Warm, welcoming Mediterranean doors swung wide open this week to the region’s first luxury 5-Trident resort aka a Club Med Resort on Italy’s largest island, Sicily.
Club Med expanded its ‘Exclusive Collection’ with the opening of Club Med Cefalu, a coastal property situated within a natural reserve of rugged cliffs.
Legit. The property is so isolated in its cliff-side location that you can barely see it in the image below.
Can you see it? No?
How about now…
Thanks to that peaceful, uninterrupted positioning, the resort comes with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains as well as the crystal-clear Tyrrhenian Sea.
As part of the all-inclusive escape, Club Med Cefalu’s guests can enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as electric surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, scuba diving and a dip in Sicily’s first natural swimming pool in the resort’s Zen Zone. There’s also shore-side sports including volleyball and tennis AND the world-class Parisian Carita spa.
Traditional Sicilian cuisine along with international wines and live music can be tasted in each of the property’s three restaurants overlooking Cefalu Bay.
Club Med Pacific’s Marketing Manager, Marine Blanchetier, described the property as the “ultimate opportunity to unwind, reconnect and embrace the Sicilian art de vivre”.
Providing guests with a well-rounded fitness program to encourage healthy lifestyle practices, the Windjammer Wellness Package starts at $439 (subject to 10% VAT and 10% service charge) per night, based on double occupancy for travel Nov. 1 – 30, 2016. A minimum of five nights is required, and guests can upgrade to multi-bedroom villas so friends and families can enjoy resort and wellness offerings together.
Complimentary daily activities include pool volleyball, aqua aerobics and water polo, while classes include six-pack abs, step aerobics and body conditioning.
For added indulgence, guests can choose from a menu of treatments at The Spa at Windjammer Landing, including massages, facial treatments, body treatments, natural body wraps, hand and foot treatments, among a variety of others (prices will vary based on treatment).
About Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort:
A Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort premium all-inclusive vacation experience includes accommodations; all meals and beverages at five on-property restaurants and four bars; the luxury of six swimming pools; a 24-hour fitness center; water sports, including waterskiing, snorkeling and windsurfing; complimentary Wi-Fi resort wide; Jacquot Fun Club, with supervised daily activities for children 4 – 12 years of age; teen activities for kids 13 – 17; a weekly Manager’s Cocktail Party; and the conveniences of a mini-mart and boutique shops.
Overlooking Labrelotte Bay, The Spa at Windjammer Landing encompasses 6,500 sq ft. of mindfully crafted space including a fitness center and exercise studio, a private yoga studio, a private yoga studio, outdoor yoga deck, six treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge and garden, an outdoor terrace, separate male and female steam rooms, a Japanese soaking tub, an outdoor rain shower and juice bar.
The resort’s spa was a main focal point of the recent $41 million resort expansion at Windjammer Landing. The extensive treatment menu and wellness program that was designed for the spa has a specific healing/holistic purpose – from the spa’s signature scent and massage therapies to its specialty classes including Paddle Board Yoga, Candelight Restorative Yoga, Full Moon Yoga and Mindfulness and Meditation, to name a few.
In addition to the Easter Caribbean Sale, Divi Resorts will re-launch their popular 7-Night Easter
Caribbean Giveaway. Anyone can enter to win a free seven-night trip to the Divi Resort of their
choice on Aruba, Bonaire, Barbados or St. Maarten, but extra entries are handed out to those
who make a reservation during Divi's Easter Caribbean Sale. To enter the contest or to learn more, visithttp://www.diviresorts.com/caribbean-easter.htm. The 7-Night Easter Caribbean Giveaway starts
on March 17 and ends on March 25, 2016 at midnight. The winner will be selected on April 4, 2016.
"Divi Resorts are the ultimate Caribbean destinations for couples, friends and families looking to have
an unforgettable time at a beachside resort. With our Easter Caribbean Sale, the islands are more
affordable than ever," said Jason Price, Director of Revenue and Sales Management for Divi Resorts.
"What makes this sale even more exciting is that someone is going to win a free trip to the Divi
Resort of their choice through our Easter Caribbean Giveaway."
About Divi Resorts
Divi Resorts is the vacation expert of the Caribbean, with a collection of eight premium resorts
spanning the five stunning Caribbean islands of Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St. Croix, and St. Maarten.
For more information on Divi Resorts, call 1-800-367-3484, 919-419-3484 or visitwww.diviresorts.com.
The Divi Resorts logo is the Service Mark of Divi Hotels, Inc.; its use represents the group of resort
companies owned by the registrant or operating under the registrant's Divi Resorts brand.
