'Unlimited Luxury' ~ Now Resorts and Spas

With the winter travel season right around the corner, I'm becoming more amazed, (not to mention more frustrated) with how fast things are booking up for the 2013 winter/spring travel season.  March is getting really picked over and it pains me to see families either spending 2 days of their vacation in airports or on airplanes, as they're forced to take single and double connections, or even worse, forced to stay home.   I'm always on the lookout for great bonus deals for our clients and one of the resort chains that always comes to mind is Now Resorts and Spas.

Now Resorts and Spas offer guests something more than just a trip to Mexico.  They offer a vacation experience.  They want you to leave all of your stress, your worries and whatever else you're carrying on your shoulders behind, live in the NOW ~ and bask in the concept of their Unlimited-Luxury®.  Unlimited-Luxury® means wristbands are never required, mini bars are refreshed daily, 24 hour room and concierge service at no additional charge, restaurants require no reservations and bars serve unlimited premium brand beverages.  Not to mention great daytime activities, live, professional entertainment at night, supervised kids clubs, teen activities and the list goes on and on.  Best part of all?  They're in some of the most beautiful and easy to get to locations which puts them at the top of my list!  Here's a couple of my favs...

Now Jade Riviera Cancun ~ Just a few minutes from the quaint fishing town of Puerto Morelos, and about 12 miles from the Cancun international airport, this is a perfect location.  Great resort for the young at heart.  The Now Jade Riviera Cancun guest is more interested in experiences than material things.  They like places that are different and stand out at every level.  550 tastefully decorated suites, private white-sand beach, and excursions to the 2nd largest barrier reef.  There's nothing to disappoint!

Now Larimar Punta Cana ~ Vibrant and contempory, Now Larimar is perfect for singles, couples, families or groups!  You can sit back and relax on 700 yards of picturesque white sandy beach or enjoy endless entertainment and activities.  The decision is yours!

Now Amber Puerto Vallarta ~ Just 15 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport Now Amber is located by the famous "El Malecon" boardwalk and great shopping and nightlife.   Golden sand beaches, 8 dining options, 4 bars and luxurious decor this resort is pleasing to every sense!  With theme parties, Movies under the stars and 7 golf courses nearby, there's never a dull moment for any member of the family!

For those who want a bit more pampering Now Resorts and Spas offers Preferred Club rooms.  With lots of added amenities they may be the perfect fit for you!  Here's what you get:

• Personalized check-in and check-out with concierge service 
• Preferred status and amenities Exterior Jacuzzi 
• Private Preferred Club Lounge 
• Two private, Preferred Club pools each with Jacuzzi 
• Upgraded bath amenities 
• Bathrooms with double sinks 
• Pillow menu 
• Complimentary computer access in Preferred Club Lounge 
• Upgraded mini-bar and room service menu 
• Daily continental breakfast service in the lounge 
• Pool concierge & bar service
• Afternoon hot and cold hors d’oeuvres; exquisite desserts & fine liquors in the lounge 
• Complimentary newspaper in room every day upon request 
• Complimentary wireless internet access

Saving the best for last...we all like more bang for our buck, right?  Now Resorts is currently offering the following promotions.  Of course, there is always the small print that explains the terms and conditions for each promo.  Looking them over briefly, the restrictions are few and I know they'll bring so much more to your vacation experience if you qualify.  Truly something for everyone and any of our 'Escape Artists' would be happy to make sure you are meeting the rules of the restrictions to ensure you can take advantage of your favorite promo!  All you gotta do is ask!

Golf at Now Jade and Now Sapphire 

Guests at both of these resorts are offered complimentary greens fees at Grand Coral Riviera Maya. A course designed by PGA champion and golf course designer, Nick Price, the Grand Coral Riviera Maya boasts a magnificent 18-hole, 7,043 yard golf course where golf pros and amateurs alike can enjoy a round of golf just steps away from the breathtaking Caribbean Sea.  One round of golf per person, per day.

Golf at Now Amber
Guests staying at Now Amber Puerto Vallarta through June 30, 2013 can enjoy one round of complimentary greens fees at the two 18-hole championship courses at Vista Vallarta Club de Golf and the neighboring course at Marina Vallarta Golf Club! Vista Vallarta Club de Golf is located on the property's highest elevation, golfers will enjoy breathtaking views of Puerto Vallarta, the Marina and the Banderas Bay as well, the perfect setting for this world class course designed by the world's greatest player, Jack Nicklaus. Marina Vallarta Golf Club is built on the property's lower west end. Tom Weiskopf has done a masterful job of blending elevations and natural features into an incredibly playable experience.  One round of golf per person, per day.

