Cordell Finds Paradise at Paradisus Cancun

When picking an all-inclusive resort, one of the most important factors to consider for myself is the beach. As a guy from the prairies, I need to experience the ocean, sand and sun. Visiting a beach is important to me and it brings so much happiness to my life. The Paradisus Cancun’s beach has exceeded my every expectation. Here are my top four reasons the Paradisus Cancun is a must do beach vacation:

1. Sunrise/ sunset
   

From dawn until dusk, this is a beach that keeps you enthralled. If you are a morning person, this resort has stunning sunrises! You will be only one of a few people up at 7am but it is well worth it. I wasn’t ready to go down to the beach at this time, but I was in an ocean view room and could take it all in from my balcony. The sunsets from the beach are equally as beautiful as the sun sets over the pyramids of the Paradisus Cancun. If you are by the beach at night you can check out the stars. You do not get the city’s light pollution so you can see the constellations.

2. Service

There is nothing worse than having to walk endlessly to the beach only to find that the nearest bar or food options are miles away from the beach. I would recommend springing for access to the Coco’S Beach Club. This exclusive area is centrally located, and the staff will truly take care of you. You can order food and drinks without having to leave your beach chair. The washrooms are also very close so you do not have to walk very far.

 

3. The Physical Beauty

If you are looking for white sand and turquoise waters than the Paradisus Cancun is for you. The powdery white sand doesn’t skald your feet as you walk along the seemingly endless beach to either side of the resort. The ocean itself is picturesque and breathtakingly beautiful. Be prepared for a photo shoot! The Caribbean side of Mexico has a bad reputation for sargassum, but at this resort there wasn’t even a trace of seaweed. As an added bonus, the resort has roped off beach areas. This means there were not very many venders pestering you on the beach, so you can really soak up the sun’s rays in peace and quiet.

4. Activities

Laying in the sun and reading a book can be a full-time job but sometimes you need a little extracurricular activity. Yoga is offered in the morning which can be a great way to start your day. While beach volleyball and soccer run periodically throughout the day. The waves along the beach are perfect for bodyboarding. If you are more of a thrill seeker you can pay to go parasailing or take a jet ski out for a rip.

No matter what your beach preferences are there is something for everyone at the Paradisus Cancun.

Follow along as I check out a few other resorts in the area!

 

Stephanie’s Loving Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos – Part 3

My final experience at the Le Blanc Spa Resort is the hotel’s namesake…. a visit to the spa! You can’t visit a spa resort without checking out the spa, right?

They have an entire floor dedicated to the spa and salon, and it’s relaxing from the moment you walk in. There are 25 treatment rooms, so you won’t have a problem getting an appointment for your preferred time. A bonus of staying at Le Blanc is you receive a $1500 USD resort credit, and up to $500 of that can be put towards the spa!

After quickly checking in with reception, you’ll be greeted with a warm neck wrap and a healthy juice. Your spa butler will then show you to the change rooms, where you’ll be assigned a locker and given time to change into your swimsuit.

You start your spa appointment with a trip through the hydrotherapy circuit. It is complimentary for all guests, even without a spa treatment. It’s recommended to arrive 60 to 90 minutes beforehand to enjoy all the sections. Starting off with a dry sauna, you’ll move into the ice room complete with chilled aloe vera (perfect after a day in the sun), then into the steam room with a mud mask and hair treatment, a cold and then warm shower, and finally a heated tile bed before you finish at the 3 pools. You take a drip in the warm pool first, then the hot tub and lastly the cold pool. It truly is a cold pool, and I didn’t last more than 5 seconds. It was surprisingly refreshing, however.

Your spa butler will collect you 10 minutes before your treatment so you can get dried off and ready. My massage was absolutely wonderful, and I was just about to fall asleep as it was wrapping up.

Whether you are looking for some adult R&R, the ultimate food experience, or a world class spa, the Le Blanc Spa Resort offers it all. I can’t wait to help you plan your visit here soon!

Ready to start planning your stay at the Le Blanc Spa Resort in Los Cabos?  You can reach me by calling 306-934-3400 or emailing stephanie@uniglobeyxe.com.   I’m back in the office on Thursday.

Stephanie’s Loving Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos – Part 2

Today we are talking food. I truly appreciate a good meal, and Le Blanc doesn’t disappoint. I don’t think I’ve been to a resort that has such amazing food options from around the globe. In less than 36 hours I’ve dined on Italian, Mexican, seafood, and Lebanese. The variety of food choices from all parts of the world is something that makes Le Blanc Spa Resort really stand out.

