On April 21, I had the pleasure of speaking to the Retired Men's Club of Wauwatosa. The topic was "Senior Travel Tips" and I thought that some of the key points from that presentation may be of interest.
1. Research and plan - take the time to investigate your destination including culture, climate, and language. Use the internet, guidebooks, and your travel agent to determine if your prospective vacation destination is right for you. If you travel with a wheelchair, scooter, or guide dog, make sure to verify that all aspects of your trip including airline, hotels, and excursions will be able to accommodate these.
2. Packing - wheeled luggage is a must. If you are still traveling with bags from the early 1970's (wheeled luggage was made available to the traveling public in 1974), it's time to dispose of these obsolete antiques and purchase some new bags. Virtually all luggage, from a duffel to the largest suitcase, is now available with wheels. When you are purchasing luggage, remember to consider size and weight. Most major airlines have weight restrictions on checked bags and charge for bags that are too heavy or large. Also, keep in mind that you are probably going to have to schlep your bags during some portion of your trip, so keeping bags light is in everybody's best interest.
Each airline has its own rules regarding carry-on baggage but in general it must be of a size and shape to allow for storage in overhead compartments or underneath the seat. Remember to carry everything you will need with you on the flight; medication, eyeglasses, cell phone, sunglasses, bottled water, reading material, and most importantly your travel documentation (government issued photo i.d. for domestic flights, passport for international flights as well as boarding passes).
3. Traveling with medication - Keep all medication in the original, labeled container. Ask your physician for a list of your prescriptions. Make sure to get the non-generic name of the medication, especially if you are traveling abroad (the generic version of your prescription may not be available outside the U.S.) and find out if your medications are legal in the countries that you are visiting.
4. Pre-trip medical check-up - Consultant your physician prior to your trip, especially if you have had recent surgery or been treated for a medical condition. Share your itinerary with your doctor so that he/she can advise you regarding required or recommended vaccinations as well as counsel you about dietary concerns, time zone differences, and other factors which may impact your health while traveling.
5. Travel Insurance (don't leave home without it) - It is important to protect yourself as well as your trip investment which is why you'll want to consider a policy which protects you if you must cancel or interrupt your trip. Other benefits to consider when selecting a travel insurance policy are trip delay, emergency medical evacuation, and baggage delay, to name a few. Your travel agent can help you find the right coverage for you.
6. Information To Carry With You -
a. Your physician's phone number
b. Your travel agent's contact information; phone, fax and/or email
c. Contact information for airline
d. Phone number for US Embassy
e. Photo copy of the front page of your passport (keep separate from other travel documents)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
NH Riviera Cancun Luxury Resort
I recently traveled to the Riviera Maya in Mexico and wanted to share the details of my vacation.
Resort
I stayed at the new NH Riviera Cancun Luxury Resort, which opened in late fall of 2008. This resort was originally to be named the EdenH Riviera Cancun, but never operated under that name (the only evidence of this is the towels which say “EdenH”).
The NH Riviera Cancun is located only 12 miles from the airport, 20 miles from Cancun, and 20 miles from Playa del Carmen in the town of Puerto Morelos. The NH is bordered by protected wetlands on 3 sides, and sits on ½ mile of beach. To the north, the resort is directly bordered by the marina belonging to the Marina El Cid Resort. You can see the El Cid from the NH, but to the south there are no other visible resorts, just a few abandoned, hurricane-damaged houses which are great for exploring.
This is an all-suites resort, featuring 550 suites split between two categories: Junior Suites and the upgraded Paradise Club. There are nine buildings total, none with more than 4 floors and elevators. The resort has a modern, clean aesthetic and features tons of marble.
The Paradise Club is an adults-only area with an exclusive ambiance and VIP zones including its own adults-only pool, pool bar, beach chairs, restaurant, lounge/business center (with complimentary internet), and lobby. Snacks and hors d’oeuvres were offered throughout the day in the lounge, which also had an area where you could make your own drinks and an espresso machine.
The Paradise Club pool was very quiet compared to the main pool, and the staff did a good job of keeping it adults-only. It featured sun beds in the water and an infinity edge. Chairs were available at any time of the day, whereas at the main pool guests had reserved all of the chairs by 7am. There were plenty of pool chairs, umbrellas, beach cabanas, pool beds, and even hammocks that hung over the pool in a shaded area. There was never a wait at the Paradise Club pool bar and a waitress was available to take orders from the pool or beach. The Paradise Club had unlimited pool towels.
The Main Pool was much busier (and larger) than the Paradise Club pool. It had a sports area, swim up bar, kid’s pool (very shallow and warm), infinity edge, and sun beds in the water. The pool bar was always busy on land, but rarely busy in the pool. There was a waitress in this area serving drinks. Guests staying in the Standard Suites area did have towel cards.
A nice feature of both pools was that in many areas near the edge of the pool, there was a ledge in the water about 1.5 feet deep that you could sit on. It was a great place to cool off. At lunchtime, both pools had an area where one of the chefs grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Guests could help themselves and did not have to leave the pool deck area for lunch. I did not try any of this food, but heard that it was wonderful.
The beach was beautiful (especially at low tide). There were some rocks both on the beach and in the water, but it was easy to find a rock-free place to swim. The water was crystal-clear and very warm. The north side of the beach ended at the rock barrier of the El Cid’s marina, but to the south there was nothing but beach and some abandoned houses. The abandon houses were severely damaged in the hurricane and really illustrated the impact the hurricane had on the area. The southern stretch of beach was rock-free in the water and very quiet. There were some areas where rocks had washed ashore, but they were away from the water’s edge.
NH’s water sports hut was located right on the beach and offered sailing, kayaks, volley balls and nets, soccer balls, bocce ball, boogie boards, and more. Unfortunately, it was very windy while we were there so guests were rarely allowed to use some of this equipment. I only saw the kayaks and sailboat in use the first day we were there.
