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EL DORADO ROYALE, SPA RESORT

Author: Jul 18

If you are planning a trip to Cancun-Riviera Maya, this is not only a fantastic hotel, but to participate in this extravaganza, will certainly provide memories to last a lifetime.  I have stayed at this property and its other ‘sister’ properties, and they certainly know how to do it right.

 

 

 

 

El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort, by Karisma Selected as Official Host Hotel of the 2013 Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival

 

Gourmet Inclusive Resort to Host Festival’s 30+ World Renowned Chefs, Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations, and Wine Tasting Events

 

MIAMI (July 18, 2012)—El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma, Mexico’s premier, Gourmet Inclusive beachfront resorts in the Riviera Maya, today announced that El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort, by Karisma has been selected as official host hotel of the 2013 Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival (CRMWFF).  Recognized by the CRMWFF for its superior culinary commitment, El Dorado Royale will host celebrity chefs, notables and VIPs as well as the Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations and a series of wine tastings during the event, taking place March 14-17, 2013.

 

“We are thrilled to name El Dorado Royale host hotel of next year’s Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival,” said David Amar, founder of the Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival.  “The resort, which affords guests the best in food and service as a part of its Gourmet Inclusive vacations, aligns perfectly with our commitment to provide an unforgettable gastronomic experience.  Not only does El Dorado Royale offer gourmet a la carte meals, premium wine selections, sommeliers at every restaurant, chef’s tables and 24 hour service, it is also home to the destination’s largest Greenhouse, a 100,000 square-foot facility that impresses locals, discerning gourmands, and world-class chefs alike.”

 

The 2013 Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival will build off last year’s wonderfully successful fete, which showcased 30 of the best chefs in the Americas and attracted more than 3,000 guests.  As a part of the 2012 event, Azul Sensatori Hotel – a sister property of El Dorado Royale – hosted VIPs and top sponsors at Le Chique for a one-of-a-kind 12-course “Author’s Dinner.”  Created by Chef Jonatan Gomez Luna, one of Ferran Adrià’s disciples who develops his own creative cuisine using local ingredients, the “Author’s Dinner” beautifully exemplifies the elevated experience offered with any Gourmet Inclusive vacation.

 

This a sampling of events at this year’s Festival will include: Networking Lunch, Star Chefs Panel: The Future of Cuisine, Star Chefs the Americas Tribute Dinner, A Taste of Europe: Gala

Dinner Tribute to Massimo Bottura, Celebrity Chef Yacht Cruise and exclusive lunch cooked for 50 VIPs by Chef Massimo Bottura, the American Express Gourmet Tasting Village to delight guest’s palate with signature dishes from the 20 best restaurants of Cancun & Riviera Maya plus gourmet foods, wines, spirits, family fun cooking classes and entertainment, and a Closing Fiesta celebrating Mexico’s culinary contributions to the world.

 

Jeroen Hanlo, vice president of food & beverage for El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma, brought to life the renowned Gourmet Inclusive concept and is credited with incorporating this world-class event into the overall culinary vision at El Dorado Royale.

 

Hanlo said, “This is what the Gourmet Inclusive concept is all about: having the finest gastronomic experiences brought to you by the leaders of the world of food and wine.  Our culinary team is thrilled to be part of these world-class experiences, which you can taste even after the event throughout our properties.”

 

El Dorado Royale, as host hotel, will present the hugely popular wine tasting events, taking place four times daily on Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15.  Catering to an affluent audience of aficionados, each seminar will spotlight a notable wine and/or spirits label and offer insights from key influencers.  On the following days, El Dorado Royale will turn its focus to cuisine, hosting the Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations, a series of nine fan-favorite events featuring one to four chefs at a time, which will include exciting team competitions with 20 star chefs such as Avant-Garde

Chef Massimo Bottura.

 

“We are delighted to be chosen as host hotel of the Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival,” said Mandy Chomat, vice president of sales & marketing for Premier Worldwide Marketing, the worldwide representative of El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels.  “The Gourmet Inclusive experience at El Dorado Royale will be an ideal complement to this gourmet extravaganza.  We invite discerning travelers, chefs, sommeliers, and industry influencers to celebrate with us in March and in the months leading up to this spectacular event when we present one-of-a-kind culinary programs in anticipation of the Festival.”

