THE IBEROSTAR PARAISO Hotel Group plans to open
its sixth hotel in Mexico in November: the 446-room Iberostar
Paraiso Lindo. The $50 million-plus hotel will be situated next to
the Iberostar Paraiso Beach, which is adjacent to the Iberostar
Paraiso del Mar, all in Playa del Carmen. John Long, vice president
of sales for Iberostar, said Paraiso Lindo will be a more upscale
version of its sister resorts along Playa Paraiso. The new resort's
rooms will be located in five three-story bungalow-style buildings
surrounded by gardens. Room amenities will include satellite color
TV, a coffee maker, a complimentary mini bar, direct-dial
telephones, a safety deposit box, and marble bathrooms. Two
presidential suites and 14 of the 62 junior suites will feature
Jacuzzi-style bathtubs. Iberostar is in the process of creating a
conference center and 18-hole golf course nearby, both of which are
scheduled to open in 2004.
KERZNER INTERNATIONAL Limited said it will
spend $75 million to renovate and expand the Palmilla Resort on the
southern tip of the Mexican Baja Peninsula, between Cabo San Lucas
and San Jose del Cabo. The resort will close in April and reopen in
December as part of the hotel company's One & Only collection,
a new division of luxury properties owned and operated by Kerzner.
Kerzner acquired a 50% equity interest in Palmilla and a long-term
management agreement for the resort last year. Palmilla is
Kerzner's first resort in Mexico. As part of the renovation,
Palmilla will be expanded from 115 to 174 rooms. Other additions
will include a restaurant that will be owned by chef Charlie
Trotter of Chicago, and an indoor/outdoor spa and fitness facility
operated by Mandara Spas.
MEXICANA AIRLINES opened a new Executive Lounge
in Terminal One at San Antonio Airport in Texas, across from
Mexicana's gate 11. Mexicana, which was the first carrier to offer
international service from San Antonio, also has the distinction of
being the only airline to have an Executive Lounge in Terminal One.
Mexicana operates 18 weekly departures between San Antonio and
Mexico. The lounge offers computers with free Internet access and
fax machines, plus a complimentary bar serving appetizers, snacks
and beverages. The lounge is available to all Star Alliance and
Mexicana Frecuenta Gold members, and to passengers traveling in
Mexicana's Executive Class.
TO MEET DEMAND, SunTrips will add two
additional Oakland, Calif., to Cancun flights, for a total of four
nonstop flights per week. From April 16 through Aug. 20, SunTrips
will offer a new Wednesday Cancun flight on a 757-200 operated by
Ryan International Airlines. During the peak summer season, May 24
to Aug. 23, a fourth nonstop flight will be added on Saturdays
aboard a 757-200 operated by North American Airlines. SunTrips
offers packages to Cancun, the Mayan Riviera and Cozumel. Packages
include roundtrip air, accommodations and airport transfers. For
information or reservations, call (800) 786-8747 or visit the Web
at www.suntrips.com.