STRATEGIC
HOTEL CAPITAL, which operates as Strategic Hotels and
Resorts, said it will build a luxury, all-suite resort and 55
private homes on close to 50 acres in Nayarit, Mexico. Strategic
paid $29.5 million to Rosewood Hotels & Resorts for its
unfinished La Solana Hotel and Villas property in Nayarit, which is
adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, which Strategic
already owns. Strategic said the upscale resort will feature up to
70 suites as well as a spa, a restaurant, a pool and a retail
complex on the undeveloped site. The resort is expected to open in
2009.
EXPEDIA,
INC. said it will roll out a $500,000 marketing campaign
to promote the Mexican Caribbean, including Cancun, Cozumel and the
Riviera Maya. The campaign will debut in the coming weeks on Expedia.com and
will include updates on the recovery efforts of resorts in the
region in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma.
MEANWHILE, Expedia, Inc. said it will
promote tourism to World Heritage sites in the Mexican Caribbean,
including Chichen Itza, Uxmal and the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve,
as part of the World Heritage Alliance, a partnership between
Expedia and the UN Foundation, a public charity. The alliance
encourages responsible tourism to World Heritage sites and supports
local economic development. Expedia.com said it is developing new trips to
these World Heritage sites in the Mexican Caribbean in conjunction
with local travel suppliers and business owners. Eleven trips are
currently available. Visit www.expedia.com/worldheritage for
information.
THE HILTON
LOS CABOS BEACH AND GOLF RESORT is offering $450 worth of
spa credits through April 30 when customers buy a three-night
package, priced at $980 per person, double. The package includes a
spa credit for $300 worth of body treatments and a $150 facial. The
cost also covers accommodations in an oceanview room, roundtrip
airport transfers and daily breakfast. The package will be offered
again from May 1 to Sept. 30 for $746. For information or
reservations, call (800) HILTONS or visit www.hiltonloscabos.com.
WORRY-FREE
VACATIONS said it increased seasonal service to Mexico
from select gateways. From St. Louis, the operator added Saturday
service to Puerto Vallarta from Nov. 4 to Dec. 23; from Detroit,
new flights were added to Cancun on Wednesdays from Nov. 22 to Dec.
20; from Dallas/Fort Worth, flights were added to Puerto Vallarta
on Mondays and Fridays from Aug. 18 to Dec. 22; and from
Minneapolis/St. Paul, new flights were added to Puerto Vallarta on
Saturdays from Nov. 18 to Dec. 23. For information, visit www.worryfreevacationsagent.com.