Posts Tagged ‘Mexico’

By Dian Hasan | December 4, 2009

Mexico has been developing its modern tourism for a good few decades, securely placing itself as among the world’s most formidable travel destinations. The lessons Mexico has learned from the inception of building cookie-cutter highrise hotels with little character in Cancun and Acapulco, in the 1960s and 1970s, has now evolved into a new approach.

Hotels, and notably the resorts, that are more eco-oriented, place-specific, with a more distinctive cultural and design statement. The end result are hotels that are generally low-rise, have fewer rooms, and blend in with their immediate environment.

Riviera Maya, a resort development south of Cancun, along Mexico’s Caribbean coast is one case in point. And the chic Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya exemplifies this new breed of hotels impeccably.

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By Dian Hasan | December 4, 2009

Mexico has been developing its modern tourism for a good few decades, securely placing itself as among the world’s most formidable travel destinations. The lessons Mexico has learned from the inception of building cookie-cutter highrise hotels with little character in Cancun and Acapulco, in the 1960s and 1970s, has now evolved into a new approach.

Hotels, and notably the resorts, that are more eco-oriented, place-specific, with a more distinctive cultural and design statement. The end result are hotels that are generally low-rise, have fewer rooms, and blend in with their immediate environment.

Riviera Maya, a resort development south of Cancun, along Mexico’s Caribbean coast is one case in point. And the chic Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya exemplifies this new breed of hotels impeccably.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Dian Hasan | December 5, 2009

Every great city is defined – to a degree – by its urban park, and how it’s woven into the urban fabric that gives the city its distinctive identify.

Commonly located at the center of its core, urban parks play a significant role in providing traffic-choked cities with much-needed green lungs. As well as recreation, sporting and cultural venues for residents and visitors alike.  Read the rest of this entry »

By Dian Hasan | October 8, 2009

As Coqui Coqui becomes a household name of personalized spa and hotel experience among travel cognoscenti in Mexico’s southeastern states of Yucatán and Quintana Roo, the owners, Argentinian Model & Hotelier Nicolas Malleville and Francesca Bonato add another Coqui Coqui to make a trio. This time in Cobá, still within the sacred land of the mighty Mayans, promising yet a different experience that share a common bond with the other Coqui Coqui sister Spa Hotel properties in Valladolid and Tulum.

These two beau monde members have definitely succeeded in creating the perfect sanctuary, instilling an aura of bohemian grandeur to the premises and an air of tranquility through their sublime Spas.

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By Dian Hasan | September 5, 2009

The sleepy little town of Valladolid in Yucatán is home to a world-class citizen unbeknownst to many. Nicolas Malleville, a male super model originally from Argentina who has festooned fashion spreads across the fashion world of Europe, has secretly pursued a side career as hotelier. His first property Casa de los Frailes (House of the Friars) is a delightful little Spa and Inn in a former old colonial house. It also serves as a the main showcase of his line of Coqui Coqui Perfumes, and Café de Los Frailes Tea and Coffee Room. Located directly across from the San Bernardino Monastery near Valladolid’s main plaza. It is at once historic as it is chic.

The laid-back style has captivated a close circle of travelers, and Nicolas has grown his little hotel empire, including Coqui Coqui Tulum, and Coqui Coqui Coba, while more are on the drawing boards, including Cordoba (Argentina), and Grimaldi (Italy). (all photos by Todd Selby)

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It seems that these days, anything related to the pursuit of the modern lifestyle is reason enough to travel. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit. And if you want to get back in shape, AND get back into those bikini, a Bikini Bootcamp in Tulum, south of Cancun, Mexico awaits.

Bikini Bootcamp is a 6 night program open to both men and women (max 22 per group), held on a beautiful, remote beach of Tulum, at Amansala eco-chic boutique resort in Tulum. So pack those bikinis… and your will power, and hop on over to Mexico!

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By Dian Hasan | September 17, 2009

A group of avid kayakers from around the world. Photo: Kayak Huasteca

Travel is heavily influenced by the type of experience we seek. It can leave a lasting impression. Increasingly, as people become more travel savvy – thanks to the internet where you can look up “anyplace, anywhere, anytime” – travelers are becoming more creative and demand unique travel experiences that are more engaging, in line with their interests and personal passions. So how about experiencing sunny Mexico from a completely different vantage point? From a Kayak!

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Are you looking for sunshine in the wet and cold winter months? Want to paddle some warm water and run fun waterfalls? Check out some Mexican culture far away from tourists? Enjoy great hospitality and authentic Mexican food? Don’t want to worry about shuttling logistics or about convincing an airline attendant to check in your boat as skis? Make your way to the Huasteca region in San Luis Potosi and let Leland and Andria of Brushy Mountain Publishing and the Huasteca Secreta staff take care of the details! This was our first all-arranged paddling trip and it has set rather high standards and expectations for future ones.

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When you visit the Mayan ruins in and around Merida, you may wonder why anyone would think the world will come to an end, when the ancient race's calendar runds out on Dec 1, 2012. Photo: Allan Ryan

The Mayan calendar might end on Dec. 21, 2012, but we’re not buying into the notion that the world will, too.

But, just in case …

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