Andy James, co- owner of James TravelPOINTS, an American Express Representative office established in 1957, recently visited the Iberostar Paraiso Grand All-Inclusive Adults Only Luxury Resort located south of Cancun Mexico along the Riviera Maya.

The Iberostar Grand Paraiso, is a unique contrast among its other branded peer properties situated on the same complex.  As you enter the gates and drive past the other Iberostar resort properties (Paraiso Beach, Paraiso Del Mar, Paraiso Lindo, Paraiso Maya) you will notice this beautiful large complex.  The Paraiso Beach & Del Mar are aimed for the budget minded all-inclusive guest.  Both properties provide standard dining amenities.

The Lindo claims to be a 5 star property, but it’s my opinion to be more of a nice 3 ½ – 4 star family friendly hotel.  It appears to be a party atmosphere  with over sized pools and beautifully landscaped gardens. The main pool, the wave pool, the lazy river pool all connect  to a large swim up bar.  Music and entertainment is always “on-tap” with many activities available all day.  The pools are large and great to swim in, but it can be noisy and alive.

The Mayan, a nice intimate  property. I would consider this property to be a 4 star property. The Mayan  has its own unique features and is very family friendly but  seems to be quieter than the Lindo.  Both the Lindo and Mayan have a good selection of  restaurants and bars from buffets to ala-carte dining.   The hotel staff  is friendly, helpful and ready to serve you.

The Grand Paraiso, the “Parthenon” of the Iberostar complex,  is  a true 5 star adult’s only exclusive property, geared toward sophisticated quiet adult relaxation.   Guests staying at the Grand have multiple dining options and privileges at the other four properties as well.  Guests staying at any of the other three properties DO NOT have privileges at the Grand Paraiso it’s exclusive to  Grand guest only.

The Grand Paraiso is luxurious.  As you enter the lobby you will notice a large indoor terrarium in the center.   Surrounding the terrarium,  is a nice lobby lounge bar. This bar plays soft music during the evening hours, and is a nice quiet intimate  evening get-away.  Other guest amenities include a computer room, billiards/game room and a cigar bar.  As you pass through the lobby you’ll experience  modern spacious hallways en-route to your private room. Each floor  has its own concierge, who is ready to set up your dining reservations, excursions or activities.  The Grand Paraiso rooms are spacious and contemporary with a separate sitting room and outdoor patio.  In your luxury room, you’ll find a  comfortable bed with beautiful linens, a fully stocked mini bar with snacks which are included and stocked daily and  a nice flat screen T.V. with all cable channels you need.  To accommodate your clothing attire, there are  2 large separate closets and plenty of drawer space.  The bathrooms are large with a walk in shower, large whirlpool  tub, toilet and two separate vanity sinks.

The Grand Parasio has all the modern conveniences and exclusive privacy the resort touts.  It’s luxury and it is quite.   You’ll find a large Spa which includes  a 20 meter indoor pool and exercise room.  Other pools on the property include a large “quite pool” where lounge chairs and guests are spaced for intimate conversation and relaxations in a manicure  landscaped setting.   The largest pool approximately 100 meters in length is a “salt water” pool with a refreshing swim up bar.  This  pool has great views of the ocean with plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas.  The ocean is only a short walk away on a beautiful stretch of beach.  From your lounge chair under a palapa, on the beach you’ll find staff members ready to take your drink or snack order.   The ocean is a beautiful turquoise color and is a mild temperature. Swimming is a must and quite refreshing.  The ocean surf is mild and the bottom is sandy.  Snorkeling is not great in this area, you’ll need to go to Akumal for some this.

For all Iberostar guests who want more than sitting on the beach or lounging around sipping a tropical drink, there is a 18-hole golf course, 8 tennis courts, miles of walking paths and a shopping complex on site.  Most guests are content spending their vacation absorbing the sun and relaxing.

The Grand Paraiso has 6 restaurants on the property and all are very good.  The service is top notch and dining reservations are recommended.  There are 5  ala carte restaurants and 1 international buffet.  A nice house wine selection is included with the meals in all the restaurants.

How would I rate the Grand Paraiso.

