Dreams Riviera Cancun Grand Opening with Pictures

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner! Those of you who haven't had a chance to see the pictures, grab a fresh cup of coffee and take a peek. We're just back from the brand-new, built-from-the-ground-up Dreams Riviera Cancun, and we've got over a hundred photos posted online - the ones you won't see in the airbrushed brochures.

If we can describe Dreams Riviera Cancun in one word, it would be welcoming. From the moment one walks into the spacious lobby, the only thoughts are "I'm home." Huge open-air lobby area, all themed in an Indonesian style (dark woods, wicker furniture, wide fans across the ceiling) with one of the most open and warm lobby bars we've seen, Dreams Riviera Cancun welcomes everyone with a touch of class and friendliness.

Dreams Riviera Cancun opened October 1st, and we'd be hard-pressed to notice that. The resort, the staff, the activities, the rooms, the overall feel are of a resort that's been operating for years. None of the early learning curve mistakes (pouring wine in the water glass, empty minibars, power outages, etc.) are anywhere to be seen, and maybe most impressive was the foliage - palm trees, flowers, lawn, and more all seem to have been there for far longer than five weeks.

For families with children under 12, Dreams Riviera Cancun may be the perfect resort. It's small and intimate, with everything almost within shouting distance, and very close to the airport (it's been a long flight - why extend it with an hour in a bus?) Dreams Riviera Cancun is laid out in two mirror image J-shaped buildings facing the ocean, with the main pools and two restaurants in the middle, and a tree-lined walkway through the center leading to the lobby and four remaining restaurants. No worries about letting the kids run free, as everything is right there.

Dreams Riviera Cancun's pools are separated into three main sections, yet all still in one place. The main Infinity Pool contains the swim up bar and is geared towards adults, the Theater Pool is where the volleyball and water polo happens (as well as the nightly shows, with stepped seating around the pool and deck where the performances take place - very unique!), and the shallow Kids Pool with in-water ping-pong tables and space for the little ones to play. Tons of pool seating, including over a dozen cushioned and covered pool beds, all served by waiters and waitresses throughout the day.

Dining is a Dreams Riviera Cancun specialty - six restaurants (Mexican, Italian, Oriental with teppanyaki and tatami tables, adults-only French, oceanside Grill and Seafood, and International buffet) never require reservations. Add to this the Barefoot Grill (burgers, hot dogs, chicken) next to the pool, CoCo Kafe coffee bar with lattes and hot chocolate, and 24 hour room service for all guests, and you'll never want for food. Oh, and by the way - twice a week Dreams Riviera Cancun puts together a tequila tasting poolside to learn about the history of tequila, the best types to sip and mix, and how to not get ripped off when buying!

Rooms at Dreams Riviera Cancun have a very unique layout, almost octagonal. The beds (two double beds or one king bed) are in the very middle of the room, facing the sliding glass door (great oceanviews while laying in bed) with a shuttered wall behind partially separating the bathroom (Jacuzzi tub and separate shower, double sinks). There are not junior suites as many new resorts offer, so fitting a family of four in with older (>12) children may be tough, but again perfect for those with younger children. However, Dreams Riviera Cancun offers many connecting rooms that can be booked ahead of time (not just requested) for larger families. Fully stocked minibar with soda, water, juices and beers; flat screen television with DVD player, plus balcony (Preferred Club has Jacuzzi) complete the rooms.

As always with Dreams Resorts, a very comprehensive Explorers Club for kids from 3-12, with activities throughout the day (9AM to 10PM, fully supervised!) such as rock climbing, beach soccer, ocean trampoline and 'iceberg' climbing float, movie night, and of course top of the line XBox 360 video games. Remember that adults-only restaurant? Let the kids enjoy their dinner and movie in the Explorers Club, while mom and dad enjoy the escargot, foie gras, filet mignon, and a French merlot with creme brulee at Bordeaux. No really…those are on the menu, all-inclusive. This is a Dreams resort after all!

Dreams Riviera Cancun is currently running a sale with up to 40% off regular rates plus a $200 Resort Credit. For more information, brand new photos, and a price quote, visit our Dreams Riviera Cancun page.

Paradisus Riviera Cancun Review

An oldie but a goodie - the Paradisus Riviera Cancun has been one of our best upscale family resorts in Mexico for years. A very tropical and secluded, very Mexican style all suites resort, it sits less than 20 minutes from the airport on a long stretch of beach with plenty of activities for families, as well as the Royal Service option for adults.

The suites are scattered throughout the secluded Paradisus Riviera Cancun in 14 Mayan-style bungalows, each with 30-35 suites (no elevators - hey, even the advanced Mayans had to climb steps!) Each suite has a fully stocked minibar, television, and either one king bed or two double beds. Three things we noticed really set the Paradisus Riviera Cancun apart from many other resorts - authentic dining, impressive kids club, and the Royal Service section.

Six a la carte restaurants at Paradisus Riviera Cancun, and they're working on expanding options as we speak. Reservations are required, but guests can make reservations three days in advance, and the reservations desk is open throughout the day (unlike some other resorts, who only have a small window that reservations can be made). The Oriental restaurant is run by a Japanese manager, the French is headed by a chef right from France whose daily highlight is creating special dishes off the cuff for dinner, and so on. If you can't find food you like at Paradisus Riviera Cancun, perhaps a vacation wasn't for you!

When one thinks of Kids Clubs, what usually comes to mind is the age range of 4 to 12 years old. Not so here - ready for this? Paradisus Riviera Cancun has fully supervised programs for infants as young as 45 days. Yes, under seven weeks old! Paradisus Riviera Cancun has trained staff throughout the day, offer walkie talkies for parents, and a nap room with cribs and small beds with video surveillance. Not that most parents would leave a seven week old child there the whole day, but to have the ability to put the child down for a supervised (and included) nap while they partake of a wine tasting is an amazing feature.

And when talking about amazing features, you have to include Paradisus Riviera Cancun's adults-only Royal Service section. A newly-redone an expanded Royal Service Lounge greets guests for private check in, and offers gourmet bites and top-shelf liquors throughout the day in air-conditioned comfort with concierge service and flat screen television, books, games, and more. From there guests are taken to the Royal Service section, which has its own pool with Bali-style beds and butler service (each day a pool bed can be reserved in the guests' names for their exclusive use, even with a sign hung on it) and private beach area with additional butler service. Anything a Royal Service client needs during their stay, the RS butlers take care of it.

Paradisus Riviera Cancun is currently running an Early Booking Bonus for 2010, plus Kids Stay Free on selected dates. For more information, brand new photos, and a price quote, visit our Paradisus Riviera Cancun page.

Ocean Coral & Turquesa Review

Great value…remember that phrase from one of our mailers last month? Can't get much greater of a value than Ocean Coral Turquesa in the Riviera Maya. An all-junior suite property less than 20 minutes from the airport, arranged parallel to the white sand beach giving most rooms (with the exception of ground floor) an oceanview, fully stocked minibars in each room, the ability to fit a family of five in one room, free wifi in the lobby, and much more.

Ocean Coral & Turquesa is arranged in four U shaped buildings, each one with its own pool - the one nearest the main lobbies (they have two check ins, one for suite guests and one for Privilege Club guests, more on that later) has the swim up pool bar, which of course makes it the most "outgoing." Just up from that is the Kids Club section geared towards families with younger children. On the other end is a quieter pool with relaxing music, and at the farthest U is the Privilege Club section with its added amenities and services.

Ocean Coral & Turquesa's Privilege Club is a great add-on for not much more - Privilege Club guests have a private check in and check out, access to the Privilege Club lounge with top shelf liquors and concierge service, a lobster dinner once a week in the oceanside restaurant, in-room Internet access included, and a private section of the beach set aside just for them, featuring beach butlers who bring everything from towels and books to ice buckets full of cold drinks.

Plenty of dining options at Ocean Coral & Turquesa, and none require reservations (isn't this how they should all be?) Dine where you want, when you want - no worries about rushing home from your Chichen Itza excursion that's running late to make the 7PM Oriental reservation you had. Stay that extra hour in the pool, catch those last rays of sun on the beach, and decide last minute what cuisine you're in the mood for - Mexican, Tex-Mex, American (in the very cool sports-themed restaurant), Japanese, Seafood, or Italian. Even though reservations are not needed, there may be a wait, so they will provide pagers to let you know when the table is ready, so have a drink and relax. Ocean Coral & Turquesa Privilege Club guests can get guaranteed times to dine, another great perk.

Long stretch of white sand beach at Ocean Coral & Turquesa - it's not the crystal clear blue water from brochures, but for the most part it's calm and relaxing, and the sand is white and cool. Lots of space and seating along the beach, and all guests have beach waiter service for drinks - even in a 'great value' resort!

Ocean Coral & Turquesa is currently running a Winter Sale with reduced rates for travel through April 30th. For more information, brand new photos, and a price quote, visit our Ocean Coral Turquesa page.

Club Med Cancun Yucatan Review

If you haven't seen or heard what Club Med is today, you may have an outdated idea…odd bracelets with beads you remove to pay for drinks, doors without locks, and singles looking for a fun time. Today's Club Med is MUCH different, as they've fully embraced the all-inclusive concept of the 90's and 00's, and have shifted much more towards the family market, and Club Med Cancun Yucatan is the flagship of the new concept.

Club Med Cancun Yucatan was one of the first hotels to be built in Cancun, and for that reason chose THE prime location. It's set at the furthest south part, well away from the hustle and bustle of the Hotel Zone, and on the point of the "7" shape of Cancun's island (did you know Cancun is actually an island?) This location not only sets it apart from other mass-market hotels, but also provides Club Med Cancun Yucatan an ideal location for watersports. Club Med has designed this resort to incorporate the Mexican and Mayan cultures, with bright colors and authentic artifacts and artwork from throughout the region. Rooms are colorful and comfortable, all with flat screen televisions, vanity desk with pop-up mirror (so that getting the hair ready for dinner doesn't interfere with teeth brushing!), and stocked minibar. Internet access is available for an extra fee.

Perhaps Club Med Cancun Yucatan's best features are the GO's, or the resort staff. Guests come from all around the world, with a large percentage of Europeans, but the GO's are fluent in several languages, and are among the most friendly and outgoing you'll ever meet - including joining you for meals at your table to strike up a conversation.

Club Med Cancun Yucatan features two oceanside a la carte restaurants, a Mexican and Mediterranean, plus a large main buffet restaurant with distinctly themed dining areas, and an impressive number of food stations such as grill, fresh Mexican foods, salads, vegetables and fruits, and a huge dessert station - just what you need on a beach vacation! No worries, they offer plenty of amazing activities and sports to work off that white chocolate bread (and if you've never had Club Med's white chocolate bread, you haven't lived yet). Three amazing main activities set this resort apart:

• Absolutely top notch waterski/wakeboarding program at Club Med Cancun Yucatan, maybe the best in the business. Top of the line equipment (Moomba & Mastercraft boats, Connelly & Hyperlite skis & boards, O'Neill life vests, etc.) and excellent, patient instructors. Huge semi-private lagoon right on property to use, either for beginners (with lots of space to be dragged around on your face!) or experienced (slalom buoy course). Depending on the number of guests, one can ski/board from 9:30 through noon, and again from 2:30 through 5PM - no limit on the number of runs, just take turns! The staff provides fantastic instruction, even for children as young as 12. Not only did they teach our young boys how to ski and wakeboard in one day, but even somehow got me up and out of the water, and now I'm a wakeboard junkie!
• As with other Club Meds, Club Med Cancun Yucatan features an onsite trapeze program with experienced instructors, for young to young at heart - everything from basic swinging to release moves, and if you work hard at it, they'll invite you to join the weekly trapeze show in front of the entire resort!
• Onsite snorkeling may be one of the best and most below-the-radar activities here. The second-largest reef in the world (the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef) starts right at the southern tip of Cancun, and is essentially just offshore from Club Med Cancun Yucatan. Grab a snorkel mask and explore right offshore, in the same area where the dozens of hotels up and down the Cancun Hotel Zone charge extra to send people by boat!

To finish it off, Club Med Cancun Yucatan has remodeled and upgraded their top level rooms in the oceanfront Jade Building. The resort road was moved to accommodate the oceanfront location and all new Jade pool, with a newly redone lobby with concierge service. The brand spanking new (opened in October) Jade Pool is right on the ocean with Bali-style beds, with a butler who delivers drinks, pillows and cushions, and takes care of the guests throughout the day.

Club Med Cancun Yucatan is currently running an Early Booking Sale with 15% off 2010 rates. For more information, brand new photos, and a price quote, visit our Club Med Cancun Yucatan page.

Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun

Close your eyes and imagine...you are sitting around a clear blue lagoon pool, relaxing on your handmade lounge chair, listening to soft music, sipping a mojito and debating between the French and Italian restaurants for dinner, when the head chef from the Himitsu Oriental restaurant stops by and offers you his sushi creations. It's something you'll tell friends about when you get home, and that's what makes Secrets Maroma Beach, which just turned one year old, easily one of our most highly rated resorts in any destination.

From Secrets Maroma Beach's top notch hotel staff to the entertainment team, from the full buffet grill around the pool to the gourmet bites (not just sushi, but hand carved tacos, ice cream, ceviche, and more) served daily from the head chefs, from teppanyaki tables to seaside dining, from the suites with Jacuzzi tubs to the relaxing Preferred Club lounge, from the pool volleyball action to the incredible stage shows and dancing until 2am in the nightclub, it's nearly impossible to find fault at Secrets Maroma.

And have we mentioned Secrets Maroma's beach? By far the most amazing, most beautiful, most spacious beach of any resort we feature in Mexico. Calm clear blue water and what seems to be acres of white sand make for not only great Kodak moments, but the best place to relax and unwind...and don't forget the beach waiters bringing bottled water and drinks throughout the day, no real reason to leave the beach!

Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun

Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun has always been one of our favorites, and was one of the first true adults-only luxury resorts our company began featuring when we started our big entry into Mexico over five years ago. For many, it's been Secrets Capri's size - less than 300 rooms with a U-shaped layout around the main pool (with strolling saxophonist) offers intimacy and relaxation. For others, it's been the staff - Secrets Capri was our 2008 Best Of winner for Best Staff & Service - who go out of their way to accommodate guests' requests and preferences, and knows who you are and what you drink almost as soon as you arrive. For others still, it's been the gourmet dining and top shelf drinks.

None of that has changed, and now that Secrets Capri is all-Preferred Club level, the service and amenities are even better. What has changed is the nightlife! Before April of this year, Secrets Capri has always been known as a quiet and laid back resort (it still is) with nothing really going on after dinner. What a change they have made! One can still enjoy an after dinner coffee overlooking the ocean at Seaside Grill, or a cocktail in the Rendevous lobby bar, or adjourn to their room and order room service. But for those looking for a little excitement, let us introduce Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun's all-new Desires Sports Bar!

Desires was a small room offering a stage and chairs/tables for basic nighttime entertainment, but Secrets Capri blew out the wall and removed the spa (which is now in a new location, bigger and better than ever - you must see the pictures!) and added in a full sports bar, complete with flat screen televisions (including a full wall screen), pool tables, table games, and a wraparound bar with more televisions showing sports from around the globe. Nighttime entertainment has been upgraded as well - live music, showmen, roaming magicians, and more. Really surprising if you've been to Secrets Capri before, as walking down the lobby steps, it's a head-turner seeing the new sports bar!

Dreams Riviera Cancun Almost Open!

It's almost here! The newest addition to the Dreams family of luxury family resorts is scheduled to open next month - Dreams Riviera Cancun. Dreams Riviera Cancun is the first Dreams built from the ground up, and from touring the construction site last month, we're all quite excited to see the final product. Dreams Riviera Cancun features a compact layout, perfect for families with children (hard for them to wander off without being seen, unlike some other mega-resorts), very unique octagonal rooms with upscale furnishings and amenities, very nice stretch of white sand beach, large lagoon-style pools (plus a kids pool adjacent to the main pool), and one of the best kids programs of any resorts we well (the Explorers Club).

Of course being built from the ground up, Dreams Riviera Cancun was able to be designed how they wanted and include features they weren't able to in other resorts, such as swim out rooms with split-level pools outside the patio, beds in the rooms that face the patio/balcony for wonderful sunrises, flat screen televisions, Jacuzzi tubs, and double vanity sinks in all room categories, and an absolutely gorgeous outdoor spa garden with individual treatment cabanas. Eight restaurants and six bars (plus the new Coco Cafe coffee shop) give Dreams Riviera Cancun guests plenty of choices.

Dreams Riviera Cancun includes all the same great amenities and features as other Dreams Resorts - no reservations for dining, even in gourmet a la carte restaurants; no wristbands or towel cards; 24 hour room service; in room minibars refreshed daily; Explorers Club for kids 3-12 open from 9AM to 10PM; and much more.

A few things we found - the location of Dreams Riviera Cancun is fantastic, only around 20 minutes from the airport, and being right next door to Excellence Riviera Cancun, it has a wonderful white sand beach. Dreams Riviera Cancun's Explorers Club has individual rooms for each age group of children (plus rock climbing wall and theater) so smaller children aren't grouped with older ones, but oddly enough Dreams did not incorporate their new Core Zone Teens Club - this says to us they plan to gear Dreams Riviera Cancun much more towards families with younger (12 and under) children. Rooms, while not suites, are spacious with the unique layout, and many rooms are connecting.

La Amada Hotel at Playa Mujeres, Cancun

In all of our 8+ years doing this, occasionas have been few and far between that we feature a resort that's not all-inclusive. In order for us to recommend such a resort, it would really have to knock our socks off. So keeping that in mind, and seeing as how we're barefoot now, we're proud to introduce La Amada Hotel, Cancun.

From the same company that has been incredibly successful with Excellence Resorts, the Excellence Group opened the stunningly-beautiful La Amada earlier this year as an upscale, boutique hotel - in a first for them, one that accepts children. Situated adjacent to Excellence Playa Mujeres and the marina area, La Amada (which translates literally to "the beloved") has only 109 suites, with the smallest being 960 square feet (dwarfing even the huge suites at Excellence Playa Mujeres!) All suites have a luxurious bathroom with double sinks, free wireless internet, and some feature a plunge pool on the terrace or Jacuzzi tub on the balcony.

While La Amada does accept children and offers a basic kids club, it's really not their main focus - quiet and laid back luxury for couples young and old is what they cater to. Two restaurants with varying gourmet menus plus four bars provide plenty of cuisine opportunities for such a small resort, plus Cancun is only 20 minutes away for those seeking to experience the local culture, shopping, and dining. Because you're not paying for the all-inclusive plan, this is an opportunity to leave the resort to try different things - enjoy lunch on the nearby Playa Mujeres golf course after your round, take a night and sail the nearby Capitan Hook Pirate Dinner Cruise, or go into town for shopping and entertainment.

La Amada is not a basic small hotel - this is ultra-luxury in a small package. Laid back and intimate, quiet and relaxing, on a beautiful stretch of white sand beach with a gorgeous nighttime view of Isla Mujeres, La Amada is a unique experience for those looking for luxury without all-inclusive.

Couples Resorts Sweep Travel & Leisure Awards

We always knew Couples Resorts were tops for us in the Caribbean - now everyone else does! Hope this doesn't mean they sell out more quickly than usual...

Travel + Leisure magazine has just announced the results of its annual readers' survey of the World's Best travel destinations and all four Couples resorts were listed among the top-10 resorts in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas.

Couples Negril has been ranked second, Couples Swept Away, third; Couples Sans Souci, seventh; and the recently renovated Couples Tower Isle (formerly Couples Ocho Rios) eighth. Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away also made it on to the list of the Top-100 World's Best Resorts at 36 and 42, respectively.

"This is an extremely satisfying accomplishment," said Couples Chairman Lee Issa. "For all of four of our properties to be among the top-10 resorts in the entire Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas region is a real testament to the hard work and consistent efforts of our entire team. We consider our staff to be our greatest 'natural' asset and this award demonstrates their commitment to providing the highest quality service that has become the Couples hallmark."

"We are always striving to improve on the experience we provide for our guests," added Couples CEO Glenn Lawrence, "and the fact that these rankings come from the readers of Travel + Leisure makes it all the more rewarding."

Secrets Silversands

We don't usually lead off a Resort Review with a sales line, but this one may be too good to pass up, and it will end at anytime. Secrets Silversands (along with Dreams Villamagna in Puerto Vallarta) are offering Buy One Night, Get One Free, plus a $200 Resort Credit, for travel in 2009. Take advantage of this VERY aggressive pricing if you can - with rates starting at $105/pp/night for a Secrets resort, we've got a feeling this one will be pulled very soon!

It's actually a shame Secrets Silversands has received some bad reviews because of the beach (a running industry joke with hotels with below-average beaches is that when the property owners were touring prospective sites, they saw it at night). It is true that the beach is narrow, and the ocean in front of the resort only provides a small swimmable area due to natural coral formations, but let's turn that around. With less people on the beach, this means less competition for beach chairs, and the coral provides some great off-shore snorkeling!

In all seriousness, people who bash the resort based solely on the beach are missing out - Secrets Silversands has so much more to offer, especially if you're more of a "pool person." Twelve pools throughout the resort, including the signature infinity pool and a huge lagoon-style main pool with swim up bar, means there's always a place for a dip without ever setting foot on the beach. Full pool wait service means your pool lounge chair can become your home throughout the day. And most of the ground floor suites are swim out, so guests can have a semi-private pool just steps from their terrace.

Secrets Silversands boasts a minimalistic, almost art-deco look and feel to it. From the white and orange of Rendezvous Lobby Bar, to the silver and white of the Verandah Lounge where the laid back nightlife happens, to the Tree of Life in El Patio Mexican restaurant, to the teppanyaki tables and "conveyor belt" sushi bar of Himitsu, the design of Secrets Silversands has become its trademark - to the point that other Secrets and Dreams resorts are starting to 'copy' the look!

The suites at the adults-only Secrets Silversands are very spacious with that same minimalistic design - lots of whites and silvers, flat screen television and iPod dock, large living area with sofa (plus a sofa lounger on the terrace/balcony), and a unique sliding mirror wall between the bed area and bathroom jacuzzi tub. Relax in your suite with 24 hour room service and fully-stocked minibar, or take breakfast out on the terrace overlooking the pool and ocean. Eight restaurants, never a reservation needed, provide nearly limitless dining choices. Plus Secrets Silversands' proximity to the airport (20 minutes) makes for a stress-free stay.

Excellence Playa Mujeres

Another Excellence Playa Mujeres update! How can it have changed, you may ask? What can be so different since the last update a few months back? The fact of the matter is that all resorts change over time, and with a new resort such as Excellence Playa Mujeres (opened end of 2007) those changes can easily be seen. The colors, the tropical foliage and flowers, the sandy beach, the spreading palm trees, and maybe most importantly the seasoned staff - everything goes up just a notch every trip back. Even if you've stayed at Excellence Playa Mujeres, it's always improving. We've posted dozens of brand new Excellence Playa Mujeres pictures online.

The staff simply gets better and better. With a new resort, the first year is always the hardest - a statistic we were once told about is that a new hotel turns over its entire staff in 6-8 months. What does that mean? They say they lose about 10-15% of their employees each month, whether to other hotels offering better initial pay, or promotions within the company, or simply because the employee didn't work out. So in the first 6-8 months, the staff is undergoing changes and retraining, and updates and promotions, all of which can contribute to some learning curves (one of the reasons why our policy is not to send guests to a resort in the first 30 days they are open, and 'suggest' waiting six months). Now that Excellence Playa Mujeres has been open just over a year, the staff is set in place - the best people they have are in the most appropriate positions, and the guests are the recipients of the best possible service.

And Excellence Playa Mujeres itself? More beautiful than ever. White sandy beach (sure, still some seagrass washes up as with ANY resort - but the maintenance staff at Excellence is second to none, and are out early every morning and again in the afternoon manicuring the beach) with calm water (the natural break of Isla Mujeres does wonders for the ocean) and pretty night scenes of the island's lights over the ocean make for a very scenic stay. The palm trees are fully grown, the tropical foliage is in full bloom year-round, and the small potted plants placed throughout the resort are now quite large!

Excellence Playa Mujeres was one of our seven Pinnacle Award winners for 2008, and just keeps improving month after month. Plus, with promotions like 35% off for 2009 travel for one of Mexico's most luxurious resorts, it's never been so within reach.

NH Riviera Cancun

Brand new for 2009, NH Hotels has brought their all-inclusive concept to the Riviera Maya. It started with EdenH Real Arena in Punta Cana in early 2008 (now called NH Real Arena), and they've taken it up a notch in Mexico with the all-suite NH Riviera Cancun. This resort, which opened in December, features two concepts in one - the family suites section (394 Junior Suites, most with oceanviews) and the adults-only Paradise Club (156 Exclusive Suites) which boasts its own restaurant, pool, and bar. The family section is separated from the Paradise Club by a wide open courtyard, so guests with children need not worry about frowns from the honeymooners - and vice versa!

