For a company founded just last October, Original Resorts has plenty to talk about. Cancun-based Original has begun aggressively marketing its brands and properties, concentrated on Mexico's Caribbean coast.
Original Resorts owns and operates four properties: Temptation Resort & Spa and the Blue Bay Club, both in Cancun; Desire Resort & Spa Riviera Maya; and Desire Resort & Spa Los Cabos. The Blue Bay Club in Cancun is slated for a major makeover and will be relaunched next year as GrandBlu. Also in the works is Unik Resort, scheduled for a fall debut on Isla Mujeres.
"Although all the hotels have always had the same owner, each of our brands has operated independently," said sales manager Alma Mendoza. "This new umbrella [brand] of Original Resorts simply makes it more clear for the travel agents that their clients will receive the same quality and exceptional experience regardless of whether they are at Temptation, Desires or Unik.
Cancun is the perfect home base for the company, according to Mendoza.
"Cancun's hotel scene provides something for everyone, which is what we have aimed to do with Original Resorts," she said. "From family-style all-inclusives to fun-in-the-sun retreats for couples [and] luxury products, we have the same array of product, perfect for every taste and budget."
In addition, a large volume and variety of flights from key source markets makes Cancun a "convenient and desirable vacation destination," Mendoza added.
Nevertheless, the company intends to expand to other destinations. "Original Resorts' goals are to expand within Quintana Roo [state] and throughout Mexico" over the next 10 to 15 years, she said.
New and Original
Here's what you can expect to find at some of Original's properties, both existing resorts and those in the works:
• Temptation Resort & Spa: The 384-room Temptation Resort & Spa opened in Cancun in December. The all-inclusive property, restricted to singles and couples over age 21, goes for a hip vibe, with rooms decorated in sleek, modern decor. All rooms have an iPod docking station, coffeemaker, minibar, safe-deposit boxes and other amenities.
Dining and imbibing options include three restaurants and four bars.
Rates start at $139 per room, per night, based on double occupancy. For information, call (877) 485-8367 or visit www.temptationresorts.com.
• Desire Resort & Spa: The 114-room Desire Resort & Spa Riviera Maya, which is restricted to couples age 21 and older, has introduced a variety of amenities and service enhancements this year, including a beach and pool concierge service and additional beach beds.
A new beach bar, located in the middle of the beach-beds area, offers a variety of cocktails, and new speakers have been installed along the beach to provide music. There is also a new group of beachside hammocks.
The property's specialty restaurants, Il'Piacere and Suki, have revamped their menus and are now open seven days a week.
Room improvements include LCD TVs, glass shower doors, closets with full-length mirrors, headboards with new lighting and new tile flooring. Passion Suites have been outfitted with new lounge furniture on the terraces.
Rates at Desire Resort & Spa Riviera Maya start at $200 per person, per night, including all meals and alcoholic beverages and 24-hour room service.
Both Desire Resort & Spa properties, on the Riviera Maya and in Los Cabos, are clothing-optional.
For more information, call (888) 201-7551 or visit www.desireresorts.com.
• Unik Resort: The 84-room Unik Resort will open this fall on Isla Mujeres, an island eight miles north of Cancun. Mendoza said the property "opens the door to a level of service and accommodations that has yet to be reached on Isla Mujeres, providing an exclusive escape for the sophisticated traveler." The resort will have a spa and fitness center, three dining programs and in-room aromatherapy services at turndown.
For more information, call (877) 888-UNIK (888-8645) or visit www.unikresorts.com.
• GrandBlu: Next year the existing Blue Bay Club in Cancun will be reborn as the 560-room GrandBlu.
The family-friendly resort will feature a water park, convention facilities, a spa, kids' club, 24-hour food service, 10 restaurants and six bars.
For more information about Original Resorts, call (800) ORIGINAL (674-6462) or visit www.originalresorts.com.