Girlfriend Getaways
Enjoy an Unlimited-Luxury® getaway with your girlfriends at any Now Resort & Spa. In addition to an Unlimited-Luxury® getaway, you and your girlfriends will be pampered as you should be! Package cost is $62.50 per person, per stay. Girlfriends who select this package will receive the following as a part of this package: manicure and pedicure sessions (up to three girls may receive these treatments at the same time), champagne and strawberries in room upon arrival, complimentary room service one morning offering Mimosas, fruit plate, and pastries, a complimentary group photo (each girl will receive one printed photo), daily yoga session (only available at Mexico properties), access to wet areas of the spa and 10% off additional spa treatments.  Doesn't that sound like something us gals could use?  Anyone in need of another girlfriend - I'm available and I'm fun!

Groups
There are groups for every reason and Now Resorts has some great group benefits for you!  Book five rooms, receive the sixth room free! Plus, your group will receive a private check-in, 1 complimentary VIP room upgrade for every 10 nights paid and $200 in resort coupons per room!

And don't forget about Romance Travel!  Destination Weddings Groups and Honeymoons are a speciality at Midwest Travel Service and Now Resorts and Spas do them perfectly!  We'll work with you to find out what your dreams are and make sure they become reality so you'll have memories that will last a lifetime!  That's what makes us happy!

Until next time...

Jamaican Adventure - Mystic Mountain!

All my life I've been a lazy vacationer (is that a word?). When I have been lucky enough to travel, I like to plant myself by the pool with a book and sit there for seven days. I'm such a creature of habit that even if the resort offers 10 pools, I'll usually find one I like on the first day and return to the same spot day after day.

I always thought excursions were for historians or for those allergic to the sun. At 36, I had never snorkeled, hiked, ziplined, climbed anything, swam with any animals, or visited any pyramids. (Side note - I did visit Stonehenge in college and thought it was the biggest waste of time. Maybe that's what turned me off long ago.)

But as I started traveling for work I realized that it's important for me to experience the things my clients are going to ask about for myself. It's time to get out there and get a taste of each part of the world and what it has to offer. So while I would have loved to spend my last day in Jamaica by the pool sipping a cocktail, I grabbed my husband and set off for Mystic Mountain.

Luckily, we were staying about five minutes away in Ocho Rios, but you can still make a day of it if you're in Negril or Montego Bay. You can buy different packages, but we chose the Tranopy Tour, which includes all components: the Sky Explorer, Ziplining, and Jamaican Bobsled.

At the bottom there are beautiful pools such as this one. I love that color!

One tip: Mystic Mountain is located very near the Ocho Rios cruise port, and therefore will be crowded on days when a ship is docked. If you're staying in Jamaica, make sure to schedule your outing on a day when no ships are there, and you won't have to contend with the lines that cruise passengers bring. We were there on a Sunday and did not encounter any lines at all.

Just beginning the climb...

To begin your journey, you have to take the 15 minute Sky Explorer ride 700 feet up the mountain. It's basically a four-person ski lift, so if you have a terrifying fear of heights, then this is not the place for you. I do not ski - add it to the list in paragraph 2 - so for me this was actually the hardest part. Every time my husband would move an inch I would freak. I tried to focus on the beauty of the rainforest below, the mountains in the distance, and eventually the breathtaking ocean. The views were definitely worth the anxiety!!!

Once at the top, I was amazed at the little village they had created up there! There is a small open-air museum filled with facts about the Jamaican bobsled team and many other Jamaican Olympians. There is also a really nice restaurant with a full bar, an infinity pool with a water slide, and a great gift shop. When you're up there it's totally up to you what you do, when you do it, and in what order. We decided to get a drink and enjoy the views for a while. OK, and who am I kidding? I had to calm my nerves in preparation for what I was about to do!

Even Red Stripe has gotten fancy!

Bobsledding was up first. You can go on your own or two people can attach their sleds together, but only the person in front can control the brakes. A bit of a control freak, I knew if I was in charge of the brake I would keep them on the whole time and go about 5 MPH. This would not be fair to my clients who want to know what bobsledding is like, so I sat in back and put my husband in control of the brakes. As we were waiting for our turn he was talking with the worker as I was sitting back there like a dope. Little did I know he told the guy we wanted to go as fast as possible. He was told not to use the brake at all and that he would give us a push. It was our turn to go - jeez, my heart is pounding as I'm writing this - and the guy ran with our sleds for as far as he can go, pushing us faster and faster until our fate was in gravity's hands. Let me just say that I screamed the entire way. I am not an adrenaline junkie, but after it was all said and done I have to say it was really fun.

