Showing posts with label All-inclusive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label All-inclusive. Show all posts

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Costa Rican it - the Hilton Papagayo

The alarm went off at 7 am and I quickly got ready so I could enjoy some breakfast at the hotel before our big day of site inspections.

First up ~ The Hilton Papagayo which is an all-inclusive resort with just 202 rooms with 4 different categories. As we stepped off of our shuttle bus we immediately noticed the gorgeous view from the lobby! So naturally I had to get a couple quick pictures. ;)

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Hilton Papagayo

As the groups manager, Andy, showed us around I noticed the grounds were well kept and beautiful. The resort is built into it's natural surroundings and most of the rooms are in bungalow-like buildings with just 2 rooms per building which make them feel more intimate. Each building had a winding pathway to the front doors that was beautifully landscaped.

The oceanfront rooms were up on a the mountainside and were in bigger buildings. Also in that section the resort has 4 Jr Suites with amazing private plunge pools!

Hilton Papagayo

When we were taken down to the beach I couldn't help but to notice that it was bigger and nicer than the Occidental's beach. While I understand that most people do not go to Costa Rica for the beaches it is still important to some.

Andy also showed us their newest restaurant, 'The Grill" which is open for lunch and dinner. While it didn't have air conditioning it did have excuisite palapa roofing and it boasts beautiful views as it overlooked the beach.

They have a gorgeous three-tiered swimming pool with swim up bar and infinity pool.

In the spa section they have special pool-side service and 70 adult-only rooms. It looked ideal for wedding groups so I decided to get to know the wedding planner while there, Mr. Andre.

All in all, this resort ended up being the most impressive all-inclusive for me. It felt Costa Rican and still had the amenities to make an American satisfied.

To see more pictures of the lovely Hilton Papagayo see the slideshow below:

Costa Rican it - Occidental Papagayo

As I stepped off the plane at Liberia's airport a large white butterfly fluttered by my feet and I knew that I was right where God wanted me to be.
The ride over to our host hotel, The Occidental Papagayo, was just a little over 30 minutes. In that 30 minutes I've never in my life seen so much green! The lush grounds and flowered trees were endless all around and had me hypnotized. It was absolutely beautiful and peaceful.

When we walked into the Occidental Papagayo lobby the first thing you notice is the view. It's open to a beautiful scene of the lush mountains and waters of Culebra Bay in the Papagayo Gulf. We were warmly greeted and given our bracelets to let the hotel's staff know we are now part of the all-inclusive experience. The resort has just about 160 rooms in 23 different buildings built into the hillside of the bay so it didn't ever feel crowded.

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Posing in the lobby at the Occidental Papagayo


Our rooms were not quite ready so we ate at 'the Buffet' until they were. The rooms are quaint and beautifully done. Terracotta tile and sold wood furniture made it feel earthy. The pretty, sheer cream-colored panels flowing over the sides of the bed and down over the ceiling-to-floor windows gave the room an elegant spin on things. However, the outdated bathtub and boxy television set reminded me that I was not at a 5 star hotel but it didn't bother me in the least. I'm in COSTA RICA!!!

After unpacking I decided to head down to the pool and to check out the beach. Disappointingly there was not a swim-up bar but the guests at this resort doesn't seem to be the type looking for a party atmosphere. The pool was beautiful and had a nice view of the winding staircase up to the lobby.

The small walk down to the beach was not as pretty as the entrance to the lobby. The beach was small and disappointing. Rumor has it that the tides were high so that is why it looked unpleasant. Christian, the young man working the bar hut quickly turned my frown upside down with a fresh, cold Miami Vice. Mmmmm mmm, RUM!!

That night for dinner our travel agent group ate at the D'Oriental Restaurant. This is one of their four restaurants. It was truly delicious. Another thing I will always remember about Costa Rica: the water was like Holy Water - fresh and pure.