 

Located beachfront in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma, is an adults-only Gourmet Inclusive property offering exceptional food and service.  El Dorado Royale features seven Gourmet Inclusive restaurants, including a “culinary theater” where dishes are prepared in one of five open kitchens.  The resort also boasts 15 bars and lounges serving premium alcoholic beverages, including bar specializing in martinis, bars with swings, beach bars, and nine swim-up bars.

 

El Dorado Royale is home to a 100,000-square-feet Greenhouse, the Riviera Maya’s only facility of this magnitude as well.  A part of its overall commitment to sustainability, the Greenhouse, which celebrated its first harvest in August 2009, produces 120 tons of crops and provides fresh produce to its collection of eight sister properties within the El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma collections.  What’s more, the Greenhouse supplies herbs and vegetables to three high-profile neighboring resorts that consider its produce the freshest in the region.  Now in its sixth harvest, the greenhouse grows a variety of hydroponic vegetables and herbs, including cucumbers, bell peppers, chilies, basil, and mint.  Guests are invited to taste the Greenhouse’s fresh vegetables and herbs and participate in interactive tours and cooking seminars.

 

With the Gourmet Inclusive experience, El Dorado Royale offers indulgent pampering with unparalleled personal services such as champagne and smoothie check-ins, full-service concierge, 24-hour room service, world-class chefs, gourmet cuisine served a la carte and sommeliers who suggest perfect pairings from private label wine sections.

 

Guests can enjoy up to 35 percent off regular rates of $227 per person, for travel until December 22, 2012 with the Summer Splash promotion.  Booking code SSP.   Hotel reservations can be booked through a GI Vacation Consultant, or by calling  1-866-527-4762, or by visiting www.karismahotels.com.

 

For more information about El Dorado Royale’s culinary programs and CRMWFF packages, visit www.karismahotels.com.  For more information about the Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival, visit www.crmfest.com.

 

About El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma

El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma are a premier hotel collection operating properties throughout the Riviera Maya, Mexico, where guests savor a Gourmet Inclusive experience that fosters togetherness. Karisma’s growing portfolio is comprised of El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma; El Dorado Casitas Royale by Karisma; El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma; and El Dorado Maroma, A Beachfront Resort, by Karisma; Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma; Azul Sensatori Hotel by Karisma; Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma; and Azul Villa Carola by Karisma.  Properties have been honored with the industry’s top accolades including, Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World,” Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List,” Forbes’ “Top 10 Most Romantic Hotels,” Travel Weekly’s “Readers Choice Awards,” “Green Hotel/Resort,” and “Best Loyalty Program”; TUI Travel PLC’s “Hotel of the Year,” “Gold Medal,” and “Green Medal”, TripAdvisor® Traveler’s Choice “Best Hotels for Romance,” and AAA’s “Four Diamond Award.”  Karisma has received worldwide recognition for its creative approach to hospitality management and product innovations including resorts with swim-up suites, Infinity balcony pools, beach butlers and cash-free transactions. Premier Worldwide Marketing is the exclusive worldwide sales and marketing representative for Karisma Hotels & Resorts.  www.karismahotels.com

 

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Media contacts:  Jenn Wade, Alexandra McClure, Courtney Finley, Danielle Mayer, or Brittany Pass at Glodow Nead Communications,  415.394.6500, alexandra@glodownead.com.

 

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Don’t Ambush Your Wedding Planner!!

Author: May 24

To all the engaged couples planning a wedding!!  Saw this article in the Huffington Post and while hilarious, it certainly provides some serious advice on how best to work with your Wedding Planner.  This article covers the basics of planning a destination wedding, but the information below is one that works across the board.  Planning a wedding outside of the country or staying home.  As always information is key to have a smooth and successful day, when working with your Service Providers.

So read, smile and know that this is valuable advice from Sandy Malone, owner of Weddings in Vieques.

