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| The Xhale Club Junior Suite Ocean Front at Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa has a king-size or two double beds and a furnished balcony or terrace with Jacuzzi. |
Among Mexico’s great something-for-everyone variety of accommodations are resort hotels geared to attract clients seeking an all-inclusive getaway in an adults-only environment. There have been several developments on this front so far this year, which is good news for, among others, your “GottaGoSolo” clients. These are travelers who are married with children but vacation alone to reclaim their independence, as identified in the new 2016 MMGY Portrait of American Travelers. They are an emerging market segment within the one in four travelers who take at least one vacation alone each year, according to the Portrait, which also shows that two out of three adults took at least one vacation with a spouse or another adult, without children, in the last 12 months.
Here are some new adults-only, all-inclusive accommodations as well as recent openings and upgrades that are on the way.
AIC Hotel Group recently launched Unico Hotels, a new adults-only, all-inclusive brand designed to reflect each property’s locale and native culture. The nomenclature will play on the latitude and longitude of each location, with the first hotel — Unico Hotel Riviera Maya - 20ºN 87ºW — slated to open during the first quarter of 2017.
Signature guest experiences that are consistent in each hotel throughout the Unico Hotels brand will include an in-room gallery with art to purchase from local artisans and an “Experience Room” where guests select their own beach gear and personalized in-room amenities sourced from local craftsman. Among the food and beverage offerings will be an onsite distillery or brewery incorporating flavors and ingredients from the region, as well as an annual rotating chef restaurant concept, with a focus on emerging talents and flavors.
Embracing a more local approach, Unico Hotels will offer all guests a “host” for their stay, replacing the traditional butler service. Amenities range from a custom-scented lobby, where arriving guests are introduced to the Guest Experience App, which has information about each week’s activities, to gastronomy and libation mixology designed to foster a sense of regional celebration.
On September 1, El Dorado Maroma, A Beachfront Resort by Karisma will open its new overwater bungalows called Palafitos. These hideaways are decked out with glass-bottom floors, outdoor showers, private infinity pools, Jacuzzis and direct ladder access to the ocean. Guests will be able to unwind on an oversized deck, complete with a telescope, books and blankets. Farther south, near Mexico’s historic Tulum Mayan ruins, El Dorado Seaside Suites is experiencing its first summer, having opened just this past December. It has 192 swim-up and infinity suites — each with its own pool on a private terrace or balcony — and one of the largest spas in Riviera Maya.
The Hotel Riu Palace Las Americas Cancun is scheduled to close temporarily for renovations on August 22 and reopen October 22 as an adults-only hotel. Just steps from Cancun’s shops and nightlife, the property will offer a spa with a rooftop solarium and Jacuzzi, a lavish nightclub with live shows and entertainment, an infinity pool, windsurfing, snorkeling and five à la carte or grand buffet restaurants.
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| El Dorado Maroma, A Beachfront Resort by Karisma is putting the finishing touches on its new overwater bungalows, set to open on September 1. |
AMResorts recently opened its first property in Cancun, Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa. Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Lagoon of Bahia Petempich, the resort has 526 all-suite accommodations with modern designs that are divided into three separate areas. The Xhale Club section is available for guests looking for personal service and luxury; the Energy Center is designed for guests looking to socialize; and the Xcelerate Party Zone is for visitors who want to celebrate during their stay.
Breathless Riviera incorporates the parent brand’s “Unlimited-Luxury” vacation concept, giving guests full access to gourmet à la carte dining across 10 separate venues, top-shelf spirits at 10 bars and lounges, 24-hour room and concierge service, daily refreshed minibar, daytime activities, live nightly entertainment, Wi-Fi and the X-ert Fitness Center, which hosts fitness classes that include Pilates, Yoga and Zumba sessions.
The resort also has a weekly party calendar with themed events such as the “Breathless Rocks”, “Neon Night Lights” and “Insomnia Pool” parties, as well as special guest DJ performances. A Breathless Birthday Bash package includes bottle service at the After Dark nightclub, a group photo session on the beach, an exclusive wine, tapas and in-room dessert party.
If the six gourmet restaurants at the adults-only Hyatt Zilara Cancun aren’t enough to satisfy your clients’ appetites, exchange privileges with the new (opened in January) family-friendly Hyatt Ziva Cancun more than doubles their choices. They can make reservations with the concierge team and take a short cab ride up the coast. Likewise adults staying at Ziva can dine at Zilara. The latter’s culinary options include Spanish tapa, Asian fusion, Caribbean and Mexican (of course), while the former offers Italian, French, traditional Asian, steakhouse and classic American diner fare, and more, including an elaborate dessert parlor.
Iberostar now offers free travel insurance and free Wi-Fi for guests staying at any of its Grand Hotels in the Americas — including the five-star, adults-only Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso in Riviera Maya.
The 21-and-above Temptation Resort Spa Cancun will, beginning September 25, undergo a multimillion-dollar renovation that will include re-designed rooms and suites throughout the seven-story building. Designer Karim Rashid is overseeing the project. Slated for completion in August 2017, the all-inclusive (and “topless optional”) property will reopen with 430 reimagined guestrooms and suites, each with a terrace or balcony affording views of gardens or the Caribbean Sea. Also planned are upgrades to the two pools (one for guests looking to have fun and a quiet one for downtime), eight specialized restaurants, five bars, a spa and fitness center.
Over on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort in Cabo San Lucas is expanding with the addition of The Towers at Pacifica. These comprise three structures with distinct accommodations, including 47 Club Level suites, some with private plunge pools. The top-floor Presidential Suite will offer 3,233 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, two king bedrooms with private terraces equipped with a fire pit, Jacuzzi and outdoor shower.
Guests at The Towers at Pacifica will have access to a personalized 24-hour butler, certified by the British Butler Institute; exclusive access to a new VIP Lounge, accessible by a sky bridge; and preferred seating at all restaurants, including the new oceanfront Baja Med. Other perks include turndown service with aromatherapy and a fitness center overlooking the ocean. The multimillion-dollar project is expected to welcome its first guests this December.