The sports hut also offers a snorkeling trip in Puerto Morelos. The cost is $2 and you must sign up at 8:30am the day before you want to go. Only 30 people per day are allowed to sign up (10 people per trip on 3 trips leaving at various times), so they recommend being in line by 8:00am. Each person in line may sign up a maximum of 2 people for the trip, meaning a family of 4 must have at least 2 members in line. You must find your own transportation to Puerto Morelos.
I took this trip and it was fantastic! The reef is only about a 5 minute boat ride from the dock, and we were in the water for about 30 to 45 minutes. I went on the 2:30pm trip, so the water was crystal-clear. Apparently it’s much darker and harder to see on the early morning trips. I saw tons of brightly colored fish, a sea turtle, a huge stingray, and a yellow sting ray. The guide got in the water with us and everyone swam as a group. The guide pointed out different things to us, like the turtle, which we never would have seen on our own.
The pool and beach also has a very enthusiastic activity staff that gets guests involved in activities like volleyball, bocce ball, water volleyball, water aerobics, yoga, and more. These people always seemed like they were in a great mood.
On the roof, there was a sports deck consisting of 6 sport courts for tennis, basketball, and other racquet sports. The activities desk in the lobby had racquets and balls available. The resort also had a full gym with brand new equipment including weights and cardiovascular machines.
At night, the resort had a different show every night in the theater. The shows started at 9:30 and last anywhere from ½ hour to an hour and include things like a Circ de Soleil style circus show, a Mayan Culture Show, and musicians. I went to the Fire & Drum Show where fire dancers performed to a live drum line. It exceeded my expectations and was really cool.
The Kids Club is separated into two categories, ages 4-7 and ages 8-13, and offers arts and crafts, a mini disco, theater, videogames, and other fun activities. The Teen Club is for kids 14 to 17 and takes place in the Sports Bar where there are pool tables, foosball, TVs, and more. While we were there, the Teen Club was not staffed and the bar in the Sports Bar was fully stocked and unattended… Parents may want to be aware of this, as it would be very easy for kids to get a hold of alcohol. The Kids Club is staffed (and I assume alcohol free).
I did not visit Spa RENOVA, but judging by the menu in our room binder, they offer a wide variety of services and a full service beauty parlor. The prices seemed reasonable. Inside the spa are Jacuzzi tubs and a Sauna open to all guests for free. The spa is located on the 2nd floor of the main building next to the sports bar. It has no real view of anything, however they did offer couples massages at the beach.
The NH has three gift shops: a swim shop, souvenir/general store, and jewelry shop. All shops accepted pesos and American dollars. The stores were all very nice and accepted both dollars and pesos. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights vendors come in and set up in the shopping area square or by the main pool. They sell everything you could get in a souvenir shop in town, but for a higher price. These vendors did not seem inclined to bargain.
In the main building, there was a place to book excursions and buy pictures that photographers took of guests, an ATM, and a business center. The business center had 4 or 5 computers with internet access that you had to pay for. I believe the rates were something like $10 for 15 minutes, $17 for a day, and $77 for a week.
The resort has a Hospitality Room (basically a very large bathroom with several showers) with separate male and female facilities and a seating area for guests who arrive early or depart late.
Rooms
As I mentioned, the resort splits their suites into two categories: Junior Suites and Paradise Club. All suites in the hotel have at least one balcony; however some have better views than others. About 70% of the rooms have an ocean view or a partial ocean view. However, the 30% with a “garden view” have a view of the wetlands area which is filled with gray, leafless mangroves.
We were upgraded to a Paradise Club suite with a partial ocean view and Paradise Club pool view. We were on the first floor with easy pool and beach access. The only drawback to this room was that we had to listen to the incessant “easy listening” music coming from the pool speakers. In the room, there was a binder that explained every feature of the resort in detail, and contained the spa and room service menus. It was very helpful.
The room was gorgeous and had marble floors, dark stained wood, modern-Mexican décor, and air conditioning (that we couldn’t figure out how to use until the last day). We had a separate living/dining area with pocket doors that closed off the bedroom. The living area had a pull-out couch; coffee table; ottoman; large flat-screen TV; room service table and chairs with coffee pot; mini fridge stocked with water, beer, and Pepsi products; ceiling fan; and sliding glass doors out onto the balcony. The balcony had two chairs and a table. We also had a Jacuzzi tub (with a showerhead) on our balcony. The balcony rail was made with glass, so there was not much privacy (wear a swimming suit!).
The bedroom had a very comfortable king sized bed (2 doubles were available), flat screen TV, 2 bedside tables and lamps, ceiling fan, full length mirror, 2 closets, safe, iron and ironing board, robes, and slippers. One side of the bedroom had a large window which slid open into the Jacuzzi tub and the opposite side opened up to the shower/vanity area where there was a large marble shower with a rain shower head and drying line for wet clothes, double vanity with nice toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, soap, shower gel, lotion, bath salt, a sewing kit, and bug spray (which we never needed). Apparently the standard rooms do not have these amenities and only get shampoo, soap, and shower gel. The room also had a separate toilet area that opened up to the bathroom and the living area and had its own sink and bidet.
On the day they arrive, all Paradise Club guests are given a complimentary fruit plate and bottle of tequila. The room was wonderful and very comfortable. The only real negatives were that we did not have an alarm clock like we were supposed to and the light switches and air conditioning were confusing. It was hard to know what controlled what.
The major difference between Paradise Club suites and Standard suites is that the Standard suites have no Jacuzzi tub on their balcony. Instead, the tub is in their bathroom and has a window open to the balcony. The bathroom runs parallel to the bedrooms with a separate toilet area. The bedroom and seating area are in the same room, with the seating area closest to the balcony, and the bed behind it. Unlike the Paradise Club, there is a step down into the seating area. Standard suites come with 1 king bed or 2 double beds and also have a pull-out couch.
In my opinion, the standard rooms are just as nice as the Paradise Club; however the views might not be as nice, and while we were there, this section was very noisy.