 

Don’t Ambush Your Wedding Planner

Posted: 05/22/2012 5:39 pm

You’d think I would claim to have “seen everything” after planning more than 400 weddings on Vieques Island in theCaribbean. Not so. I never cease to be amazed by the things that come my way. My clients have ranged from Puerto Rican royalty to Wu Tang Clan lookalikes from the West Coast. Some weekends I feel like I could be a character in a reality show called “Ambush Your Wedding Planner.” Sort of a post-millennium “Candid Camera” where you throw insane scenarios at a wedding planner to see how she’s going to react. But here’s the thing — if something dramatic is going to happen at your wedding and I know about it in advance, I’m totally ready for it.
A wedding planner’s job is to make sure your special event runs smoothly no matter what. That’s a challenge here on Vieques Island where nothing meets the standard of “normal” and where getting anything done on a timeline is nearly impossible. Everyone (and everything) that comes to Vieques Island for a wedding takes either two boats or two airplanes to get here. It rarely arrives on time, and it’s often not what we expected when it gets here. Sometimes that includes the clients and their wedding guests.

I facilitate events and manage guests as necessary (answering questions, helping schedule activities, etc.). Sometimes I’m a bouncer (no, children are not invited and no, just because you ignored the “adults only” instruction on the invitation for the whole weekend that doesn’t mean we’re going to let your children join the festivities), sometimes I’m a therapist (blended families can make for interesting weekends and I will not let your intoxicated grandmother beat up the MoH/your sister at your welcome party), and sometimes I’m a security guard (picture 15 unsupervised little boys eyeballing a giant tower of cupcakes before the bride has even arrived at the reception venue). My goal is to give you the perfect wedding, whatever it takes.

So why would anybody choose to ambush their wedding planner instead of preparing her for the insanity that is their family for their wedding weekend? It’s important for me to know if there are problem children, alcoholic parents, un-medicated bipolar relatives, and other potential dramas, or giant secrets to be revealed to your family during your wedding weekend. My all-time favorite surprise moment took place at a wedding rehearsal three years ago when I had to tell the Jewish mother-of-the bride that her daughter was a witch and that her wedding officiant was a Wiccan priest. To her credit, the MOB postponed the anticipated stroke, pulled herself together and made it through the wedding weekend with poise. But was that necessary? Couldn’t that information have been imparted to me prior to their arrival at the wedding destination? What made the bride think that I was the appropriate messenger for something like this?

On the glass is half-full end, disasters have often been averted by alerting me and my team ahead of time to potential madness and drama. We’ve removed relatives from numerous events when they were “over-served” and needed a safe escort to their accommodations. We’ve “escorted” cousins, moms, dads, sisters and on one occasion the groom, upon the bride’s request. If I know the situation is likely to occur and how you want it handled if/when it does happen, I can take care of the problem in a smooth manner that won’t attract attention and detract from your big day. No one has to poop on your party to ask you whether it’s okay to take the guest out the back door because we already know what to do.

You don’t have to be BFFs with your wedding planner to loop her in on the things that are going to make your wedding weekend stressful. You just need to understand that, like a doctor, she can’t diagnose and fix the problem if you don’t tell her where the problem is. I often remind people that we are event planners, not magicians. We can’t read clients’ minds, although we’d like to.

Until next time, happy wedding planning from Weddings in Vieques and Weddings in Culebra!

Sandy Malone – Owner of Wedding in Vieques

GET UPDATES FROM SANDY MALONE

Sandy Malone is the owner of Weddings in Vieques, a full-service destination wedding planning company based on Vieques Island, seven miles off the coast of Puerto Rico. She and her team (including her husband Bill, a retired SWAT team commander) have planned and executed almost 400 weddings in the Spanish Virgin Islands. Sandy is a veteran event planner from Washington, DC, with years of experience planning large and small weddings, press conference, and corporate and political events. She has planned countless events on Vieques Island, beginning with her own wedding back in 2004. Since that time, her professional staff has executed large and small weddings of all styles, including elopements, vow renewals and fabulously posh events at multi-million dollar waterfront villas. She has also planned family reunions, destination baby showers, corporate retreats and a variety of other events for clients from all over the United States and Canada. Sandy is also the owner of Weddings in Culebra (wedding planning on Vieques’ little sister island) and Flowers in Vieques (a full service floral and décor firm).

 

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THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS – Memories of a Lifetime

Author: May 17

It is a sincere pleasure and delight to bring you these wonderful offerings from the British Virgin Islands.  A destination that set the bar on all things romance.  As the promotion says, it is 60 Islands – One unforgettable Experience and as one who have spent an enormous amount of time in this destination, you really have to see it to believe.