After dinner they had a soothing live band performing in the open-air lobby. I noticed bright lights across the room... a disco! I made my way over to take a quick peek. I opened the door to a spacious room filled with loud music, a bar, a dance floor and a pool table. It had been a early morning for this girl so I decided to hike back to my room and save my pool shark skills and dance moves for another night. ;)

Since my long day had started at 3:00 am I definitely slept like a baby. I was looking forward to seeing more of Costa Rica the next day, especially the Four Seasons. :-)

To see more pictures from the Occidental Papagayo check out the Flickr slideshow below:

Monday, March 28, 2011

HUGE announcement for those traveling from Texas...

Starting June 2nd there will be NONSTOP flights round trip to Punta Cana from Dallas/Fort Worth airport!! The flights will operate Thursdays and Sundays on Apple Vacation's charter.

We have been fighting for nonstops to the Dominican for a couple of years now so I am beyond excited about this! The Dominican Republic is a favorite beach destination. The white sand goes for miles and miles and the water is crystal clear. It is also home of some of my most favorite all-inclusive resorts.


Picnik collage


Pristine beaches HERE WE COME!!!

Call me for your D.R. vacation. I'd love to help!


Cheers,
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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Family friendly hotel review ~ The Azul Sensatori

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My youngest jumping for joy.

The Azul Sensatori was a PERFECT match for my family and I. In fact, I can not imagine a family not being able to have an amazing vacation there.

Location
It is nestled right on the gorgeous Puerto Morelos beach which is just 20 minutes south of the Cancun airport.

Check-In
The check-in was smooth and smartly done. They first offer you a drink and a small damp towel that smells amazing. The kids even have their own section at the check-in desk with Fisher Price goodness to keep them occupied and happy. Brilliant.

Full-service Concierge
We were then led to our concierge who was going to be taking care of us during our stay. In the concierge office they had plenty more Fisher Price toys and shelves of DVD movies and books to be checked out by guests. She was so incredibly sweet and asked us things like
"Which one of these aromatherapy scents would you like the maid service to put in your room during your stay?" As she sprays a few different kinds on strips of paper my husband and I chuckle because we honestly would be happy with any one of them. We decided on the "Caribbean Spice" I believe it was.
She then handed our boys a menu of Fisher Price toys that they could pick to have delivered to our suite.
Ever since the hotel opened in 2008 I have been hearing people in the industry rave about the resort's Adult Only restaurant Le Chique so I was so excited to make our reservations there. Since it fills up quickly I wanted to do this right after check-in. Hubbie and I decided to make the reservations for our last night there. More about that evening later.
We were then given our room keys and taken to our room which was clean, chic and just beautiful.

Accommodations
Every room at the Azul Sensatori have features like a jacuzzi, minibar, iPod docking station, double sinks, vanity mirror and deluxe bathrobes for use during your stay.
There are several room categories at the resort. To name a few: Family Jacuzzi Suites, Connecting Family Jacuzzi Suites (sleeps up to 6!) and Swim Up Jacuzzi Suites.
We were blessed to be in the Premium Swim Up Jacuzzi Suite. The boys loved being able to just jump in the water from our patio.

The Food & Drinks
Azul Sensatori is part of the amazing hotel brand called Karisma. Karisma is known for a lot of their achievements in excellence and service but the first thing that comes to my mind is FOOD. There is not another all-inclusive resort chain that can beat the gourmet food that you devour when staying at their resorts.
Of course the Azul Sensatori did not disappoint. The 24 hour room service food? Delicious. The buffet? Scrumptious! All of the 6 restaurants were beyond impressive. The signature drinks at each bar was also a nice touch.

Children and Teenagers
The Azulitos Kid's Club (ages 4- 12) is open from 9 am to 9:30 pm! While we spent most time together on the beach, playing games or going to eat our boys (ages 4 and 8) were constantly wanting to go back and play with their friends at the kid's club. It is by far the most wonderful kid's club I have seen yet. While I have seen many draw-dropping kids clubs with plenty of bells and whistles, if the staff and children are not having a good time... then it is no bueno in my book. There was never a dull moment at the Azulitos at Azul Sensatori I can tell you that much. The ladies who work in that department were extraordinary. The Azul hotels have a contract with Fisher Price and MyGym so every child is sure to have a wonderful time.
Azulitos also have activities throughout the week that involve the parents to ensure family togetherness which is one of Karisma'a main focuses. While we were there we had an Ice Cream Party with the Little People, a water balloon fight (parents vs. kids) and a Talent Show. Dylan ended up winning the Talent Show with his mean break dancing moves. He won a T-Shirt which he wears proudly every chance he gets. The kids not only enjoy the Azulitos kids club but also the kid's pool with water slide, splash park and playground.