With 8 dining choices for only 373 rooms, you’ll never have to wait in line for a meal. Each location has its own head chef to make sure that the menu is curated to reflect each cuisine authentically. You’ll fall in love with the pasta choices at Blanc Italia, enjoy authentic Mexican chilaquiles and a great view on the open terrace of Blanc Ocean, or be treated to a unique and flavorful meal at the Lebanese restaurant Mezze.

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If you aren’t in the mood to leave the comfort of your bed, there is always the room service menu just a click away on the resort app. On Sunday I ordered a mid afternoon snack, which arrived in a record 23 minutes. The service is supreme.

Room service in record time

With another 2 nights to go here, I hope I can find the time to enjoy the remainder of the dining venues. My waistband might not agree, but it’s hard to pass up such great food!

 

Stephanie’s Loving Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos – Part 1

Sunrise from the room

Good morning from the Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos. I’m very excited to spend 4 nights here and to share some highlights with you.

I arrived Saturday afternoon, and Le Blanc surely gives an amazing first impression! Check-in was quick and painless, and I was escorted to my room by my butler! That’s right, each floor has a dedicated butler team to assist with all you’re needs. The butler went through the room with me, showing all the features such as the gorgeous soaker tub (that your butler will draw up for you), the fully stocked mini bar (complete with snacks) and the resort app (where you can order room service, aromatherapy, bath salts and more). I can truly say that anything you could want is just a quick call away.

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As I settle in, unpack (which your butler will do if you wish) and recover from a long day of travel, I can’t wait to explore the rest of this stunning resort. If its even half as stunning as the view from my room, I may never come home! Stay tuned as my journey unfolds…

Mexican Christmas – The Need For Travel Insurance

I often get asked…”Do I really need Travel Insurance? Will anything really happen to me?” I always answer – Probably not…..BUT what if it does? Do you want to be the one worried about medical costs and getting good medical care because you DON’T have insurance? I also get asked if I always take the insurance myself. That answer is EVERY SINGLE TIME. I know and have seen first-hand the devastation that not having travel insurance can cause. The parents whose son breaks a leg and now they are out thousands of dollars, or the ear infection that keeps you from flying home and costs you even more. I have witnessed how fog and a cancelled flight result in a $1000 claim and a broken arm without a cast – basically an X-ray and a prescription can cost over $700 USD.

Monster Waves in Puerto Vallarta

This trip – with 12 family members reminded me of how quickly the unexpected can happen. My sister’s mother in law, on her 68th birthday, was tossed around by a wave and presumably hit her head on a rock on the bottom of the ocean. She was taken off the beach by some medics in a wheelchair and assessed. In the end, they suspected a possible fractured cheekbone and a possible fractured neck as well as a concussion. The medics shuffled around, looking a bit nervous, suggesting she go to the hospital, possibly in a taxi or a van, but preferably an ambulance. Once they found out she had insurance, there was a palpable feeling of relief. They called the ambulance, arranged for her to go to a good hospital where the doctors speak English well and she could be looked after.

Private hospital room

The ambulance driver was familiar right away with Manulife and said the front desk of the emergency room would be as well. There were a few glitches with calling the Manulife numbers, but we worked that out and they were able to call us on our cell phones to arrange for care and payment of care at the hospital. After 4 hours of emergency care, Xrays and a CT scan, it was determined she had a concussion and a severely sprained neck, but no fractures. They would keep her overnight for observation…….and a bill at that point, after four hours was over $5,000 USD.

A $200 CDN policy for her ensured that she had complete coverage and upfront payment for every penny. It would also cover things like taxi’s back to the hotel, extra meals and if needed extra hotel stays and changes to flights home. She nearly lost her prescription glasses. If she had, that also would have been covered.

So….next time you wonder if you can afford travel insurance, ask yourself if you can afford to NOT have it. If you have work or credit card insurance, ask who you call if there is an emergency and if they will pay up front or if you have to pay the bill and HOPE to be reimbursed. Do they cover only yourself, or your family as well? If changes to your trip need to be made, are those airline fees and extra costs of staying in destination covered? Are there pre-existing exclusions? Or does it cover anything unexpected?

I have to say that being the travel agent for this trip, as well as participating and knowing that the injured person had the Premium Protection Plan, meant that I never doubted for a single moment that she would have excellent coverage for all of her medical bills.

So, from sunny Puerto Vallarta, Merry Christmas and remember to make sure that travel insurance and peace of mind are part of the gift of travel this year.

The Beautiful Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta

 

Should Your Next Vacation Include a Butler?

