Inside Hyatt's Ziva and Zilara Brands

Playa Resorts and Hyatt Hotels are making waves in Mexico's hotel industry with the expansion of their joint Ziva and Zilara brands. Travel Agent sat down with Kevin Froemming, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Playa Resorts, who filled us in on the company's aggressive plans in Mexico.

Playa Resorts is the owner of 13 resorts. Just last year the company decided to operate hotels, as well. They were looking for the right partner and found that in Hyatt. Together, the two companies developed two separate brands: Ziva, for families, and Zilara, which is the adults-only product. The first to debut was the Zilara Cancun, which opened in 2013.

This year has two openings on the docket - Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, which will open in December and a combo Ziva/Zilara resort in Jamaica, which will take over the old Ritz-Carlton property.

"Ziva/Zilara is all about the evolution of the all-inclusive," Froemming tells Travel Agent. Froemming believes that the Ziva/Zilara family has taken what people enjoy most about five-star hotel experiences and rolled it into a new all-inclusive-type stay. 

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Brand Distinctions

These Hyatt all-inclusives have tried to set themselves apart from other brands in the all-inclusive market. First, the Ziva/Zilaras will incorporate Chef Dinners in all of their restaurants at all of their properties. These experiences will cap out at 8 diners maximum, and the Chef will be on hand to introduce each dish and get a feel for what diners would like to try. 

Ziva and Zilara also includes 24-hour room service for all of its rooms at all of its properties. What's more, the hotels include Chef Specials on the room service menu, so that guests can feel like they are getting a different experience each time they order room service. 

With a nod to customization, the brands offer an Unlimited Pillow Menu. At check-in, guests are asked about their pillow preference, whether they have allergies, etc. There is also a customized aromatherapy turn-down service. Guests are allowed to choose what time their rooms are made up in the morning and at what time they would prefer turn-down service. At turn down, a customized scent will diffuse through the air. Guests are also asked at check-in whether or not they would like a night cap in the evening, and what their preference is. The hotel then arranges for your tipple of choice to be placed in the room in the evening. 

Butler service is all the rage, and its no different at Ziva/Zilara. At the properties, guests will find everything from beach and pool butlers to luggage butlers.

Tech touch: Ziva/Zilara is harnessing 1 Beacon Technology to further enhance the guest stay. Upon arrival, guests can download an app to their device and have alerts sent to them daily to tell them what is going on at the hotel, based on their preferences. Options include special tequila tastings, spa offers and more. 

Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta

Upon opening, in mid December, the Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta will have a large, semi-private stretch of beach - one of the largest in Puerto Vallarta. All the rooms are undergoing a renovation, and there will be an addition of a grill, lounge, swim up suites and a new pool.

Hyatt Ziva Cancun

In the second half of 2015, Ziva Cancun will open in the former Dreams Cancun space. The resort is undergoing a full renovation/demolition to completely transform the property and open up its three-sided beachfront space. 

"We are building our message through travel agents," says Froemming. "We believe they are more important than ever. We want to make it easy for them to book with us, and we want to reward them for doing so."

For more information visit www.playaresorts.com.