CANCUN, Mexico -- Blue Bay Resorts expanded its Blue Bay Getaway
hotel here by acquiring the adjacent Plaza las Glorias hotel and
connecting the two properties via a common lobby.
The company, which purchased the 175-room Plaza las Glorias in
October, is investing $6 million in renovations. The purchase price
was not disclosed.
With the acquisition, the "new" Blue Bay Getaway hotel features
385 rooms, including 12 junior suites. A new full-service spa is
scheduled to open this month.
Blue Bay Resorts operates five properties in Cancun, Puerto
Vallarta and Manzanillo under two categories -- Blue Bay Getaway
and Blue Bay Club resorts. The Getaway brand caters to solo
travelers and couples, while the Club brand is marketed to
families.
Both brands are inclusive, offering meals, snacks, liquor, soft
drinks, nonmotorized water sports, daily activities, entertainment,
taxes and gratuities for one price.
Laura Flores, Blue Bay Resort's director of sales and marketing,
said the decision to expand the Blue Bay Getaway hotel by acquiring
Plaza las Glorias was a no-brainer because the hotel has been
operating at full capacity.
"We needed to increase our room count because we have been
operating at 90% to 95% occupancy year-round for the past four to
five years," said Glorias, who added that 30% of the Getaway
brand's clientele is repeat business.
The centerpiece of the expansion will be the new spa. It will
feature six treatment rooms, saunas, steam rooms and a lounge. A
fitness center with an aerobics studio also will be part of the spa
complex.
To mark the opening, the hotel is offering a three-night spa
package for $495 per person, double. In addition to accommodations,
the package includes several spa treatments such as a massage,
facial and body scrub.
To promote the package, Blue Bay will pay 20% commission on the
plan until Feb. 28.
The top-to-bottom room renovation included the addition of
Mexican-inspired furnishings and motifs, work desks and dual-line
phones with voice mail. The bathrooms were remodeled with new
marble counters and lighting.
The hotel also added a conference room with space for 150
people.
The expanded hotel offers guests a choice of six restaurants
serving Mexican, Italian, Chinese and continental dishes.
In addition to the Blue Bay Getaway, Blue Bay Resorts operates
the Blue Bay Club Cancun, Blue Bay Getaway Puerto Vallarta, Blue
Bay Club Puerto Vallarta and Blue Bay Club Manzanillo
For information or reservations, call (800) 250-2583 or visit www.bluebayresorts.com.