Do you like surprises? Who doesn’t? Especially good ones, right?  Right now, there are some great price-breaks for the El Dorado Hotels.  What’s the catch?  The resort will be the surprise.

You could be staying at the beautiful El Dorado Royale with its 11 gourmet restaurants and bars.  El Dorado Royale has the most beautiful grounds with lovely flowers & stone bridges everywhere.

Or maybe the El Dorado Seasides,  with the beautiful beach with all the beach beds, and the unique bars and restaurants.  El Dorado Seasides is only 10 minutes from the eco-park Xel-Ha and 20 minutes from the Mayan ruins of Tulum.

Perhaps you would be staying at the smallest and most intimate El Dorado Maroma. Maroma has the distinction of having cool sand; that’s right cool sand, which for some reason stays cool even in the direct sunlight.  Your toes will love that!  Maroma’s beach is serviced by beach butlers who will bring you drinks, magazines or even a light snack, so you never have to leave!!

Pricing will, of course, depend upon your dates and availability, but I have priced a 7 day vacation from Seattle, which would include airfare.  The “surprise”  price is $2879 for 2 people.  For comparison, if you were fortunate enough to get a room at the Maroma, you would save over $1200; at the Seasides you would save $1000, and at the Royale $300.  So surprises can certainly save you money and be fun, as well.  Taking a chance is really not a big gamble since all the rooms at any of the El Dorado Resorts include 24 hour room service and lovely furnishings.

If a surprise vacation is in your travel plans, please email me at sandi@totemtravel.com or give me a call at (425) 821-4100.  I look forward to helping you plan the perfect get-a-way, honeymoon, or couples vacation!

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I was recently invited to participate in a Familiarization trip to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, formerly known as Nuevo Vallarta. Since I hadn’t been to Puerto Vallarta in some time, it was the perfect opportunity to see new properties, refurbished properties, and the changes in Puerto Vallarta in the last few years.

First and foremost our mission was to visit many resorts, to look at them as you, our clients, would see them, and to be able to assist you in choosing the best destination for your family vacation or reunion, or for your wedding and/or honeymoon.  And to determine which resorts are the best for families, couples, and singles.

RIU Palace Pacifico was opened in 2008, in Riviera Nayarit, as an all-inclusive, family resort.  It is a moderately sized resort with 445 rooms; not so big you can’t easily navigate, but not so small that you are constantly bumping into people!  This resort has just about anything you could need:  large pool, children’s pool, swim-up bars, a gym, a great children’s program, and 5 restaurants.

Rooms at the RIU Palace Pacifico are all Jr. Suites, same in size and amenities, and differ on by view, except the Jacuzzi Jr. Suite!  This suite is amazing!  In addition to the wrap around terrace, which would be perfect for a small wedding reception, there are 2 bathrooms, a Jacuzzi in one bathroom, and one on the terrace!  The view, of course, is of the water!

Grand Velas Vallarta is also in Riviera Nayarit, also all-inclusive, but a much smaller resort, very romantic resort.  Grand Velas is a member of the prestigious “Leading Hotels of the World” and offers first class accommodations and a world-class spa!  This is a family resort, but as you can tell, it caters to honeymooners, couples, and wedding parties!  Their ballrooms are perfect for large wedding receptions.  There is also a small gazebo which is perfect for a wedding!

All of the accommodations at Grand Velas are suites, with goose down comforters and pillows, a separate living area with a sofa, private balcony or terrace AND Oceanview!  A fully stocked mini-bar which is replenished daily and 24 hour room service add to the luxuriousness of this beautiful property.

With 4 restaurants and a snack bar, you will certainly not go hungry! Five open kitchens at the all-day casual restaurant Azul, ensure a very diverse menu.  Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and Japanese, as well as grilled specials are all available.  Azul is located in a Palapa overlooking Banderas Bay.    As if 4 international cuisines were not enough Piaf Restaurant offers gourmet French dining.  Reservations are required at this adult’s only (18 and over) restaurant. Samples of the menu offerings include Foi Gras Terrine with caramelized pears and port wine glaze, Snails Bourguignon style, Truffle Chicken, & Crème Brule.

Paradise Village has always been one of my favorite family resorts.  Paradise Village is on one of the most beautiful and accessible beaches in the area.  Kids and adults will love boogie boarding and body surfing off this beach.  Para-sailing is available from a nearby vendor, and is lots of fun.  The smaller kids can ride tandem with mom or dad.

Paradise Village is both all-inclusive, and EP (European Plan….no meals or beverages).  Because it is about 20 minutes from Puerto Vallarta, and does require a $20 cab ride, (each way) I recommend purchasing the all-inclusive program.  The food is great, and there are 5 restaurants from which to choose.

A children’s program operates from 9am-3pm, and has crafts and games for kids ages 4 to 12.  They will love meeting and making friends with kids of different cultures.  Maybe they can work on their Spanish, a little!  Adults will enjoy a little time to enjoy a Spa treatment, or a tennis match.