All suites at NH Riviera Cancun (family or Paradise Club) have an in-room jacuzzi tub, flat screen television, iPod dock, double sinks, Agua de la Tierra (rain style) shower, and in-room minibar. The family section suites are divided into eight 5-story buildings, all with elevators, and 80 are connecting. NH Riviera Cancun's Paradise Club suites are in four 4-story buildings with elevators, and have all the amenities of the family section plus free internet access, daily newspaper, beach towels in room, upgraded bath amenities, separate lobby, and access to Premium drinks. Plus the infinity-style swimming pool is partially covered, so the Mexico sun doesn't finish guests off too early!

NH Riviera Cancun offers twelve restaurants and bars, with cuisine from Mexican to Asian to Italian, and has menus with low calorie and vegetarian dishes. The Paradise Club has Pure, the international specialties restaurant exclusively for Paradise Club guests, as well as the Paradise Lounge for drinks and relaxation.

Rates are really fantastic for the 4.5+ star NH Riviera Cancun - because they are just recently opened (and somewhat new to the market), NH Riviera Cancun is offering some very aggressive grand opening specials. Summer rates start at $115/pp/night, and fall rates from $96/pp/night, plus a Resort Credit of $150 and kids stay free on certain dates!.

Dreams Puerto Aventuras

Our old friend Sunscape Puerto Aventuras' transformation to a Dreams resort is now complete! They closed in April of 2008 for major renovations, and opened in December as Dreams Puerto Aventuras. We were there for its grand opening, and as with most openings they just had a little polish needed to be 100%. We just toured the six-month-old Dreams Puerto Aventuras, and she's done!

All the finishing touches are completed - from foliage and colorful flowers throughout the resort, to the all-new Gohan sushi bar and completely redone furnishings in the rooms - and Dreams Puerto Aventuras has emerged as a true Dreams resort. Smaller than most, the property is very intimate with six floors of rooms, either spectacular oceanviews or relaxing marina views. The size of Dreams Puerto Aventuras and the friendliness of the gated Puerto Aventuras community and marina makes this resort perfect for families with smaller children.

A small cove-style beach and ocean area means parents can let the little ones play on their own, and always be in plain sight - even when sending them to the beachside restrooms! Five restaurants, none of which require reservations, always have something for the kids to choose from. The beachfront shallow pool (some call it a hot tub and say it's not hot...mostly because it's not supposed to be!) is a great spot for the youngest to hang out in. Dreams Puerto Aventuras' Explorers Club takes children from 3-12, with hours from 9AM to 9PM, with plenty of fully-supervised activities. The ocean trampoline and rock climbing float give the older kids something to tire them out, and the coral formations right offshore provide great snorkeling opportunities in shallow water, in full view of the beach.

Dreams Puerto Aventuras is a great choice for families with younger children, a perfect complement to Dreams Tulum's older child focus. As with other Dreams, Dreams Puerto Aventuras is offering the $200 Resort Credit, kids stay free, and up to 35% off regular rates for 2009 - book by June 30th!

Dreams Tulum

If you haven't seen Dreams Tulum in a year or so, you might be surprised at the different look it has taken on - we know we were! The difference is immediately noticeable when stepping through the second story lobby and overlooking the main courtyard in the Dreams section. Walkways have been redone and all new foliage has been planted, to the tune of over 5,000 new native plants. The colors are amazing - pinks, purples, yellows, and more really stand out from the lush green grass in the open areas.

Dreams Tulum has really positioned themselves as one of the premier luxury family all-inclusives in Mexico. From the always-popular Explorers Club for kids (one of our favorites, featuring 9AM-9PM hours, dozens of daily activities - tennis, sandcastles, video games, scavenger hunts, arts & crafts, rock climbing, basketball, and the amazing beach bonfire and movie night) to the friendly bartenders always willing to serve up a virgin pina colada or strawberry daiquiri, Dreams Tulum has always been on the top lists for family resorts, especially for families with older children (seven to twelve years of age or so). New for 2009 however, they've gone a step further with their rooms - well, make that two steps:

The one wing of the Dreams section has been redesigned with the ability to have a 'block' of 4 to 7 rooms with the addition of an enclosed hallway with separate doors; this gives large families, small wedding groups, or just several friends the option to book a block and have that area essentially to themselves with its own entrance. Plans are in place to have the other wings done this way as well. Dreams Tulum has also increased the number of connecting rooms available in the Hacienda (original) section. So now it's easier than ever to request that connecting room for families needing more than one room. They've heard the requests from larger families, and they've responded!

The former lobby area in Dreams Tulum's Hacienda section, which was just a lounge area, has been overhauled with the addition of the Coco Cafe, Dreams' new coffee/tea area. Guests can now enjoy premium coffees, lattes, and teas along with deli sandwiches and snacks in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Just steps outside the Coco Cafe is the Sugar Reef bar with premium cocktails throughout the day, and where weekly tequila tastings are held.

Dreams Tulum still features all the great services and amenities they have for years - seven gourmet restaurants with no reservations needed, six bars with premium liquors, 24 hour room service, in room minibars, and daily & nightly activities - now with additional features for families. And don't forget, the amazing Tulum ruins are just minutes from the resort - now featuring "Tulum de Noche", a guided night tour (so it's a lot less hot!) through the lit pyramids and structures.

Dreams Tulum, along with the other Dreams and Secrets resorts, are still offering a $200 Resort Credit for reservations made through June 30th for travel through December 23rd, and like other Dreams resorts - kids stay free on certain dates!

The Royal Cancun

First off, let us start by saying that we aren't really the Cancun Hotel Zone types. There's a specific type of traveler that loves the Hotel Zone (as evidenced by the millions who travel there every year) and there certainly is plenty to do and see in and around the area (Coco Bongo, Pat O'Brien's, golfing, shopping, etc.), but with very few exceptions it's hard to find that luxury all-inclusive, geared towards upscale adults, that isn't stuffy or pretentious, and isn't in the middle of spring break crowds. With the opening of the adults-only Royal Cancun in 2007, that all changed.

Upon arriving you'll immediately notice a small gesture from any staff member you pass - a light touch of a hand to their heart accompanied by a small bow, Royal's subtle way of greeting their guests and saying hello. It may seem insignificant, but after a few times and a few days, it really hits home - the staff means what they say and go out of their way to treat their guests like royalty. From the smiles at the front desk, to the friendly wave from the swim up pool bartenders, the staff at Royal Cancun is probably the "feature" guests will most likely walk away remembering.

The Royal Cancun is an all-suite hotel, featuring 285 oceanview and oceanfront suites. All suites offer top-notch amenities, such as internet access, flat screen televisions with DVD players, an in-room jacuzzi tub for two, a marble bathroom with oceanview shower and body massage jets, and of course 24 hour room service. A special feature of the Royal resorts (Royal Playa Del Carmen being the sister property) is Online Check In - guests in the Royal Service rooms are able to check in 48 hours prior to arrival and save time upon arrival (just get your key and go!), and guests in Royal Oceanfront and higher can select the specific room they want prior to arrival. No more worries about requesting high floor, or double beds, or non-smoking - choose the room, location, bedding, etc. two days before you check in and it's all set! (Oceanfront and higher also get a one-hour test-drive of the Royal's signature Mini-Coopers - how's that for a perk?)

Five gourmet restaurants are available with cuisine from Asian fusion to Mexican-French creations to Spanish tapas to Caribbean specialties, plus the exclusive Chef's Plate, where dinners are specially prepared by the chef nightly - no two dinners the same - in a private table area. (The Chef's Plate is the only restaurant that requires reservations). Also available are the five restaurants at the adjacent Gran Caribe Real that give guests more dining choices than they can fit in a week's stay. In-suite 24 hour room service plus a 24 hour sports bar mean the dining never ends.

The Royal Cancun, along with Gran Caribe Real next door, have been extensively upgraded in the beach area, and now feature some of the largest sandy areas in all of Cancun. The owners took upon the expense of building rock jetties in strategic areas, then pumping sand (again on their own) to greatly increase the size and depth of the beach. Water is very calm, very blue - just like the Cancun postcards!

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita

Such a unique resort! Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita is a boutique luxury resort just minutes south of Cancun's airport, the term 'boutique' alluding to its intimate under-100 suite size and personal service. Guests are personally greeted at the airport by a Zoetry staff member, who greets them with champagne and privately chauffeurs them 20 minutes to the resort by Lincoln Navigator. Upon arrival, guests are given an escorted tour of the resort (which starts by walking between the two 5 foot tall Balinese lion statues that wish guests well) along with the homemade tea of the day. During the tour guests will be shown the dozens of pieces of authentic artwork the hotel's owners have brought back from their travels around the world.

Zoetry Resorts (two more on the way by the end of 2009!) term their all-inclusive program "Endless Privileges", which refers to the limitless food, activities, and services they provide (including an international cell phone at no charge, twice daily refreshed minibars in your room, Bvlgari bath amenities, and daily champagne and fruit in the suites).

Dining is at one of three restaurants - Kaax (pronounced "kahsch"), which is hand painted in a jungle motif and serves local Yucatan dishes, El Chiringuito (little establishment in Spanish) the open air beachside bistro featuring native hardwood-fired foods, and the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning La Canoa, Zoetry's French-chef fusion of spices and chillies called "La Cuisine de las Soles", or food of the suns. Or choose to have your meal served in-suite 24 hours a day (they don't use the term room service, as their in-suite dining involves complete preparation at presentation at a location of your choice - breakfast on your terrace watching the sun come up, late dinner under the stars, or perhaps lunch in your living area). Two full bars (Hippos Bar, serving top-shelf liquors and snacks overlooking the pool and ocean, and the Library Bar, where you can find wine and tequila tasting) complete the gourmet experience. Each restaurant and bar offer several house wines to choose from (unlike most resorts that only offer one white/one red) along with an optional wine list from their 5000+ bottle wine cellar.

All suites at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita feature a large terrace or balcony with oceanviews; several suites offer private plunge pools. All suites are listed by name attributed to an area of the world visited by the owners with corresponding motif - the Nairobi suite for example is decorated in safari style. Flat screen televisions with DVD player, complimentary bottle of tequila and a straw beach bag, and comfortable sofas and chairs in the living area make for a relaxing stay. And the Spacious bathrooms (yes, with a capital S - they are that spacious!) are designed using handmade vanities, showers, and bath areas - they have to be seen to be believed.

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita features Mexico's only Thalasso Spa, based on wellness and anti-aging, and features a large heated saltwater spa pool overlooking the ocean, medical diagnostics to base treatments on the guest's specific needs, and a traditional Temazcal outdoor steam room. In addition, they have their own luxurious 30 foot catamaran, "La Bonita", which offers daily one hour cruises for guests at no additional charge. Golfers will be happy to know greens fees are complimentary at Playa Mujeres Golf Club. Beach lovers will love the powdery white sand, beach beds with wait service, and plenty of space - water is calm throughout most of the year (anything can change seasonally of course) with some natural coral. Guests are easily able to walk the beach in either direction (although directly south is a clothing-optional resort...not for the faint of heart!)

Who would enjoy Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita? Those looking for a relaxing, pampered stay with personalized service, and those looking for world-class spa and anti-aging programs. Fussy guests looking for marble, chandeliers, and a butler named Jeeves may be better served at a Ritz Carlton; Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita is simply quiet luxury in the casual style, where a fresh ceviche on the beach with a chilled premium tequila is as formal as it gets.

Couples Tower Isle Now Open

If you haven’t been to Jamaica or Ocho Rios in a while (my last visit to Ocho Rios was June 2007) you are in for a treat. Couples Tower Isle, formerly Couples Ocho Rios, is now open!

Our Air Jamaica flight was the one of the first flights to arrive into Sangster International Airport on Sunday. We passed quickly through customs and immigrations. Once we arrived at the Couples Resorts Lounge area, we were offered drinks and within 15 minutes, our luggage was whisked away to our transfer bus. The new road is great and the ride was about 1 hour and 20 minutes. (Our driver stopped once, but it was not necessary.) We arrived on property at about 12:05 pm.

Our room at Couples Tower Isle, 4513 in the former West Wing (now Building #5), offered an excellent view of Tower Isle and, if you looked down, a great view of the new swim-up pool bar.

