MARRIOTT INT'L said it will operate its ninth
property in Mexico as a result of a franchise agreement with the
owners of the 192-room Real Meson del Angel Hotel in Puebla. Owned
by Hotelera Meson del Angel S.A. de C.V., the hotel will be renamed
the Puebla Marriott Real Hotel later this month. Marriott said
Hotelera Meson is controlled by a prominent Salvadoran family with
holdings in automotive dealerships, hotels, banking, real estate
and agriculture. Hotelera Meson's hospitality management division,
Grupo Real, includes a portfolio of 12 hotels with over 2,200 rooms
in Latin America. The Puebla Marriott is located near the
intersection of the Mexico City-Veracruz Freeway and Hermanos
Serdan Avenue, one of the principal access routes between Puebla
and the Hermanos Serdan Airport. The hotel features the popular La
Fonda restaurant, two heated outdoor swimming pools, a tennis court
and jogging paths. There are 14 function rooms, a business center
and free parking for 500 cars. "We are very excited by the
continued expansion of our lodging system in Mexico," said Ed
Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging
for Marriott Int'l. "This is a lovely hotel in a beautiful city.
Coupled with its historic past and its strong economic base, Puebla
is one of the more important cities in Mexico."
CANCUN'S AMBIANCE VILLAS, fresh from a $5
million renovation, is hoping to attract agent interest with a
special travel agent rate of $49 a night, single or double, through
Dec. 25. In addition, the resort is paying a 15% commission on
published room rates, which range from $120 for a studio to $600
for a three-bedroom suite. The bonus commission also applies to
golf and honeymoon packages. The former Kin-Ha Hotel, Ambiance
Villas was rebranded after a one-year $5 million renovation aimed
at moving the property upmarket. Ambiance features a main building
and a series of three-story buildings in a garden setting that
house a combination of 150 made up of single rooms; studios with
kitchenette; and one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. The suites
range in size from 775 to 1,895 square feet, and feature fully
equipped kitchens, large bathrooms, private patios or balconies,
and cable television. All rooms were renovated with new furniture
made from natural woods, and upholstery and window treatments
featuring bright tropical colors. Among the enhancements are
polished marble in guest bathrooms, new tile floors, new beds and
mattresses, new cable televisions and enhanced lighting. The
resort's restaurant was redecorated in a traditional Mexican style.
For information or reservations, call (866) 340-9082 or visit www.ambiancevillas.com.
MEXSEASUN, hoping to drum up family business
this summer, teamed with a number of Mexican hotels and resorts to
offer free accommodations and meals for children. The offers are
valid for bookings made by May 31 for travel through Aug. 31.
Vacations include roundtrip air fare on Mexicana, hotel
accommodations, roundtrip airport transfers and 24-hour traveler
assistance. Prices for a four-night package start at $574 per
person, double, at the Camino Real Cancun with Miami departure.
MexSeaSun is bookable through the major GDSs and VAX Vacation
Access, or by calling (866) 263-9732. All bookings made
electronically earn a 15% bonus commission.
THANKS TO AEROMEXICO'S code-share alliance with
Delta, AeroMexico Vacations started selling Cancun to travelers
from Baltimore; Boston; Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Detroit;
Greenville, S.C.; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans; Washington (Dulles
and Reagan); and Greensboro and Raleigh/Durham, N.C. As a result of
AeroMexico's alliance with Delta, travelers will fly on Delta to
its hub in Atlanta, where they will then connect to AeroMexico
(flights 610 and 611) to Cancun. The operator is marketing the
all-inclusive Iberostar Paraiso and Quetzal hotels, with
three-night packages starting at $499 from Boston; $654 from
Atlanta; $829 from Nashville, $949 from Raleigh/Durham; $984 from
Detroit; $994 from Washington; $999 from Columbus; $1,004 from
Cleveland; $1,009 from Greensboro and New Orleans; and $1,079 from
Greenville. AeroMexico Vacations can be purchased through the major
GDSs, VAX VacationAccess or by calling (800) 245-8585. All
electronic bookings earn an additional 1% commission override.
US AIRWAYS VACATIONS is offering members of US
Airways' Dividend Miles program 5,000 bonus miles for booking a
packages to Palace Resorts in Mexico. Packages must be booked by
May 31 for travel through Aug. 31. Mexico's all-inclusive Palace
Resorts properties are the Aventura Spa Palace, Beach Palace,
Cancun Palace, Moon Palace, Sun Palace and Xpu-Ha Palace. Packages
include roundtrip air fare on US Airways, hotel accommodations,
roundtrip airport transfers, hotel taxes and service charges, and
international travel taxes. The bonus miles are valid only for
bookings made through VAX Vacation Access or by phone (800)
455-0123.