PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -- Whether your client's idea of a perfect
resort for a wedding or to celebrate a honeymoon is a small,
family-run property or a large, inclusive hotel, the 75-mile
stretch of coastline known as the Riviera Maya may have the ideal
place.
Beginning some 18 miles south of the Cancun Airport in Playa del
Secreto, the Riviera Maya extends to Punta Allen, a small fishing
village located within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.
The region features uncrowded beaches, top-notch golf courses,
eco-adventure opportunities and proximity to many of Mexico's most
significant Mayan archaeological sites.
The following is a sampling of Riviera Maya resorts that are
offering destination wedding and honeymoon packages, all
commissionable at 10%:
• Occidental-Allegro Hotels & Resorts offers honeymoon and
wedding packages at the Occidental Royal Hideaway Playacar,
Occidental Allegro Playacar and Occidental Caribbean Village
Playacar.
At the Occidental Royal Hideaway Playacar, a seven-night,
inclusive Royal Wedding package costs $2,150 per person,
double.
It includes the marriage ceremony and marriage certificates; a
bouquet for the bride and a boutonniere for the groom; a wedding
cake and champagne; 24 wedding pictures; centerpiece flower
arrangements; a massage for the groom and a beauty treatment for
the bride; a set of china; and two luxury bathrobes.
For honeymooners, the resort offers two add-on packages.
The no-cost Extra Value Honeymoon package is for couples who
stay at least three nights. It includes a room upgrade, a 10%
discount voucher for massages and breakfast in bed one day.
The Premium Honeymoon package costs $250 per couple and requires
a three-night minimum stay. It includes all of the components of
the Extra Value package, plus one free massage per person, one
dinner for two with wine, laundry service and a gift.
For information or reservations, call (800) 858-2258 or visit
the Web at www.royalhideaway.com.
• The inclusive, 400-room Club Viva Maya and 234-room Club Viva
Azteca resorts offer a complimentary honeymoon package for couples
who stay a minimum of three nights.
The package includes a room upgrade, a bottle of champagne or
sparkling wine, a fruit basket, a welcome tray of hors d'oeuvres, a
souvenir picture and two Viva Resorts T-shirts.
For couples who want a destination wedding, the resort offers a
wedding package priced at $690 per couple.
It includes the services of a wedding coordinator; the wedding
ceremony and certificates; decorations; wedding cake and champagne
for up to 10 people; bridal bouquet and boutonniere; 10 wedding
photos; and music.
For information or reservations, call (800) 898-9968 or visit
the Web at www.vivaresorts.com.
• The 64-room La Posada del Capitan Lafitte offers wedding
packages that start at $1,500 a couple for seven nights.
The Turquoise Sunset package costs $1,500 and includes the
wedding ceremony, legal fees and license; a wedding cake and
champagne for up to 10 guests; a bouquet and boutonniere; and the
services of an on-site wedding coordinator.
The Mayan Breeze package costs $2,190 a couple for seven nights.
It includes the wedding ceremony, legal fees, license and marriage
certificate; wedding cake and champagne for up to 50 guests;
half-hour massages for the bride and groom; one-day car rental;
breakfast; and the services of an on-site wedding coordinator.
For information or reservations, call (011) 52-984 873-0214 or
visit the Web at www.capitanlafitte.com.
• The 57-room Maroma Resort and Spa treats honeymooners to a
couple's massage as part of a honeymoon package that starts at
$1,436 per couple through Nov. 24.
The package includes daily breakfast; one dinner for two with a
bottle of wine; a spa treatment for two in lieu of the couple's
massage; and a sunset cruise.
For information or reservations, call (866) 454-9351 or visit
the Web at www.orient-expresshotels.com.
• The 75-room Las Palapas offers a seven-night honeymoon/wedding
package that costs $1,819 per couple.
It includes the ceremony performed on the beach; breakfast and
dinner daily; one bottle of champagne; a wedding gift; and taxes
and tips.
For information or reservations, call (800) 433-0885 or visit
the Web at www.laspalapas.com.mx.
• The 14-room Los Itzaes Hotel, situated one block from Fifth
Avenue, offers a six-night honeymoon package that includes daily
breakfast and dinner for two, airport transfers and a gift.
The package costs $480 per couple in March and April and
September through November, and $560 per couple in July and August
and December through February.
For information or reservations, call (011) 52-984 873-2397 or
visit the Web at www.itzaes.com.
• The 34-room Hotel Paradise sells a honeymoon package for $41
per night, double, through Dec. 15.
It includes flowers in the room, a bottle of wine and one free
night when guests stay 14 nights or longer.
The package costs $58 per night from Jan. 5 through March 31.
For information or reservations, call (011) 52-984 873-1397 or
visit www.hotel-paradise.com.
• Several Iberostar properties, including Playa Paraiso, Paraiso
del Mar, Tucan and Quetzal, are offering a wedding plan priced at
$1,400.
The package features a ceremony officiated by a civil judge;
blood tests; music; a bouquet and boutonniere; a bottle of
champagne; a wedding cake; dinner for eight; and flowers.
For more information or reservations, call (888) 923-2722 or
visit the Web site at www.iberostarcaribe.com.
For more information about weddings and honeymoons on the
Riviera Maya, call (888) 604-6044 or visit the Web at www.rivieramaya.com.