-The room was completely refurbished.
-New 32 inch flat screen TV, with numerous cable channels including movie channels.
-Rooms are the same as the rooms in the newly refurbished East Wing (now Building #1) and Main Building (now Building #3) featuring yellow duvets and light wood furniture.
-New doors with key cards
-New safe boxes, without key locks.
-New walk-in showers, nice tile work. New Kohler sinks.
-Halls nice and refreshed painted a light mint.
-New indoor/outdoor carpet throughout the hallways, low maintenance.
-Water filtration fountains located on every floor. Upon arrival each room receives a keepsake Couples Resorts logo water bottle to refill with purified water. The resort is going “Green” and will not issue bottled water at the bars.

New swim-up pool bar, with area for dive training. The pool is about the size of the new pool at CSA. New bathrooms, formerly the beauty salon.

New Logo Shop (Former Gym) – Located by beach, not quite ready.

Lobby – The nice, very South Beach, very fresh and crisp. Mint leather couches with black & white pillows and red accents tables. New scones and light fixtures throughout the property.

8 Rivers Restaurant – new white shutters, (dark heavy drapes, gone!) New seating formation, with tables for two against the walls (like the Otaheite Restaurant at Couples Negril). Piped-in music, no more piano. Top notch service and fancy cuisine.

The Verandah Restaurant – New red and white décor. Very pretty. Intercontinental cuisine – consistent quality and great service.

New walkway between the restaurants. Also a ramp for wheelchairs.

Patio Restaurant – buffet and ala carte format, but all new. New pizza oven. White and blue décor. Open all day – fresh and made-to-order items.New bathrooms located behind the Patio. Very Nice.

Bayside Restaurant– Same set-up – new furniture, very nice, great Asian menu. New Bathrooms close by. Wonderful Asian cuisine which is such a popular choice at Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away.

Couples Tower Isle's New Building
Lower level – houses the entertainment office, with games and library.
New computer room, with flat screen monitors and at least 7 stations.
Photo shop with monitors to view photos taken throughout the days and nights.
Aerobic room for yoga and step classes.
Cardio room with weights, treadmill, bikes and elliptical machine.
Pool Grill with great menu, frozen yogurt machine, soda machine and self serve nachos. Seats about 20 guests.
Tennis Courts – 3 just resurfaced with synthetic grass, slow like clay. 2 others courts will remain hard courts.
The new Premier Ocean Rooms -- great views, rooms pretty much the same as the other room blocks, however, the bath was larger.
New Suites, set-up similar to the suites at Couples Negril -- 1 large room with mini -fridge and complimentary stocked bar, sitting area with couch.
Main pool area, dive board was converted to a water fall. At night the waterfall is lit with rotating colored lights. Very Pretty.
Veggie Bar (Old Grill) -- nice snacks, hummus, veggie plates, and fresh juices.

Couples Tower Isle Spa
One word. “FABULOUS”. Similar to the new spa at Couples Swept Away, it features a plunge pool, his/her locker room with showers, steam rooms, whirlpool, hydro therapy tub, out door showers and juice bar.

Couples Tower Isle Staff
WOW – they are back and on top of their game. If you haven’t met these folks when the resort was Couples Ocho Rios, or if you have favorite staff from past visits, do not fear – they are all still there! Kirk's great smile still greets you as you get off the shuttle, Andean in the 8 Rivers Restaurant, and more. They are so excited and happy for the resort to be open and better than ever – I really sensed the pride and care!

This modernized, historically significant resort has great appeal for so many of today's travelers:
-Jamaica travelers that want a new experience
-Caribbean travelers that have not been to Jamaica in while and want something fresh and new.
-Those wanting a modern luxury getaway – like South Beach, W Hotel, or Kimpton hotel, but better pricing due to all inclusive amenities.
-Savvy travelers seeking a union of modern amenities and cultural significance.
-New travelers and newlyweds, wanting a stress free and complaint free vacation
-Repeat guests will be amazed and right at home again due the enthusiastic and friendly staff!


Sincerely,


Michael Tighe
Couples Ambassador of Romance for Berwick Travel
Business Development Manager for Northeast USA

BERWICK TRAVEL ANNOUNCES 2008 PINNACLE AWARD WINNERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The agency's seven top resorts are awarded with the exclusive Pinnacle Award for outstanding service, staff, and amenities. Eleven additional "Best Of" awards also announced.

CINNAMINSON, NJ (November 26, 2008): Berwick Travel today announced their Pinnacle Award winning all-inclusive resorts. The awards are based on feedback from returning clients, agency site inspections of the resorts, and the luxury features and amenities that each offers to its guests.

Based on client surveys over a 12 month period, seven all-inclusive resorts were chosen to receive the prestigious Pinnacle Award. Five of the winning resorts are from Cancun & the Riviera Maya, Mexico; one resort from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and one resort from Negril, Jamaica. All seven resorts have earned top ratings from tour operators in the industry, and all are considered five star or above.

In Mexico, the five winning resorts are Excellence Riviera Cancun, Excellence Playa Mujeres, Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, Riu Palace Las Americas, and the Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso. Excellence Riviera Cancun (a repeat winner) is an adults-only, all-suite property featuring 24 hour room service, in-room minibars, gourmet a la carte dining with no reservations needed, and a winding lagoon-style pool. It also offers the exclusive Excellence Club section for upgraded amenities and services. Its sister property, the brand new Excellence Playa Mujeres, is located north of Cancun on a secluded stretch of white sand beach across from Isla Mujeres. Like Excellence Riviera Cancun, it is adults only, all-suite, with 24 hour room service, with very unique Rooftop Terrace suites featuring a hydrotub and lounge area. Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun (another repeat winner) is also adults-only, featuring 24 hour room service, in-room minibars, and a quiet, laid-back atmosphere reflecting its Italian-style architecture and smaller (under 300 rooms), more intimate size. Riu Palace Las Americas, located in Cancun's Hotel Zone, is the only family-friendly award winner in Mexico. Located in the heart of the Zona Hotelera, this all-suite resort features 24 hour all-inclusive service, wide variety of restaurants, and exchange privileges with the adjacent Riu Cancun. And finally, the brand new adults-only Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso is the crown jewel in Iberostar's Playa Paraiso complex, offering jacuzzi suites, 24 hour room service, butler waiter service at the pool and beach, and gourmet dining in four exclusive restaurants.

In Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the lone winner and top-rated resort for the destination is Majestic Colonial Punta Cana. Located on one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic, the Majestic Colonial is a family-friendly upscale all-inclusive resort with 24 hour room service, in-room minibars, and a top-rated lagoon-style pool, plus gourmet a la carte dining with no reservations needed at seven restaurants. Activities include a kids club for 3-14 year olds, a casino, and five nearby golf courses.

In Jamaica, the winner (repeat winner) is Couples Swept Away, an adults-only upscale resort located on Jamaica's famous Seven Mile Beach. Newly expanded in 2006, the new Verandah section features in-room minibars and televisions, a departure from the original section with its quiet & secluded atmosphere, plus the new Great House with swim-up bar and two new restaurants. Couples Swept Away has also been voted "Best Beach" by our clients.

“We are proud to be able to present these awards to our top resorts for 2008,” said Steve Umstead, Director of Marketing for Berwick Travel. “We have always received excellent reviews from clients returning from these properties, and we are confident in sending future guests to any of them. Each one offers a different experience, but all can be counted on to provide a top-of-the-line, luxurious, and enjoyable stay to the most discerning all-inclusive traveler.”

“Knowing that Berwick Travel’s discerning travelers voted Excellence Riviera Cancun and Excellence Playa Mujeres as Berwick Travel’s Top Rated Resorts and being awarded as well our Excellence Punta Cana Resort as Top Overall Selling Resort within the 2008 Pinnacle Awards is extremely gratifying for us,” said Ignacio Fernandez, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Excellence Group. “Travel companies like Berwick Travel are essential in providing customers with an outstanding level of service, and through these prestigious awards they let us know that we are fulfilling our mission to provide couples with matchless luxury escapes in Mexico and the Caribbean."

"We are very honored to be again awarded the Pinnacle Award by Berwick Travel,” said Matthew J. Mullen, Senior Director of Sales for AMResorts (parent company of Secrets, Dreams, and Sunscape Resorts.) “We strive to provide an 'Unlimited-Luxury' experience for all our guests, ensure high guest satisfaction and create a 'guest-for-life.' Our 'Welcome Home' philosophy at Secrets Resorts & Spas and Dreams Resorts & Spas strives to provide every indulgence imaginable and we are pleased that Berwick Travel has again singled out our resorts as exceptional."

Berwick Travel's 2008 Pinnacle Award Winners
• Excellence Riviera Cancun, Mexico
• Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico
• Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, Mexico
• Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso, Mexico
• Riu Palace Las Americas, Mexico
• Majestic Colonial Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Couples Swept Away, Jamaica

In addition to the seven Pinnacle Award winners, Berwick Travel has also announced the awarding of eleven "Best Of" awards for specific features of resorts, as voted on by our clients. The winning resorts are:

Berwick Travel's 2008 "Best Of" Award Winners
• Best for Honeymooners: El Dorado Royale
• Best for Families with Younger Children: Dreams Cancun
• Best for Families with Older Children: Ocean Blue Punta Cana
• Best Value for Families: Grand Riviera & Sunset Princess
• Best Value for Adults: Punta Cana Princess
• Best Beach: Couples Swept Away
• Best Pools: Iberostar Paraiso Lindo & Maya
• Best Dining: Excellence Riviera Cancun
• Best Staff & Service: Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun
• Newcomer of the Year: Excellence Playa Mujeres
• Top Overall Selling Resort: Excellence Punta Cana

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About Berwick Travel

Berwick Travel (www.berwicktravel.com; www.berwickvacations.com) is a family owned and operated travel agency founded in July 2001, with the belief in giving Internet pricing and convenience with the service & knowledge one expects from a local travel agency.

Berwick Travel, unlike most agencies, focuses specifically on a small group of hand-picked all-inclusive resorts, so that each Travel Counsultant can be experienced and knowledgeable in the resorts. Each Travel Consultant has undergone in-house training on products and services, as well as industry training from suppliers. In addition, each Travel Consultant has traveled to many of the properties for inspections and tours, along with meetings with on-site resort management staff.

Berwick Travel has achieved several industry awards:
• Travel Impressions' Best of the Best award for six straight years, including the prestigious Globe Award for the past five consecutive years.
• Apple Vacations' Golden Apple status for top-producing agencies, including Premier Level for the past three years.
• Couples Resorts' Platinum Level status for top-producing agencies.
• SuperClubs' Diamond Level status for top-producing agencies.

Berwick Travel has also qualified as AMResorts Master Agents, Disney College of Knowledge and Earmarked Agency, Universal Parks & Resorts Specialists, and is an official Affiliated Agency of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

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For more information, contact:

Steve Umstead, Director of Marketing ( pr@berwicktravel.com )

Berwick Travel Inc.
2108 Berwick Dr.
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
(866) 278-8728
http://www.berwicktravel.com

El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Seaside Suites Win Wine Spectator Honors

El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma, and El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma were honored with Wine Spectator's Awards of Excellence for their restaurants Fuentes and Vida Garden Grill, respectively.

Fuentes and Vida Garden Grill are among only a few restaurants in the Riviera Maya to be honored with Wine Spectator's Awards of Excellence.

El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels' wine director Carlos Alberto Flores oversees the Gourmet Inclusive properties, ensuring its restaurant anthology showcases an impressive collection of wines that harmonize with a la carte cuisine and appeal to a variety of enthusiasts. Each resort also boasts a personal sommelier to advise guests on wine selection. Moreover, guests are invited to learn about the art of wine and making a menu shine based on wine selection.

Fuentes, in El Dorado Royale, is a culinary theater-style restaurant with five open kitchens and live presentations on the restaurant's flat screen televisions. Guests will not only savor traditional Mexican dishes, but will also be entertained as they view chef Christian Monchatre and his highly skilled team prepare artisitc culinary creations.

Vida Garden Grill, a favorite restaurant at El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma, offers Latin fusion grilled cuisine prepared by chef Marco Antonion Casares.

As a part of the Gourmet Inclusive experience, El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Seaside Suites also feature cooking classes.

Both El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Seaside Suites are part of Berwick Travel's Luxury Collection. For more detailed information, including rates and availability, visit www.berwicktravel.com.

Secrets Silversands is Now Open!!

[Click images below for larger pictures]

Secrets Silversands, the second adults-only Secrets resort, opened officially on August 3rd, and we were there to see it! Make sure to see our Secrets Silversands grand opening photos. Just to preface, most resorts aren't exactly ready to open when they do – always last minute changes, delays, updates, etc. The logistics of opening a multi-million dollar resort can be difficult to manage.