If you have a child under the age of 4 they have you covered as well. In Azulitos they have an entire section for playtime that is geared for babies and toddlers. They even have morning stroller jogs with mommies and babies.

If your child is a pre-teen or teenager they also have an exciting Teens Club. They will enjoy the interactive game room, beach volleyball, nightclub and DJ contests.


Entertainment
At night, there is an entertainment show at the Rooftop Garden Lounge for the whole family, followed by dancing. Listen and dance to the live music in the evenings in the Lounge or on the beach. The fire dancing and acrobatic performances were our personal favorites!

Spa
The spa here is very spacious and inviting. They even have an adorable kids spa menu for the ones who want to have a mommy and me day. I decided to surprise hubbie by purchasing us a 1-hour couples massage on the beach. It took place in a palapa right over the beach area. The smell, the sight breeze from the ocean and sounds of the waves made it a perfect choice to have our Couples Massage.

Adult time
If you do not have children or you are looking forward to having some alone time without the children there are plenty of options as well. The resort has an adults-only section that includes adult-only suites, a separate pool with an immaculate swim-up bar and lounge area.
Hubbie and I thoroughly enjoyed our 8 course meal at the adults-only Le Chique Restaurant on our last night. They also have a 12 course option but we had kiddos to pick up by 9:30 PM. The laughing kept on getting stronger as the wine glasses kept getting refilled. Excellent food, service and chic decor made this evening at Le Chique a memory we will keep forever.

Click the play button below to see a slide show of pictures:




Who is this resort for?
Families, groups, wedding parties, those who may have Gluten Allergies (they offer Gluten-Free on their gourmet menus), Food Enthusiasts


If you are ready for your Azul Sensatori vacation be sure and call your favorite Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant. I hope your choice would be yours truly. ♥!
Feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you!

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Congrats to all of the resorts that made the 2010 Condé Naste Choice Awards


We were happy to see that some of our favorites made the list of Top Resorts by the Condé Nast Traveler 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards!!



Check out the full list: http://www.concierge.com/tools/travelawards/readerschoice/resorts#mexico



Friday, October 15, 2010

Nine Reasons to Use a Good Travel Agent


1) A Good travel agent provides prices from more than one source.
When you go it alone, if you want to get prices from more than one source you have to contact each source individually. That either means more hold time or more navigating through confusing websites. Also, the more you price things, the more chance that you’ll make a mistake somewhere along the way. Especially when you’re not familiar with each booking system (and, how could you be?).

2) A Good travel agent has either been where you’re going or knows someone who has.
Familiarization trips allow travel agents to personally experience resorts and destinations. Yes, it’s hard work..and someone has to do it. No, we’re not looking for someone to come with us.

3) A good travel agent will save you time.
Sitting on hold, pricing various versions of your trip, dealing with airlines for seat assignments and schedule changes, getting answers to questions…all of these things take time. Do you have extra time on your hands?

4) A good travel agent provides post travel assistance.
Something didn’t go quite right on your trip? Your room didn’t have the view you were expecting? Your transfer was late? What else? A good travel agent will help resolve post travel issues.

5) A good travel agent will help you avoid scams.
The whole travel industry seems rife with various scams. We know what is legitimate and what to avoid. Why learn a hard lesson on your own?

6) A good travel agent knows you.
Find a good travel agent and use them for all of your trips. They will grow to know you and what you like.

7) A good travel agent suggests alternate dates to save money.
Dates can have a big impact on price. Rather than spend untold hours pricing every single date for your vacation, let a professional suggest dates that may price lower.