Restaurants & Bars – room service
The NH Riviera Cancun has 5 bars: the lobby bar, Paradise Club pool bar, main pool bar, beach bar, and sports club bar. They serve top shelf liquor and a variety of beer. The pool bars both have a swim up feature. The lobby bar was both casual and upscale and had a fantastic view of the oceanfront courtyard. There was ample seating in the lobby, which was a popular hangout at night. The beach bar was very fun and upbeat with live bands playing on a few nights. The sports bar was indoors and looked like a typical bar with pool tables and a dance floor.
The resort has 7 restaurants:
Festival Buffet – Main buffet serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Olas – Snack bar located near the main pool, open 11am to late afternoon.
Senses – Gourmet À la carte, adults only
Cinque Terre – Italian À la carte
Asian - À la carte
El Mortero - Mexican À la carte
Pure – Gourmet À la carte for Paradise Club members ($30 for everyone else)
The reservation system in the resort was the biggest disappointment. Guests are allowed to make dinner reservations for the entire week (Sunday through Saturday) from 8am to 1pm in the theater lobby. This means that if you arrive on Saturday the 1st, you can make reservations for that night, but would have to return the next morning to make reservations for the rest of your stay, at which time you could reserve for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, etc. Guests who arrive later than 1pm may not make reservations until the following day. The line for making reservations was always long, and it was a very slow process.
We arrived on a Wednesday afternoon, so we could not make reservations until the next morning. The next morning we got in line at about 9am, and there were 10 people in front of us. The line took about 45 minutes. We watched several people get very upset with the reservation staff over things like meal times and menu selections. There were menus available to look at once you got to the reservation desk and guests would spend a long time looking at each one. I thought that maybe it would be a good idea to leave these out in the waiting area so that people would know where they wanted to eat when they got to the reservation desk.
When we finally got to the des, we were told there were no spots open in any restaurant for that night. I’m love Mexican food, and Saturday night (our last night) was Mexican night in the buffet, so we already knew we did not want a reservation for Saturday night. Therefore, we wanted one reservation (Friday night), for any of the restaurants. The woman at the reservation counter informed us that the only thing they had open Friday night was the Mexican restaurant, which was fine with me, but they could not get us in until 10:30pm. We made a reservation, but I highly doubted we would keep it since it was so late.
The resort was at capacity, so I just kind of accepted the fact that all the restaurants were full and forgot about it…until that night. That night, and every night after, we never saw the restaurants more than half full. Clearly they were not completely reserved.
With that said, we ate at the buffet for every meal, and it was wonderful! The food was delicious and there was a huge selection. We at breakfast on the patio every morning and watched the cruise ships sail by. Dinners tended to be the busiest time, but the staff was happy to find you a seat or clear a table. Unfortunately, the buffet tended to be very understaffed. After a few meals without getting drinks, we learned to stop by the bar or bring our own from the mini-fridge in our room. When we did get service, it was outstanding. Patience and kindness went very far.
The food was always fresh, usually hot, and constantly being refilled. At breakfast, you could get everything imaginable: tons of fresh fruit, made to order eggs and omelets, breakfast meats, breads, cereal, and 6 varieties or fresh juices. Lunch was the least extravagant meal, but there was still a great selection of sandwich fixings, desserts, fruits, salads, hamburgers, hot entrees, and breads. For dinner, there was a different theme to every night, but there were also staples like fruits, salads, breads, and fancy desserts. While we were there the themes were Asian, Caribbean, Grill, and Mexican. Much to my disappointment, Mexican night turned into Seafood night at the last moment. Other nights include International, and Mediterranean.
The resort also offers room service 24 hours. There are separate breakfast and lunch/dinner menus, but both have a lot of selections. We did try to order a couple of things off the dinner menu, and they did not have any of them. In fact, they didn’t seem to have much of what was on the menu. From 10 pm to 5am they offer only club sandwiches and a fruit plate.
Meeting Rooms
The resort had five meeting rooms, with the capacity to hold 1200 people theater style or 850 banquet style. The meeting rooms had their own separate main entrance, but were connected to the lobby and main building. The facilities looked nice and were brightly colored.
Weddings
The resort does have wedding facilities and packages starting from $600. During our stay, there was a wedding held in the main courtyard. The ceremony was set up beautifully with an arch and fresh flowers. The staff seemed very attentive to the wedding set up. The resort also offers weddings on the beach.
Puerto Morelos
The NH Riviera Cancun is located just south of the town of Puerto Morelos. Puerto Morelos is a very small town of about 2,000 people. Main attractions include shops and restaurants around the town square, the waterfront, and the Crococan Crocodile Zoo. The shops and restaurants are all very small and there isn’t much variety, but there are no annoying salespeople trying to force you to make purchases and buy timeshares. It was a very laidback area. The beach in town is beautiful, with calm, clear water, and perfect white sand.
The easiest way to get to Puerto Morelos from the NH Riviera Cancun was to take the public bus. The bus picked up right in front of the hotel, just passed the guard station every 5 to 10 minutes and dropped off right at the town square. It picked up again on the opposite side of the street and dropped off at the hotel. The bus was very clean, safe, and only costs $1 round-trip, per person. Without the bus, Puerto Morelos is certainly within a 30 minute walk by road or beach. From Puerto Morelos, there is a bus that runs to and from Playa del Carmen every 20 minutes or so.
Other Points
The NH Riviera Cancun is very committed to conservation and “Going Green”. Upon arrival at the resort, we were encouraged to save water. There was a note by the bed explaining that sheets are changed every three days (and for new guests), but if you wanted your sheets cleaned before then, you could leave the note on the bed and the maid would refresh your sheets. Some of the lights in the suites work on a sensor, so if you are not in your room for a set period of time, they will turn off, then turn on upon your arrival.
I think that this resort is perfect for a 3 to 5 night vacation for customers who just want to relax on a nice, quiet beach. There isn’t a lot of activity at the resort, and it is kind of far away from Cancun and Playa, which may be a plus or a minus depending on the person. We stayed 4 nights, and by the last night I was ready to come home, but not yet sick of the place. I might return to this resort if the price was right, but there are many other places I would like to see!
Resort
I stayed at the new NH Riviera Cancun Luxury Resort, which opened in late fall of 2008. This resort was originally to be named the EdenH Riviera Cancun, but never operated under that name (the only evidence of this is the towels which say “EdenH”).