That being said, Secrets Silversands is incredibly impressive! We visited the construction site in February, and again snuck a peak at the end of July. To see it complete in all its splendor, only a day after it was scheduled to open, was amazing – to imagine a resort that was bare concrete just a few weeks earlier could be this complete...

As of August 6th, all services and facilities are up and running with the exception of the spa. Secrets Silversands is performing spa services in-room, around the pool, or (our favorite) on the beach. They expect the spa to be open by the end of August. All restaurants are open (furniture being put in and final touches made this week), and judging by our fantastic lunch at Oceana overlooking the pool (shrimp rolls, sopa de lima with seafood, shrimp tacos, mahi mahi sandwich, etc.) their kitchen facilities are in great shape, and ready to serve the gourmet food Secrets is known for.

Very unique property, very upscale and trendy, almost an art-deco feel to it. Whites and silvers are all around, very minimalistic furnishings in the public areas, and quiet jazz music playing throughout the resort. The large lobby has a spiral staircase leading down to the lower lobby and main bar (the bottom of the staircase has a mirror, so it appears the stairs go on forever.) Outside the lower lobby is another bar, this one surrounded by low white lounge beds that are subtly lit at night.

Secrets Silversands features two main pools, then several pools running along each building for the Swim Out suites. The largest pool is where the activities happen (aqua aerobics, pool volleyball, swim up bar) and sits below the Seaside Grill and Oceana restaurants, with a small swim up bar. The second large pool is extremely unique – quieter area for relaxation, but also features an infinity view to the ocean through one of the buildings. Swim Out suites have a good-sized pool in front (separated by a few feet of lawn), larger than most, so it's more swimmable than typical swim out 'lazy river' type suites.

The restaurants are some of the most beautiful we've ever come across. El Patio, the Mexican restaurant, features an impressive lit tree in the middle, the “Tree of Life” they call it, surrounded by custom-made wicker and wood chairs and tables. Himitsu, the Oriental restaurant, is impressively lit by red crystal lighting, and has two very unique features – four “tatami” tables (where you sit down into the table at floor level) and a “sushi conveyor” (I'm sure they'll name that better later) that is a long table, chairs on both sides, with a sushi chef at one end who prepares dishes, places them on a rotating belt in the middle of the table, and sends it along to all the guests.

The suites at Secrets Silversands are gorgeous – all whites and silvers, very upscale, and again almost art-deco. The 433 suites are arranged in several four story buildings. The king beds (with pillow top mattresses) are “floating”, in that they are platformed so you don't see the underside. The bathroom area, with twin basin sinks and Jacuzzi tub, is separated by a sliding mirror wall for more privacy. Flat screen television, CD/DVD player, and MP3 player dock make staying in the room a little more enjoyable! All suites have 24 hour room service, stocked minibar, Jacuzzi tub, and feature either a gardenview or oceanview. Swim out suites have direct access to a pool area that runs along the building, just steps from the patio.

Secrets Silversands will only get more and more beautiful as time goes on, as the grass grows greener, the palm trees spread their leaves, and the flowers grow more colorful. Secrets Silversands absolutely will be one of THE top luxury resorts in Mexico!

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Berwick Travel certified as Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant

El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma certifies BERWICK TRAVEL as GI Vacation Consultant

Online Agency Becomes One of Only Select Few Certified by Gourmet Inclusive Collection of Resorts in Riviera Maya


Cinnaminson NJ, July 1, 2008 – El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma, a premier collection of Gourmet Inclusive properties along the Riviera Maya, Mexico, recently certified Berwick Travel Inc., as a Gourmet Inclusive (GI) Vacation Consultant. Berwick Travel is now a part of an elite group of travel agents across the country certified to provide travelers with recommendations on Gourmet Inclusive vacations to the Riviera Maya based on extensive firsthand experience and education.

“Becoming a GI Vacation Consultant provided our agency with an in-depth understanding of what makes the Gourmet Inclusive vacation experience truly unique,” said Steve Umstead, Director of Marketing for Berwick Travel. “Our certification as a GI Vacation Consultant allows us to assist customers with greater confidence, based on our personal knowledge of the Gourmet Inclusive philosophy and the rigorous training involved in the program. We are excited to create customized travel itineraries according to individual client desires and expectations.”

The GI Vacation Consultant Program is designed to personally educate travel professionals on the value of Gourmet Inclusive, a distinctive philosophy that allows guests to savor every detail of their environment. From the gourmet cuisine to the variety of resort services, fine décor, and amenities, each aspect of Gourmet Inclusive is designed to create a unique experience that fosters togetherness for couples and families.

As a GI Vacation Consultant, Berwick Travel is a certified travel specialist, catering to clients that seek the ultimate in one or more niche market: destination weddings, honeymoons, romance, anniversary, family and multigenerational vacations. Berwick Travel is now an expert on all Gourmet Inclusive properties including El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma; El Dorado Casitas Royale by Karisma; El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma; El Dorado Maroma, a Beachfront Resort, by Karisma; Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma; Azul Sensatori Hotel by Karisma, opening in October 2008; and Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma, opening in December 2008

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About Berwick Travel

Berwick Travel (www.berwicktravel.com; www.berwickvacations.com) is a family owned and operated travel agency founded in July 2001, with the belief in giving Internet pricing and convenience with the service & knowledge one expects from a local travel agency.

Berwick Travel, unlike most agencies, focuses specifically on a small group of hand-picked all-inclusive resorts, so that each Travel Counsultant can be experienced and knowledgeable in the resorts. Each Travel Consultant has undergone in-house training on products and services, as well as industry training from suppliers. In addition, Travel Consultants regularly visit many of the properties for inspections and tours, along with meetings with on-site resort management staff.

Berwick Travel has achieved several industry awards:
• Travel Impressions' Best of the Best award for six straight years, including the prestigious Globe Award for the past five consecutive years.
• Apple Vacations' Golden Apple status for top-producing agencies, including Premier Level for the past three years.
• Couples Resorts' Platinum Level status for top-producing agencies.
• SuperClubs' Diamond Level status for top-producing agencies.

Berwick Travel has also qualified as AMResorts Master Agents, Disney College of Knowledge and Earmarked Agency, Universal Parks & Resorts Specialists, and is an official Affiliated Agency of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

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For more information, contact:

Steve Umstead (pr@berwicktravel.com)
Director of Marketing

Berwick Travel Inc.
2108 Berwick Dr.
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
(866) 278-8728
http://www.berwicktravel.com

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About El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma

El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma are a premier hotel collection operating properties throughout the Riviera Maya, Mexico, where guests savor a Gourmet Inclusive experience that fosters togetherness. Karisma’s growing portfolio is comprised of Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma; El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma; El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma; and El Dorado Maroma, A Beachfront Resort, by Karisma. Properties have been honored with the industry's top accolades including, Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World,” Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List,” Forbes’ “Top 10 Most Romantic Hotels,” TUI Travel PLC’s “Hotel of the Year,” and AAA’s “Four Diamond Award.” Karisma has received worldwide recognition for its creative approach to hospitality management and product innovations including resorts with swim-up suites, Infinity balcony pools, beach butlers and cash-free transactions.

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Excellence Punta Cana renovations complete!

Berwick Travel is proud to feature Excellence Punta Cana. For Excellence Punta Cana photos and Excellence Punta Cana vacation packages, click here.

Excellence Resorts Invests $8 million in Renovations
Guests will experience new enhancements and amenities at Punta Cana property

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – April 3, 2008 – Excellence Resorts recently announced the completion of $8 million in renovations to its charming Excellence Punta Cana property, 2008 winner of the TripAdvisor® Traveler’s Choice award for the number one resort in the Caribbean among the world’s most popular destinations, best pool and most romantic in the Caribbean. Located on the East Coast of the Dominican Republic and resting on the shores of the azure Caribbean Sea, Excellence Punta Cana received a range of enhancements including new decoration of all guest rooms and partial renovations throughout the resort areas, as well as a new restaurant, state-of-the-art fitness center and many additional lavish touches.

Guest Room Enhancements – The Excellence Club features private swim-up suites for Club members with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. The renovations to these already fully-equipped and lavish accommodations include new interior decoration, Bulgari toiletries and new lounging hammocks in the private cabanas.

Excellence Club suites have also been equipped for every digital desire with new 37 inch LCD flat screen TV’s and radio alarm clocks with i-pod connections. The Club suites’ mini-bars, featuring premium liquors, have been expanded to include wine and a variety of snacks, all freshly stocked every day. In addition to the Club suites, redecoration of all of the resort’s guest rooms has been completed. And, all guest rooms now include free wireless Internet access, as well as throughout the resort.

New Restaurant – Excellence Punta Cana created Oregano, its eighth restaurant option to enhance the current seven enticing international choices. Oregano features ítems like pizza and other tasty delights and offers flexible dining hours, including early and late evening availability. Additionally, the resort’s amazing existing seven gourmet restaurants have been completely redecorated reflecting their international themes which are: French, Mexican, Mediterranean, fine Italian, Asian, lobster specialties and grill specialties. All of the restaurant’s kitchens have been renovated to allow chef creations that delight the most discriminating palettes. Moreover, a healthy choice spa cuisine dining option is now available in all of the restaurants.

New Fitness Center & Recreation – In addition to its world-class spa, guests of Excellence Punta Cana will certainly enjoy the newly developed fitness center equipped with a large seperate space with state-of-the-art exercise equipment and a special room for yoga and fitness classes. Expert trainers are available to assist guests in attaining body, mind and spiritual well-being in the large fitness areas. Moreover, avid tennis players will appreciate the completely renovated tennis courts that allow guests to sharpen their tennis game on the shores of the Caribbean Sea.

Main Resort Areas - Additional resort areas that have been updated include the Excellence Punta Cana reception and lobby area, meeting facilities and theater. Enhancements include intricate interior design and sumptuous new furniture in the lobby and meeting spaces that reflect the colonial setting of Excellence Punta Cana. And new luxurious arm chairs in the theater will ensure a comfortable cinema experience.

Pool and Beach Areas – Guests of Excellence Punta Cana spend a considerable amount of time enjoying the amazing views and proximity to the Caribbean Sea. Therefore, renovations to the resort’s ideally situated pool and beach areas have been carefullly implemented and include elegant new lounge chairs and updated common areas.

The exquisite renovations at Excellence Punta Cana add to the property’s five-star amenities featuring diverse accommodations, enticing gourmet cuisine, world-class spa and meticulous service.

Excellence Resorts provides its adult guests with all-inclusive luxury in the most desirable locations including Excellence Riviera Cancun, Mexico; Excellence Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico and soon, Oyster Bay, Jamaica. The TripAdvisor® 2008 Traveler’s Choice Awards ranked Excellence Resorts’ properties among the best in the world, with Riviera Cancun elected as Mexico’s number one resort for luxury and romance; and Punta Cana recognized as having the best pool and being the most romantic in the Caribbean, along with the award of number one resort in the Caribbean among the world’s most popular destinations. Excellence Resorts is owned by The Excellence Group which is the resulting product of a joint investment of Medieval Times and Explotacions Turistiques de les Illes (E.T.I.).

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Secrets Maroma and Secrets Silversands construction

We're getting closer! Two brand new Secrets Resorts will be opening up this summer, and while it's difficult to get an idea of the finished product from construction site photos, we think they're really cool to look at! Secrets Maroma is scheduled to be opening in July, and we will begin taking reservations for arrivals August 1st and onwards; Secrets Silversands is scheduled for August, so we'll take reservations September 1st and onward.

Both resorts will be the adults-only, top notch luxury Secrets is famous for, and triple the number of Secrets properties in the Riviera Maya. Both are close to the airport (Silversands is barely 15 minutes away!) and are intimate in size, under 450 rooms each. Secrets Maroma is located on the famous Maroma Beach, voted Travel Channel's Best Beach in the World a few years back, and will feature very unique swim out rooms that you can literally step off your patio into the pool. Secrets Silversands is a much different decor and design; very much art deco and eclectic, very silver and white colored rooms and common areas.

We'll keep everyone posted about opening dates or new pictures, but if you're looking for a fall getaway with that someone special, here are two fabulous choices!

Ocean Coral & Turquesa

Ocean Coral & Ocean Turquesa's newest resort complex is located minutes south of Cancun, one of the first resorts you come to, so it's incredibly convenient, especially for anyone who's spent all day flying! Like the Princess resorts, this is technically two sections of one resort, but unlike Princess, Ocean has decided to market it as one resort (which makes life easier for us!) No difference in 'sections', and the buildings are arranged in horseshoe configuration, meaning most rooms have at least a partial oceanview.

