$150 Million Mexican Luxury Resort in the Works

If you are luxury traveler, you may soon have even more reason to travel to Mexico. A $150 million luxury resort will be built in Mexico that will specifically serve the high-end luxury traveler.

This project, which doesn’t have a name as of yet, will be the result of a partnership between ING Clarion Partners LLC, Operadora Punta Maroma and Grupo Carrousel. This luxury resort will be built on Bahia Maroma. The location will be about 45 minutes from the Cancun airport and 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen.

Bahia Maroma

The resort itself will be huge. The site on which the resort will be built is approximately 250 acres and includes about a mile of beachfront real estate. The actual property will end up being about 650,000 square feet. All told, there will be more than 200 super luxury villas and various other amenities. A golf course is also in the plan, as are a spa, a beach club and a handful of restaurants.

In addition to travelers and vacations, this project will also appeal to those looking to buy property in Mexico. Part of the project includes residential units that can serve either as a main place of residence or a vacation home.

While the building of luxury resorts have slowed a bit in the United States in recent years due to trouble in the economy, the same isn’t true in Mexico. Many new resorts are going up each year, especially around the Cancun area. However, few will reach the luxuriousness of this forthcoming project.

$150 Million Mexican Luxury Resort

Visiting Maroma Resort and Spa

Are you looking for a lavish and secluded resort in Mexico? If so, look no further than Maroma Resort and Spa. It’s located about 20 minutes from the Cancun airport in Riviera Maya.

Riviera Maya Sunset

Peace and quiet is prevalent in Maroma Resort and Spa. Surrounded by dozens of acres of jungle, you won’t have to deal with the hustle and bustle of the big city. With that in mind, Maroma Resort is perfect for a romantic weekend getaway.

The spa on the premises is highly regarded by customers. The spa uses Asian techniques to pamper, heal and restore. A full range of services are available and each service has a reasonable price tag.

The resort is relatively small but it’s also extremely luxurious. With only about 70 rooms, Maroma Resort and Spa has a reputation of taking great care of their guests. The staff is friendly and is willing to help whenever they can.

Maroma Resort and Spa has a number of restaurants and bars. You don’t have to leave the resort to get very good food or a tasty drink. Both fine dining and casual dining is available. View More Pictures…

Luxury Lodging in Mexico

If you are a luxury traveler who expects the finer things in life, Mexico has a lot of different options for you. One of the highest-rated luxury resorts in all of Mexico is called Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

As you know if you’ve visited any Four Seasons hotel, Four Seasons has a reputation of operating amazingly luxurious resorts all over the world. What separates Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is the breathtaking surrounding landscape, the exceptionally nice people and the number of available activities in the area.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is located on the beach, about 30 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. The rooms in this resort are immaculately decorated and every room has a great view. You’ll be close enough to the big city if you want to go shopping or go to a nightclub, while at the same time being far away enough to get some peace and quiet.

Activities available in the area include golf, tennis, water sports and even an on-site museum. The local golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is spread over approximately 200 acres. The water sports that are available include scuba diving, water skiing, surfboarding and deep sea fishing.

You should expect to pay at least $400 per night if you plan to stay at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. If you can afford that price tag, you will no doubt have the vacation of your life while being pampered beyond belief!

Photo credit: Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Do you want to get married in Mexico?

Many couples are planning destination weddings in Mexico these days. If you are looking for a way to cut costs on your destination wedding, considering heading to the Riviera Maya. Sandos Hotels & Resorts on the Riviera Maya is offering a special free wedding package. If you book at least five rooms for five nights for your wedding group, you will get all these services free of charge: wedding coordinator, decorated wedding site, wedding cake, music, wedding certificate and a bunch of perks for the bride and groom.

Sandos Beach Wedding

Sandos Hotels & Resorts has four all-inclusive properties in Mexico that are eligible for this special - Caracol Beach Resort & Spa, Select Club Beach Resort & Spa, Playacar Beach Resort & Spa, and Sandos Playacar Riviera Hotel & Spa.

To learn more about the details of this special deal, visit sandoshotels.com or call 1-866-887-5601. Here are some special requirements for getting married in Mexico:

In order for U.S. citizens to get married in Mexico, the bride and groom must arrive in the country at least three working days prior to the wedding date and provide valid passports and a tourist visa (given to all travelers upon entry to Mexico at the airport). Brides and grooms are required to take a blood test in Mexico (arranged by the wedding coordinator at a cost of US $200 per couple, payable in cash) and must have four witnesses to the ceremony who have also been in Mexico for at least three business days prior to the ceremony (witnesses can be provided by the hotel at a cost of US $30 per witness). The Judge’s transportation to the hotel (US $30) and a translation fee (US $40) are not included in the price of the package and must be paid in cash on the day of the wedding.

Vacationing in Mazatlán

My first vacation to Mexico was to Mazatlán, many years ago and it remains one of my favorite destinations in Mexico. Mazatlán is located on the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Sea of Cortez, across from the tip of the Baja Peninsula.

Mazatlán Beach

You will find that resorts, shopping, dining and other activities in Mazatlán are slightly lower than the other major resort cities in Mexico.

Mazatlán consists of the city region dubbed “Old Mazatlán” and the resort region termed “Zona Dorada” - The Golden Zone.

Zona Dorada is the northern part of Mazatlán and features wonderul beaches, shopping and resorts. One of my favorite activities in Mazatlán (and all of Mexico) is fishing. Mazatlán is a big fishing port known for it’s tuna and shrimp. However sportfishing for sailfish and marlin is ever popular.

Whether you like fishing, water sports, tennis, golf, horseback riding, shopping, eating or just relaxing at the beach, you can do it all in Mazatlán.

Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán is a wonderful resort in Mazatlán that offers luxury accommodations. Each suite has a breathtaking ocean view, a kitchenette and top-notch amenities. It’s a great resort for families. Visit their website to learn more about Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán.

Photo credit: Flickr

All-Inclusive Resort - Occidental Grand Xcaret

Are you looking for an all-inclusive hotel in Mexico? One of the highest rated all-inclusive resorts in Mexico is Occidental Grand Xcaret. Located about sixty minutes south of Cancun near the town of Playa del Carmen, this resort literally has it all!

Occidental Grand Xcaret

If you came to Mexico to have fun in the sun, you can enjoy the private beach at Occidental Grand Xcaret. The resort also has five swimming pools, nearly a dozen whirlpools and wonderful spa services. If you’d rather enjoy a sport, you have many options at Occidental Grand Xcaret including tennis, volleyball and even archery.

When it comes to food, this resort is top of the line. With approximately twenty bars and restaurants, you will never run out of dining options. From a classic buffet to an elegant steak restaurant to an authentic Italian restaurant, the choices go on and on. If you just want to sip a cocktail, you can find a bar at nearly every corner of this resort.

The rooms at Occidental Grand Xcaret are comfortable yet also practical. From all the basics such as a telephone and cable television to luxuries such as a stocked mini-fridge, you’ll find it in the guestrooms.

If you are planning a destination wedding, this resort makes for a fine destination. An on-site wedding consultant can help you at each step along the way. Occidental Grand Xcaret also makes a great honeymoon destination. With daily rates starting at under $150, you can stay at Occidental Grand Xcaret without breaking your budget. Check out the Occidental Hotels website for more information.

Inn at Loreto Bay

If you want to venture to a resort on the western coast of Mexico, the Inn at Loreto Bay is a great option. Perfect for singles, couples or families, the Inn at Loreto Bay is a relatively new resort that was constructed on over 500,000 square feet of land.

Inn at Loreto Bay

Built in 2002 in the Mexican city of Loreto, the Inn at Loreto Bay is already famous for the luxury and the paradise-like feeling at the resort. Each of the nearly 160 rooms at the resort overlooks the Sea of Cortés.

Water sports are extremely popular at and around the resort. Scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking are all available in the area. The pool on the premises is open all year and the weather is almost always perfect for swimming. There is also a golf course and a racquetball club at the Inn at Loreto Bay.

You don’t have to go far to find great food when you stay at this resort. On the premises, there is restaurant for fine dining, a buffet and a snack bar. There are also bars that serve all types of alcoholic beverages.

With rates starting at under $200 per night, you are sure to find a room at Inn at Loreto Bay to fit your budget!

Call (866) 850-0333 or visit www.innatloretobay.com for more information.

Golden Parnassus Resort and Spa - Cancun

Whether you want to head to Cancun, Mexico for spring break or a relaxing vacation with your significant other, Golden Parnassus Resort and Spa is an extremely appealing option. This five-star resort is located right on the beach and is routinely regarded as one of the very best resorts in the city.

Golden Parnassus Resort and Spa is an adult-only destination that has more than 200 rooms to choose from. While their standard rooms are luxurious as it is, their Crown Club Rooms are famous for their lavishness. Along with the basic amenities, Crown Club Rooms also have amenities such as a complete mini-bar and even a Jacuzzi within each room.

If you don’t want to venture to the beach, the pools in the complex are top quality and open for most of the year. You could also decide to take advantage of the spa, which is reasonably priced and has a wide array of treatments and massages.

Golden Parnassus Resort and Spa - Cancun

Another great aspect about staying at Golden Parnassus Resort and Spa are all the culinary options on the premises. From snack bars to casual restaurants to fine dining establishments, you can find it all within the resort.

Since children aren’t allowed at Golden Parnassus Resort and Spa, the resort is typically quieter and less hectic than other resorts in Cancun. While other resorts offer similar amenities in the city, Golden Parnassus Resort and Spa has a high-class quality that is unmatched. Find out more information about this fabulous resort at GoldenCancun.com.

Photo credit: Golden Cancun

Two New Hotels Opening in the Riviera Maya

Before the end of 2008, two new wonderful Gourmet Inclusive properties will be opening in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Opening in October 2008, Azul View Hotel by Karisma brings together spacious facilities with unlimited activities and services. You and your whole family can enjoy gourmet cuisine, chic restaurant and lounge areas, kids and teens clubs, swim-up cantinas, a Zen-inspired spa, high-tech meeting spaces and much more.

Azul View Hotel

Unique amenities will include accommodations that comfortably sleep two adults and three children, or three adults and one child, with guaranteed connecting rooms for groups traveling together. You can also choose amazing Premium Jacuzzi Swim Up Suites and wraparound honeymoon balconies.

In December 2008, the Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma will be opening in Playa del Carmen. This resort hotel includes special touches for couples, families, groups, business travelers and luxury travelers. The hotel features 1-3 bedroom suites, high-tech meeting space and penthouse suites with private, 1,800-square feet rooftop lounges. These lounges feature a Jacuzzi, sofas and chaise lounges, a barbeque grill and a marble half-bathroom with outdoor shower.

At Azul View Hotel, rates include accommodations plus every aspect of the Gourmet Inclusive experience, including drinks and meals. At the Azul Fives Hotel, guests can choose between the signature Gourmet Inclusive plan or the Gourmet European Plan which includes accommodations only.

Despite all the fantastic amenities at these new hotels, room rates are reasonable. The Azul View Hotel by Karisma begin at $187 per person, per night for a Jacuzzi Junior Suite, including the Gourmet Inclusive experience with full concierge and 24-hour room service. The Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma begin at $180 per person, per night for a Deluxe Suite, including the same. If you book your room early, you can get up to 25% off. Call 1-888-280-8810 or at www.azulhotel.com to find out about the Early Bird travel specials.