It's one to a bobsled, but you can connect two together.

Here we go!

Our pass bought us just one bobsled run, but you can purchase more at the top if you found that you went too slow the first time. Well, the first time was plenty fast for me so I opted out for another run, but I am really glad I went, AND that I went as fast as it goes. What a rush!

Next we headed over to get our ziplining gear on. Aside from looking and feeling like a moron once I was outfitted with harnesses and a helmet, I was really excited to do this. Our group consisted of people from New York, Chicago and Texas, and included a family with kids ranging from 13 - 8! I have the utmost respect for those kids...I could never have done this at their age. We had two guides who were very knowledgeable, but also mischievous. I don't want to ruin any surprises here, but let's just say they keep their jobs interesting by toying with the anxiety of first-timers. They made it fun and we had a lot of good laughs. The course consists of five lines, one vertical drop, and a wooden rope bridge. I could've done without the vertical drop, but I made myself let go and I did it!

Vertical drop and rope bridge.

Ziplining takes you about halfway down, so you get back onto the Sky Explorer and ride it to the bottom. You can either leave Mystic Mountain at that point or stay on, ride it back to the top, and enjoy some lunch or a swim. Give yourself more time than you think you'll need. We took almost three hours, but could have easily gone back up and stretched it to five.

Go back up to the top and cool off in this infinity pool.

If I had to do it over again (and I think I probably will next time I'm in Jamaica) I would do the ziplining first, then go back up, bobsled, eat and swim. They take pictures of you on each activity, and you can buy them for $15 each. We made the mistake of buying our Sky Explorer picture right away, but asking her to keep it behind the desk until we were done. It wasn't until we got down to the bottom after ziplining that we realized we forgot the picture. This is why I would recommend ending your day at the top. Then you can buy your pictures or items at the gift shop, and not have to worry about where you're going to keep them during your activities.

Goofing around in the gift shop!

Both my husband and I agreed that this was the best day of our vacation, and beat sitting at the pool. It was a priceless experience that we can't wait to share with our kids one day, and now I am ready to tackle all the things I have been missing out on when on vacation. I hope you do, too!

W. A. T. W. - The Cosmopolitan

If you're like me, you tucked the kids in bed last night, and settled in to watch the latest episode of "The Housewives of Orange County." Who doesn't love the drama that's sure to follow these ladies wherever they go? And I couldn't WAIT to hear Gretchen's performance at the Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Saloon in Las Vegas.

O. M. G.
Turns out I would have been OK missing that one - poor Gretchen. I don't know what Slade was thinking when he signed her up for that gig. But I was happy that I watched, simply so I could take a peek at the hotel the ladies were staying at, The Cosmopolitan (which just so happens to be one of my favorite drinks as well).

Las Vegas' newest addition to the Strip is all the rage right now. It's great location (next to Bellagio and across from Paris and Planet Hollywood) and stylish decor are sure to please any type of traveler. The Cosmopolitan boasts 52 stories and nearly 3000 rooms, and features a 100,000 square foot casino. It is also the first casino to come up with concept of Casino Cabanas, which give you a more social gambling experience.

Casino Cabana

The rooms at The Cosmopolitan are gorgeous. Even the entry level rooms (City View) are 460 square feet and have a very luxurious feel. If you can swing it, do a Wraparound Terrace. This is a 1200 square foot room, featuring a 480 square foot terrace, which wraps around the entire suite for in incredible panoramic view of the Strip. It also holds a Japanese soaking tub, and your own washer/dryer.

The Cosmopolitan has three different pool areas, each with a different vibe. The Boulevard overlooks the Strip, and has multi-level areas filled with energy and pizzaz. Bamboo is for those looking for more of a peaceful retreat. Think private, pampering and seclusion. Finally, there is the Day Club pool. By day it is like an adult beach club, and by night it becomes an extension of the nightclub. Beautiful!

