suite, alloceanview Royal Cancun, in the heart of Cancun’s hotel zone, has an array of swim-up suites, private butler service, a Magic Box for discreet in-room service, and the city’s only spa with an ocean view. Sandos Hotels & Resorts sandos.com; (866) 887-5601 RIU Hotels & Resorts riu.com; (888) RIU-4990 Ambiance: A mix of dramatic and classic decor in expansive structures, the 30 RIU properties bring a touch of Europe to the “sun and sand” experience. Special Inclusions: RIU offers different levels of all-inclusive. The most basic choice consists of buffet and a la carte dining and snacks, mini bar, unlimited beverages (local and imported), RiuLand children’s program for different age groups, nightly entertainment, daytime land and sea activities for young and old, and all taxes and gratuities. Its 24-hour all-inclusive program provides more luxurious amenities and services. Extras/Upgrades: Complimentary weddings, RIU Class loyalty program. Target Clientele: Families, though it also beckons adults to its Palace line with added luxury, dedicated activities and romance options. Destinations: Aruba, The Bahamas, Cancun, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Los Cabos, Mazatlan, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit Signature Property: RIU Palace Cabo San Lucas, with great views of the Arch, palatial architecture, top gastronomical choices and golf nearby. A18 march 2012 Ambiance: Great value and unique extras to the all-inclusive experience with traditional-tropical rooms and unobtrusive facilities in three eco-conscious resorts. Special Inclusions: Meals and drinks, mini-bar, in-pool diving lessons, tennis and non-motorized watersports, game room, nightly entertainment, onsite bicycle excursions, fun and facilities for kids and teens, entrance to onsite discos. Extras/Upgrades: Sandos packs a lot of perks for guests: Sandos4U rewards program, an Aqua Park at the Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa, a Baby Club for the youngest members of the family, craft workshops, free weddings with booked minimums, an Adults-Only program for ages 21 and up that lets guests enjoy amenities and grown-up perks like adults-only restaurants, beach concierges and clubhouse access. Target Clientele: Singles, couples and families. Destinations: Cancun (the brand’s latest, Sandos Cancun Luxury Experience Resort, is opening this month), Riviera Maya Signature Property: The Sandos Caracol Eco-Resort & Spa is the gem of the group, bringing added adventure to a Riviera Maya vacation through Mayan ceremonies, a water park with 17 water slides, a watersports center offering everything from cavern dives to windsurﬁng, and eco-friendly rooms. recommend.com http://www.palaceresorts.com http://www.realresorts.com http://www.sandos.com http://www.riu.com http://www.recommend.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