8) A good travel agent has connections.
An actual, legitimate, full time, retail travel agent invests time and money in developing relationships with suppliers including hoteliers and other representatives in the destinations. A good travel agent can pull strings and make things happen that you never could.

9) A good travel agent suggests destinations you haven’t thought of.
So your buddy went somewhere and enjoyed it. Are you his clone? Do you enjoy the same things? There are destinations out there that your buddy hasn’t visited or even thought of. Consult a professional.


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Today's post was brought to you by Catherine Banks, the mastermind behind the brilliant company known as Legacy Travel. She also operates our travel agency's blog Ramblings which is full of helpful information so be sure and check it out!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

A new fabulous family resort and The Mom Who Travels survey


Hello lovelies! There is a new resort opening soon that is just 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen that I am beyond stoked about. It is a 5 star luxury resort that offers up to 3 bedroom suites and a luxury experience right on a white powdered sand beach. It is part of the Gourmet Inclusive® concept and the hotel is called Azul Fives Hotel, by Karisma. I am excited to finally see it for myself next week and you can expect a full, honest report when I return.



As most of you know I work full time as a travel consultant and full-time as a fun-loving mommy to two beautiful (if I must say so myself) boys. Helping readers such as yourself with some insight on travel destinations through this blog is something that I am enjoying more and more as time goes on. I will love to continue but your feedback is important. Please take a quick minute and fill out the anonymous survey below to ensure that this blog fulfills what it needs to.

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Thank you so much!



Much love and until next time,

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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Top 5 Vacation Spots for Family Travel


Riviera Maya, Mexico
Just south of Cancun is the Riviera Maya with white powdery sands, turquoise waters and ancient Mayan Ruins all within a close reach. Some of the most prestige all-inclusive resorts in the world are located here and many of them cater to families with beachfront water parks, kid clubs and even their very own drink menu at the beach bars. The second largest reef in the world is also located here making it a perfect vacation spot for all of the water babies out there.




Look'n at the fishes
Maui, Hawaii

'Ohana' is the Hawaiian word for family and Maui does an excellent job at focusing on family togetherness. Whether you are together surrounded by the 750,000 gallon water tank at the Maui Ocean Center, learning how to hula dance at the Old Lahaina Luau or learning to surf at one of the pristine beaches in Wailea you are bound to make some life-long memories.





Orlando, Florida
When people think of Orlando, Florida the first thing that comes to mind is Walt Disney World. As they should! After all, it is the most magical place on Earth. Disney World is the most popular and the largest theme park in the world. A few other impressive stops in Orlando include Universal Studios, SeaWorld and Discovery Cove.





San Diego, California
San Diego is not only rated the 5th best place to live in the United States but it makes up for a fun-filled getaway. 'Shamu' at the San Diego's Sea World is suppose to have the most excellent killer whale show in the park's history. Next, be sure and visit the newest exhibit at the famous San Diego Zoo: Monkey Trails and Forest Tales. If you are still wanting more after the zoo, you can get up close and personal with some exotic animals at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. The amusing LEGOLAND would be a perfect end to the vacation and don't forget to visit their new 5.5 acre waterpark!





La Romana, Dominican Republic
Nestled on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, La Romana has been a sanctuary for presidents, celebrities and kings for years. The secluded picture-perfect beaches and the people is what makes this vacation one to remember for a lifetime. You can stay at the 5 star Dreams La Romana all-inclusive resort and indulge in it's Unlimited Luxury. Be sure and take their day tour to the paradise called Saona Island!


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If one of these destinations appeal to you as being your family's next family vacation call one of our beneficial travel consultants at Legacy Travel. They would love to hear from you! Toll-free! 1-866-329-7157


Sunday, August 22, 2010

Question ~ Am I suppose to tip at an all-inclusive resort??



With apologies to Mr. Shakespeare, this is a question that we get quite a bit as people are making final preparations for their all inclusive vacation.

Technically speaking, tipping is included at all inclusive resorts. That said, there are several schools of thought on the subject.