Why your next vacation needs a butler, seriously.

Ok I know what you’re thinking, a butler, really?  I’m here to tell you that although there are ways that a butler on vacation could be used for over the top requests there are also a lot of ways that a butler simply makes your hard earned vacation just a little bit better.

I recently enjoyed two nights at the unbelievable Paradisus Playa Del Carmen – La Perla.  La Perla is the adults only section of this resort featuring modern décor, a hefty selection of a la carte dining and interesting bars featuring craft cocktails, multiple beaches and a pool that suites any vacationer’s tastes.  The La Esmeralda section is family friendly and equally spectacular.

I stayed in a Royal Service Junior Suite which was nearly as big as the apartment I share with my boyfriend and two cats.  The room is beautifully decorated with two white closets and plenty of drawers, a king bed with an aquatic themed headboard, a sitting area featuring a couch, coffee table, table and chairs and more.  The bathroom was something out of a dream with a shower big enough for a party with two rain shower heads that provided just the right amount of water pressure, a huge bathtub and more than enough space on the vanity to keep all of your necessities organized.  All of this comes standard in any junior suite at the Paradisus La Perla but since I was in Royal Service my balcony also featured a Jacuzzi.

When you have the Royal Service upgrade, a butler is a part of your package.  I was introduced to my butler at check in (which happens in the exclusive Royal Service lobby).  He took my bags and showed me to my room, pointing out features of the building like the small fitness centre exclusive for RS guests. After the standard “here is your safe and how to use it, here is the thermostat, here is the tv remote” he asked if I was on Whatsapp and when I confirmed he asked for my phone number.  From that point on we were able to communicate via text.   The next morning as I was enjoying a gourmet breakfast at the restaurant available exclusively to Royal Service guests Fernando, my butler, texted me to see what my plans were for the day.  I told him that since it was a bit windy I would rather be by the pool than the beach and that I would go find a spot soon.  He replied almost instantly letting me know that he had a bali bed by the pool ready for me.  What a treat! I quickly realized that the major benefit of having my own butler was that I had the freedom to simply send a text from the pool or my room to arrange a la carte reservations, inquire about spa services, request late check out etc. without having to get up and wander into a lobby to chat with the front desk or a customer services desk.  I consider my time very valuable and this is a service that I genuinely appreciated.

Other services available when you have a butler on your vacation at the Paradisus La Perla are:

• preparation of whirlpool bath in your room if you wish.  Just shoot him a text and let him know when you would like to enjoy a bath on your balcony and he’ll have everything set up for you including bubbles and towels.  If you request some sparkling wine for your bath, they’ll be happy to oblige.
• personalized coffee service in the room
• free ironing of up to two garments per day
• shoe shining services
• booking of the tennis courts and other activities
• personalized mini-bar in the room adapted to your taste
•  unpacking and repacking of your suitcase
• personalized wake up calls
• And more!

La Palapa – Royal Service Exclusive Restaurant

Bali bed by Royal Service pool

Royal Service pool

Although an upgrade to a vacation that includes a butler may not be practical for every traveller or every trip, it’s certainly something that has value and well worth considering for your next special vacation.  You absolutely won’t regret it!

To book your next vacation to Paradisus Playa Del Carmen reach out to our team!

Heather’s Relaxing Stay At Paradisus Cancun!

If you are seeking a vacation that is a delight for the senses then Paradisus Cancun is the place for you! From the moment you arrive the aromatherapy surrounds you creating a feeling of relaxation. The open lobby is a vine covered oasis with plenty of seating for families or groups as well as secluded spots for couples. This is a place you will want to spend your time in! Check-in is quickly handled in a welcoming plush, quiet, air conditioned room. Spacious rooms feature comfortable beds, plenty of storage, large cascading rain showers and minibars filled with soda, water, beer and snacks.

Gourmet dining is available at more than ten restaurants – there is something to suite every taste! In between meals you can enjoy a latte from the Nespresso coffee corner or grab a cold treat from the gelato shop. If you are looking for a little extra indulgence I would recommend renting a Bali Bed at Coco Beach Club where you will be treated like royalty with sparkling wine, a tray of fresh fruit, a menu full of delicious food and drink service.

The spa features countless treatments available in a relaxing atmosphere. Guests in Royal Service rooms have complimentary access to the hydrotherapy circuit which is a refreshing treat after a hot day on the beach. Speaking of the beach, this is the highly sought after white sand and turquoise water that makes you feel like you truly are in paradise.

Treat yourself to a little luxury on your next vacation at the Paradisus Cancun!