NEWS RELEASE
For Release: April 11, 2005
Why Mexico Boutique Hotels Offers the Most
Authentic Hotel and Vacation Experience in Mexico
Diversity: Mexico Boutique Hotels has 38 unique hotels in 23 Mexican destinations with a total of 840 rooms—an average of an intimate 23 rooms per hotel.
Integrity: MBH is the only company of its kind that has unified this niche of lodging in Mexico under a qualification system. Designation as a Mexico Boutique Hotel cannot be bought.
High standards: Each member is invited to join our association after careful scrutiny of a set of criteria. They must maintain their standards and are inspected annually by our team.
Access: MBH offers a fully-integrated information and reservations system comprising Internet, voice reservations and airline global distribution systems.
Spas: We have the most impressive spa selection in Mexico with seventeen Mexico Boutique Hotels having full-service spas.
Golf: Five Mexico Boutique Hotels have a golf course right on or immediately adjacent to the property, or own a nearby course and are dedicated to this market.
History: Four Mexico Boutique Hotels are restored haciendas while a further twelve are in other kinds of historic buildings (former palaces, centuries-old mansions…).
Culture: 19 Mexico Boutique Hotels are situated in 14 of Mexico’s grand colonial cities or historically-significant towns offering safe and culturally-appealing refuges.
Recreation: 19 Mexico Boutique Hotels are in beach destinations, many completely isolated on their own beaches and two are rustic and primitive escapes reachable only by water.
Gastronomy: While high quality food is a criteria for Mexico Boutique Hotels members, many offer an even more elevated gastronomic experience to complement the Mexican travel experience.
Romance: The importance of weddings and romance in Mexico is underscored with most of our hotels being perfect havens for honeymoon and romantic getaways. The majority of those are also dedicated to coordinating everything from intimate to grand wedding events.
Broad horizons: We offer a one-stop-shop to help travellers and travel professionals coordinate completely customized itineraries combining several hotels in an area. Known as "Circuit Tours", these are a “map-your-own-trail” approach to visiting and a tool to greater discovery.
Special interests: Many hotels offer thoughtfully conceived special interest packages from golf, romance and spa to culturally-oriented packages, once more emphasizing their uniqueness.
Affordable luxury: Many hotels offer discounted seasonal specials with value-added inclusions.
Six New Hotels Enrich the Mexico Boutique Hotels Collection
Historic Buildings and Eclectic Havens Exude Genuine Hospitality
April 2005, Puerto Vallarta—An exciting year of research and hotel inspections across Mexico has culminated in the designation of six new hotel members by Mexico Boutique Hotels’ director general John Youden, increasing the collection to a total of 38 hotels in 23 destinations throughout the Mexican Republic.
The attributes of the new hotels underscore the collection’s diversity and character, enhancing it with two new destinations, four additional spas (for a total of 17), a buffet of great dining, and a world of intuitive hospitality concepts. Youden commented, “Each year, the process of qualifying our new Mexico Boutique Hotel members reminds me of the impressive ability and vision of each owner to craft a one-of-a-kind hotel that celebrates the different aspects of their location, local customs and architecture.”
Lagos de Moreno and Tulúm are two new destinations which expand Mexico Boutique Hotels’ presence in the country while additional hotels in four other destinations will add travel options to already-existing members there.
The hotels are presented in the company’s 2005 colour directory which is available on request and can be seen in the extensive on-line directory at www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com. Following is a mini-profile of each new hotel member:
Casa Linda - San Miguel de Allende - simple elegance • central • gourmet cuisine
In San Miguel de Allende, the eight-room Casa Linda is an eclectic creation of owner Linda McLaughlin. Reflecting the artsy side of San Miguel, it provides a second MBH option of markedly different characteristics to the renowned Casa de Sierra Nevada, a founding member of MBH. This small inn is loaded with services including a recently-opened spa and is now houmes the locally-reputed Nirvana restaurant. Rates from US$170 per night. Air access: León Bajío International Airport (one hour and 15 minutes). Hacienda Sepulveda - Lagos de Moreno - secluded • rustic • casual
Located on the historic camino real to Zacatecas, the 16th century Hacienda Sepulveda offers a strategic stopping point on a wonderful central colonial heartland triangle linking Zacatecas, Guadalajara and Guanajuato. At the crossroads of these three important tourism cities in the rural area of Lago de Morenos, among other attractions, the hacienda has a dozen horses, ready for touring the large estate’s rolling hills. Thick stone walls take on the warmth of fireplaces and embrace a new spa with a central temascal—a pre-Hispanic therapeutic steam room. Rates from US$160 per night. Air access: León Bajío International Airport (40 minutes) or Guadalajara (one hour and 30 minutes).