800-367-3484 (Toll-free) or 919-419-3484 (International) Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (ET).
Travel dates are available from April 1 to June 30, 2016.
About Divi Resorts
Divi Resorts is the vacation expert of the Caribbean, with a collection of eight premium resorts spanning the five stunning Caribbean islands of Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St. Croix, and St. Maarten. For more information on Divi Resorts, call 1-800-367-3484 or visitwww.diviresorts.com.
Largest Spanish Hotel Company Opens Second Hotel in the English-speaking Caribbean, and Its First in Jamaica
Meliá Hotels International, one of the largest hotel companies in the world, announced today the opening of the all-inclusive Meliá Braco Village in Rio Bueno, Jamaica as part of its Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand. This highly anticipated opening is the company’s second hotel in the English-speaking Caribbean after Meliá Nassau Beach in the Bahamas, and it’s first in Jamaica.
With a total of 226 spacious guest rooms, including 61 suites, the all-inclusive Meliá Braco Village features a choice of six restaurants, three bars and two exquisite swimming pools. Guests can choose from a variety of garden view and oceanfront rooms equipped with plush bathrobes and slippers, Nespresso coffee machines, minibar, iron, 42 inch Flat Screen TV, high speed Wi-Fi internet and 24 hour room service.
The resort offers an exceptional gourmet experience with six on-site restaurants including The Market Place, an open-kitchen concept featuring an international buffet; 876 PRIME serving up steaks and chops; O’Grille, a beachside Jamaican restaurant that incorporates traditional Caribbean dishes made with authentic, locally sourced ingredients; Rasta Pasta, an a-la-carte Italian restaurant; Nikkei, an innovative culinary concept featuring Japanese and Peruvian fusion cuisine served at Teppanyaki style tables; and Golden Sand, serving as the property’s beachside restaurant. In addition to dining options, Meliá Braco Village will have three distinct bars, each offering a different atmosphere: Jigger is the hotel’s piano bar that is perfect for a quiet, intimate drink; The Shaker, complete with a curated DJ experience complete with modern tropical cocktails in a vibrant seaside setting; and Chill Out Bar, which offers traditional jerk style roasted cuisine during the daytime and a relaxing cocktail experience at night.
For the discerning traveler, Meliá Braco Village offers Meliá Hotels & Resorts’ signature concept, THE LEVEL, complete with a VIP Level Lounge featuring private check-in service and light bites in the afternoon; the beachside Golden Sand restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; exclusive designated areas for families, couples and groups; personalized concierge service; top-category rooms; and premium alcohol service. Room choices include breathtaking oceanfront rooms and decadent beachside rooms, each option replete with magnificent views. THE LEVEL lounge boasts floor to ceiling windows with breathtaking ocean views, as well as its own YHI spa treatment suites as part of the lounge, a first for Meliá Hotels and Resorts brand. In addition, guests of THE LEVEL are treated to the ultimate pampering experience with complimentary sunscreen and cooling Aloe Vera lotion at a dedicated pool and daily turndown service. Amenities provided at THE LEVEL offer guests the perfect hotel within a hotel experience.
During the day, all guests have access to two dazzling pools, as well as an array of activities. A variety of restoring spa treatments are offered in the signature YHI Spawith 8 massage rooms available, and an onsite fitness center is open 24 hours a day so guests can workout at their leisure. Guests can also engage in a friendly sports match at the resort’s basketball court or football pitch, perfect for families and groups.
Families are catered to with a wide assortment of specialty services including a babysitting service and Meliá Hotels & Resorts’ Kids & Co.concept for children ages five to 12. Melia Braco Village’s youngest guests can partake in a range of interactive games, arts and crafts projects and more.
For the business traveler, Meliá Braco Village offers a business center, Wi-Fi in public spaces, and two designated rooms for meetings and events with capacity for up to 100 people. The hotel’s two intimate meeting venues are perfect for small to medium-size groups, and there is a variety of outdoor and indoor public spaces for all types of events and special occasions.
A picturesque destination for weddings and special events, Meliá Braco Village offers a multitude of romance experiences for guests. Two gazebos, one overlooking the ocean and one in the property’s lush garden area, are the ideal setting for couple to exchange their vows, along with a variety of indoor options as well. For more information about Melia Hotels & Resorts’ romance offerings, visit www.romancebymelia.com.
Starting rates for Meliá Braco Village are $200/per person per night. For more information please visit www.melia.com.