Some people you’ll talk to say that you’ve saved all year for this all inclusive vacation and its ridiculous to think that you would give additional tips that are supposed to be included.

Then there are other people who say that you tip at home for good service and there isn’t any reason to think you shouldn’t do the same when you’re abroad at a resort.

As with many things, I think there are a range of right answers and you should decide what you are comfortable with.

If you’re asking my opinion (and I guess you are, since you’re still reading) I do think its both nice and useful to tip while you’re in a resort.

First, lets look at the useful aspects of tipping. When you’re spending the day by the pool or the beach, and there is waiter service going by periodically, think about who is going to get better more consistent attention? Would it be the person who is not tipping and all, or the person who tips a dollar or so every couple of drinks? Who is going to get the towel animals on their bed, or a couple of extra towels, or just more helpful enthusiastic service? Tippers, or non tippers? I’m not talking about a great deal of money here, just a dollar or two at a time.

Next, let’s look at the nice reasons to tip. The people who work at these resorts make very little money. One source I saw said that the minimum wage in Cancun is 51 pesos per day. These workers work very long days six days a week At today’s exchange rate that is just over $4.00 (not per hour…per day). While the cost of living in the resort areas is maybe slightly less than in major US metropolitan areas, you can see that $4.00 per day doesn’t go far no matter how you slice it. Tipping even a little helps these people make ends meet. What is a small amount for you can go a long way for the people who make your vacation special.

The mechanics of tipping: If you decide that you do want to tip, make sure you’re prepared. Before you leave, get a supply of small bills. The workers in Mexico seem especially amused by $2.00 bills. I try to get as many as I can from the bank before I leave. Regardless of what denomination you choose, make sure that the bills aren’t damaged or written on. If they are, they cannot be exchanged for pesos and will be worthless to the hard working recipient of your tip.

Either way you go, certainly don’t tip in situations where you don’t feel you’ve received good service. Tipping at all inclusive is truly optional and you should not feel obligated. Your tip should be a gift for great service, something you’re happy to give.


This post was brought to you today by the talented Cathi Banks, owner of Legacy Travel. Be sure and check out her travel blog HERE.


Friday, July 23, 2010

COASTLINES ~ Land and Sea

There is currently an exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art that causes people who have appreciation for the arts and/or passion for exploring the Globe to come together and celebrate their love for these common interests.

Coastlines: Images of Land Sea

It has inspired me to go through some of my favorite coastline pictures from the past couple of years and to stop and appreciate life for a moment.


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Royal Tulum Resort ~ Tulum, Mexico


Secrets Sanctuary ~ Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Secrets Sanctuary ~ Cap Cana, Dominican Republic



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Four Seasons Resort Hawaii, Lana'i at Manele Bay


"Sky Massage" Maroma Beach ~ Quintana Roo, Mexico
"Sky Massage" at the El Dorado Maroma ~ Quintana Roo, Mexico


Is there a coastline that you have dreamed of seeing but excuses like money, time or fear have stopped you??? Give me a ring... it is a lot closer within reach than you could possibly imagine. And you deserve it. ;-)


Terrah
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Thursday, June 24, 2010

Grand Sirenis Resorts in the Riviera Maya


Grand Sirenis page


The Grand Sirenis Resorts are a short 20 miles from Playa del Carmen on the beautiful beach of Akumal. It is 2 resorts in 1 that offer complete exchange privileges: The Grand Sirenis Mayan and the Grand Sirenis Riviera. The first thing I noticed was the straight lines in the modern architecture. Stunning really. The next thing I got really excited about, perhaps too excited, was the lazy river! Too bad I was in my business wear or I would of grabbed me a tube and gone afloatin'. :) The lazy river winds around the resort and had a nicely paced current to it. The next thing I was impressed with was the rooms. Each room was a Junior Suite that had a fully stocked mini bar and living area along with a balcony with outdoor furniture. And again, the decor was very tasteful.

The beach was wrapped around a large, beautiful cove that is perfect for snorkeling. If you are traveling there in July or August, be sure to be on the lookout for mama turtles bringing their eggs ashore to hatch their babies.