Two new jewels have been added to Mexico Boutique Hotels’ necklace of exclusive Pacific Coast escapes—Verana, near Puerto Vallarta and Playa Rosa Hotel & Casitas at Careyes— for a total of ten of the most exclusive and remote beach hideaways from the Costa Vallarta to Manzanillo.
Verana - Puerto Vallarta - sophisticated • rustic • primitive
Verana, designed like a movie set at the hand of film industry veterans Heinz Legler and Veronique Lievre, caters to the adventurous traveler seeking a connection with nature, complete privacy and total relaxation in just seven unique accomodations. Its facilities include a jungle spa complete with a watsu pool. Rates from US$230 Air access: Puerto Vallarta (1 hour by taxi and boat).
Playa Rosa Hotel & Casitas - Costalegre - sophisticated • casual • secluded
Further along the Costalegre, the 10 casitas and bungalows of Playa Rosa Hotel & Casitas are recognizable for the trademark bright colours made popular by owners, the Brignone family—creators of “Careyes style”as it is known in the design world and the cliff-hanging Casas de Careyes which speckle the mountainside above. Seaside, romantic Playa Rosa Restaurant serves seafood delicacies such as tender octopus ceviche. Rates from US$250 per night. Air access: Puerto Vallarta (3 hours) or Manzanillo (1 hour 45 minutes).
In the Yucatan, the new Villa @ Merida adds a city-centre option as a complement to the rural atmosphere of Hacienda Xcanatún. Ana y Jose in Tulúm is MBH's first location on the Mexican Riviera.
Ana y Jose - Tulúm - casual • secluded • rustic
Named after its creators, Ana y Jose, these 21 hand-crafted bungalows and the accompanying oceanfront spa on the beaches of Tulum, comprise a private space in a spectacular location dedicated to delivering genuine local hospitality. A perfect hotel to pair with our Merida and Holbox hotels for an inocmparable Yucatan discovery. Rates from US$125 per night. Air access: Cancún (1-1/2 hours).Villa @ Merida - Mérida - simple elegance • central • gourmet cuisine
In Merida, just a few blocks to the colourful and lively Barrio de Santiago, Villa @ Merida is a classic turn-of-the-century mansion providing a new downtown option in this remarkable city and historically-significant region. Intimacy prevails throughout with just seven rooms, a small hotel bar and “made-to-order” dining by the in-house chef. Rates from US$230 including continental breakfast and airport transfers. Air access: Mérida (15 minutes).
All hotels provide additional options for the custom itineraries that Mexico Boutique Hotels’ reservations specialists can prepare for travellers as part of its Circuit Tours program—a map-your-own-trail approach to discovering Mexico. MBH specialists coordinate all the accommodations as well as transfer arrangements and provide advice on independent travel options between locations.
Mexico Boutique Hotels members are selected based on a qualification process and established set of criteria. While individual style and character are key points in qualifying to be a member hotel, the common elements of intimate size, personalized service and excellent cuisine are traits that each must possess.
Introductory rates can be found at www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com where travellers and travel professionals can research and reserve the new hotels immediately and get extensive destination information, rates and packages on-line. Personal assistance is available at: US and Canada toll-free 1-800-728-9098; Mexico toll-free 01-800-508-7923; or calling from other countries to +(52) (322) 221-2277. Mexico Boutique Hotels can also be reached by e-mail at info@mexicoboutiquehotels.com or via fax at +(52) (322) 221-2255.