Since the days of dude ranches (they’re still out there!), we’ve been attracted to the hassle-free aspect of all-inclusive vacations. Once we arrive, we can store the wallet and relax. But along the way, all-inclusive resorts have since gotten a lot of stigma — earning a reputation for being tacky, comprising dated rooms and subpar food. While this is sometimes true, in many cases it’s certainly not. Here, we bust seven common myths and provide a reality check that might surprise you.
Myth 1: All-inclusive resorts want to trap guests on property. Reality: This is a particular concern for foodies. But in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, Hacienda Encantada Resort offers a dine-out plan that covers meals at five partner restaurants in the Golden Zone of the nearby marina, just a 15-minute shuttle ride away. Yes, the hotel takes great pride in their six restaurants and bars onsite, but they recognize that travelers all want a taste of the local scene, whether they prefer lobster or pasta or sushi. How cool is that?
Myth 2: You’ll only enjoy the free food if you like bad buffets.Reality: Speaking of the culinary scene, all-inclusive resorts don’t simply stick visitors with mass-produced dishes and unhealthy meal options. In fact, travelers will find themselves with more choices than they can probably explore at many resorts. The Royalton Riviera Cancun, for just one example, offers a whopping nine restaurants and 13 bars. Your options include a Japanese teppanyaki and sushi bar, a steakhouse, an Italian trattoria, and of course a Mexican venue. So can you indulge in a prime rib every night, at no additional charge? Yes, if that’s what you want.
Like the general hotel industry, all-inclusives are making local sourcing a priority, too. At Generations Riviera Maya by Karisma, fresh herbs and produce are sourced from Karisma’s 76,000-square-foot greenhouse. And to take advantage of the natural surroundings, guests can opt to dine on the ocean pier for a private breakfast, lunch, or dinner, too.
Myth 3: Everything is already paid for.Reality: The devil is really in the details of what’s covered, and here’s why research is so important. All-inclusive rates really have varying degrees of inclusivity, and you want to ask the right questions to avoid rude surprises. Our friend David Bakke of Money Crashers gives us some examples: “Your free alcohol options might be limited, and certain resort activities might come with an added charge as well, such as a visit to a spa.” Sadly, WiFi isn’t always included either, he says.
Myth 4: All-inclusive resorts are all about lying on the beach. Reality: Chances are, the programs that you’re thinking about are located on an amazing beach — but you’ll likely also find much more entertainment than water sports and tanning. Take CHIC Punta Cana and all the entertainment that revolves around its stunning pool, for example. Here, a DJ might spin tunes all night long for an outdoor dance party, Las Vegas-style showgirls might strut the over-water catwalk, or a “mermaid” might show-off her diving (easily seen through the pool windows). Luxe Casa de Campo, in the Dominican Republic, boasts a shooting range and equestrian center. And even on the beach, special events may abound. In the case of Couples Resorts, campfires with s’mores and beach parties are just some of the programming to look forward to.
Myth 5: All-inclusives are always the best value.Reality: Again, you should do your homework here — and spend some time thinking about exactly what it is that you want out of your vacation. “If on the list of things that are included on your bill are activities or other entertainment options that you’re not interested in, you might find yourself shelling out cash for stuff you won’t be taking advantage of,” Bakke points out.
Myth 6: Staying at an all-inclusive resort will feel cheap.Reality: This unfortunate misconception is likely fueled by other myths about food and lack of amenities that we’ve just corrected. The reality is that, just as there are all sorts of regular hotels, all-inclusive resorts come in all forms, too. Yes, there are budget-friendly options that are more basic, and family-friendly ones that keep costs low for the clan. But you’ll also find plenty of sophisticated adults-only properties as well as those that focus on luxury. If you’re looking to splurge, we love Sonesta Ocean Point Resort, which recently debuted as a five-star, all-suite property. They take the all-inclusive concept to the next level with their butler suites, which includes access to an exclusive wine cellar, and with their swim out suites (exactly what it sounds like). Of course, this is an extreme, and there are endless options at every price point in between. The key, again, is doing your homework.
Myth 7: You’ll be tempted to be unhealthy if you stay at an all-inclusive resort.Reality: Here’s another general trend that we love — brands are helping guests achieve and maintain good lifestyle choices more than ever. At many all-inclusive resorts, you’ll find a roster of opportunities to work off the indulging. Barcelo Hotels & Resorts, for one, has held wellness-related Zumba and Yoga theme weeks to encourage guests to truly focus on fitness, all while having fun. They offer juicing stations that with a range of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, many of which are hyper-local, too.
- See more at: http://blog.shermanstravel.com/2015/busted-7-common-myths-about-all-inclusive-resorts/#sthash.gZ62BhuY.dpuf