It’s exceptional, a true 5 Star property with originality over conformity. This luxury all-inclusive resort has a refreshing array of character and ambience and it is big.  The Grand Paraiso  brings the highest standards without being standard.  They have a nice variety of dining and guest service amenities which are unique and distinctive.  This is the kind of hotel you can lavish and pamper yourself and guest with, if you can afford it.

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Ko Olina, Oahu’s Hawaii is a fairly new destination resort offers a fun alternative to Honolulu.   In early October, Jan Geiser a 35 plus year travel consultant at James TravelPOINTS vacationed in Oahu Hawaii with her husband were they stayed at the luxury J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa.  

Prior visits included the neighbor islands, so this trip we opted to stay solely on the island of Oahu, the “Heart of Hawaii”.  In Denver, we boarded our nonstop flight to Honolulu.  United Airlines offers daily wide-body service to Honolulu.  Upon our early afternoon arrival in Honolulu, we rented our Hertz car.  Our destination was Ko Olina.  Ko Olina, Oahu’s newest destination resort, is just a short, easy 20 minute drive from the Honolulu Airport.  “From secluded lagoons and exciting adventures to championship golf and undersea panoramas, Ko Olina offers a neighbor island-style getaway without leaving Oahu”.  Our hotel was the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa.  After brief check-in procedures, we were escorted to our partial ocean view room.  Our accommodations were very spacious and well-appointed.  The size of the room was the equivalent of a Jr. Suite in many hotels.  Our room included a walk-in closet and over-size bathroom with an European-style bathtub.  The lanai was furnished with a table and padded , adjustable chairs.  The view of the ocean and subsequently, the sunsets, was magnificent. 

The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa is regarded for its award-winning cuisine and amenities.  We shared a romantic dinner for two at the Azul Restaurant.  This restaurant has an excellent reputation and the food and service were exquisite.  The Naupaka Terrace, an alternate dining venue,  is open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, offers regional cuisine and also, themed buffets.  We enjoyed many morning and evening walks skirting the 4 lagoons that comprise the resort of Ko Olina.  The pristine lagoon  surrounded by white sand directly in front of our hotel was complemented by an azure sky and view of the Wai’anae Mountains.  The pool offered view of the oceans.  The award-winning Ihilani Spa provides an oasis of tranquility.  Its treatments aim to soothe your soul and experience harmony of mind, body, and spirit.  A brochure of numerous services and treatments is available.  My spa choice was the Deluxe Thalasso Therapy with  color and aqua essences.  It was, as promised, a sensory, therapeutic experience for the body, mind, and spirit.  I was a new person in less than 30 minutes.  Next time a half day of treatments sounds like heaven on earth!  It was difficult to leave our resort, even for a day.  We did take a drive to the North Shore one day.  The beauty and quaintness of the “other” Oahu are definitely missed by many visitors to the island.  We enjoyed lunch in Haleiwa at Jameson’s by the Sea.  We returned to Ko Olina driving through fields of pineapples.

 All too soon, it was time to leave paradise found in Ko Olina.  We spent the last few days of our vacation in Honolulu.  This vibrant city has much to offer — culture, sights, beautiful Waikiki Beach, dining options for any palate, and of course, shopping.  My husband’s birthday was celebrated in style at the 5 star restaurant, La Mer, located in the Halekulani Hotel.  Our oceanfront table enabled us to experience a breathtaking sunset.  The dinner was superb and the service was impeccable.  Our remaining days were spent walking and relaxing on Waikiki Beach and swimming in the ocean.  We did a little shopping at the International MarketPlace and also, at the boutiques and shops located on Kalakau Avenue.  Evenings were quite pleasant for outdoor dining at numerous ocean side restaurants. It is difficult to put into words the beauty of the islands.  The sights,  the flowers and fragrance, and the “Aloha” lifestyle all contribute to the unique destination of Hawaii.  If you are planning a trip to the island of Hawaii, please call me.  It would be a pleasure to discuss your any of your travel plans.  

