HURRICANE
WILMA left Cozumel and neighboring vacation resort areas
in disarray, leading travel agencies to encourage vacationers with
plans in the region for the foreseeable future to reschedule to
other destinations. Press and wire reports Tuesday out of the
stricken region reported devastation along the popular white sand
beaches of Cancun, the Mayan Riviera and Cozumel, and heavily
damaged hotels and restaurants. Buses for tourists were lining up
Tuesday in Cancun to take vacationers to airports at Merida and
Chichen Itza, where they hoped to find flights home. But travel
remained very difficult because of hurricane debris and a lack of
available vehicles. The U.S. government was reportedly helping
nearly 2,000 stranded Americans in the region with transportation
to airports. Tourism officials in the hard-hit regions told
reporters that the popular Christmas tourist season in Cancun and
nearby areas is expected to be a total loss, as damage estimates at
luxury resorts, shopping areas and other tourism areas is expected
to reach $1 billion to $1.5 billion.
CAPITAL
SUITES: A new Embassy Suites Hotel will open in Mexico
City in March. The Embassy Suites Hotel Mexico City -- Reforma, on
chic avenue Paseo de la Reforma, will feature 162 two-room suites,
each with a living area with sofa bed, bedroom, bath, 32-inch flat
screen TV, wireless high-speed Internet access, wet bar,
refrigerator, microwave, work desk and dining table. Rates include
cooked-to-order breakfasts and nightly receptions. Other features:
concierge, valet parking, tour services, indoor swimming pool,
24-hour health club, 24-hour room service, restaurant and coffee
shop. For more, see www.embassysuites.com.
MAYAKOBA
DAWNING: The new Fairmont Mayakoba debuts in December as
the first resort to open in the $2 billion Mayakoba development on
the Riviera Maya. Other resorts set for the development -- which
features the 18-hole El Camaleon golf course, which opens next
month, and a 5.5 mile network of canals and lagoons -- include
Rosewood Resorts 120-room Laguna Kai, to open in 2007; the
120-villa Banyan Tree Mayakoba (2007); La Casa Que Canta (2007),
with an undisclosed number of rooms; and the 110-villa Viceroy
Mayakoba (2008). The new Fairmont Mayakoba will feature 401 rooms
and a 20,000-square-foot Willow Stream spa. For more, see www.mayakoba.com.
NEW LA CASA
DIGS: Speaking of La Casa Que Canta, the parent property
in Zihuatanejo has added a second private four-suite residence,
named El Ensueno, to its inventory. The villa -- fully staffed with
butler, chef and concierge -- features four large suites with
air-conditioning, private plunge pool and verandas; an Olympic-size
swimming pool; kitchen; dining room; and library. The four El
Ensueno suites are priced individually per night, from $825 to
$1,642, or as a complete residence for $4,500, from November to
April. Guests have full access to La Casa Que Canta facilities,
including pools, spa, fitness center and restaurant. For
reservations and travel agent commission information, call (011)
52-755 555-7000 or (888) 523-5050; fax: (011) 52-755 554-7900;
e-mail: [email protected]; or visit www.lacasaquecanta.com. Or, contact Small Luxury
Hotels of the World at (800) 525-4800 or www.slh.com.
DEAL FOR
TWO: The Marquis Los Cabos Beach, Golf, Spa and Casitas
Resort is peddling a Sense of Romance package for couples, with
accommodations in a junior suite or private pool casita with
oceanfront view and balcony for dining. The package includes buffet
breakfast; some lunches; one dinner for two at any resort
restaurant; massage and manicure or pedicure for two; welcome
drink; bottle of champagne; and gift. Guests also enjoy turndown
service with cocktails; fitness center access; and VIP airport
transfers. Three- to seven-night packages are priced from $1,790
per person, double, Jan. 5 to May 31; $1,515, June 1 to Oct. 10;
and $1,625, Oct. 11 to Dec. 18. For reservations and travel agent
commission information, call (877) 238-9399 or go to www.marquisloscabos.com.