No Secret to Secrets Vallarta Bay Sam Ion - myKawartha.com | |
go to original April 26, 2012 |
President Felipe Calderon (2nd from left) opened the resorts and praised AM Resorts for creating 1,000 new jobs in Puerto Vallarta.
There is no secret to Secrets Vallarta Bay. It opened when they said it would - April 1.
Actually it was ready for company the week before when some lucky delegates to Tianguis - Mexico's biggest travel trade show - including me, were invited to stay during the soft opening. Amber Puerto Vallarta Spa and Resort, its sister resort, opened April 1 as well.
It was fun to count how many times the staff said, "It's a pleasure" in one conversation. I couldn't pick my favourite employee because they were all absolutely amazing. We were guests in what felt like a private house party.
My bridesmaid and colleague Anita Draycott thought their opening cocktail party was the best she'd been to at Tianguis, which is really saying something at an event where everyone putting on a function tries to outdo each other.Â
"This food is the best I've had this week," said Anita.
I'm so used to all-inclusive resorts that I think everyone knows all about them, but other international journalists who had never been to an all-in resort were amazed.
"You can call room service 24 hours a day, it comes fast and it's included," said one.
"I'm missing the first press conference of the day. Secrets has yoga every morning on the beach and it is free," said another.
"Check out the dining rooms, I expected a cafeteria," said a third colleague.
The big event was the inauguration of Secrets Vallarta Bay and Now Amber Puerto Vallarta. The president of Mexico, Felipe Calderon opened the resorts and in his speech praised AM Resorts for creating 1,000 new jobs in Puerto Vallarta.
These two resorts are the first new hotels built in the area in 10 years, and there has been high excitement on the web, Facebook and YouTube.
Ideally located on the Pacific coast on Banderas Bay, one of the largest bays in the world, they are just 15 minutes from the airport, and five minutes from downtown Vallarta the new El Malecon, the romantic zone of Old Town and Cuale River walking shore.
Did I mention the resorts are on the best part of the beach?
Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta is an adults-only property, where you will luxuriate in Unlimited-Luxury with superior service, premium brand liquor, gourmet meals with no reservations required and, by the way, no bracelets or towel cards either. You can also dine at two gourmet restaurants and a café at Now Amber right next door.
The 271 all-suite resort has all ocean view rooms, with balcony or terrace to gawk at Vallarta's famous sunsets, or look down at the three pools, all with lots of shade.
The suites are sophisticated, and very romantic. I was impressed with the whirlpool bath. It filled quickly, was quiet and comfy. Great to relax and have a read.
The elite, world-class Spa by Pevonia, with pampering spa treatments and transcendent massages, will have  you raving. Then you can heat things up by catching a live performance in the theater or dance the night away at Desire.
There are five a-la-carte restaurants, a buffet and too many bars to count. Guests can work off the calories in a state-of-the art fitness centre.
Next door the 327-suite Now Amber Puerto Vallarta welcomes families, singles, and couples.
Guests will find unique daytime activities and entertainment, water sports and a fitness center, as well as a number of excellent a la carte restaurants and lounges with live entertainment. To unwind there are crystalline infinity pools (one for adults only), gourmet restaurants, and friendly bars and lounges.
The explorers club for the three to 12 years of age set is the nicest I've seen yet. Kids are welcome (parents are not) from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., which means Mom and Dad can treat themselves to a quiet dinner. Once a week the kids can have a camp out.
I agree with my colleagues, the resorts are ready for company, and the lead-in prices are amazing.
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From activities like hiking, swimming, bike riding and yoga, to restaurants offering healthy menus, Vallarta-Nayarit is the ideal place to continue - or start - your healthy lifestyle routine.