Totem Travel has several all inclusive specialists on staff to help you choose the family vacation in Mexico.  Please give me a call or send an email to sandi@totemtravel.com when you are planning your all-inclusive family vacation!

Get personalized help from a travel expert at no extra cost!

Iberostar Tucan and Iberostar Quetzal are wonderful, all-inclusive, family resorts near the town of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, on the Riviera Maya. The Tucan and Quetzal are actually one resort with separate management teams.  Each has its own front desk and lobby area.  You are free to use all facilities at both, including restaurants.

I was fortunate to be able to spend several days at the Iberostar Tucan a couple of years ago.  Although the resort seems to be very large, it has only 350 rooms on the Tucan side, and 350 rooms on the Quetzal side.  The rooms are located in several 3 storey buildings.  Walking from your room to the lobby and restaurant areas is a unique experience.  The winding pathways lead you through a fantastic jungle like atmosphere with small harmless animals, including monkeys….watch your glasses….they love steal!  At night is an especially beautiful experience, since the pathway is lighted.  If you don’t like the idea of walking through the jungle, you can take the sidewalks on the perimeter of the property.

The accommodations are quite nice, and include either a balcony or a patio for a little outdoor relaxing.  All rooms come equipped with a minibar (stocked and included), hairdryers, coffee makers, and are air-conditioned!  Most rooms are garden view, but the gardens are incredible, as in any tropical locale. Sea view rooms are available, though if this suits you better. I loved the gardens, since the fragrance is so calming.  Since I was actually on a working trip, by the time I got back to my room relaxing was first and foremost on my mind!

The complex, which consists of the Tucan and the Quetzal, has a fantastic pool are that meanders through the center of the property.  Lots of chaise lounges and umbrellas are available and included.  In case you get hungry while sunning and swimming, a pool restaurant has snacks and beverages available…that’s included, too.

The beach at Tucan and Quetzal is perfect for sun bathing and swimming.  The water tends to be calm and warm, so it’s great for little kids, too.   It’s so clear you can see your toes!

I especially enjoyed the entertainment each evening.  It is definitely audience participation!  During the day, the children in the Kids Club work on songs and dances to perform during the evening’s entertainment.  The kids are delighted to be the center of attention.  They usually have a game show style of entertainment, too.  They ask audience members to participate in games like the Newlywed Game, and Family Feud!  Everyone has a good laugh!  There are also local music groups who perform during the week.  They usually perform both Mexican songs in Spanish, and then add some American music, as well.

As everyone in my office will attest to, I am a very picky eater!  I had no problem eating at the Tucan.  The buffet in the morning and at lunch boast many Mexican specialties, as well, as many American dishes. Besides the buffet, there are 5 different specialty restaurants, which include Italian, Mexican, Caribbean and Steakhouse!   The specialty restaurants do require reservations and do have a dress code.

Please give me a call at (425) 821-4100, or send an email to sandi@totemtravel.com when you are ready to have a truly Mexican experience in Riviera Maya.

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The Azul Sensatori all inclusive resort in Cancun is luxury like you haven’t seen before. This resort just opened in November 2008 and as a Gourmet Inclusive Agent, (that’s what the resorts call the travel agents who specialize in knowing their resorts inside and out), I was able to visit in December and see it in all its glory and boy is it a glorious resort.

Starting with the fact that all of the 400+ rooms are suites with private in-room Jacuzzi’s and we can just move forward from there. There are the 6 restaurants and 8 bars, a fantastic state of the art kids club complete with full gym, video game room and water playground. There’s a teens club with disco as well as the Tequila Bar, for adults only of course, with 31 different kinds of tequila to taste.

All suites include the private Jacuzzi and oversize patio or balcony. The family suites include strollers, cribs, baby monitor, baby baths and changing stations, bottle sterilizers, stepping stool, beach toys and games and refrigerators for milk etc.

The swim-up suites are a favorite for honeymooners with the beach beds on the patio and some even have beds in the water just off the patio, others have not only the private Jacuzzi in the room but also boast one just off the patio as well.

The suites are also separated in that 1 building is for families, another for adult only, so whether you’re with a group or prefer your quiet time there is a place for you here.

The restaurants are all ala-carte dining, no buffets at this all inclusive resort!  From Tapaz that serves International Cuisine to Siena that is Italian, again there is something for everyone including the adult only Le Chique Restaurant with wine bar.

Throughout the resort are king size beach and poolside beds for relaxing as well as the usual chaise lounges with umbrellas and on the beach there is usually a Beach Butler around to get you a drink or maybe some sunscreen.

Of course there is a state of the art Spa and fitness center with 11 treatment rooms including VIP suites for groups, families or couples along with a special bridal suite for couples massages and treatments.

Destination Weddings are very popular at this resort with its unique ‘Sky Wedding’ packages. On the rooftop there is seating for up to 80 people where you can have your special ceremony with nothing but sky above and view of the water below, or how about a wedding under the stars?

At this resort anything is possible!!  So when you’re ready to get away call an all inclusive specialist at (800) 321-7907 or email linda@totemtravel.com .  Mexico is calling!