Like Ocean Blue in Punta Cana, Ocean Coral & Turquesa has one of the best features an all-inclusive resort can have - the ability to have a family of five in one room. For all of you with three little kids wondering how in the world you can afford to book two rooms on your vacation, this may be your answer. All Junior Suites, and all have pull out sofabeds, so no need to worry about cost or hoping to get adjoining rooms!

Four a la carte restaurants, plus one main buffet and a beachfront breakfast and lunch snack bar, give plenty of variety. Four pools, one located in each 'horseshoe', each provide a different atmosphere (if you want pool volleyball, it's in one; if you want to read a book by the pool, head to another one.) Beautiful white sand beach, very similar to the sand in Cancun, and a very calm ocean make for enjoyable lounging and swimming.

Definitely a great choice for families because of (a) proximity to the airport, (b) full service Children's Club, and most of all (c) being family of five friendly, Ocean Coral & Turquesa could be your summer vacation destination. Dozens of Ocean Coral Turquesa pictures online!

Grand Riviera Princess & Grand Sunset Princess

Two resorts, mirror images facing each other across the main pool, with full exchange privileges, the new Grand Riviera Princess and Grand Sunset Princess could really be sold as one resort, but they have decided to split the names so each can be sold through different suppliers (don't ask us why...)

As with our very well-rated Bavaro Princess and Punta Cana Princess in Punta Cana, Princess Hotels has done it again with all-suite, all-inclusive, great value properties, this time in the Riviera Maya. Not too far from the airport (and only a few minutes from Playa Del Carmen), a Junior Suite is as low as $82 per person, per night in May, which quite honestly is unheard of in Mexico. That price level is where 2-3 star hotels price...we're still amazed at how great a deal these resorts are.

Again, the Princesses are all-suite properties, with upgraded suites that feature Jacuzzi tubs, direct swim out access to the pool, or even ones that sit on a man-made lagoon. The also have a Platinum category which offers 41" flat screen televisions, unlimited Internet access in the lounge, 24 hour room service, and much more.

Seven a la carte restaurants, two snack bars, a late night sports bar with snack service and an ice cream parlor means never having to go hungry. And if you're a pool person, this is heaven - 12 (yes, 12!) swimming pools (including four just for kids) are located throughout the property. Very large beach, one of the "deepest" we've seen, gives plenty of space for beach chairs.

Add it all up and you get a great value for your dollar - maybe something to think about when that tax rebate check comes in! Plenty of great pictures from the Grand Riviera Princess and Grand Sunset Princess on our site...

THE ROYAL Playa Del Carmen & THE ROYAL Cancun

Properties that underwent massive upgrades and renovations a little while back (essentially tearing down to the foundations and being rebuilt as luxury adults-only properties), the sister Royal Playa Del Carmen and Royal Cancun are remarkably similar in layout/amenities/rooms/dining, and also share a very unique feature most other resorts can't claim. Both resorts sit right in the middle of "the action" - the Royal Playa Del Carmen is literally right on Playa Del Carmen's famous Fifth Avenue, in the middle of the shopping/nightlife that 'Playa' is famous for, and the Royal Cancun is towards the north end of the Hotel Zone, located between two major shopping centers within walking distance of dozens of restaurants and clubs. That being said, both resorts are separated from that hustle and bustle very well, so guests within the resort stay in the five star luxury, while those who crave the activity only need to step outside the front gate.

Both resorts are all-suite, featuring in-room Jacuzzi tubs (true double size, not just a few jets in the bathtub!), television and CD/DVD player, and 24 hour room service. Guests in Royal Service rooms also have a feature available to them which is nearly unheard of in the industry - the ability to book the exact room location/floor/number they want, simply by logging on to The Royal's website 48 hours prior to arrival!

All this, plus a la carte gourmet dining with no reservations (except for the very unique Royal Chef's Plate, a special menu done by the head chef every night at an intimate setting, something to try out!) make for a truly five star experience at either resort. The only question is which city do you want, Playa or Cancun?

Valentin Imperial Maya - All New

Brand new, built from the ground up, and only 25 minutes south of Cancun's airport, the Valentin Imperial Maya is an adults-only, all-suite, five star luxury resort that is geared very heavily towards North American clientele. Before you even check in, you're greeted with a cold towel and welcome drink, a nice touch more resorts should adopt!

The Valentin Imperial Maya features seven a la carte restaurants, none of which ever require reservations (the best way to travel!), including Japanese with teppanyaki tables and a lobster restaurant, or order room service 24 hours a day. Plus, a very unique feature is the "One Touch" system - no need to dial one number for housekeeping, another for room service, another for concierge. Just One Touch and you're taken care of.

Suites are all equipped with hydromassage tubs, satellite television with DVD player, in-room Internet access, daily stocked minibar, and bathrobes and slippers.

A large lagoon-style pool runs down one side of the Valentin Imperial Maya, featuring a swim up pool bar and plenty of chairs. White sand beach, calm water, and a beach bar give you two distinct places to relax during the day.

The Valentin Imperial Maya is definitely one of the top luxury resorts in the Riviera Maya, so for those of you looking for a new destination for adults only, certainly one to consider.

Plenty of Valentin Imperial Maya pictures on our site from our agency tour in March!

EdenH Real Arena, Punta Cana

EdenH Real Arena is a brand new resort that just opened up in Punta Cana that we had a chance to visit while at Dreams for the Super Bowl party.

Very unique resort for the Dominican Republic - not the typical thatched roof, brightly colored buildings you'd expect to find here. EdenH Real Arena, the NH Hotels Group's first foray into all-inclusive resorts, looks like it belongs in an upscale art district, or maybe along the beach in Monaco.

Quiet music plays throughout, not the usual salsa beat, making for a very relaxed and laid back atmosphere, something you can see as soon as you enter the high-ceilinged modern lobby. Spacious rooms with flat screen televisions and Jacuzzi tubs with rain showers complete the modern feel. Even the children seem to be well behaved!

Four a la carte restaurants (no reservations needed) and 24 hour room service, all feature some of the best quality food in the Dominican Republic, something EdenH prides itself on. EdenH Real Arena has a large stretch of white sand beach (right on Bavaro Beach, and not too far from the airport) and a huge pool that runs down the center of the resort.

Believe it or not, this resort, even though it just opened in January, is completely sold out until May - not a room to be had. The good news is that they are offering some excellent grand opening rates (how does $82 per person, per night, sound for a 4.5 star all-inclusive in May sound??)

Plenty of EdenH Real Arena pictures on our site from our agency tour in February!

Couples Ocho Rios to Unveil New Hotel within Historic Walls

Jamaica’s Original All-Inclusive Hotel to Close While Undergoing $15 Million in Upgrade

Miami, FL – January 23, 2008 – Couples Resorts is pleased to announce plans for a US$15 million renovation of Jamaica’s first all-inclusive, couples only resort, Couples Ocho Rios. Nearly all areas of the 59 year old resort will be renovated as it is restored to its original Old World Jamaican charm, marrying tropical splendor with an updated, Grand Island style. The resort will close on April 1 and a new and improved Couples Ocho Rios will be unveiled on December 15, 2008. Nearly every aspect of the resort from the lobby to the spa to restaurants and pool facilities will be renovated with contemporary upgrades to ensure the romance, refinement and quality that Couples Resorts’ savvy guests have come to expect.

“We’ve been working on these plans for two years now,” explains Couples Chairman Lee Issa. “This well-orchestrated renovation effort is an example of our continued investment in Couples Ocho Rios and dedication to quality and guest satisfaction. Our guests are sophisticated travelers, who recognize superiority and style when they see it. We want to ensure they get what they desire – unparalleled beauty and romance.”

Originally built in 1949 as the Tower Isle Hotel and rebranded as Couples Ocho Rios in 1978, the resort will undergo extensive renovations that will include the addition of 20 accommodations – four suites and 16 rooms - all with ocean views, flat screen televisions in all rooms, new doors to guest room entrance and enhancements to the main pool (including leveling the depth to 5.0 feet throughout and creating a new water feature), lobby, piano bar, main dining room, main bar, and garden villa suites. Some bathrooms will feature zero edge walk-in showers.

Brand new amenities include a new wedding gazebo, veggie and juice bar, pool grill, spa with 10 treatment rooms, swim-up pool bar and new dive pool, gym, aerobics room, photo shop, gift shop, games room, and a floating dock at Tower Isle, Couples Ocho Rios’ own private island.

Guests already booked at Couples Ocho Rios during the closed period will be protected at one of our three sister properties (Couples Sans Souci, Couples Swept Away or Couples Negril) and will receive a certificate entitling them to two complimentary nights on a return stay at Couples Ocho Rios from April 1 – December 15, 2009. Guest who elect not to travel will be offered a full refund.

“It is common knowledge among our loyal guests that the staff at Couples Ocho Rios is what makes this resort so special. Several have been with the resort for nearly thirty years,” states Lee Issa. “We have offered a comprehensive and generous package to ensure that all valued employees will return to the resort for its grand re-opening in December.”

The First Dreams Resort & Spa Property in Dominican Republic Now Open in Punta Cana

Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa Offers Unlimited-Luxury®, first-ever Teen’s Club

Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa made its debut in December 2007 as the first Unlimited-Luxury® resort in the Dominican Republic. Following a multi-million dollar renovation, the former Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana became the latest addition to the Dreams-brand family of upscale hotels, treating couples and couples with children to opulent accommodations with stunning ocean views and first-class amenities and services. Located along the island’s east coast, Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa sits on one of Dominican Republic’s finest, most pristine beaches with blue waters stretching to the horizon.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Unlimited-Luxury® concept to Dominican Republic with Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa. We have implemented enhancements and installed brand new amenities to bring our guests a new and better way to have it all, and are confident this resort will exceed their expectations.”

All guest rooms have been enhanced with DVD players and MP3 docking stations with alarm clocks. Ground-floor rooms and suite terraces have been outfitted with hammocks. The walkways of the resort are now paved in beautiful stone, and by February of 2008 guests will also enjoy the convenience of wireless internet throughout the property, as well as access to a brand new business center. The theater will feature a new state-of-the art sound and lighting system.

Additionally, Preferred Club guests indulging in a higher level of service will enjoy upgraded guest rooms boasting new furniture and décor. The all-new, exclusive Preferred Club reception will also be completed by February 2008.

Overseeing Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa’s impeccable service will be General Manager Yann LeGuillou. A Dreams Resorts & Spas veteran since the brand’s inception in 2003, LeGuillou has held several significant roles within the company, including his latest position as Resident Manager for Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa. LeGuillou graduated from the Institute of Hotels and Tourism in Québec Canada and has had years of experience in the hotel industry, working for widely recognized international hotels and resorts.

Currently, each of the seven restaurants at Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa are offering guests all-new menu selections, offering mouth-watering dishes that are sure to please the most discerning palate. In addition to new food items, restaurants Himitsu (Asian cuisine) and El Patio (Mexican fare) will also welcome diners to new furniture and décor. Bordeaux , a newly-branded adults-only restaurant offering French cuisine, has also been completely renovated. Da Mario, an ocean-front restaurant serving Italian dishes trattoria-style, is scheduled to open March 2008.

Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa provides the perfect romantic setting for a destination wedding with its elegant wedding gazebo and honeymoon suites boasting spacious living rooms, king-sized poster beds, and private terraces with Jacuzzis.

Couples with children will appreciate the resort’s Explorers’ Club, which is exclusively for younger guests ages 3 – 12 with fully-supervised activities. For teens, Dreams Resorts & Spas will also offer its first-ever Teen’s Club at Dreams Punta Cana. Around the clock sports and activities will keep teenagers happily occupied. Teen discos are also open nightly from 8:30 p.m. to midnight.

For those seeking relaxation, the spa offers a sublime atmosphere of pure indulgence combining hydrotherapy and soothing signature treatments featuring indigenous techniques and ingredients. Couples treatment rooms, multiple private massage rooms built over tranquil water, a lush outdoor garden, a hydrotherapy area featuring indoor Jacuzzis and showers, a plunge pool, sauna and steam bath, complete the stimulating and peaceful experience. The spa also features a full service beauty salon offering hair treatments, waxing, and manicure and pedicure services.

For Dreams Punta Cana vacation packages, click here.

Azure Divinity in Paradise

Excellence Riviera Cancun (a five star adult only, all inclusive resort)
by Karen Holly Berliner,
Travel Writer & Contributor to Berwick Travel

When you step through the threshold of the Excellence Riviera Cancun, relax and allow your breath to be stolen away. Forgive yourself as you should, the complete and shameless abandon of your New York City bustle. Drop your woes, Blackberrys and day planners off at the Cancun airport, just scant minutes away from this dreamy paradise. Enter this for adults only paradise and indulge in this well deserved vacation. Allow yourself to be captured. I did.