The NH Riviera Cancun is located only 12 miles from the airport, 20 miles from Cancun, and 20 miles from Playa del Carmen in the town of Puerto Morelos. The NH is bordered by protected wetlands on 3 sides, and sits on ½ mile of beach. To the north, the resort is directly bordered by the marina belonging to the Marina El Cid Resort. You can see the El Cid from the NH, but to the south there are no other visible resorts, just a few abandoned, hurricane-damaged houses which are great for exploring.
This is an all-suites resort, featuring 550 suites split between two categories: Junior Suites and the upgraded Paradise Club. There are nine buildings total, none with more than 4 floors and elevators. The resort has a modern, clean aesthetic and features tons of marble.
The Paradise Club is an adults-only area with an exclusive ambiance and VIP zones including its own adults-only pool, pool bar, beach chairs, restaurant, lounge/business center (with complimentary internet), and lobby. Snacks and hors d’oeuvres were offered throughout the day in the lounge, which also had an area where you could make your own drinks and an espresso machine.
The Paradise Club pool was very quiet compared to the main pool, and the staff did a good job of keeping it adults-only. It featured sun beds in the water and an infinity edge. Chairs were available at any time of the day, whereas at the main pool guests had reserved all of the chairs by 7am. There were plenty of pool chairs, umbrellas, beach cabanas, pool beds, and even hammocks that hung over the pool in a shaded area. There was never a wait at the Paradise Club pool bar and a waitress was available to take orders from the pool or beach. The Paradise Club had unlimited pool towels.
The Main Pool was much busier (and larger) than the Paradise Club pool. It had a sports area, swim up bar, kid’s pool (very shallow and warm), infinity edge, and sun beds in the water. The pool bar was always busy on land, but rarely busy in the pool. There was a waitress in this area serving drinks. Guests staying in the Standard Suites area did have towel cards.
A nice feature of both pools was that in many areas near the edge of the pool, there was a ledge in the water about 1.5 feet deep that you could sit on. It was a great place to cool off. At lunchtime, both pools had an area where one of the chefs grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Guests could help themselves and did not have to leave the pool deck area for lunch. I did not try any of this food, but heard that it was wonderful.
The beach was beautiful (especially at low tide). There were some rocks both on the beach and in the water, but it was easy to find a rock-free place to swim. The water was crystal-clear and very warm. The north side of the beach ended at the rock barrier of the El Cid’s marina, but to the south there was nothing but beach and some abandoned houses. The abandon houses were severely damaged in the hurricane and really illustrated the impact the hurricane had on the area. The southern stretch of beach was rock-free in the water and very quiet. There were some areas where rocks had washed ashore, but they were away from the water’s edge.NH’s water sports hut was located right on the beach and offered sailing, kayaks, volley balls and nets, soccer balls, bocce ball, boogie boards, and more. Unfortunately, it was very windy while we were there so guests were rarely allowed to use some of this equipment. I only saw the kayaks and sailboat in use the first day we were there.
The sports hut also offers a snorkeling trip in Puerto Morelos. The cost is $2 and you must sign up at 8:30am the day before you want to go. Only 30 people per day are allowed to sign up (10 people per trip on 3 trips leaving at various times), so they recommend being in line by 8:00am. Each person in line may sign up a maximum of 2 people for the trip, meaning a family of 4 must have at least 2 members in line. You must find your own transportation to Puerto Morelos.
I took this trip and it was fantastic! The reef is only about a 5 minute boat ride from the dock, and we were in the water for about 30 to 45 minutes. I went on the 2:30pm trip, so the water was crystal-clear. Apparently it’s much darker and harder to see on the early morning trips. I saw tons of brightly colored fish, a sea turtle, a huge stingray, and a yellow sting ray. The guide got in the water with us and everyone swam as a group. The guide pointed out different things to us, like the turtle, which we never would have seen on our own.
The pool and beach also has a very enthusiastic activity staff that gets guests involved in activities like volleyball, bocce ball, water volleyball, water aerobics, yoga, and more. These people always seemed like they were in a great mood.
On the roof, there was a sports deck consisting of 6 sport courts for tennis, basketball, and other racquet sports. The activities desk in the lobby had racquets and balls available. The resort also had a full gym with brand new equipment including weights and cardiovascular machines.
At night, the resort had a different show every night in the theater. The shows started at 9:30 and last anywhere from ½ hour to an hour and include things like a Circ de Soleil style circus show, a Mayan Culture Show, and musicians. I went to the Fire & Drum Show where fire dancers performed to a live drum line. It exceeded my expectations and was really cool.
The Kids Club is separated into two categories, ages 4-7 and ages 8-13, and offers arts and crafts, a mini disco, theater, videogames, and other fun activities. The Teen Club is for kids 14 to 17 and takes place in the Sports Bar where there are pool tables, foosball, TVs, and more. While we were there, the Teen Club was not staffed and the bar in the Sports Bar was fully stocked and unattended… Parents may want to be aware of this, as it would be very easy for kids to get a hold of alcohol. The Kids Club is staffed (and I assume alcohol free).
I did not visit Spa RENOVA, but judging by the menu in our room binder, they offer a wide variety of services and a full service beauty parlor. The prices seemed reasonable. Inside the spa are Jacuzzi tubs and a Sauna open to all guests for free. The spa is located on the 2nd floor of the main building next to the sports bar. It has no real view of anything, however they did offer couples massages at the beach.
The NH has three gift shops: a swim shop, souvenir/general store, and jewelry shop. All shops accepted pesos and American dollars. The stores were all very nice and accepted both dollars and pesos. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights vendors come in and set up in the shopping area square or by the main pool. They sell everything you could get in a souvenir shop in town, but for a higher price. These vendors did not seem inclined to bargain.
In the main building, there was a place to book excursions and buy pictures that photographers took of guests, an ATM, and a business center. The business center had 4 or 5 computers with internet access that you had to pay for. I believe the rates were something like $10 for 15 minutes, $17 for a day, and $77 for a week.
