Reed Travel Features
ISLA NAVIDAD -- Grand Bay Hotels & Resorts, a division of
Miami-based Carnival Hotels and Casinos, turned its eye toward
Mexico with the debut of an upscale property in this exclusive
peninsula community north of Manzanillo.
Grand Bay Hotel Puerto de la Navidad, which opened Feb. 1, is
the firm's first entry in the Mexico market.
The company's portfolio features a collection of deluxe
properties throughout the Americas, one of which is its flagship
Grand Bay Hotel in Miami, recently listed as one of the top 25
hotels in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.
"Everyone in the travel industry who has visited the property
has had the same reaction: Grand Bay Puerto de la Navidad is going
to be one of the top five resorts in the world," said George
Brennen, the firm's vice president of sales and marketing.
The $84 million resort boasts a dramatic setting within the new,
1,200-acre golf resort, marina and residential community of Isla
Navidad, a secluded finger of land separating the Pacific Ocean
from the Bay of Navidad.
Surrounded by lush coastal hillsides and acres of coconut palms,
the hotel offers an elegant retreat that combines Mexico's rich
heritage and charm with comforts and amenities to suit the modern
traveler, Grand Bay said.
Design elements include fountains, terraces, balconies, gardens
and arcades as well as designer furnishings and original
artwork.
Accommodations are in 191 oversized luxury guest rooms and
suites, including a presidential suite, two governor suites, 15
executive suites and 15 junior suites.
The guest units feature handcarved wood, hand-tiled Mexican
flooring and views of the bay, lagoon or Pacific Ocean.
The units feature central air conditioning, ceiling fans,
minibars, safes, satellite television and balconies.
Bathrooms are appointed with imported marble, tile vanities,
bidets, bathrobes, scales, hair dryers, irons, customized soaps and
toiletries and bottled water.
Recreational facilities at the property include three lighted
tennis courts and three swimming pools; guests also can use the
resort's secluded beaches.
Additionally, the Isla Navidad development has a 27-hole, Robert
von Hagge-designed championship golf course offering views of the
Pacific Ocean and the bay as well as a 700-slip marina with a
private yacht club. In 1998, the property is planning to debut a
world-class spa.
The 35,000-square-foot facility will provide a full complement
of offerings, including facials, massages, loofah rubs and
botanical treatments as well as steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools and
state-of-the-art exercise equipment.
Dining options at Grand Bay Hotel Puerto de la Navidad include
three restaurants as well as a lobby bar, a specialty bar and a
poolside bar.
Additionally, lounges and a nightclub are featured.
For group functions, the resort has 15,500 square feet of
meeting space, including a grand ballroom, a junior ballroom, an
amphitheater and seven smaller meeting venues.
Families heading to the property can take advantage of a
supervised children's activities center.
Rounding out the offerings at the resort are boutiques offering
exclusive clothing and accessories and an aquatic store for
mariners.
Nightly rates at Grand Bay Hotel Puerto de la Navidad range from
$275 to $2,025 during the low season and from $450 to $2,200 during
the high season.
The property is a 25-minute drive from Manzanillo's airport.
For additional information or to make reservations, call (888)
80-GRAND.
Grand Bay Hotels also has a Web site at http://www
.grandbay.com.
Other upcoming Grand Bay developments include Grand Bay Resort
& Residences, currently under construction in Key Biscayne,
Fla., and Grand Bay Hotel & Resort in Monte Lago Village, the
north shore portion of the $4 billion Lake Las Vegas development in
Henderson, Nev.
Grand Bay's proposed $300 million Monte Lago project will be
located on more than 40 acres in the Mediterranean-style resort
village.
Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year.