Miami, FL, February 25, 2008 - Palace Resorts, the company that set the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations, is pleased to announce that Vallarta Palace, Palace Resorts’ first venture onto the Pacific coastline of Mexico, was recently awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award for 2008. This is the second consecutive year that Vallarta Palace has enjoyed the honor of being counted among the select group of AAA Four Diamond winners.

“This is a great distinction for Vallarta Palace to be recognized for a second year with such a prestigious award,” commented Roberto Chapur, President of Palace Resorts. “Throughout the Palace Resorts line of all-inclusive properties we make it a point to offer all of our guests superior personal service and first-class amenities. To receive an award for what we have always prided ourselves on is a wonderful tribute.”

Vallarta Palace is pleased to be the only Four Diamond rated, all-inclusive hotel in Nuevo Vallarta. It is also honored to be among the select group of AAA Four Diamond Award winners that for 2008 represent only 3.2% of the 60,000 AAA Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants that have received this prestigious designation. Furthermore, Four Diamond lodgings account for just 3.6% of the more than 32,000 AAA Rated® lodgings.

AAA’s Diamond Rating System is the only ratings system that covers all of North America and one of only two that conduct physical, on-site evaluations. It is the only system that uses full-time, professionally trained evaluators to inspect each property on an annual basis using a set of guidelines that are made available to all establishments.

AAA rates more properties than any other rating entity and AAA considers and investigates member feedback during reviews, but does not depend on guest opinions to derive a rating. In addition, AAA provides travelers the opportunity to post comments about their experiences at AAA Approved establishments. For more information on the AAA Diamond system, guests can visit AAA on the Internet at AAA.com and access complete Diamond Award lists and information at AAA.com/Diamonds.

San Miguel (population 60,000) is the only city on Mexico’s largest island, Cozumel – 28 miles (47 km) long and 11 miles (15 km) wide. Cozumel rests in the Caribbean 12 miles (19 km) off the coast of Quintana Roo, some 42 miles (68 km) south of Cancún.

A scrub brush jungle covers the northern half of the island, which is virtually uninhabited (along with the southern portions, the interior and the windward east coast). A road loops the entire southern part along the sea, then cuts back into town, dividing the island in half. The windward eastern beaches, best suited to beachcombing and shell collecting, are rocky, dramatic, impressive, gorgeous and too rough and dangerous for swimming (Playa Chen Rio is the exception.) The leeward western beaches feature picture-perfect white sand, gentle lapping waves, warm turquoise blue water and a series of vibrant living reefs. They offer good swimming, snorkeling and diving.

Two ferry services – a car ferry from Puerto Morelos and a people ferry from Playa del Carmen – serve Cozumel from the Yucatán mainland. Reach Playa using one of the frequent public buses from Cancún’s downtown terminal; a cab will take you for about US $30 (negotiated). The ferry service from Playa to Cozumel (45 minutes, US $5) changes schedule as often as we change underwear so check at one of the ticket booths.

San Miguel also has an international airport with some direct flights from the United States and numerous 15-minute connecting flights from Cancún (call Aerocozumel at phone 98/84- 20-00). If you’re on a cruise, you’ll find taxis lined up at the pier to take you downtown or on an island tour. Even if you are just there for the day, we’ll point out the best places to eat and shop, as well as what to do.

Cozumel streets are laid out well and it’s easy to know where you are once you get used to them. Av. Rafael Melgar is the main road running along the western waterfront. It becomes the North Road and South Road out of the downtown. Streets running north and south, parallel to the water, are avenidas and those running perpendicular to the sea, east and west, are calles. The sole exception to this is Av. Benito Juárez, which cuts San Miguel and the island into northern and southern halves. The streets north of Juárez are marked norte and have even numbers (2, 4, 6, etc.). All the calles south of Juárez are sur and are given odd numbers (3, 5, 7, etc.). Vehicles traveling north and south are supposed to have the right of way, while those traveling east and west are required to stop on every corner.

Besides taxis (a good choice when going direct from one place to another), three types of personal transportation are available: motorbikes, bicycles and rented cars or Jeeps. Many major hotels rent motorbikes or cars and every street corner downtown near the dock has men hawking rentals. The prices are pretty much the same between individual renters, especially near the dock, but you could try going to some of the shops in town or waiting until the crowd disburses before negotiating.

