Mexico Travel Tips & Information

Palace Resorts Members Offer Best Deal On All Inclusive Resorts

Here’s a great way to get the best deals on adults only all inclusive Mexico resorts as well as all inclusive family resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean.  

Palace Resorts members can offer you a way to save  on your 5 and 6 star all inclusive, Mexico and Dominican Republic Vacation.  Palace Resorts timeshare VIP members typically buy several hundred discounted weeks that they may not be able to use themselves; and are happy to be able to share with their family and friends . If you do a google search for presidential palace resorts VIP member you can contact a member willing to rent to people who don’t have a need to own a timeshare ,  but still would like to experience the benefits of a timeshare owner and resort member.   Members receive special benefits, like 1500 Vacation Dollar credits, that you would also recieve.

WHY MEMBERS RENT THEIR WEEKS

Selling the use of their VIP memberships helps them to pay down the balances that they owe  and still provide you with an average savings of $700 per week on the room and board  alone for your all inclusive Mexico vacation.   If you stay at any of the Palace Resorts as a guest of a VIP member  your all inclusive resort vacation will be even more memorable because of the benefits that they have paid for in advance, with their timeshare purchase. You get to travel to any of the five star Palace Resorts at a great weekly discount, oftentimes saving almost $100 per night off of the rates.  Additionally, check in will be a breeze with member express check in, priority in room assignments (and thus more ocean front/view rooms), and, if the VIP member still has one available,  you may want to ask for to use a Presidential suite.

Aventura Palace Resorts Presidential Suite

PRESIDENTIAL SUITES

The Palace Resorts Presidential Suites are two bedroom, 3 bath, living room and dining room, that is fabulous for two couples or a family with children.  This is a fantastic benefit as the Presidential suites during high season often rent for over $10,000 per week!  Many rent for as high as $18,000 per week in the Cancun resort area.  If you find the right Palace Resorts Presidential Palace Premier member, you will also have the opportunity to rent a family room which is two bedrooms adjoining for families with children.

ADULTS ONLY

There are also a few Palace Resorts VIP members that have purchased an upgrade package, you  you may have an opportunity for   an all inclusive Mexico vacation at the very highly rated  Le Blanc Resort in Cancun Mexico. Many reviews claim that a week at LeBlanc has been their ultimate dream Cancun resort vacation.  Celebrities and royalty have stayed at Le Blanc because of the luxury.  This is an amazing adults only resort, so is perfect for honeymoons, anniversary celebrations or romantic getaways.

BENEFITS OF VIP MEMBER PACKAGE

Another wonderful benefit of traveling as a guest of a Palace Resort VIP member is that you also receive one free manicure, one free pedicure, and one free massage per adult PLUS, new in 2010, 1500 Vacation Dollars credit to be exchanged  for excursions, more spa treatments, golf, room upgrades, special dinners or more. Transportation to and from the Cancun airport is also included as part of the Palace Resorts VIP package. These benefits are not even factored into the $700 per week savings you receive on the room and board. There are also some members with all inclusive golf packages.

HOW ARE MEMBERS ABLE TO OFFER THE BEST DEAL?

You may be wondering how a VIP Palace Resorts member can rent you their weeks and provide you with more that what travel agents or discount travel sources like Travelocity and Expedia can offer for much less.   Palace Resorts designates blocks of rooms for different purposes making them available only for that purpose.  They reserve rooms for the timeshare exchange companies as well as timeshare members with fixed week benefits.  The rooms available for the Palace Premier VIP Members are dependent upon the level of membership of the member.  Not all members have Presidential suite availability, Le Blanc, golf packages or even spa packages.

Palace Resorts offers some of the best all inclusive Mexico vacations. Palace Resorts Presidential Suites, Palace Premier Members timeshare rental offers you the best deals for your all inclusive Mexico Caribbean vacations.

In May of 2011, President Felipe Calderon (president ofMexico) reassured travel executives attending a global tourism summit in Las Vegas that “Mexico is a safe place to visit”.

Despite Calderon’s comforting words, various news programsand magazine articles have left some of us asking whether or not we should go.

Mexico is a large country, and so any attempt to answer that question should probably focus on those places that are safest for travelers.  On April 22^nd, the US Department of State issued a Travel Warning to inform US citizens aboutsecurity situation in Mexico.  In the Travel Warning, the Dept. of State specified that “resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico are generally do notsee the levels of drug related violence and crime reported in the border region
and in areas along major trafficking routes”.

Anecdotally, I can report that my wife and I spent two weeksin and around Cancun in May.   We took taxis into town and buses to attractions outside of the populated areas and never had any problems or felt uneasy at all.   The locals were always friendly and very helpful.  Most are very proficient in English.  We are heading to Playa del Carmen in December without giving it a second doubt!

And what about our guests?  Are they concerned about venturing to Mexico?  We have had a few inquiries about this
topic.  Safety questions do arise once in a while.  To questions such as “how safe is it? and Is the media blowing it out of proportion?”  I insist that you should use common sense.  Be alert, stay in populated areas, don’t wear expensive jewelry away from the resort, late night activities away from your resort should be curtailed, be respectful of your surroundings.  The same advice that I would give if traveling to NYC, Washington DC or LosAngles.   Use your head,  contact KokoTravel for your next Mexico vacation and you’ll have a great time!!!

Grand Luxxe today announced the grand openings of two new resorts of its high-end luxury brand in the vacation destinations of Nuevo Vallarta and Riviera Maya.

Grand Luxxe continues its distinction of offering the most prestigious travel experience bar none.  Both locations debut an architectural philosophy that distinguishes Grand Luxxe from other brands, along with the commitment to the pinnacle of personalized service the brand has become famous for.