The resort has a Hospitality Room (basically a very large bathroom with several showers) with separate male and female facilities and a seating area for guests who arrive early or depart late.
Rooms
As I mentioned, the resort splits their suites into two categories: Junior Suites and Paradise Club. All suites in the hotel have at least one balcony; however some have better views than others. About 70% of the rooms have an ocean view or a partial ocean view. However, the 30% with a “garden view” have a view of the wetlands area which is filled with gray, leafless mangroves.
We were upgraded to a Paradise Club suite with a partial ocean view and Paradise Club pool view. We were on the first floor with easy pool and beach access. The only drawback to this room was that we had to listen to the incessant “easy listening” music coming from the pool speakers. In the room, there was a binder that explained every feature of the resort in detail, and contained the spa and room service menus. It was very helpful.
The room was gorgeous and had marble floors, dark stained wood, modern-Mexican décor, and air conditioning (that we couldn’t figure out how to use until the last day). We had a separate living/dining area with pocket doors that closed off the bedroom. The living area had a pull-out couch; coffee table; ottoman; large flat-screen TV; room service table and chairs with coffee pot; mini fridge stocked with water, beer, and Pepsi products; ceiling fan; and sliding glass doors out onto the balcony. The balcony had two chairs and a table. We also had a Jacuzzi tub (with a showerhead) on our balcony. The balcony rail was made with glass, so there was not much privacy (wear a swimming suit!).The bedroom had a very comfortable king sized bed (2 doubles were available), flat screen TV, 2 bedside tables and lamps, ceiling fan, full length mirror, 2 closets, safe, iron and ironing board, robes, and slippers. One side of the bedroom had a large window which slid open into the Jacuzzi tub and the opposite side opened up to the shower/vanity area where there was a large marble shower with a rain shower head and drying line for wet clothes, double vanity with nice toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, soap, shower gel, lotion, bath salt, a sewing kit, and bug spray (which we never needed). Apparently the standard rooms do not have these amenities and only get shampoo, soap, and shower gel. The room also had a separate toilet area that opened up to the bathroom and the living area and had its own sink and bidet.
On the day they arrive, all Paradise Club guests are given a complimentary fruit plate and bottle of tequila. The room was wonderful and very comfortable. The only real negatives were that we did not have an alarm clock like we were supposed to and the light switches and air conditioning were confusing. It was hard to know what controlled what.
The major difference between Paradise Club suites and Standard suites is that the Standard suites have no Jacuzzi tub on their balcony. Instead, the tub is in their bathroom and has a window open to the balcony. The bathroom runs parallel to the bedrooms with a separate toilet area. The bedroom and seating area are in the same room, with the seating area closest to the balcony, and the bed behind it. Unlike the Paradise Club, there is a step down into the seating area. Standard suites come with 1 king bed or 2 double beds and also have a pull-out couch.
In my opinion, the standard rooms are just as nice as the Paradise Club; however the views might not be as nice, and while we were there, this section was very noisy.
Restaurants & Bars – room service
The NH Riviera Cancun has 5 bars: the lobby bar, Paradise Club pool bar, main pool bar, beach bar, and sports club bar. They serve top shelf liquor and a variety of beer. The pool bars both have a swim up feature. The lobby bar was both casual and upscale and had a fantastic view of the oceanfront courtyard. There was ample seating in the lobby, which was a popular hangout at night. The beach bar was very fun and upbeat with live bands playing on a few nights. The sports bar was indoors and looked like a typical bar with pool tables and a dance floor.
The resort has 7 restaurants:
Festival Buffet – Main buffet serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Olas – Snack bar located near the main pool, open 11am to late afternoon.
Senses – Gourmet À la carte, adults only
Cinque Terre – Italian À la carte
Asian - À la carte
El Mortero - Mexican À la carte
Pure – Gourmet À la carte for Paradise Club members ($30 for everyone else)
The reservation system in the resort was the biggest disappointment. Guests are allowed to make dinner reservations for the entire week (Sunday through Saturday) from 8am to 1pm in the theater lobby. This means that if you arrive on Saturday the 1st, you can make reservations for that night, but would have to return the next morning to make reservations for the rest of your stay, at which time you could reserve for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, etc. Guests who arrive later than 1pm may not make reservations until the following day. The line for making reservations was always long, and it was a very slow process.
We arrived on a Wednesday afternoon, so we could not make reservations until the next morning. The next morning we got in line at about 9am, and there were 10 people in front of us. The line took about 45 minutes. We watched several people get very upset with the reservation staff over things like meal times and menu selections. There were menus available to look at once you got to the reservation desk and guests would spend a long time looking at each one. I thought that maybe it would be a good idea to leave these out in the waiting area so that people would know where they wanted to eat when they got to the reservation desk.
When we finally got to the des, we were told there were no spots open in any restaurant for that night. I’m love Mexican food, and Saturday night (our last night) was Mexican night in the buffet, so we already knew we did not want a reservation for Saturday night. Therefore, we wanted one reservation (Friday night), for any of the restaurants. The woman at the reservation counter informed us that the only thing they had open Friday night was the Mexican restaurant, which was fine with me, but they could not get us in until 10:30pm. We made a reservation, but I highly doubted we would keep it since it was so late.
The resort was at capacity, so I just kind of accepted the fact that all the restaurants were full and forgot about it…until that night. That night, and every night after, we never saw the restaurants more than half full. Clearly they were not completely reserved.
With that said, we ate at the buffet for every meal, and it was wonderful! The food was delicious and there was a huge selection. We at breakfast on the patio every morning and watched the cruise ships sail by. Dinners tended to be the busiest time, but the staff was happy to find you a seat or clear a table. Unfortunately, the buffet tended to be very understaffed. After a few meals without getting drinks, we learned to stop by the bar or bring our own from the mini-fridge in our room. When we did get service, it was outstanding. Patience and kindness went very far.