After the beach we were able to see their spa. The spa at this resort will forever be impressed in my mind as one of the best spas I have ever SEEN! Perhaps THE best. Thomas Cook Magazine even names it as one of the Best Spas in the World.

After the tour of the amazing spa we had some d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. lunch in the spa's restaurant. Healthy AND impeccable so it is a double dose of fabulousness. ;-)

This resort is perfect for someone who:

* Enjoys an amazing spa.
* Appreciates lazy rivers.
* Finds pleasure in Corona Beer. (They serve it.)
* Doesn't prefer larger resorts.
* Enjoys a charming, white-sanded beach.

To see more pictures and read up more on the Grand Sirenis Resorts in the Riviera Maya click HERE.


Happy travels!

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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Catalonia Royal Tulum

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The Catalonia Royal Tulum is one of my all-time favorite 4 star all-inclusive resorts. It is just so incredibly cute and has a lot to offer. The resort is located on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, Xpu -Ha, which is in the heart of the lovely Riviera Maya. For those who love the beaches and bohemian town of Tulum, this may be a perfect fit for you.

This resort may also be perfect for someone who:

  • Wants an adult only resort.
  • Needs easy access to Wifi throughout the resort.
  • Enjoys beach butler service.
  • Looks forward to 24 hour room service.

The Catalonia Royal Tulum is a quaint, adults-only resort that is sure to capture your heart as it did mine.


XO,

Terrah


p.s. ~ to see more pictures and soak in some more information on the Catalonia Royal Tulum click HERE.

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Monday, May 31, 2010

Grand Palladium Resorts in the Rivera Maya



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The Grand Palladium Resorts in the Riviera Maya would be perfect for those who are traveling in groups of 10 or more. They have a lot of variety, nightly entertainment and are experts when accommodating groups of any size. It would also be perfect for a family with small children looking for an all-inclusive that has a beautiful beach but is trying to stay within a certain budget. Another big perk, the kids club was stunning! The girls working in it were so happy and passionate about what they do and I don't about you but that is so extremely important to me. They even accept children as young as 1!

Even though they don't offer room service, the food in each restaurant was 2 thumbs up. Exceptionally delicious. :)

The spa is also a huge surprising highlight. The water circuit is impressive AND is included for all guests at no additional charge so we of course had to check that out one day after filming. :) Oh and it did not disappoint.

The 2 biggest heads up I must give are
1)
It is HUGE. Shuttles are constantly running throughout the complex but there is no hiding the fact how big and spread out the resort is.
2)
It is a little over an hour drive south from the Cancun airport.

They have the stay at 1, play at all concept so the options are endless. There are a total of 4 resorts and the names of them are:

Grand Palladium Riviera
Grand Palladium White Sands
Grand Palladium Colonial
Grand Palladium Kantenah

Click HERE to see our video showcasing the 4 resorts shared facilities (spa, kids club, sports facility) and HERE for pictures.
Click HERE to see the video of the Grand Palladium Riviera and White Sands and HERE for the pictures.
Click HERE for the Grand Palladium Colonial and Kantenah and HERE for the pictures.


Each person and family have different ideas of what their ultimate vacation would be like so be sure and call us to make certain you are getting the perfect fit.

Many more resorts to share with you so stay tuned. ;)


Much love from Texas,

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Monday, May 17, 2010

A new favorite resort ~ The Marival Residences & World Spa

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There is a new resort in Riviera Nayarit that has stolen my heart! The Marival Residences & World Spa has thought through every detail to create the ultimate all-inclusive resort.

The resort is just 15 - 20 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport and those who have the privilege of staying at the Marival Residences also have full access to it's sister property, the Marival Resort and Suites.

