Kind of in a rush to get to work this a.m. so I’m not going to say much except here’s a video on what the brand new SLS Playa Mujeres looks like…it was supposed to be a Melia property (Paradisus Playa Mujeres) but that never opened, so here’s what it looks like with new owners.
Any fans of the Iberostar resort complex in the Riviera Maya? It’s a mega-resort with five separate all-inclusives; where you book will determine which other resorts you can access. For those who aren’t familiar with the property, there are almost 2,000 rooms, 20+ restaurants, more than a dozen pools, two spas, two gyms, and a small shopping mall across the road from the resorts. There is a lazy river, wave pool, and a newer water park for those who want some water fun opportunities during vacation.
FYI: As of 11/16/24, Marriott has listed the projected opening timeline to be Jan. 2025; however, I was unable to make a booking in either Jan. or Feb. 2025, so it may be after Jan. 2025 before the resort reopens.
I’ve never run across this before–a well-known and respected resort brand sells a property to another chain brand and then buys it back several years later…This appears to be what happened with Grand Oasis Tulum Riviera, an all-inclusive resort located between Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort and the Bahia Principe mega-resort just north of Tulum. This resort used to be known as Grand Oasis Tulum (owned by Oasis Hotels and Resorts), then became an AMR Collection resort called Sunscape Akumal (AMR resorts include Secrets, Dreams, etc., Sunscape is a cheaper family-friendly option in comparison to Dreams resorts). Apparently Hyatt has sold it back to Oasis. Hmmm…if anyone knows the inner workings of this transaction please let us all know.
Bad news for those wanting to stay at Armar House Cancun…For those who don’t know, this used to be ME Cancun, then Melody Maker.
Rebranded Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe, photo courtesy of El Sureste
I recently posted about the all-inclusive resorts closest to Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Here’s a closer look at one of them within easy walking distance to Playa del Carmen’s famous 5th Ave.–the family-friendly re-branded resort called Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen.
I almost forgot to post about this piece of news. Now Emerald Cancun resort will be closing Aug. 1, 2023 for 10-12 months to do a complete renovation. It is expected to open summer 2024. Renovations will consist of a new building housing 118 new guest rooms, adding a theater, gym, and steakhouse restaurant, and completely renovating pretty much everything else on the property. I anticipate there will be no major changes to the main pool area, perhaps just retiling since everything else will be updated.
It looks like Royal Resorts (a major vacation club/timeshare company in Mexico) has been totally incorporated into Holiday Inn Club Vacations and gotten rid of a few more Cancun resorts.