The food was always fresh, usually hot, and constantly being refilled. At breakfast, you could get everything imaginable: tons of fresh fruit, made to order eggs and omelets, breakfast meats, breads, cereal, and 6 varieties or fresh juices. Lunch was the least extravagant meal, but there was still a great selection of sandwich fixings, desserts, fruits, salads, hamburgers, hot entrees, and breads. For dinner, there was a different theme to every night, but there were also staples like fruits, salads, breads, and fancy desserts. While we were there the themes were Asian, Caribbean, Grill, and Mexican. Much to my disappointment, Mexican night turned into Seafood night at the last moment. Other nights include International, and Mediterranean.
The resort also offers room service 24 hours. There are separate breakfast and lunch/dinner menus, but both have a lot of selections. We did try to order a couple of things off the dinner menu, and they did not have any of them. In fact, they didn’t seem to have much of what was on the menu. From 10 pm to 5am they offer only club sandwiches and a fruit plate.
Meeting Rooms
The resort had five meeting rooms, with the capacity to hold 1200 people theater style or 850 banquet style. The meeting rooms had their own separate main entrance, but were connected to the lobby and main building. The facilities looked nice and were brightly colored.
Weddings
The resort does have wedding facilities and packages starting from $600. During our stay, there was a wedding held in the main courtyard. The ceremony was set up beautifully with an arch and fresh flowers. The staff seemed very attentive to the wedding set up. The resort also offers weddings on the beach.
Puerto Morelos
The NH Riviera Cancun is located just south of the town of Puerto Morelos. Puerto Morelos is a very small town of about 2,000 people. Main attractions include shops and restaurants around the town square, the waterfront, and the Crococan Crocodile Zoo. The shops and restaurants are all very small and there isn’t much variety, but there are no annoying salespeople trying to force you to make purchases and buy timeshares. It was a very laidback area. The beach in town is beautiful, with calm, clear water, and perfect white sand.
The easiest way to get to Puerto Morelos from the NH Riviera Cancun was to take the public bus. The bus picked up right in front of the hotel, just passed the guard station every 5 to 10 minutes and dropped off right at the town square. It picked up again on the opposite side of the street and dropped off at the hotel. The bus was very clean, safe, and only costs $1 round-trip, per person. Without the bus, Puerto Morelos is certainly within a 30 minute walk by road or beach. From Puerto Morelos, there is a bus that runs to and from Playa del Carmen every 20 minutes or so.
Other Points
The NH Riviera Cancun is very committed to conservation and “Going Green”. Upon arrival at the resort, we were encouraged to save water. There was a note by the bed explaining that sheets are changed every three days (and for new guests), but if you wanted your sheets cleaned before then, you could leave the note on the bed and the maid would refresh your sheets. Some of the lights in the suites work on a sensor, so if you are not in your room for a set period of time, they will turn off, then turn on upon your arrival.
I think that this resort is perfect for a 3 to 5 night vacation for customers who just want to relax on a nice, quiet beach. There isn’t a lot of activity at the resort, and it is kind of far away from Cancun and Playa, which may be a plus or a minus depending on the person. We stayed 4 nights, and by the last night I was ready to come home, but not yet sick of the place. I might return to this resort if the price was right, but there are many other places I would like to see!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Exploring Tulum and Cobá in Mexico
Visitors to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico have the chance to reach into history at a variety of Mayan sites. The ruins at Chichen Itza are the most visited by tourists, but with a three hour drive each way from either Cancun or Playa del Carmen, you may want to consider a visit to one of the other ancient cities that dot the coast.
Dramatically perched on the cliffs towering over the Caribbean Sea, the ruins at Tulum are the second most visited in the Yucatan. Their location, only 90 minutes from Cancun and 50 minutes from Playa del Carmen, makes them an easy drive from your resort or a feasible shore excursion with your cruise ship. Tulum, meaning fence or wall in the Mayan language, was built to defend against invasion and also served as an important place for trade and worship during the Postclassical period from approximately 1200 to 1450 AD. The site is relatively compact compared with other Mayan cities, but it is also one of the best preserved.
Today the buses roll into Tulum on a regular basis. Near the entrance, a complex of shops, restaurants and performers reflects a theme park vibe for this ancient spectacle. Once inside the crumbling walls, you’ll hear a variety of languages as vacationers in beachwear dart about snapping photos of temples. Flip-flops are not a problem on the manicured trails that weave throughout the site. Signs in Spanish and English stand in front of important locations, making a self-tour both easy and informative. Once you’ve had your fill of the ruins, descend the staircase to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Those that came prepared with swimsuits can dive into the aqua waves and gaze up at the picturesque cliffs and temples.
For a very different Mayan experience, head to the ruins at Cobá. Only 90 minutes from both Cancun and Playa del Carmen, this too is a perfec
t daytrip for resort guests and cruise ship passengers. The majority of buildings here were constructed during the mid to late Classic period, 600 to 900 AD, making the site much older than Tulum. Occupying a space of over four square miles, Cobá is estimated to have had 50,000-60,000 inhabitants and was the largest of all the Mayan cities. As many as 50 ancient roads lead into this city, indicating its importance at the center of Mayan culture.
Cobá is buried deep in the Mexican jungle so come equipped with good walking shoes and insect repellent. Contrasting the hustle and bustle of Tulum, Cobá is relatively quiet and peaceful as you explore the expansive grounds still being excavated. You can rent a bicycle near the entrance to cover more of the site and explore a variety of structures including two well-preserved ball courts. The most popular feature is Nohoc Mul, the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan and the only pyramid in the Yucatan tourists are still allowed to climb. The view of miles of jungle and temples peeking above the trees is worth every effort put into the steep ascent to the top.
The next time you book your Riviera Maya or Cancun vacation with a Fox World Travel specialist or online at GoFox.com, don't forget to purchase an excursion and embark on an adventure like one of these!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
2009 Alaska Cruises Still Available
We have good news for all of you who wait until the last minute to book your vacations: there are still 2009 Alaska cruises and cruisetours available!
To celebrate Alaska's 50th year of statehood, Princess Cruises is offering for a limited time the Alaska Wilderness Sale, featuring their newest cruisetour roundtrip from Seattle.