 
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WINNER OF MARRYCARIBBEAN CONTEST TO GET MARRIED IN NEW YORK

Author: May 14

FANTASY TO BECOME REALTY FOR COUPLE SAYING “I DO” AT  CARIBBEAN WEDDING DURING CARIBBEAN WEEK IN NEW YORK

~ Couple to exchange vows in romantic wedding at Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall in wedding organised by CTO and MarryCaribbean.com  ~

 

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (14 May, 2012)  For John Gordon Andre Millard and Tricialouise Gurley, a Caribbean wedding has been a fantasy. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Marry Caribbean (www.marrycaribbean.com) are about to take the couple – whose first meeting was virtual – from the land of make-believe and turn their fantasy into reality.

Millard, from Montreal, Canada, and Gurley, from Baltimore, Maryland, USA, will say “I do” in a “live” romantic Caribbean Wedding during Caribbean Week in New York next month. The two, who met on the internet dating site, www.eharmony.com in July 2011, were selected after a contest promoted onwww.MarryCaribbean.com, the internet’s most complete listing of Caribbean destination wedding and honeymoon resources.   Couples were required to write an essay about how they met and why the Caribbean was their dream honeymoon destination.

“Getting married is both a goal and a dream that John and I are looking forward to, and the thought of spending our honeymoon in the Caribbean is a fantasy we share at the moment,” Ms. Gurley wrote. “I am hoping  you would see fit to choose me as this year’s candidate so that John and I can fulfill our dream of happily ever after.”

For the two, “happily ever after” begins when they exchange vows in a live Caribbean wedding at Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal on Wednesday 6 June. Thousands of New Yorkers and visitors to the “Big Apple” are expected to witness the ceremony – the romantic element of the Caribbean Travel and Cultural Fair, Wedding & Vacation Mart organized by the CTO’s New York office. The wedding is also being planned by Marry Caribbean.

“Ms. Guyley and Mr. Millard are in love, they are excited, and they are looking forward to this event.  The exuberance, the graciousness, the excitement, the many thanks were punctuated by screams of delight when they received the good news,” said Jacqueline Johnson, the president and CEO of Global Bridal Group (www.GlobalBridalGroup.com), the parent company of  http://www.MarryCaribbean.com.

The vows will be administered by Judge Sam Walker, while the Master of Ceremonies will be Mar Jennings, the lifestyle expert, author and Fox TV host.

The Caribbean Wedding is being supported by:

1888MyTuxes.com                                                                -  Tuxedo for the Groom

Steve Lang, CEO, Mon Cheri, LLC                               –   Gown for the bride

Abena Amory-Powell                                                        -  Soloist by St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Anguilla Tourist Board                                                    -  Officiant (Judge Sam Walker)

Brenda O’Neal of This Ring Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Travel Agency

British Virgin Islands                                                      -  Flowers  

Hermian Fraser                                                                  -  Make up & hair

Jamaica Tourist Board                                                  -  Anniversary trip (Jewels Dunns River Resort & Spa

                                                                                                           Spa/Island routes Lovers Rock Catamaran Cruise)

 Marry Caribbean/CaribbeanWeddingAssociation      - Day of wedding activities/gifts

GrayCliff Hotel & Restaurant                                 – Cigars/Gift Basket

St. Kitts                                                                                - Honeymoon & Cake (Marriott Hotel & American Airlines)

Curacao                                                                              -  Photographer

 

The wedding ceremony begins at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, 6 June, 2011, however, the Fair runs from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

For more information on the Caribbean Wedding, the Caribbean Travel and Cultural Fair, Wedding and Vacation Mart, or for the full Caribbean Week in New York programme, visit www.caribbeanweekny.com.

Caribbean Week in New York is sponsored by: Anguilla, Barbados,  Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Islands, Cititech Solutions, David Williams Funeral Home, Fine Fare Supermarket (233rd Street, Bronx) Global Bridal Group/MarryCaribbean.com, Golden Krust, Grace Foods, Invest Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, The Wall Street Journal, and World Travel Market, World Travel Market Latin America.  Sponsorship opportunities are available.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization 

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in Barbados and marketing operations in New York, London and Toronto, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency and comprises membership of over 30 member governments and a myriad of private sector entities.