Boulevard Pool

Bamboo Pool

Day Club/Marquee Pool

I know when people go to Las Vegas they like to walk around and experience as much as they can of the city, but for those that like to stay put, The Cosmopolitan offers a wide range of culinary delights:

• Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill: American comfort foods, chops and filets, sushi and sashimi
• China Poblano: Chinese/Mexican cuisine
• Comme Ca: French brasserie, handcrafted classic cocktails
• D.O.C.G.: Italian wine bar with pizza, pasta, pastries, cheese and chocolate
• Estiatorio Milos: Mediterranean cuisine with fresh seafood
• Jaleo: Spanish tapas
• STK: Celebrity hotspot steakhouse
• Scarpetta: Italian cuisine
• Va Bene Cafe: Italian coffee bar with salads, paninis and gelato
• The Henry: Tried and true dishes and drinks
• Wicked Spoon: Buffet style 

STK

There are four main bar areas as well...one for every night you're there:

• The Chandelier: A high energy hotspot which intersects art and life
• Vesper Bar: A contemporary feel with 1950's glamour - think James Bond!
• Book and Stage: A premier sports book and entertainment venue
• Bond: Combines live performances, house music and LED art

Chandelier Bar

Vesper Bar

The Cosmopolitan has also come up with a fun concept: the Pop-Up. Their last Pop-Up was a wedding chapel which encouraged passers-by to engage in a ceremony, most of them not being legal, but just for fun (I think Gretchen would have liked that!). But the newest Pop-Up is called the EA Sports Bar. It features nine different living-room style vignettes that each house different top-of-the-line video gaming equipment, so groups can hang out there playing the latest video games right on the Strip! Not my cup of tea, but sounds like Bachelor Party material to me. Can't wait to see what their next concept is!

The lobby has these unique check-in stations and hundreds of TV screens that display digital art.

Of course, there is an amazing and luxurious spa and a fabulous nightclub, run by the Tao Group, and they always have entertainment, whether it's the hippest DJ in the country or the latest band. Here is a lineup of some of the upcoming acts:

• May 12: Snow Patrol
• July 7: Foster the People
• July 27: The Fray and Kelly Clarkson
• August 16: FUN.

Check out this video that takes you on a wonderful visual tour of the hotel:

If you're like the Housewives and you'd rather hang by the pool all day than gamble, here's a little tip...rent a day bed near the pool. It's just a $75 minimum food and beverage charge (easily accomplished in Las Vegas) and you can relax in comfort all day long, retreat to your room for small catnap, then shower up and get ready for a night on the town - just as long as you avoid Gretchen's performance you're sure to have an incredible time!

Good luck and Viva Las Vegas!

Cruising ~ Spa Style

When I think of cruising I immediately think of lazy days on deck, sunning myself on the most gorgeous Caribbean beaches and food and drink to my hearts content.  A vacation fit for a queen...that is until I return home!  It's no secret that cruise vacations in the past have brought about thoughts of heavier homecomings (that endless consumption of food and drink has got to end up somewhere!), not to mention most needing a vacation from their vacation!  Not anymore!

The presence of spas on cruise ships is not necessarily a new trend. Indeed, the days of exercising in a closet size studio and maybe a beauty shop onboard that might offer an occasional hand massage are long gone!  Cruising, along with all the traditional amenities it has to offer, now offers the opportunity to invest in your well being as well.  Cruise ships are now offering their guests everything from massages and aromatherapy wraps, to steam rooms, full gym services and even some medical treatments!  The good news? It is possible to stay healthy while cruising!  Here's a few highlights of what some of the top cruise lines are offering.

Carnival Cruise Lines: Four of Carnival Cruise Lines' ships feature the 21,000-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa.  The spa spans two full decks on the forward portion of the vessel offering large picture windows for panoramic views.
Among its features are a thalassotherapy (seawater used as a therapy) pool with a glass dome, a thermal suite with climate-controlled rooms, 17 private-treatments rooms, and a full gymnasium. A private elevator connects to the 68 spa staterooms and suites.  Not to worry, the remaining ships in the Carnival fleet also offer Spa experiences.  Guests can also stay in shape with Spa Carnival's state-of-the-art exercise equipment, jogging track and aerobics classes. Each ship's spa features a staff of knowledgeable fitness experts ready to assist her guests. Spa Carnival also features a variety of beauty treatments that will have you looking and feeling your best. Services for men and women include facials, loofah treatments, manicures, pedicures, and hairstyling.

Cloud 9 Spa Suite aboard Carnival Breeze

Carnival Cloud 9 Thalassotherapy pool

Norwegian Cruise Lines operates with a fleetwide agreement with Mandara Spa, a leading operator of exotic resort spas in the world. Spa treatments reflect the beauty, spirit and traditions of Bali. Services include the Hawaiian Majesty, Bali-Press, and Four Hand massages. Exquisite treatments like the Oxygen Lifting or Japanese Silk Booster Facials nurture guests inside and out. For those special occasion evenings, you may finish your spa visit with an up-do or manicure and pedicure. NCL Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line's newest vessel, has a 31,000-square-foot Mandara Spa, reputedly the world's largest such facility afloat, with two dozen treatment rooms, private couples' villas,  two exotic steam rooms, Do It Yourself sugar or salt scrub, hydrotherapy, thermal suite, and a salon and barber shop.  She offers 39 spa suites and  balcony staterooms featuring mood lighting, circular beds and several come with whirlpool tubs.  Guests of these rooms also gain free access to spa facilities.  Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic even offers mother-daughter massages and ice cream–themed mani-pedis, proving you’re never too young to relax and rejuvenate!

