Recommend May 2014 - (Page 70)

BEACHSIDE WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS IN MEXICO Wedded bliss at JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa (left) and Hyatt Zilara Cancun (right). deserae del campo Picture this: Sun-kissed beaches along a tropical landscape and a bride and groom standing under a beautifully decorated arch twined with bougainvillea and tropical ﬂowers; let's not forget the soothing sounds of a classic Mexican mariachi band. The setting could be any Caribbean island (minus the mariachis), but it's Mexico, and along its coastline, from Cancun to Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas and Ixtapa-Zihuatenejo, couples can tie the knot, or escape on their honeymoon, at dozens of boutique hotels and luxury resorts that provide a personalized touch for a day that must be perfect from start to ﬁnish. cancun/riviera maya "The weddings and honeymoon market is an extremely important tourism component to Cancun. Countless honeymoons and over 15,000 weddings, Mayan blessings and vow renewals were celebrated in Cancun in 2013 alone," says Jesus Almaguer, CEO of the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Destination weddings are on the rise and due to Cancun's convenient connectivity, high-end hotels, affordable wedding packages and the overall beauty of the destination, it is an ideal place for couples to celebrate the beginning of a new life together." Between Cancun and Playa del Carmen is the newest kid on the block, the ﬁve-star and Leading Hotels of the World member, Grand Residences Riviera Cancun (grandresidences rivieracancun.com). "Demand has actually been very high for such a recently opened resort," says Maria del Rosario Ronquillo Alcazar, sales manager, in-house & weddings for the Grand. The 103-all-suite property offers its Grand Residences Wedding package with a decorated gazebo and beach set-up for the ceremony; a bouquet of fresh ﬂowers for the bride and boutonniere for the groom; a 3-course meal and/or buffet; evening turndown in the couple's room with a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolatedipped strawberries; and a romantic turndown service on the 70 may 2014 night of the wedding. "The event options at Grand Residences range from an intimate lunch for 12 on a terrace overlooking the resort to a celebratory dinner with live music in the pool area for up to 50 people to a meeting room for a large gala for up to 70 people," says Alcazar. If your clients would rather celebrate this special day at an all-inclusive property, but want to steer clear of the mega-brand names like Palace or Karisma, there's the Hyatt Zilara Cancun (cancun.zilara.hyatt.com)-Hyatt's one of two ﬁrst all-inclusive properties in Mexico. "Today's destination wedding couples are looking for more than just the wedding and reception, they're looking to add some fun and unique experiences for their wedding guests. They may want to add a welcome cocktail party the ﬁrst night, a dinner the night before the wedding or maybe a group tour. Whatever it is, our team can assist them in planning these events," says Gina Johnson, director of weddings and romance, Playa Hotels Management. At Hyatt Zilara, packages range from the Vows Renewal to the Mexican Wedding with traditional Mexican dishes, music, decorations, food and even a margarita toast after the ceremony; the Royal Catholic Wedding, Classic Wedding and Luxury Wedding packages are also offered. "For North Americans," adds Almaguer, "Cancun is a very accessible destination in that it is easy for family members to reach, which is usually a big concern for the bride and groom when it comes to choosing a destination. As properties differ in offerings and ambiance, couples have plenty of hotel options to choose from that will make their wedding vision come alive." At JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa (marriott.com) couples who book any of the hotel's three packages get an automatic room upgrade and 20 percent off spa services for the wedding party. The hotel's Signature package features a gazebo or beach wedding, a cocktail reception, open bar, 4-course dinner, and DJ. recommend.com http://www.grandresidencesrivieracancun.com http://www.marriott.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend May 2014

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Le Meridien
Tour Talk: Contiki Vacations
Tee Off in Spain
Tee Off in Scotland
Jerusalem & Tel Aviv: A (Short) Tale of Two Cities
AmaWaterways Sails into Myanmar
American Cruise Lines is on a Roll
Venturing Through Bordeaux With Viking
Martinique Travel Planner
Ecuador Goes Luxe
Mexico Destination Weddings & Honeymoons
Saint Lucia
Australia
Salamander Resort & Spa, Virginia
PGA National Resort & Spa, Florida

Recommend May 2014