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

Grand Sirenis Resorts in the Riviera Maya

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!

Grand Palladium Resorts in the Rivera Maya

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,

Va Va Voom! It's the Grand Velas!

Hola blogging world! Nicki and I have recently returned from the beautiful Puerto Vallarta! We were able to meet some wonderful people, eat some gourmet food, inspect 3 amazing resorts and we had some adventure thrown in there too. The first resort that I would like to share with you is the ever-so-fabulous Grand Velas.

The Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort in Nuevo Vallarta has been a hotel that I've been dying to see since I started in the travel industry in 2005. As you can imagine, I was giddy as a little school girl when we were taking in all of it's beauty when Nicki and I recently had the chance to visit there. It was even more beautiful than I had imagined. It would be perfect for an adults-only vacay or as a family vacation as well. As soon as you walk up, you enter into a spacious and beautiful open-air lobby with spectacular views of the Pacific ocean. You immediately notice that there has been careful consideration into every inch of detail throughout the resort. They greet you with a smile, cold towel with a sinus-clearing scent and a champagne glass filled with the daily specialty drink. Instead of tacky, plastic wristbands you will get to wear a cute, keepsake bracelet.



The pools were just as impressive. The infinity pools appeared to flow gracefully right into pacific ocean. A trick to the eye that made me do a double take. The lounge chairs are beautifully designed with beach towels carefully rolled up on each one. The pool side service was friendly and prompt. Next, we walked down to the beach which made us stop for a few moments. In those moments we simply tried to take it all in. Something about the sound of the waves coming in surrounded by impeccable design and service just made it all come together. I then realized why this resort had won so many awards.



As we were walking up to check out their rooms, we couldn't help but to notice a structure that stole the spotlight. It was obvious that this is where they hold some magnificent weddings and gatherings. Even if you had the ceremony on the beach, wouldn't this be a perfect reception spot?? With the ocean in the background?



We will go over the weddings a little bit later on my wedding blog. Now on to the rooms!

Every single suite was decorated in neutral tones that had pops of tropical-influenced color here and there. The most memorable part for me was that every suite had private, oceanfront balconies decorated with bold, beautiful flowers in the shades of fuchsia.




As we walked through to each restaurant we kept pointing out gorgeous details that would catch our eye such as Koi Fish Ponds and the spacious, lush hallways.




The resort has 4 Signature Restaurants that each have their own unique style and music. Lucca, the Italian has a piano player while Piaf, the French restaurant has a violin player. Please note that Piaf's is for 12 years old and older only.

Next up, that award-winning spa!
As soon as you walk in you smell the aroma and your stress can't help but to melt away. Haha! Corny I know but oh, so true. The Grand Velas is a member of the Leading Spas of the World and they offer every treatment imaginable. The even offer daily meditation, yoga, and Pilates classes.

The Grand Velas has amazing children programs as well. The kids club is open from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm which is unusual for all-inclusive resorts. They usually close at around 4 or 5 pm. Here is an example of what their daily activities look like:

Time		Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
9:30	Play-Do	Trouble game	Mask making	Memory game	Painting	Crazy game	Twister
10:30	Kites	Painting stones	Piñata making	Cooking class	Hand painting	Necklace making	Picture Frame
12:00	Flyng Kites	Sand caastles	Ballon game	Treasure hunt	Sand caastles	Play-Do	Sack race
12:00	Video games	Video games	Video games	Video games	Video games	Video games	Video games
1:00	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
2:00	Movie	Movie	Movie	Movie	Movie	Movie	Movie
2:00	Lottery	Lottery	Lottery	Lottery	Lottery	Lottery	Lottery
3:30	Water ballons	Water guns	Little balls	Finding chips	Water guns	Water ballons	Lego game
5:00	Soccer	Dodge ball	Parrot’s Show	Kick base ball	Sea lion show	Dodge ball	Broom hokey
6.00	Video games	Video games	Video games	Video games	Video games	Video games	Video games
6:00	Board games	Board games	Board games	Board games	Board games	Board games	Board games
6:30	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner
7:30	Crazy game	Mini disco	Movie	Magic show	Crazy game	Mini disco	Movie

AAA, Conde Nast Traveler, Leading Hotels of the World and more, have honored Grand Velas Resorts for its all-inclusive luxury, superior service, spa facilities, amazing gourmet dining, and state-of-the-art resort facilities.

The Grand Velas definitely did not disappoint and we can not wait to visit again.



Until next time,