Azul Fives To Finally Open in November

Roughly two years after it was originally supposed to open, the luxurious Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma in Playa del Carmen, Mexico will open its doors on November 5, Mandy Chomat, vice president of marketing and sales for Karisma Hotels & Resorts, told Travel Agent late Monday afternoon.

The news is so fresh, Chomat says, that Karisma informed its partnering tour operators shortly after Chomat spoke with us.

Reservations will be accepted after September 4. On September 4, a handful of promotions to celebrate the opening will also be announced and only Travel Agent will have that news as well.

The property was delayed due to financial matters stemming from the global economic downturn. Because the property was just sitting near the ocean for close to two years, Chomat says, minor touch-ups needed to be made. Also, that time was used to properly train the staff.

“We went through two hard years,” Chomat says, referring to the negative publicity that has haunted Mexico and his company since early 2009, “and this is news saying that we are out of it and we are moving forward. It puts an end to the drought that Mexico has had. Now it’s over and clear skies are ahead and we are excited to make that statement with this property.”

Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma will be the third Azul Hotels by Karisma; Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma opened in 2005, and Azul Senatori Hotel, which opened in 2008.  

A "Gourmet Inclusive" all-suite property, Azul Fives will offer a variety of gourmet cuisines and meal plan alternatives, private rooftop deck lounges, a luxurious spa and fitness center, high-tech meeting spaces and more.

Located in Playa del Carmen, guests of Azul Fives will experience convenience first-hand with restaurants, shops and notable attractions just 10 minutes away including a selection of world-class championship 18-hole golf courses.

Azul Fives will offer 360 luxuriously designed one-, two- and three-bedroom Suites (1,125 - 1,900 square feet) each with air conditioning, LCD flat-screen TVs and DVD players, mini-bars stocked daily, private marble bathrooms with rain forest showers, deluxe bathrobes, and balconies or terraces.

Azul Fives’ Penthouse Suites and Presidential Penthouse Suites will offer private rooftop lounge decks. The rooftop lounge decks will feature a deluxe double Jacuzzi, large lounging area with a sectional sofa and coffee table, chaise lounges ideal for sun bathing, pergola, charcoal barbeque grill, outdoor shower, half marble bathroom with sink and a patio dining table with an umbrella. Guests will enjoy daily gourmet breakfasts on their decks, where they can also host personal gatherings with family, friends and/or colleagues. Private weddings and professional get-togethers can also be organized on Azul Fives’ rooftop lounge decks.

Two- and three-bedroom Penthouse Suites (1,300 - 1,500 square feet) will accommodate up to eight people, separate living rooms, fully equipped kitchens with granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, powder room, and master bathroom with rainforest shower, and more. Azul Fives will also provide  two-bedroom Presidential Penthouse Suites (2,500 square feet), featuring all the luxuries of a Penthouse Suite in addition to a full bar, wine cellar, iPod dock, Infinity Jacuzzi, and a living room Internet station.

Guests can savor a variety of gourmet dining and lounging options at Azul Fives including Sea Olive, a seaside restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine; Tsuki, where guests will enjoy Pacific Rim cuisine; Flavors, a non-pretentious, family-style world eatery overlooking a winding river; and Senses, a tailor-made private dining experience offering a unique culinary journey. Multiple bars, lounges and “light food” terraces will also be located throughout Azul Fives including Zky, a stylish sky bar and lounge serving Caribbean views alongside the latest cocktail trends; and Breeze, Lizards, Palmas and Rainbow, beachfront and poolside swim-up bars boasting premium spirits, easy-going snacks, and iced coffees or teas.

Azul Fives is one of the Riviera Maya’s few properties with meal plan options – either Gourmet Inclusive or a European Plan – provides guests the freedom to choose the best alternative based on their vacation desires and lengths of stay.

The signature Gourmet Inclusive plan includes accommodations as selected, all meals at any of Azul Fives’ gourmet restaurants, all local and international alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and juices, 24 hour room service, Kids Club (4 years – 12 years), fitness center, sauna and steam room, DVD rental menu, kids menu available, snorkeling and kayaking, concierge, all taxes and gratuities, and daily and special nightly entertainment and live music.

Additional amenities at Azul Fives include Zen-inspired spa, fitness center, VIP couple’s massage suites, hydrotherapy areas, weight training systems, cardio equipment, on-site bridal and kids suites, wedding packages, a relaxation lounge, high-tech meeting space for up to 250 people and more.

Including the Gourmet Inclusive experience, rooms at Azul Fives range from $360 for a Deluxe Suite to $2,183 for a three-bedroom Penthouse Suite accommodating up to eight people, including the Gourmet Inclusive experience.

Visit www.karismahotels.com.