Recommend Oct 2017 - 16

Club Med offers Creactive facilities
where kids can use a trampoline,
juggle or do a trapeze act.

How Do Your Clients
Define Luxury?

Guests who opt for the photo
safari package at Grand Velas
Riviera Maya can take a gourmet
picnic with them.

Paloma Villaverde de Rico

Luxury travel. What does that term mean in
today's world? In the travel industry, it's been
the topic of conversation for quite some time
and has been an ever-evolving concept. It's
obvious it's no longer just about a stay at The
Ritz or a Four Seasons, rather more about
complementing sumptuous surroundings with
meaningful and authentic experiences such
as a digital detox vacation to grab a bit of
quality time (alone or otherwise); after-hours
entry into a must-visit spot; or meeting with
locals in their private home. In essence, it's
really about creating those unique, authentic
experiences that a stay in a penthouse, no
matter how fabulous, could never provide.
Perhaps it's a chance encounter with Frida
Kahlo's ghost, or learning to take the perfect
photo of a Mayan village with a professional
photographer.

Click Away
At the Grand Velas Riviera Maya there are
new photo safaris that are ideal for clients
who want to stay in high-end all-inclusive
accommodations and pair it with time to
explore the destination in a unique way. The
three new photo safari packages feature a
mix of cultural, wildlife, landscape, portrait
and architectural photography, with the
Zen Wild Safari, for example, diving into the
resort and its jungle, which features ceiba
and chaka trees, a cenote and mangroves.
Another option takes guests off property and
16 october 2017

through the rich biodiversity and ecosystems
of the Yucatan peninsula, with stops at the
Maya ruins of Coba, age-old caverns with
cenotes, a native Maya village, and the Punta
Lagoon, a sanctuary for spider monkeys. All
workshops are designed for beginners and
experienced photographers, and a Canon
DSLR Reflex with two lenses is supplied for
each guest to use during the workshop (the
memory card is for the guest to take home).
The sessions come with a picnic basket of
gourmet culinary bites, including a bottle
of wine, salads, smoked salmon, French
cheeses and charcuterie, fresh-baked artisanal
baguettes, and other options. Rates start at
$601 pp per night dbl, and the picnic is $100.
There's a 3-night minimum stay.

Artisanal Escape
The Mahekal Beach Resort is catering to
art aficionados who want to check out the
Frida Kahlo Museum in Playa del Carmen's
bustling Quinta Avenida. The resort's
Artisanal Escape includes a self-guided
walking tour of Quinta Avenida, complete
with an exploration guide outlining must-see
stops, ending at the Frida Kahlo Riviera
Maya Museum, where VIP passes await
guests. Upon returning to the resort, clients
will receive a hands-on painting lesson at
the Artisanal Palapa with a local master
before indulging in an interactive culinary
adventure at the Mayan Culinary Casita.

Accommodations are in a Private Palapa
that comes with an open-air terrace and
crochet hammock, and guests receive a
personalized hand-painted ceramic plate
as a welcome amenity. Rates start at $460
per night.

A Charming Getaway
In the Spanish colonial town of San
Miguel de Allende, the Casa 1810 Hotel
Boutique, located steps from the town's
central plaza, opened about a year ago and
offers an intimate retreat in a historical
building. There's the rooftop Terrace Bar
and uniquely designed rooms that will make
your clients feel as if they are in a private
estate rather than a hotel. Recommend
the Luxury Suite, located on the third floor
with a striking view that looks out over
the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, the
current parish church of San Miguel. The
room has high boveda ceilings and a double
pair of French doors-breathlessly romantic.
In fact, the hotel also has a Romantic Suite,
with a large sunk-in tub, fireplaces and
views of the San Francisco Cathedral.
Rates for the Luxury Suite start at $493 per
night; and for the Romantic Suite at $527
per night. ■
Contact Information

Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique: casa1810.com
Grand Velas Riviera Maya: grandvelas.com
Mahekal Beach Resort: mahekalbeachresort.com
recommend.com
http://www.casa1810.com http://www.grandvelas.com http://www.mahekalbeachresort.com http://www.recommend.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend Oct 2017