Stroll into the grand vestibule and submit if you will, to the sights, fragrances and sounds about you, as you feel your senses heighten and poise, ready to inhale every last drop of The Excellences’ wonder, in grand elegance and lush tropical splendor. Take in the powdered sugar lined beach front stretching for miles. Poke a toe into the aquamarine bath warm ocean, itself as vivid as a masterpiece painting. Marvel at the backdrop of rich peaches and cream castle like structures, peppered throughout with lazy hemp hammocks and lavish palm trees and gardens, bordered all the way around by a maze of pristine swimming pools. Be greedy for the first time in ages, as you see hear taste and smell absolutely everything and all for yourself, from the meticulously prepared gourmet fare offered in a diversity of cuisines, to the dirty blond thatch palapas, themselves whispering an invitation to your own private lot of sun kissed beach. Come lap in The Excellences’ signature luxury, as it fast dispels the myth of the cliché all inclusive resorts we all of us have come to expect. I did.

Excellence Resorts are five-star properties that boast a new standard, demonstrating in every detail and perk, their philosophy simply put and seamlessly delivered: “all-inclusive is luxury.” The Excellence resort is all about quality, not quantity.

My invitation to The Excellence Riviera Cancun allowed me to experience this resort in the spirit of a romantic getaway. While romance is as diverse as the hearts that beat it, The Excellence manages to offer every universal aspect of it, showcasing any given couple’s fantasy getaway, from honeymoon or vow renewals, to anniversaries and beach front weddings themselves, choreographed from start to finish on the resort premises. The Excellence offers private beachfront candlelight dinners complete with an enchanting harp player, strumming classical pieces while you dine, breakfast in bed delivered first thing in the morning with discretion and quiet finesse, a state of the art discothèque for dancing till the wee hours, 11 different drink spots including a Martini bar, appointed to concoct the cocktail of your dreams. Expect luxurious rooms and suites, many with both indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi’s, a walk- in shower room complete with teak wood bench, rose petals sprinkled playfully atop white towel doves upon your king sized bed. Find champagne chilling for a spontaneous toast and a top shelf stocked bar for a last night cap, later in the privacy of your room. Best of all, visit the Excellence Spa. Treat yourself to healthy hydrotherapy in the pool, a Swedish sauna or a deep tissue massage. Enjoy the afterglow of your treatments in this cavernous oasis and finish with some cleansing aloe juice. Sip a flute of champagne and nibble on a chocolate covered strawberry.

Beyond romance and relaxation, feel free to access the ample land and sea activities at arms reach, from scuba diving excursions to cooking tutorials.

Be a guest at all of the Excellence Resort locations, including Excellence Riviera Cancun, Mexico ; Excellence Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico; and soon, Excellence Oyster Bay, Jamaica. I did.

After all, sometimes don’t you just want to be swept off your feet?

New Sunscape Resort in Punta Cana

Okay, not new from the ground up, but newly-rebranded. Earlier in November, Playa Hotels (a major investor in Apple Vacations and AMResorts) announced the acquisition of the Allegro Punta Cana resort, with the intention to renovate and rebrand to Sunscape Punta Cana. The new Sunscape is due to open December 22nd.

Always good news when AMResorts (Secrets, Dreams, Sunscape Resorts) opens a new hotel, as they really do it right. Fully all-inclusive, minibars in each room, a la carte dining with no reservations needed, and a top of the line children's club at the Sunscape & Dreams Resorts, the Explorers Club.

The Allegro Punta Cana was a very popular mid-level resort, close to the airport (20 minute drive), with a huge free-form pool and a beautiful beachfront. They're putting the finishing touches on some upgrades to bring the Allegro in line with the Sunscape brand, and we have an all-new web page set up. We plan to see it in-person while our agency is in Punta Cana for Dreams Punta Cana's Super Bowl weekend, so we'll have our usual flood of pictures posted then.

Berwick Travel Announces 2007 Pinnacle Award Winners

The agency's five top rated resorts are awarded with the exclusive Pinnacle Award for outstanding service, staff, and amenities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CINNAMINSON, NJ - Nov 21, 2007 – Berwick Travel today announced their 2007 Pinnacle Award winning all-inclusive resorts. The awards are based on feedback from returning clients, agency site inspections of the resorts, and the luxury features and amenities that each offers to its guests.

Based on client surveys over a 12 month period, five all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico were chosen to receive the prestigious Pinnacle Award. Two of the winning resorts are in the Riviera Maya, Mexico; two resorts are in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and one resort is in Negril, Jamaica. All five resorts have earned top ratings from tour operators in the industry, and all are considered five star or above.

In the Riviera Maya, Mexico (just south of Cancun), the two winning resorts are Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun and Excellence Riviera Cancun. Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, the recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award and named TripAdvisor's Best Luxury Resort, is adults-only, featuring 24 hour room service, in-room minibars, and a quiet, laid-back atmosphere reflecting its Italian-style architecture and small intimate size. Excellence Riviera Cancun is also adults-only, and an all-suite property featuring 24 hour room service, in-room minibars, gourmet a la carte dining with no reservations needed, and a winding lagoon-style pool. It also offers the exclusive Excellence Club section for upgraded amenities and services.

In Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the two winners are Dreams Punta Cana (formerly Sunscape The Beach)and Excellence Punta Cana. Dreams Punta Cana is a family-friendly upscale all-inclusive resort with 24 hour room service, in-room minibars, and a top-rated lagoon-style pool, plus gourmet a la carte dining with no reservations needed. The resort is in the midst of an $8 million upgrade which will enhance the already-luxurious resort and push it into the 5+ star category of Dreams Resorts. Excellence Punta Cana sits on a massive stretch of white sand beach in the very secluded Uvero Alto area of Punta Cana, and like its sister resort in Mexico, is adults-only, all-suite, 24 hour room service, mini-bars, plus the Excellence Club.

In Jamaica, the lone winner and top-rated resort for the destination is Couples Swept Away, an adults-only upscale resort located on Jamaica's famous Seven Mile Beach. Newly expanded in 2006, the new Verandah section features in-room minibars and televisions, a departure from the original section with its quiet & secluded atmosphere, plus the new Great House with swim-up bar and two new restaurants.

“We are proud to be able to present these awards to our top resorts for 2007,” said Steve Umstead, Director of Marketing for Berwick Travel. “We have always received excellent reviews from clients returning from these properties, and we are confident in sending future guests to any of them. Each one offers a different experience, but all can be counted on to provide a top-of-the-line, luxurious, and enjoyable stay to the most discerning all-inclusive traveler.”

"We are very honored to be again awarded the Pinnacle Award by Berwick Travel,” said Matthew J. Mullen, Senior Director of Sales for AMResorts (parent company of Secrets, Dreams, and Sunscape Resorts.) “We strive to provide an 'Unlimited-Luxury' experience for all our guests, ensure high guest satisfaction and create a 'guest-for-life.' Our 'Welcome Home' philosophy at Secrets Resorts & Spas and Dreams Resorts & Spas strives to provide every indulgence imaginable and we are pleased that Berwick Travel has again singled out our resorts as exceptional."

“We are truly honored to be awarded with Berwick Travel’s prestigious 2007 Pinnacle Award for our Excellence Riviera Cancun and Punta Cana properties,” said Ignacio Fernandez, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Excellence Group. “Our long standing relationship with Berwick Travel has proven that they are as dedicated as we are in providing costumers with an outstanding level of service. We feel privileged to have been recognized by such a well-respected travel agency in the industry that mirrors the values we strongly believe in, and look forward to continuing that relationship.”



Berwick Travel's 2007 Pinnacle Award Winners
• Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, Mexico
• Excellence Riviera Cancun, Mexico
• Excellence Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Dreams Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Couples Swept Away, Jamaica

About Berwick Travel
Berwick Travel (www.berwicktravel.com; www.berwickvacations.com) is a family owned and operated travel agency founded in July 2001, with the belief in giving Internet pricing and convenience with the service & knowledge one expects from a local travel agency.

Berwick Travel, unlike most agencies, focuses specifically on a small group of hand-picked all-inclusive resorts, so that each Travel Counsultant can be experienced and knowledgeable in the resorts. Each Travel Consultant has undergone in-house training on products and services, as well as industry training from suppliers. In addition, Travel Consultants regularly visit many of the properties for inspections and tours, along with meetings with on-site resort management staff.

Berwick Travel has achieved several industry awards:
• Travel Impressions' Best of the Best award for six straight years, including the prestigious Globe Award for the past five consecutive years.
• Apple Vacations' Golden Apple status for top-producing agencies, including Premier Level for the past three years.
• Couples Resorts' Platinum Level status for top-producing agencies.
• SuperClubs' Diamond Level status for top-producing agencies.

Berwick Travel has also qualified as AMResorts Master Agents, Disney College of Knowledge and Earmarked Agency, Universal Parks & Resorts Specialists, and is an official Affiliated Agency of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

For more information, contact:

Steve Umstead (pr@berwicktravel.com)
Director of Marketing

Berwick Travel Inc.
2108 Berwick Dr.
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
(866) 278-8728
http://www.berwicktravel.com

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Latest from Excellence Playa Mujeres

We keep getting that same question - is Excellence Playa Mujeres open?

Yes, of course! Little by little it's becoming a complete resort - here's the latest update from our friends at the Excellence Group:

• The Excellence Club Lounge, X-Lounge at the beach & fitness center are opened from last week.
• The SPA is also opened from the second week, and the two higher floors will open this week.
• Beach looks better, but there is still the “nortes” - the sea currents that come from the north. These currents take all the seaweed to the beach, but we have people the entire day cleaning the beach with the tractor and by hand. The beach is clean, but not inside the water.

We have seen a difference already on the comments from the clients we have at the hotel right now, 99% positive. People can not believe the hotel opened just 2 weeks ago!

Latest Excellence Playa Mujeres pictures

Update on Excellence Playa Mujeres

This just in from the Director of Sales for the Excellence Group:

All the services are opened but the Flavor Market, which is scheduled for Friday the 16th or Saturday the 17th.

We have clients at buildings 9,8 and 7, and as soon as occupancy will go up, we will have clients in other buildings (it does not make sense to split the clients if we are at 30-40%).

Today the SPA is open at the ground floor, with all the hydrotherapy area, beauty parlor and some treatment cabins, enough for the demand they have today. Plus pool and beach stations.

The beach is very clean and looks very nice, but there are sea grass in the first meter inside the ocean like “floating”, but as soon as it comes out, we clean it. We hope this very bad sea will go, and be as it was before very soon.


Thanks to our great friends at the Excellence Group for all their updates! You can see Excellence Playa Mujeres pictures here.

Yes, Excellence Playa Mujeres is open!

Jammin' Cocktail of the Month!

Mojito Especial
Compliments of Sergio Roman, bartender at Excellence Playa Mujeres

• 2 ounces simple (sugar) syrup
• 1/2 lime
• 10 fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup ice
• splash of bitters (optional)
• 1 1/2 ounce dark rum
• 2 ounces club soda
• 1 sprig of mint for garnish
• 1 lime wedge for garnish

Juice the 1/2 lime into a tall glass. Cut the remain lime into quarters and add them to the glass. Stir and blend the mint leaves with the lime and syrup (or sugar) crushing the leaves to extract their flavor. Add the crushed ice, rum, and club soda and stir well to blend. Garnish with the lime wedge and mint sprig.

For a tastier variation, use Bacardi Limon (or other citrus flavored rum)!

Excellence Playa Mujeres opens - and we were there!

Adults-only luxury in Cancun!

Right on schedule, the newest Excellence Resort opened its doors the morning of November 1 - and we were very fortunate and proud to be their first guests! As usual we went overboard with photos - almost 90 pictures of the resort have been posted on our site, plus an additional (and very unique if we do say so!) handful of "before and after" photos showing sections of the resort under construction, then what they looked like after completion.

Click for Excellence Playa Mujeres pictures

Excellence Playa Mujeres is located about 10-15 minutes north of Cancun's Hotel Zone, so about 25 minutes from the airport, in a very secluded area right across the water from Isla Mujeres. No other resorts around, only a golf course to one side and a residence complex and marina to the other. Absolutely gorgeous resort, very unique decor and style, with all the same great Excellence amenities and inclusions...plus one of the finest and most stunning rooms you'll ever see, the Rooftop Terrace Suite! A show cooking restaurant, saltwater main pool with swim up bar, Oriental cuisine restaurant with teppanyaki tables and a sushi bar, top-shelf liquors and Mexican beers, wireless Internet access (at no additional charge) in the rooms and common areas, flat screen TV's with DVD players, wait service at the pools and beach, and staff that always greets with a smile.