The convenient new roundtrip Seattle cruisetours include airfare between Seattle and Anchorage or Seattle and Fairbanks, a 7-Day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise and a land tour with stays at two of Princess's Denali-area wilderness lodges. Plus you'll see Alaska's two most popular attractions - Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park. The airfare inclusions save you big - all you have to do is book a roundtrip flight from Seattle. With AirTrans' Seattle service that I told you about in an earlier post, Alaska is more affordable than ever!
And what about all of those cruise-only deals you've been reading so much about? We have those too! Select 7-Day Alaska cruises start at just $449! The bad news: no airfare included. The good news: $449!!!
We still have many Alaska group departures and a land-only option available. Celebrate Alaska's 50th Birthday with us!
To celebrate Alaska's 50th year of statehood, Princess Cruises is offering for a limited time the Alaska Wilderness Sale, featuring their newest cruisetour roundtrip from Seattle.The convenient new roundtrip Seattle cruisetours include airfare between Seattle and Anchorage or Seattle and Fairbanks, a 7-Day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise and a land tour with stays at two of Princess's Denali-area wilderness lodges. Plus you'll see Alaska's two most popular attractions - Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park. The airfare inclusions save you big - all you have to do is book a roundtrip flight from Seattle. With AirTrans' Seattle service that I told you about in an earlier post, Alaska is more affordable than ever!
And what about all of those cruise-only deals you've been reading so much about? We have those too! Select 7-Day Alaska cruises start at just $449! The bad news: no airfare included. The good news: $449!!!We still have many Alaska group departures and a land-only option available. Celebrate Alaska's 50th Birthday with us!
Disney's American Idol Experience
American Idol has come to the Walt Disney World Resort as a new attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios!
The American Idol Experience* has all of the energy and excitement of the TV show. Guests can even audition to take the spotlight onstage, while fellow guests cheer them on from the audience and vote for their favorite singer with instant results.
The newly opened attraction was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and 19 TV Ltd. It is based on the hit television show “American Idol” – produced by 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) – and is designed to immerse park Guests into the authentic feel of a live television production.
Each show takes place in a 1,000 seat, indoor theater, featuring the neon signs and a multi-layered backdrop inspired by the actual “American Idol” set in California. Known for their attention to detail, the Walt Disney Imagineering team worked with the Hollywood set designer who designed the actual TV show set for “American Idol.” The newly designed venue is the most technologically advanced theater found at Walt Disney World Resort.
The American Idol Experience includes an audition process open to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Guests 14 and older (audition slots are limited and interested guests are encouraged to arrive early). These guests perform live in front of a Disney’s Hollywood Studios casting director for the opportunity to be cast in one of the preliminary Theme Park shows that same day.
If a guest shows that special “star quality” during the multi-step audition process, they move on to performance training with a vocal coach, hair, and make-up. Then, it’s showtime for the singers in front of an audience comprised of Theme Park guests, plus a panel of three expert judges.
Performers with the highest votes during the preliminary shows will return for a high-energy, grand finale show that same evening. After their encore performances, the big moment arrives. It’s a super-charged, eye-popping scene as the audience votes are tallied, the other performers drop off, music builds and the spotlight shines down, amid a blizzard of confetti, on the day’s top singer.
In addition to their new-found Theme Park fame, the top vote-getter will receive The American Idol Experience Dream Ticket, which allows an eligible holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition to a future regional audition for the “American Idol” television show.
The American Idol Experience is the newest attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The showbiz-inspired Theme Park immerses guests in the glamour of show business with thrilling attractions, Broadway-style shows, world-class atmosphere entertainment and interactive film, music, television and radio production facilities.
* AMERICAN IDOL® is a registered trademark of 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America, Inc
The American Idol Experience* has all of the energy and excitement of the TV show. Guests can even audition to take the spotlight onstage, while fellow guests cheer them on from the audience and vote for their favorite singer with instant results.
The newly opened attraction was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and 19 TV Ltd. It is based on the hit television show “American Idol” – produced by 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) – and is designed to immerse park Guests into the authentic feel of a live television production.
Each show takes place in a 1,000 seat, indoor theater, featuring the neon signs and a multi-layered backdrop inspired by the actual “American Idol” set in California. Known for their attention to detail, the Walt Disney Imagineering team worked with the Hollywood set designer who designed the actual TV show set for “American Idol.” The newly designed venue is the most technologically advanced theater found at Walt Disney World Resort.
The American Idol Experience includes an audition process open to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Guests 14 and older (audition slots are limited and interested guests are encouraged to arrive early). These guests perform live in front of a Disney’s Hollywood Studios casting director for the opportunity to be cast in one of the preliminary Theme Park shows that same day.
If a guest shows that special “star quality” during the multi-step audition process, they move on to performance training with a vocal coach, hair, and make-up. Then, it’s showtime for the singers in front of an audience comprised of Theme Park guests, plus a panel of three expert judges.
Performers with the highest votes during the preliminary shows will return for a high-energy, grand finale show that same evening. After their encore performances, the big moment arrives. It’s a super-charged, eye-popping scene as the audience votes are tallied, the other performers drop off, music builds and the spotlight shines down, amid a blizzard of confetti, on the day’s top singer.
In addition to their new-found Theme Park fame, the top vote-getter will receive The American Idol Experience Dream Ticket, which allows an eligible holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition to a future regional audition for the “American Idol” television show.
The American Idol Experience is the newest attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The showbiz-inspired Theme Park immerses guests in the glamour of show business with thrilling attractions, Broadway-style shows, world-class atmosphere entertainment and interactive film, music, television and radio production facilities.
* AMERICAN IDOL® is a registered trademark of 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America, Inc
Cruise Around Australia - Literally!
Holland America Announces Plans to Circumnavigate Australia
Holland America Line has announced that they will cruise around the country of Australia in 2010. They will offer 3, 14-Day cruises on the Volendam that explore Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific.
The circumnavigation of Australia cruise is 34 days aboard the Volendam. These cruises will all leave from Sydney. The 34-day cruise visits the Great Barrier Reef twice and covers 18 ports!