About Jan Geiser 

Jan has been in the travel industry for 35+ years and is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC). She has extensive personal experience in both leisure and cruise travel.  Jan has traveled all over the world and brings a wealth of experience and advice to our clients.  She has been recognized by American Express as a World Cruise Specialist. She is also a graduate of advanced travel industry training offered by Holland America Line and has achieved the rank of Commodore status with both Princess and Cunard. Destination specialties include:  Europe, South Pacific, Caribbean, Mexico (Master Agent for Secrets Resorts), USA – Alaska (Certified Expert) and Hawaii, and of course, Cruises. Call Jan at 303-442-2340X231.

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Christie Laplant with James TravelPOINTS a Riviera Maya vacation specialist recently visited the Azul Beach June 2009 for a site inspection.  From the moment I walked into the open lobby overlooking the ocean in the back ground I knew this hotel was going to be very special.

The Azual Beach located south of Cancun Mexico is a small boutique all inclusive luxury hotel & resort to many of my clients.  Awarded by travel + Leisure Family as the “Hip Gourmet Inclusive®” boutique hotel on a 9 mile stretch of white sand beach.  It only  has 98-rooms all steps from the beach, the hotel has an intimate atmosphere while also providing guests the superior service and amenities of larger luxury resorts. Guests of Azul Beach Hotel can expect personalized attention, gourmet-dining options featuring specialized menus; deluxe destination wedding packages and unforgettable memories with loved ones including amenities for families with small children. Not to mention, culinary activities including private picnics, a fresh fish market and chef prepared beach BBQ, assure there is something for everyone. 

What makes Azul so special? With just 98 rooms Azul’s intimate size means each room is less than a minute from the beach, pool, restaurants, bars or any of the resort’s amenities. For sun worshipers they have the beach butlers for the ultimate in service out on the sand. The beach butlers will have soft beach towels for you, refreshment deliveries, tanning products and water vaporizers, what more do you need?

Room suites Azul’s 98 room suites feature contemporary decor, air conditioning, king size or double beds, satellite TV, bath and shower, hair dryer, safety deposit box, daily supplied mini bar, coffee/tea maker, DVD player, direct dialing telephone, port for modem, and a balcony or veranda with a view of the gardens or Caribbean. Categories are superior and deluxe. All rooms are either directly on, or just a few steps away from, the secluded beach . The deluxe rooms are the rooms that are closer to the beach but to be honest even the superior rooms are just a few steps away.

A la carte restaurants The restaurants and bars at Azul feature a selection of eclectic menus and tasty drinks in out-of-the-ordinary settings. Fine international cuisine and all premium drinks will appeal to your sophisticated side, there is a la carte breakfast for adults, and buffet breakfast for adults and children. Kids have buffet food service where they can enjoy their own custom kids’ dishes. About menus; have you ever eaten at a restaurant with five different menus? Have you ever tried ordering from an all-lobster menu? Have you ever had a Tequila Martini? Have you ever had a drink at a bar with swinging beds? Yes it’s fun and all part of the all-inclusive experience at Azul. No reservations required. On a diet? They even have a low fat, low carb menu. Welcome to the gourmet inclusive experience.

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Secrets Maroma, Riviera Maya, Mexico is truly a slice of heaven on Earth. Everything about this resort is there to spoil, pamper, and awe you.  All of the rooms are beautiful suites.  Each one equipped with canopy beds, Jacuzzi tubs, balconies, and privacy boxes (this is where your 24hr room service will be delivered if you are too “busy” to open the door).  Do not forget to tell your concierge which pillow you desire from the pillow menu. Since this is an adults only resort, you never need to worry about your pool time being interrupted by splashing children.  On the contrary, you will be lulled into a state of calm by the tranquil spa music that you hear throughout the resort.  As you lay by the pool, gazing at the turquoise color of the ocean, don’t be surprised if you are interrupted by a man with a platter of sushi, asking if you care to try some. While you are busy working on your tan, the staff is busy bringing you food and drink.  The food is as good as any gourmet restaurant and the drinks are made with top shelf liquor.  Last but not least, the beach! It is a beautiful white sand beach that seems to stretch forever.  My husband and I were in disbelief of the quality of service, ambiance, food, and drink, from the time we arrived and well into the time we left (we are still in disbelief).  It was truly a romantic retreat, our second honeymoon. 

Call James TravelPOINTS to book your escape 1-800-274-0436/303 442-2340, www.travelpoints.com

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