All-inclusive hotels first appeared at Mexico’s beach resorts in
the 1980s. Twenty years later, they’re a prime force in the
development of Mexico’s tourism industry. From the wild coast of
Los Cabos to the coral reefs of Cozumel, entire communities have
risen around all-inclusive compounds with their own golf courses,
spas and nightclubs.
Gone are the Club Meds of the 1980s, with their bead bracelets and
Spartan rooms. (Club Med has considerably upgraded its own product
of course.) The all-inclusives of today are lavish affairs with
whirlpool tubs in the rooms and gourmet restaurants overlooking the
sand. Guests arrive on charter flights with big-name tour companies
and settle in with their friends and family for a week of easy
vacationing.
Some all-inclusive companies have developed a strong presence in
Mexico with enormous properties at several destinations. Although
these mega-resorts are most common in the Mexican Caribbean,
they’re also popping up on the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta, Los
Cabos and other established beach cities. Riu, Real, Palace and
other giants have proven the demand for self-contained destination
resorts where travelers can purchase packages, including everything
from airfare to sessions in the spa.
Smaller-scale companies are al
so expanding and offer different takes on the all-inclusive
concept. Some specialize in weddings and honeymoons, while others
provide a safe and enjoyable haven for families. Old-time hotels
have embraced the concept and offer their guests generous
enticements to keep them around the property. Matching clients to
the style of a smaller all-inclusive resort involves special
insights into the character of the various chains. Check out these
hotels for discerning, independent clients.
Dreams Resorts & Spas
One of three AMResorts brands in Mexico, Dreams claims a
most desirable location in Puerto Vallarta. The Camino Real, a
venerable, lovely hotel south of town, became a Dreams Resort in
2004. At only 337 rooms, it’s small for an all-inclusive and frames
a gorgeous beach buried in palms. The company renovated the rooms
and public spaces, added a spa and spiffed up the food at the four
restaurants. The resort now has an easy elegance in an idyllic
setting. Dreams also took over the Camino Real in Cancun and the
Melia Suites in the Los Cabos Corridor. The nighttime entertainment
and pool activities can be disruptive if your clients are seeking
solitude, but they can always wander away to their comfortable
rooms.
Velas
This company’s two properties in the Puerto Vallarta area stand out
as luxurious escapes. The Grand Vela All Suites & Spa in Nuevo
Vallarta is a complete getaway in a destination that’s grown from
nothing into a city of all-inclusive resorts. The elaborate spa,
elegant rooms and gourmet restaurants are geared toward discerning
adults who expect silken sheets and flat-screen TVs. The Velas
Vallarta property closer to downtown Puerto Vallarta is similarly
chic and subdued.
Royal Solaris
Los Cabos has exploded onto the all-inclusive scene recently with
the construction of a lineup of large all-inclusives on the beach
in San Jose del Cabo. The 400-room Royal Solaris has captured the
clientele seeking moderate rates for a pleasurable all-inclusive
experience. The concept works well here since restaurants and other
diversions are scarce in the immediate neighborhood, and
transportation is extraordinarily expensive.
Presidente InterContinental
The first property in San Jose del Cabo’s hotel zone was the
understated Presidente, a peaceful escape beside the bird-filled
San Jose Estuary. Now at least a half-dozen large and small hotels
line the beach, and the Presidente has grown into a 400-room
all-inclusive resort. Its location and design allow guests to
follow their interests at various pools and restaurants. Volleyball
games in the main pool are a longtime tradition, as is the
beachfront Mexican Fiesta and dinner at the elegant Italian
restaurant. Presidente also has a long-established all-inclusive
hotel and spa in Puerto Vallarta and a low-key all-inclusive in
Ixtapa.
Sol Melia
Another chain with a long history in Mexico, Sol Melia operates the
all-inclusive Melia Azul Ixtapa on a secluded beach facing Isla
Ixtapa. The 410-room hotel, with its elaborate kid’s pool and
suites with full kitchens, is excellent for families and has a
genuine Mexican style of hospitality. Melia’s other all-inclusives
in Puerto Vallarta and Cozumel are equally family-friendly but are
large enough to provide quiet spaces for singles and couples.