Norwegian Epic Spa Suite

Spa pools aboard the Norwegian Epic

Holland America Cruise Lines:  Holland America's newest Signature Class ships feature spa staterooms, most with private balconies.  In-room amenities include yoga mats, iPod docking stations and Elemis bath products.   The Greenhouse Spa & Salon offers breathtaking views for guests as they enjoy exotic skin, body, and hair treatments ranging from hot stone massages and pedicures to hair styling and facials. Facilities include a heated ceramic lounge reminiscent of an opulent Turkish bath, therapy rooms inspired by an exotic blend of cultures, or a hydrotherapy pool bubbling with warm sea water. Whatever the service, passengers enjoy the indulgences that are a signature feature of Holland America Line cruises.

Spa Suite aboard the ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Holland America Greenhouse Spa and Salon

Fitness Center aboard the ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Disney Cruise Lines: Not just for kids anymore, Disney ships are catering to the adults as well.The Vista Spa & Salon offer some adult pampering that always leaves you wanting more. For example, onboard the Disney Magic or Disney Wonder couples may share a rejuvenating spa experience with a Vista Spa Villas Treatment. Upon arrival, couples receive a soothing foot cleansing on a private outdoor veranda. Couples then relax in a bubbling hot tub amidst the incredible ocean vistas and warm tropical breezes from this perfect perch. Following a massage or other treatment of your choice, the experience culminates with a traditional tea ceremony. Other spa treatments include an Elemis Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap, Exotic Hand Ritual with Manicure, or Marine Facial, to name a few.  Rather then wonder why you spent your adult vacation time on a Disney Vacation, you'll be highly disappointed when your cruise comes to an end.

Couples Massage room at the Disney Cruise Lines Vista Spa

Celebrity Cruise Lines:  On Celebrity's Solstice class ships, the AquaClass staterooms are located within steps of the spa.  They all come with balconies, five jet shower systems, upgraded bath products, fine linens, a healthful room service menu and spa access. Celebrity Cruises offers a two-deck AquaSpa that includes a Persian Garden aromatherapy room and Relaxation Room. In addition to deluxe manicures, mineral essential facials, and aromatherapy massage, you may also pamper yourself with a hydrotherapy spa bath, herbal steam bath in the Etruscan Chamber, or Elemis Synergistic Therapy, which combines reflexology, Shiatsu, and pressure-point massage. Or splurge for the Sensory Heaven treatments, offered exclusively on Celebrity Cruises.  A nearby specialty restaurant, Blu, features Mediterranean-influenced "clean cuisine."  Celebrity Solstice class ships are among few to offer acupuncture at sea.

Treatment room aboard Celebrity Solstice class ships

AquaSpa ~ Celebrity Cruise Lines 21,000 square foot complex

Blu Restaurant ~ serving health conscious cuisine

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines:  Not to be outdone, Royal Caribbean is one of the first lines to introduce the younger generation to the luxuries of the Spa, GenerationYSPA, a program specializing in services and treatments for teens ages 13 to 17.  Spa services include Acne Attack, an oxygen facial for problem skin, or Fabulous Fruity Facial, a massage for the face utilizing a moisturizing, organic mixture of fresh fruits. The girls take a break together to enjoy the side-by-side Mother and Daughter Paradise Massage, or smarten up the tootsies with a Sole Mate pedicure. Boot camp fitness classes get the blood pumping to prime tweens and teens for adventure. Royal Caribbean International's newest, and currently the world's largest, ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas contain the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, which includes a two-deck semi-enclosed solarium on the bow. Seating in this facility is on "islands" surrounded by burbling water, swimming pools, and whirlpools.  Opportunities aplenty to leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvinated!

Thermal Suite aboard Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas Fitness Center

The Epic, the Allure of the Seas, and all Celebrity Solstice–class ships are now offering some medical treatments as well.  Botox, acupuncture, even teeth-whitening, to name a few.  Who knows, face lifts, liposuction and tummy tucks may not be far behind.  Eat and drink to my hearts content AND return home tighter and thinner than when I left!  Now THAT'S a dream vacation!!

Until next time...