Recommend March 2013 - (Page 62)

EVA SICA In Puerto Vallarta at Quimixto, a tiny beach village only accessible by boat Excellence Resorts: The Mexican Caribbean is an idyllic setting, and Excellence Resorts’ two adults-only all-inclusive properties in Isla Mujeres and the Riviera Maya make it even more so with horse-drawn carriage rides to the chapel and suites showered with rose petals. They have three wedding packages starting at $850 that can be custom-tailored to please the most demanding bride. excellence-resorts.com Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts: Of the brand’s many incarnations, the top two that stand out as options for destination weddings are the Fiesta Americana Grand properties and the adults-only Live Aqua resorts, with hotels in Mexico City and Cancun. Let’s pick Cancun, where the modern Live Aqua Cancun ups the ante on luxury—in fact, it won a 2012 “World’s Best” award from T+L. Brides can choose a pool terrace ceremony, a feet-inthe-sand wedding or an event in their Garden of the Senses.… Whatever their choice, the hotel takes care of everything and can organize ceremonies for all religions, as well. fiestaamericana.com Grupo Habita: Known for their “out-of-the-box” hotels, Grupo Habita also walks the walk for weddings. “Grupo Habita hotels cater for weddings that are not traditional in any way,” says Rafael Micha, managing partner for the group. “This is for the bride and groom that like to take matters in a different direction. Most of our hotels have amazing rooftop terraces and in such surroundings the event becomes a memorable one. We’re not for the 101 Wedding Planner or the fainthearted.” Think amazing weddings on the HABITA Hotel rooftop terrace at sundown in Mexico City with the skyline as a backdrop, weekend-long destination weddings in La 36 / march 2013 34-41 TakeAVow.indd 36 Purificadora in Puebla with different events every day—including a bachelorette party in the Top Suite around the outdoor whirpool—or an incredible sunset wedding at Hotel Boca Chica in Acapulco with an after-wedding “good-bye” pool party. Everything is customized for each couple by their event planner. grupohabita.mx Imanta Resorts: There isn’t a shadow of a doubt that the designers behind Imanta Punta de Mita were in love when they created this one-of-a-kind getaway. They so loved the natural beauty of the coastline that they ensured their design was eco-friendly; they so loved the good life that “luxurious” barely begins to define it; and they so loved their guests that each service is truly something to write home about. This, then, is just the setting for a spectacular wedding of the most memorable kind, with casonas, plazas, beach palapas and even an observatory tower on tap, not to mention a staff of 60 to ensure everything from your client’s welcome party to their rehearsal dinner to their ceremony, reception and postwedding brunch is impeccably turned out. Oh, and the beach? It’s perfectly private. Room nights start at $800. imantaresorts.com InterContinental Hotels & Resorts: With nine properties in Mexico that range from swanky city hotels to even swankier beach resorts, InterContinental has brides covered from one coast to the other. Brides can choose a Pacific setting at the Presidente Puerto Vallarta or opt for a sunset beach wedding at the Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Hotel & Spa. ichotelsgroup.com Karisma Hotels & Resorts: El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma have just debuted a new line of personality-based wedding packages, Memorable Moments, by Karisma, featuring six custom-designed themes to appeal to each bride’s personality: Coastal Bliss, Sophisticated Soiree, Vintage Elegance, Majestic Flair, Pure Glamour, and Colonial Charm. “The new packages focus on all aspects of the destination wedding—from the moment the couple and guests arrive until the time they leave—and not just on the ceremony,” says Faith Wishnie, director of wedding recommend.com 2/21/13 9:56 AM http://www.grupohabita.mx http://www.excellence-resorts.com http://www.fiestaamericana.com http://www.imantaresorts.com http://www.ichotelsgroup.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend March 2013

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Travel Indochina
Safaris in Southern Africa
Un-Cruise Adventures in Alaska
Alaska is Celebrating in 2013
"Hard Rock" Chicago-Style: Rock out in the Windy City
Mexico Destination Weddings & Honeymoon Planner
Girldfriends' Getaway at Eden Roc, Miami Beach
Kyushu: The Rising Sun of Japanese Destinations
The New All-Inclusives in Jamaica Claim Their Turf
RIU Punta Cana
Costa Rica: A Trio of Detours
Touring Central & Eastern Europe

Recommend March 2013