'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...

Sometimes it pays to be Square!

With the busy 'winter escape' season right around the corner, I can say with complete certainty one of the questions I get asked most often is, "What's the best deal I can get to ________?"   Although it's a completely legitimate question and a really important one too, it's kind of like walking into your doctors office, telling him you don't feel well and expecting him to give you a diagnosis without even examining you!  There's so many components and variables involved in finding the perfect vacation at a perfect price that it's basically impossible to answer that without a little investigation...unless of course you have no problem being square!

A Square Deal is a great way to have an amazing vacation experience AND save a lot of money!  Basically you pick the departure date, the destination you want to travel to, the resort rating and Apple Vacations picks the resort!  Sound scary?  Not at all, but it does have a few requirements.  You must like wonderful surprises, you must be flexible, and you must be able to handle anticipation without driving your traveling companion (and us) crazy!

Here's a little Q and A to give you a bit more info:

What exactly is a Square Deal?
Square Deals are Apple Vacations best value vacation packages and are exclusive to Apple Vacations. They feature the lowest prices you’ll find for the promised hotel Apple rating.  You choose the destination, departure date and hotel Apple rating.  You'll be informed of your hotel just prior to departure.   In return for your flexibility, you’ll save hundreds! 

When you choose a Golden Apple Square Deal, you can be assured that you have made a great choice, because Golden Apple Hotels are selected by Apple Vacationers for consistently exceeding their expectations.  No matter when you plan to travel, Apple Vacations has Square Deal Savings for you.

Are there different types of Square Deals?

Yes, there are.

6 Apple Plus Square Deal:  When only the best will do! Luxurious accommodations, upscale amenities and personalized services.

6 Apple Square Deal:  Deluxe resort offering high standards and a wide variety of dining and guest amenities.

5 Apple Square Deal:  Superior first-class hotel with quality accommodations and guest services.

4 Apple Square Deal: First-class resort hotel or condo with a good selection of guest services.

Can I request a specific hotel? 

Because of the nature of Square Deals, no special requests may be made including a preferred hotel, location or room type.  Hotel Brand loyalists will love Apple Vacations Branded Square Deals, where you'll be guaranteed of staying at a hotel belonging to a specified hotel chain. 

When do I find out which hotel I will be staying at?
In departure gateways where there are Apple Representatives, you will be informed of your hotel when you arrive at the departure airport. Take this opportunity to inform family members and friends where you will be staying prior to leaving the States. In departure gateways where an Apple Vacations Representative is not at the airport you will be informed of your hotel one business day prior to departure. This procedure also applies to any scheduled air or land only Square Deals.

What if I don't like the hotel that has been chosen for me?
If you are unhappy with the hotel that has been selected, your Apple Representative will work with you to offer an alternative choice. The cost to change hotel will be at your expense and will be payable to the Apple Destination Management Representative in destination. Please remember that due to the special negotiated pricing of the Square Deal, the cost to change hotels in destination may be substantial. 

How do I know if a Square Deal is right for me?
If you answer yes to the following questions, a Square Deal is a good choice for you!
      1.  Are you looking for unbeatable value? 
      2.  Do you understand what types of hotels are included in each Apple rating and will you be 
           happy with your vacation as long as your hotel meets the criteria in that rating level? 
      3.  Can you wait until departure to find out where you’ll will be staying? 

If you answer yes to the following questions, you may want to consider booking a traditional Apple Vacation.
      1.  Do you want to stay at a particular resort or location in destination? 
      2.  Do you have special needs or requests? For example, you should not book a Square Deal if 
          you are disabled or require handicapped accessibility or room accommodations. 
      3.  Are you traveling with a group on multiple reservations? Square Deal hotels may change
           at any time. We cannot guarantee multiple bookings on any given arrival will be 
           accommodated at the same hotel.

The moral of the story is, although the definition of what a 'travel deal' is has changed quite drastically in the last few years, there are still plenty of ways to find good vacation values today.  Our Escape Artists are passionate about finding ways to help you travel for less money, yet give you the vacation experience you deserve!

Until next time...