The CTO’s mission is to provide to and through its members, the services and information needed for the development of sustainable tourism for the economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people.  The organization provides specialized support and technical assistance to member countries in the areas of marketing, human resource development, research and statistics, information technology and sustainable tourism development.  The CTO disseminates information on behalf of its member governments to consumers and the travel trade.

The CTO’s New York office is located at 80 Broad St., Suite 3200, New York, NY 10004, USA: Tel: (212) 635-9530; Fax: (212) 635-9511; E-mail:ctony@caribtourism.com; CTO’s London office is located at The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, England. Tel: 011 44 208 948 0057; Fax: 011 44 208 948 0067; E-mail: ctolondon@caribtourism.com; CTO Headquarters is located at One Financial Place, Collymore Rock, St, Michael, Barbados; Tel: (246) 427-5242; Fax: (246) 429-3065; E-mail: ctobarbados@caribtourism.com. For more information, please visit www.caribbeantravel.com or www.onecaribbean.org. Get the latest CTO updates on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ctotourism. Connect with CTO on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CaribbeanTourismOrganization.

 

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UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS – No Passport Needed!

Author: Mar 07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I must confess that I love the United States Virgin Islands.  For those who are not familiar with this destination – it should be definitely on your ‘bucket’ list.  There are three Islands, and I will give a very, very brief overview of all three.  However for more information visit: http://www.visitusvi.com

St.Thomas:  The shopping mecca of the Caribbean.  To me there is nothing like Main Street or the Waterfront – the display of jewelry, perfume, and everything in between.  Great prices, great food and a good mix of hotels from the elegant to the casual – something for every budget.

St. Croix: Less populated, more land mass but another fabulous island.  Calm gentle waters, mountains, history, this island has it all.  A very diverse grouping of hotels – in every price range.  Great golfing for those who are so inclined.

St.John: Two thirds of this seriously romantic island is a National Park.  The view, the fauna/flowers and some of the most spectacular beaches in the world.  This island should be on your ‘to do’ list.  From St.Thomas a very short trip on the ferry.

My favorite! I love all three as they are very different.  Much to see and do, lots to shop for at fabulous prices, some of the best beaches and crystal clear water – you will ever find in the Caribbean.

For your wedding: you do not need a passport and you can get married almost immediately.  Anyone of the major hotels can pull this together for you in no time.  There are also lots of independent wedding services providers who are some of the best in the bridal industry.

Recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ms. Lorena Leonard – the The Romance & Special Events Director at the famed Bolongo Bay Beach resort located on St. Thomas. Contact info. – Email: lleonard@bolongobay.com – phone (340)693-2618 - http://www.bolongobay.com.   To say she is passionate about the business of weddings, is truly an understatement.  She worries about every detail, she fixes and attends to all details, anticipating any problems and solving it before you notice.

Upon arrival at the Bolongo Bay Resort, Lorena makes it a priority to greet all her arriving engaged couples.  You are never left to wonder where is my wedding planner – and what is the next step.  She knows your flight information, she calculates when you should arrive at the hotel, and she is there to personally welcome you.  And that is where the service  begins.

Once you check in at this very laid back resort, you can leave your suite and stroll the beach, but I am sure you will most likely end your evening at the famous Iggies Beach Bar and Grill.  This is the gathering place for everyone, including the locals.  The spareribs are great, the drinks – just right and you can sit outside on the many comfort zones that are strategically placed on the brilliant white sand, or simply sit at the covered outdoor restaurant and tap your feet to the pulsating music.  You may want to finish the evening/night with a karaoke rendition of your favorite song/s.

Lorena will greet you again the next day to go over the wedding package that you have chosen, (many price point packages are offered) and to show you location of the event, and all details.  She is truly passionate about your special day and will move heavens and earth to make sure you are satisfied.  Most popular locales – sunset at the beach: getting married on a catamaran or whatever you both can dream up.  Satisfaction is the end result – and it is delivered!

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort prides itself on being a family owned property known for its service – hence the high repeat guests.  Honestly, at this resort you really feel like you are home.  Everyone treats you like family and you lack nothing, and of course they consider themselves the most entertaining resort in the Caribbean.  

 

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