Before going into the details of the new Residences, it is important to know what all you get at the original Marival Resort. Both resorts have lush, tropical grounds that simply stunning. Guests staying at the Residences have convenient shuttles that are constantly running to and from the original resort. The beach there is long, wide and amazing. Guests staying at the Residences have a private beach club area where you can enjoy beach butler service while soaking up some rays. The Marival Resort also has some fun, active pools that include swim-up bars and a über cool waterpark for the smaller ones. Once Nicki and I saw that the kids area had water slides we of course had to try them. :)

The Marival Resort and Suites has a different themed party (a.k.a. fiesta) every night. We were able to make it to the Mexican themed night and we were impressed with the food, entertainment and the decorations. The bright, colorful frills everywhere really made it lively and festive.

Another fun thing to keep in mind is that over at the Marival Resort they have a disco where you can dance the night away.

Okay, so now on to the fabulous Marival Residences & World Spa!

Every single 'Residence' is a penthouse with state-of-the-art design and 24 hour room service. Yes, 24 hours. We had chocolate cake at 2am one night. And it was good. Damn good. The Residences range from 1 to 4 bedroom accommodations. They even have washer and dryers in each Residence! Nicki and I were very excited to discover the washer and dryers. Each Residence have large balconies facing the Pacific Ocean with tropical flowers and patio furniture. Each room have flat-screen TVs and the master bedrooms have iPod docking stations so you can get down with your bad self to En Vogue at any given moment. Or maybe that was just me. Anyhow, the penthouse rooms alone are enough reason to stay in the Residence section.

marival master bedroom

kitchen of rooftop penthouse

24 hour room service

rooftop penthouse

The Food and beverages. The head chef came to this hotel from the Four Seasons Los Angeles and we are thankful he did! Each meal was impeccable. One day while we were grabbing a bite to eat by the pool Nicki wanted a BLT but it wasn't on the menu but boy, they made her a BLT STAT! LOL, the service goes beyond expectations which really does leave an impression. While they may only have 3 restaurants, don't forget you have full access to the Marival next door which has 4 making a total of 7 restaurants. The Sky Bar is on the top floor and not only does it have amazing views of the Pacific but they serve up some mean drinks as well!

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Our first night there

Eating sushi at the Nicksan restaurant ~ Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Kampai!

cheesecake lollipops
Cheesecake Lollipops

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Enjoying the sunset from the Sky bar

The Spa. The Marival Residences has one of the only World Spas in the country offering 9 different treatments from all over the world along with a cutting-edge salon. I could of stayed in the spa for the entire stay honestly.

Salon
Full-service salon

Italy themed spa room
Italy-themed treatment room


Kids need lovin' too. While the resort seemed to be very grown-up, they definitely kept the kiddos in mind when making their 5 star all-inclusive concept complete. They have FREE nanny services (maximum 8 hours/5-night minimum stay required) along with an adorable kids club that offer things like arts & crafts, a game room and just an entire little paradise for them to explore in.

Kids club
Heck, I could have fun in this kids' club!

Kids club

Kids club
For the gamers...

Kids club

Playground close to Kids club
Outdoor play area


Okay, it's time to announce my favorite part. Are you ready? Drum roll please... How would you feel about .... UNLIMITED excursions INCLUDED??? Years after a group vacation the thing that sticks in everyone's memory is usually a group outing that everyone experiences together. They have things like sunset sailing and the dolphin encounter. How about sea lions? Go horseback riding. Zip line through a jungle!
Marival Residences have teamed up with Trafic Tours and are able to offer their guests unlimited select tours. Click HERE to see which ones they are currently offering. If you think about it, each one of those tours is generally $100 or more so if you did one per day that can really add up. The pick up for the tours is just a $5 cab ride away.

Nicki and I took advantage of the Dolphin Encounter and the all-day Kontiki tour. They both were amazing but I've got to tell you... dolphins have won a huge place in my heart. I had no idea how interesting, beautiful and SMART they were! It was definitely a highlight of the trip and one that I will never forget.

Dolphin kissing Terrah
Dolphin Encounter


The resort is still rather new so be sure and take advantage of their ideal low pricing right now.

Who is this resort for? I can honestly see it being a perfect fit for all travelers. Destination weddings, a romantic getaway, family vacations... Check! Check! and Check!

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Have you ever swam with dolphins??? Aren't they amazing creatures??

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