Parking can sometimes be scarce in town so be careful of No Parking zones (including red curbs). Your car could be towed or the license plate removed so that you pay a fine at the rental agency.  If you are in a group, or want to really see every detail of Cozumel’s wilderness, try getting a good deal on a Jeep.

Last but not least, pick up a free Blue Guide to Cozumel, available all over the island and at the ferry. It has some valuable discount coupons and fun-reading tidbits.

In an area of natural appeal Vallarta Palace rises as a beautiful resort destination. This escape, with its gorgeous beachfront setting, where tradition and modern design come together, marvels travelers, who are mesmerized by its opulence and incredible views. This one-of-a-kind resort will certainly please honeymooners, families and savvy vacationers who recognize the great value of this all-inclusive property.

Vallarta Palace, situated on the beautiful beaches of Bahia de Banderas in the heart of Nuevo Vallarta, with its 348 Superior Deluxe guest rooms, most with a spectacular ocean view, features double Jacuzzis, a turndown service and 24-hour room service. This all-inclusive resort, located in a quaint Colonial fishing village adorned with cobble-stone streets, terra-cotta tile roofs and colorful stucco walls, is the place to indulge and enjoy incredible golf courses, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, sailing, horseback riding and world-class shopping.

Kids will be entertained at our newly renovated Kid’s Club with supervised activities. Dine at any of our four fabulous restaurants, enjoy a treat at our snack bar, or relax at any of our three stylish bars. The experience will be gastronomic, as well as luxurious and fun.

A large number of island visitors return to their cruise ships by the early evening. After the ships weigh anchor and light up their rigging as they sail off, the nightlife in Cozumel begins.

Although it is not quite as much a party town as Cancún – perhaps because alcohol and diving don’t mix well – it still swings. The hottest eating, dancing and “ass-kicking” party place is Carlos & Charlie’s rooftop dance and grill restaurant, near the ferry dock on Av. Melgar. It’s up a steep set of stairs that guarantees a problem coming back down after a few drinks! Dine on the terrace overlooking the harbor and the main drag below.

When Carlos closes at 1 am the sleepless from Seattle may wander over to find you at Joe’s, a crowded bar and live-music super party place on Av. 10 between 1 & 3 South; or at Raga, the live reggae, salsa and rock music Caribbean restaurant and bar, on Av. Salas between 10 and 15 (opens at 10:30 pm). The oceanfront drive boasts a popular Hard Rock Café and a Planet Hollywood, both smaller and more intimate than their Cancún counterparts.

The latest entry in the late-night fun search is Hooks, a restaurant/bar (see restaurant review, above) that becomes a disco around 10:30 until closing at 3 am. Less strenuous is the Laser Karaoke Bar at the Fiesta Inn Hotel, a little south of the city. Follow the sounds of singing. If you’d rather listen to real singers go to Tony Rome’s (Av. 5 South No. 21), where the duo of Bryan and Tony Rome himself croon relaxing music with two shows nightly at 7:30 and 9:30. Tony’s offers good food and loaded drinks.

If you’re traveling with children or just prefer to party early, the Hotel El Cozumeleño (phone 987/2-00-50) has great nightly beach parties with live music. Locals and visitors alike love to spend hours at night people-watching downtown. If that appeals to you, go to the Aladin Video Bar on the northeast corner of the main square. Actually, any of the plaza-side or street-side places on the island are great for absorbing the environs in the evening .

Discos

The disco dance floors can become very crowded in Cozumel. Scaramouche opens at 9:30 and closes at 3 am, two blocks south of the square on Av. Melgar. Neptuno Disco, five blocks south of the plaza, was remodeled a year or so ago and is always filled with a good mix of locals and tourists who love to dance and mingle. They have huge TV screens and a sharp laser light show.

The Aventura Spa Palace Adults Only, All Inclusive Resort in Puerto Venturas, located about 45 minutes from the Cancun airport is one of our most memorable vacations!

We have stayed at several of the Palace Resorts and have never been disappointed, but the Aventura Spa Palace is in a class of its own.This adults only resort is less than 5 minutes from the quaint town of Puerto Venturas and just 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen and the ferry to Cozumel. Although it is a large resort the environment was very casual and inviting.