Celebrity dropped is Australia/New Zealand cruises for 2009/2010, making Holland the only premium North American brand in the region.
Holland America Line has announced that they will cruise around the country of Australia in 2010. They will offer 3, 14-Day cruises on the Volendam that explore Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific.
The circumnavigation of Australia cruise is 34 days aboard the Volendam. These cruises will all leave from Sydney. The 34-day cruise visits the Great Barrier Reef twice and covers 18 ports!
Celebrity dropped is Australia/New Zealand cruises for 2009/2010, making Holland the only premium North American brand in the region.
AirTran Increases Service to Milwaukee
AirTrain, a low-fare airline, will increase its service to Milwaukee by 40% this spring and summer. That brings AirTran's daily flights from Milwaukee from 21 to 30, offering 18 different destinations.
In May, AirTran will begin year-round daily flights between Milwaukee and St. Louis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Branson, MO. They will offer seasonal flights from Milwaukee to Denver from May to September.
Also in May, AirTran will resume flights from Milwaukee to Los Angeles and Boston. Seasonal service to Tampa will become year-round, and seasonal service to San Francisco and Seattle will run until October 30th (nearly two months longer than last year). AirTran is considering making those two routes year-round.
So if you're planning your summer vacation now, you may want to consider an affordable AirTran flight out of Milwaukee.
In May, AirTran will begin year-round daily flights between Milwaukee and St. Louis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Branson, MO. They will offer seasonal flights from Milwaukee to Denver from May to September.
Also in May, AirTran will resume flights from Milwaukee to Los Angeles and Boston. Seasonal service to Tampa will become year-round, and seasonal service to San Francisco and Seattle will run until October 30th (nearly two months longer than last year). AirTran is considering making those two routes year-round.
So if you're planning your summer vacation now, you may want to consider an affordable AirTran flight out of Milwaukee.
Cruising to Continue in Alaska's Glacier Bay
Alaska's Glacier Bay Awards Cruise Lines 10-Year Deal
I'm sure by now that cruise prices to Alaska are lower than ever. Just this week I saw 7-day Alaska cruises starting at just $399!!!
So with this good news for travelers, comes some good news for the cruise lines. Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park has awarded Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Cruise West, and Norwegian Cruise Line each a 10-year contract to operate in the park.
As Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay National Park; protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in concert with an ever-changing glacial landscape. How does it feel when a monumental chunk of ice splits off a glacier and crashes into the sea? The sound is like thunder. The impact shoots water hundreds of feet into the air. You hold your breath as you catch the moment on film. Then you wait for it all to happen again. And it does. Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anyplace else in the world.
The park will limit the number of cruise ships entering Glacier Bay during the peak season (June - August) at 153, with no more than 2 ships entering per day. In 2008, 225 ships carrying 416,703 passengers entered Glacier Bay.
S
o what does this mean for you as a traveler? Book early to ensure your cruise will go to Glacier Bay and don't miss out on the fantastic savings available on Alaskan journeys.
I'm sure by now that cruise prices to Alaska are lower than ever. Just this week I saw 7-day Alaska cruises starting at just $399!!!
So with this good news for travelers, comes some good news for the cruise lines. Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park has awarded Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Cruise West, and Norwegian Cruise Line each a 10-year contract to operate in the park.
As Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay National Park; protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in concert with an ever-changing glacial landscape. How does it feel when a monumental chunk of ice splits off a glacier and crashes into the sea? The sound is like thunder. The impact shoots water hundreds of feet into the air. You hold your breath as you catch the moment on film. Then you wait for it all to happen again. And it does. Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anyplace else in the world.
The park will limit the number of cruise ships entering Glacier Bay during the peak season (June - August) at 153, with no more than 2 ships entering per day. In 2008, 225 ships carrying 416,703 passengers entered Glacier Bay.
S
o what does this mean for you as a traveler? Book early to ensure your cruise will go to Glacier Bay and don't miss out on the fantastic savings available on Alaskan journeys.
Disney Shanghai
According to a Walt Disney Company press release, Disney is submitting plans to build a theme park in Shanghai, China. This will be Disney's second park in China; they already have one in Hong Kong. Disney has stressed that no deal has been made yet, and that they were still in the process of submitting their plans to Chinese government officials.
The plan is to build a large theme park and hotel complex in the southern suburbs of Shanghai, expected to cost $3.59 billion and would occupy about 371 acres. This would be a larger park than the one in Hong Kong. Disney would own 43% of the park, with the other 57% belonging to the government of Shanghai.
Disney plans to release more information when plans are finalized. Despite the tough economy, Disney is planning on moving forward with this new complex and the new resort in Hawaii that I mentioned in a previous post.
The plan is to build a large theme park and hotel complex in the southern suburbs of Shanghai, expected to cost $3.59 billion and would occupy about 371 acres. This would be a larger park than the one in Hong Kong. Disney would own 43% of the park, with the other 57% belonging to the government of Shanghai.
Disney plans to release more information when plans are finalized. Despite the tough economy, Disney is planning on moving forward with this new complex and the new resort in Hawaii that I mentioned in a previous post.
Internet in the Air
In-Flight Internet Now Available on Delta!
Today, Delta will introduce Internet service on six of it's planes that fly routes between Boston, New York LaGuardia, and Washington Reagan National.
Delta hopes to expand the service to 10 aircraft by the end of this year. In 2009, Delta will add Internet service across its fleet. Delta plans to add Internet service to some of Northwest's domestic fleet beginning in late 2009.
The service is free for the remainder of the year. In 2009 it will be available for $9.95 on flights less than three hours and $12.95 on longer flights.
Today, Delta will introduce Internet service on six of it's planes that fly routes between Boston, New York LaGuardia, and Washington Reagan National.
Delta hopes to expand the service to 10 aircraft by the end of this year. In 2009, Delta will add Internet service across its fleet. Delta plans to add Internet service to some of Northwest's domestic fleet beginning in late 2009.
The service is free for the remainder of the year. In 2009 it will be available for $9.95 on flights less than three hours and $12.95 on longer flights.
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