A world of privilege and opulence awaits the discriminating traveler which holds in high regard a resort catering to their every need; Grand Luxxe brings a travel experience unlike any other.

Sumptuous suites and villas provide between 2,300 and 3,000 square feet of room, among the largest in the resort industry. Twelve-foot ceilings and Italian design bathroom amenities exude an air of refined magnificence.

First opening in February of 2010, Grand Luxxe in Nuevo Vallarta set the bar for personalized luxury travel with private butlers for each floor. The new tower of 144 suites became a remarkable feat for the affluent vacation segment. Spectacular lakes dot the surroundings, beckoning visitors to take advantage of the various water activities. The vast expanse of the glimmering ocean and beaches of Nuevo Vallarta are an invitation to unwind.

The new Grand Luxxe resort in Riviera Maya is every bit as decadent as its sister property in Nuevo Vallarta and is located on Mexico’s most desired coastline. The low-slung resort harmoniously blends in with the surrounding tropics. Pristine white sand beaches and cabanas with glamorous, shimmering pools, privately tucked into the landscape greet guests.

Joining the ranks of the finest vacation properties in the world, Grand Luxxe blends stunning architecture with sleek, modern interior finishes. Rooms blend richly appointed details including marble flooring, fine accents, rich wood furnishings and luxurious upholstery. Bathrooms exude an air of luxury befitting a spa and offer guests a place to unwind in the free standing tubs. Guests can enjoy the scenery of the river and mountains along with the city and the distant horizon.

Modern amenities abound including private plunge pools in the balcony, private butler service for each floor, 50-inch flat panel televisions, Wi-Fi Internet access, in-room Jacuzzi and 24-hour room service, taxi and medical service. Grand Luxxe will pamper its visitors with full health spa and fitness centers, a unique Kid’s Club camp experience and a world-class Nicklaus-design 18-hole golf course that is a delight for pros and casual players alike.

“The Riviera Maya is known around the world as an area of incredible beauty and history,” says Arturo Hernandez, Grupo Vidanta Chief Architect. “We designed Grand Luxxe’s newest location to integrate the architectural development between the rich jungle environment and distinct local Mayan culture.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, located on Macao Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, will officially open on Jan. 29, 2011. The 121-acre property is Hard Rock International’s first all-inclusive hotel and casino and also the company’s first Caribbean resort, which is operated by Palace Resorts. The official launch party will feature platinum international recording artists the Gypsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo. As part of the ceremony, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana will donate new guitars to benefit local children’s music education programs.

If you think you know what an all inclusive, upscale resort is, think again. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic defies any pre-concept you may have by providing you with a vacation destination like no other. And it is not just the inclusions and the service. You are in an environment where you and nature become one.
With the largest casino in the Dominican Republic covering 45,000 square feet of gaming space and 1,790 elegantly appointed rooms, the resort is designed to appeal to a varied range of guests. From families, couples, and friends, to casino players, golf enthusiasts and spa lovers, there is plenty for everyone. And its superb location, overlooking a golden beach, entices those looking for a resort that will certainly surpass their expectations to deliver the best all-inclusive experience. 

By early 2011, the resort will also feature an Oro nightclub, and a restaurant designed by acclaimed celebrity chef Kerry Simon. Guests will also enjoy 11 pools, four swim-up bars, a kid’s pool and lazy river.

Gourmet dining options include 11 restaurants, from the Brazilian steakhouse Ipema and the international buffet at The Market, to Asian Teppanyaki at Zen and brick-oven pizza at Pizzeto. On-site shopping includes jewelry and spa boutiques, and the resort’s exclusive Hard Rock memorabilia includes Elton John’s hand-painted piano, Tommy Lee’s Motley Crue silver space ship outfit, Gene Simmons’ custom axe base and Sammy Hagar’s 1926 hot rod. For more information, call 503-816.6587 or visit KokoTravel.

Merida On The Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico offers every traveler exactly what they are looking for;  from children to adults, even senior citizens, to couples and singles. Offering the perfect combination of cultural history, beaches, natural beauty, great cuisine and the hospitality of its people.

The Yucatan is no small region, so to help you get started we recommend a trip to Merida, the capital city, where old meets new, and traditional style and modern urban development can all be found. If you are looking for postcard-perfect photo ops, Merida is the ideal departure point for excursions to the main archaeological sites, cities and colonial towns.

In the Yucatan, you can find everything from simple boarding houses to the luxury hotels and restaurants. Our recommendations include the

Mayan Palace Resort and one of the Palace Resorts, which offers all inclusive family as well as adults only resorts along the Yucatan Peninsula.  The countless attractions include many archaeological sites, such as Exmal (World Heritage), Chichen Itza (World Heritage and Wonder of the World) Dzibilchaltun, Ek Balam and many others, all relatively close to Merida. In fact, the Yucatan State has more than 2,000 archaeological sites to visit and discover.

For lovers of eco-tourism, this ancient land of the Mayans offers locations where sunlight filters through rocks, illuminating cavernous vaults and cenotes (underwater caves). The Yucatan Peninsula lacks rivers and other surface waters as the ground is limestone and very porous. Rainwater filters straight through penetrating cracks, forming vaults and  underground rivers, many of which are interconnected.  Adventure lovers will thrill at the opportunity to swim and snorkle the cenotes above and under ground.

Last but not least, visiting the Haciendas of the Yucatan is an incredible experience. According to the Yucatan Tourism Board, some of these haciendas began to process henequen fiber. This was exploited on a grand scale, turning it into a highly profitable business that lasted until the beginning of the 20^th century. Today it is interesting to walk around these old haciendas, which have fortunately been salvaged and converted into hotels, restaurants, luxury tourist shops and museums.

Certainly, as a start to exploring the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida offers a lovely place to start.