We saw some really interesting things during the first few days of opening - it's amazing to see the resort and staff growing and improving right before our eyes! Seeing palm trees planted where they weren't the day before...empty salt & pepper shakers on the tables for breakfast, only to be filled by lunch...having a wooden lounge seat on the balcony that has a plush cushion the next day...drinking Tecate beer from a can, replaced the next day by Dos Equis on tap...watching them printing out the room service menus to be put in the rooms...seeing the progress of the hand-made railing in the lobby...helping the staff with their English while they helped us with our Spanish - the first week a resort is open is always unique!

Some great room choices are in the Excellence Club section with stunning oceanviews (some with great looks at Isla Mujeres lit up at night), and of course the Rooftop Terrace - no better way to relax in the evening, or sunbathe in privacy! You can even order room service to be delivered on your rooftop. The Swim Up rooms have direct access to one of the seven different pools on property and don't have any type of sidewalks in front, so they offer a little bit of privacy, along with the convenience of having your room steps from the pool.

Great rates going on for travel not only for the next month and a half, but also Early Booking Bonus special rates for travel January through April. Space is available, but now that they are fully open, they will sell out quickly. No better time to get in - if you're looking for top of the line, adults-only, for your next trip, keep Excellence Playa Mujeres in mind!

Breezes Runaway Bay Completely Overhauled

Now THIS is a great example of a renovation! We've seen many resorts that undergo a "multi-million dollar refurbishment", and all you notice is new drapes and sheets. Breezes Runaway Bay, on the other hand, is almost completely different from its previous self. We last visited this property a little over a year ago, and it was very basic - standard rooms, two restaurants, one pool, but having a great stretch of beach and plenty of included activities for sports-minded people. After closing for over six months, the resort opened its doors this past January after a vigorous $20 million renovation that adds 15 percent more rooms and suites, a new swim up pool and two restaurants, plus a complete overhaul of existing accommodations.

There is a brand new low-rise room block along the beach, introducing 30 oceanfront rooms and suites, including seven one-bedroom suites and eight verandah suites with private plunge pools. Many of the garden view rooms have been expanded and transformed into Verandah Suites, each boasting private plunge pools. The existing guest rooms have been spruced up with new mahogany furnishings, LCD televisions, and high-speed wireless Internet access. Bathrooms sport a fresh new look, with new countertops and polished hardware and faucets.

They've also added two exciting new dining experiences, greatly expanding the meal options. At the casually elegant Munasan, a sushi bar compliments Teppanyaki stations, where chefs cook dinners to order. Diners who loathe to venture too far from the beach might opt for Reggae Café, serving delicious Jamaican specialties for lunch and dinner. These restaurants round out Breezes’ current dining options, including Italian fine dining, continental buffet restaurant and the Starlight Grill (a very unique concept whereby guests choose their raw food and have a chef prepare it, all under an open nighttime sky!)

Two new freshwater swimming pools, supplementing the existing Olympic size main pool - one new pool services the new oceanfront room block, while the second features a swim-up bar and misting pool. Additionally, a new, easily accessible water sports building offers guests the latest in scuba and Nitrox equipment, which dive enthusiasts can test on the famed Canyon wall, located just beyond the beach.

All in all, a tremendous upgrade to a very fun and active resort - for more details, click here.

Riu Ocho Rios Turns Two

On November 1st, 2005, the 856-room Riu Ocho Rios opened on the north coast of Jamaica. The Riu Ocho Rios is the largest Riu resort in the Caribbean, and is the third Riu resort in Jamaica, joining its sister resorts Riu Tropical Bay (opened in 2001) and Riu Negril (opened in 2004). A Happy Birthday is in order!

Visually stunning from any angle, the bright pastel purple colors really stand out against the 300,000 square feet of tropical gardens. Although it's over 800 rooms, it's not so spread out that one can get lost or feel overwhelmed - Riu has done a great job in keeping everything cozy.

Guest rooms at Riu Ocho Rios are situated in a Club wing (basic rooms) and a Deluxe wing (upgraded amenities, all Junior Suites, with additional dining options just for Deluxe guests.) All rooms have a balcony or terrace, AC, complimentary in room safe, mini bar, liquor dispenser, satellite TV, telephone and hairdryer. All rooms are considered oceanview, although guests in the Club wing rooms on the first two floors will quite honestly be hard-pressed to see the ocean, as they sit back from the beach a bit and are behind the main pool with many palm trees - if you do want a true oceanview, go for the Deluxe wing, or at the very least request a high floor.

Somewhat unusual for the Ocho Rios area, the Riu has a nice stretch of white sand beach, plus very calm water. The beach is not very 'deep' from water's edge to the resort grounds, so it can get crowded during peak times, but plenty of chairs and shade. Large pools and lots of dining options (including a la carte dinners without restrictions on the number of times you can dine) make for a very enjoyable stay.

A great addition to the Riu family of resorts - and keep an eye out for the Riu Montego Bay, scheduled to open in the fall of 2008!

Bahia Comes to Jamaica with the Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica

Here they are - Bahia Principe, one of the world's largest hotel companies, opened their newest property in Runaway Bay at the beginning of this year, and the Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica is quite impressive! Phase One has been open since January (just over 700 rooms), and Phase Two (a small addition adjacent to the main section) will be open shortly, adding a few hundred more rooms. Phase Three, scheduled for next year, will nearly double the entire complex, exceeding 1800 rooms!

The Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica is an all Junior Suite resort about 45 minutes from the airport, set on two different sections of beach - Phases 1 & 2 front a man-made, elevated beach area with a small lagoon off the ocean, while Phase 3 (an easy two minute walk from the original section) will surround a long stretch of natural beach with a much larger ocean area. (All phases have full access to both beach areas.)

Very nice layout, easy to get around, and like the Riu Ocho Rios is not so spread out that it feels massive. Most rooms will have oceanviews, some at an angle because of how the buildings are laid out, and all feature in-room minibars, hydromassage tubs, and sitting areas. They do offer the Bahia's well-known Golden Club level of rooms, with additional amenities and more.

Four restaurants and four bars are in Phase One; more will be added as other sections open (by the way, no major 'construction' going on - Phase Two is simply a small addition and all the structures are in place, and Phase Three is set off from the main areas so any construction will be far enough away not to disturb anyone.)

Very good value for what's included (Junior Suites, minibars, etc.) and has a full-service childrens club, plus the Pueblo Principe shopping center.

Iberostar Rose Hall - The Newest All inclusive in Jamaica

The most recent addition to Jamaica's growing all-inclusive portfolio, the new Iberostar Rose Hall is one of the few that can boast its proximity to the airport - from the time you get on the shuttle bus, you can be on the beach in less than 20 minutes.

This resort just opened in May, and like the Gran Bahia Principe, it's the first of three phases - although not nearly as large! This first section is the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Hotel, and consists of 366 rooms and Junior Suites (with fully-stocked minibars and balconies) surrounding an infinity pool with swim up bar that fronts a small, yet beautiful white sand beach with natural foliage.

The resort features five restaurants, including a show-cooking International buffet, and offers room service from 11AM to 11PM. Plenty of day & night activities, and the Star Friends (entertainment staff) are very encouraging! And can't forget to mention the Iberostar Mini-Club, a full service kids club for children 4-12.

The next phase to open will be Iberostar Rose Hall Suites right next door, which will be similar in layout but feature all Junior Suite accommodations, and should be open early 2008. The final phase will be the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall, which like the Iberostar Grand Paraiso in Mexico will be adults-only and high-end luxury.

Excellence Playa Mujeres construction site review

This just in - a live (well, a few days old) report from the Excellence Playa Mujeres project!

Your own private pool on your roof, are you kidding me??

We're back from the site of the soon-to-open Excellence Playa Mujeres Resort, and all we can say is wow! We were given unbelievable access to the construction site, met the architect and the very proud General Manager, and saw firsthand over 2000 workers feverishly hauling, nailing, and tiling away to make their November 1st deadline.

It's amazing to look at the bare concrete walls and empty pools and know that in barely two months (they are planning on a mid-October "soft opening") it will be complete. When you see one construction worker laying hallway tiles by hand, it's hard to believe they can complete it - until you realize that there are dozens of people around the site doing the same thing. Two thousand people can make serious progress in just a matter of days!

We stayed at Excellence Riviera Cancun, one of our top-rated luxury resorts. We tried hard to figure out what aspect of the resort could possibly be improved, but what we found were amazing rooms, top notch service, and gourmet dining. So to see their newest resort being built, we wondered what they could possibly do to exceed what they already have at the Excellence Riviera Cancun resort. To our surprise, they did!

The layout is remarkably similar to Excellence Riviera Cancun, with the standard Junior Suite buildings fronting the large pool that surrounds the spa, two outdoor restaurants set over the main pool, and the Excellence Club buildings facing the ocean with a Club-only pool and bar. All the Suites have a jacuzzi tub, stocked minibar, and 24 hr room service, as with the other Excellence resorts. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

What the new resort does have is an all-new room layout - a simple change that makes a huge difference in space and atmosphere. All of the Junior Suites now have the beds facing the terrace/balcony, so rooms with oceanview will be even more impressive when waking up in the morning! The bathroom area has been enlarged (larger shower with a new 'rain shower' in addition to the spa showerhead), and now the vanity area is directly behind the bed headboard, meaning it faces outside as well. The in-room jacuzzi tub has now been 'combined' with the jacuzzi on the balcony in a unique corner area that offers access from inside the room and outside. By combining them into one (and now it's round in shape, more comfortable for two!) it frees up so much space in the room, they replaced the standard small couch and table with an impressive L-shaped sofa with huge pillows - also facing outside. The terrace now has a large cushioned lounger instead of the usual couch or chairs. Two tech upgrades from Excellence Riviera Cancun are new 42 inch flat screen televisions, and CD/clock radios with iPod connections - plus all rooms and common areas will have wireless Internet connections.

Oh, and one other improvement - the Rooftop Terrace rooms! Incredible - the five story buildings all have rooftop areas (sort of a sixth floor) for this amazing new room category, of which the resort will have 87. Same Junior Suite layout, with the addition of a staircase that takes you to your private rooftop terrace, complete with a pool (it's too large to call a hot tub - about 6 ft by 8 ft!) and seating on a deck. Plus it has a backdoor entrance for room service to deliver right to your terrace without having to go through your room (so no need to go downstairs to answer the door!) Many have oceanviews, and the view of Isla Mujeres in the distance is something to write home about. If you're looking for a unique room, this is truly the one.

The lobby is now a three story area containing several of the restaurants (with a much-expanded Spice Oriental restaurant, with 150 person seating capacity, including outdoor), with the top floor having a cigar bar and quiet game room (the General Manager is having a billiards pro pick out the two pool tables for them!) A new addition to this resort is the Flavor Market restaurant which will offer small portions, pairing gourmet foods with wines, and doing 'show cooking' in the center of the restaurant.

The location makes all the difference - this resort is about 5 minutes north of the Cancun downtown area (or 25 minutes from the airport) but not in the Hotel Zone. It's an all-new destination, like the Riviera Maya was a decade ago. Unspoiled and uncluttered, with natural protection from waves and heavy weather afforded by Isla Mujeres, the Playa Mujeres area is so set-apart from anything else it has a feel of a private island. The beach, once cleared, will be a very long, very white stretch of 'almost private' beach with gorgeous light blue water. And adjacent to the resort, barely two minutes away by car, is the Playa Mujeres Golf Club, a 7,260 yard course designed by Greg Norman, and by all accounts one of the top two golf courses (along with the new Mayakoba course) on the Yucatan Peninsula. We toured the course, and it's absolutely beautiful with some of the best maintained fairways and greens I've seen (and all that in 95+ heat and sun!)

All in all, an amazing experience, and we feel very privileged to have been able to see it before it opens. We toured Excellence Riviera Cancun several months prior to opening and saw its progress all the way through opening, and Excellence Playa Mujeres looks to be the next jewel in the Excellence crown. November 1st is solid at this point; they fully expect the resort to be completed at the beginning of October to iron out last minute kinks, then do the soft-opening by mid-October. We've posted the construction pictures online, so take a look - then ask your Travel Consultant to put together a package for your next luxury vacation and see it in person!