New Puerto Vallarta-Careyes Luxury Flights Link
Mexico Boutique Hotels' Prestigious Beach Hideaways
Vallarta Adventures' new air service reaches four Mexico Boutique Hotels' on the Costalegre
April 2005, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco—Beginning in May 2005, reputed Puerto Vallarta excursion and flight operator Vallarta Adventures will commence a new private, scheduled flight service on 14-passenger Cessna Caravan aircraft, linking Puerto Vallarta with the most exclusive beaches of the Costalgre and the idyllic refuges of Mexico Boutique Hotels. With final destination of Careyes, special stops will be available for Cuixmala and Las Alamandas. The trip offers outstanding coastal and mountain scenery. The Mexico Boutique Hotels properties that can now be reached by this new rapid, comfortable, luxury travel service are: El Tamarindo, El Careyes, Playa Rosa Hotel & Casitas and Las Alamandas. This new service cuts several hours off travel time and eliminates the need for taxi or rental car, landing travelers in the lap of luxury in under an hour.
Flights will operate out of the private Aerotrón airport facility, adjacent to Puerto Vallarta International Airport, leaving Puerto Vallarta to Careyes, Cuixmala and Las Alamandas on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 17:00 hours. Return flights will operate on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 09:00 hours. Duration for the Puerto Vallarta-Careyes flight is 35 minutes each way and round trip fare is US$150. Cuixmala and Las Alamandas are an additional 10 minutes to reach each destination and can be booked on request at a special supplement.
Mexico Boutique Hotels on the Costalegre offer a myriad of experiences from marine activities such as sailing, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and learning to surf, to the pleasures of spa and well-being services including yoga and Temascal. Mountain biking, horseback riding, golf and even the “kings’ sport”, polo, are also on the sports menu. The rich natural surroundings of this unique ecological zone offer outstanding bird watching, witnessing the migration of turtles, the humpback whale and the daily frolicking of dolphins among other things. Both El Tamarindo and Las Alamandas are located in their own private eco-reserves.
This new service also allows travellers to combine their Costalegre visit with authentic Puerto Vallarta and its culinary, arts, ecological and adventure attractions, meanwhile enjoying any of five additional Mexico Boutique in the Puerto Vallarta area which include: Hacienda San Angel right in the city, and the nearby beach resorts of Majahuitas, Verana and Casa Las Brisas. All offer completely different locations, atmospheres and styles to fit varied travel preferences.
Extra activities in Puerto Vallarta, whether in between flights or as part of an extended stay, are easily catered to, thanks to the enticing excursions offered by Vallarta Adventures such as swimming with dolphins, jungle canopy tours and whale watching.
As part of the special services provided by Vallarta Adventures, while enoying these outings, passengers will have their luggage stored in the Aerotrón facilities. Transfers from Puerto Vallarta International Airport to Aerotrón are provided complimentary. Aerotrón offers comfortable and well-equipped private lounges.
Upgraded and Enhanced MexicoBoutiqueHotels.com Warrants a Bookmark
Tantalizing Web site fuels travelers’ fantasies
April 2005, Puerto Vallarta—Having been cited as”...a Web site so tantalizing that cruising it can begin to feel like a vacation in itself” (Los Angeles Times) and “... a Web site and catalog that easily fuel a traveler’s fantasies” (The San Diego Union Tribune), MexicoBoutiqueHotels.com takes its accolades seriously. The company’s directors have just completed an extensive upgrade, adding speed, functionality, content and a new look to the site.
Any traveler interested in Mexico should bookmark it for its directory of 38 of Mexico’s most authentic hotels which has been enhanced with split-second on-line availability and reservations for all hotels—right down to its smallest four-suite mansion—a feature all travel arrangers, whether amateur or professional, will appreciate. Good descriptions are enriched with more photos and rates, specials and packages are much easier to view, making hotel selection even easier.
Viewers can perform multiple hotel and destination searches in one operation eliminating time-consuming page searches. If a hotel is sold out, availability at alternate Mexico Boutique Hotels will be offered in the same or nearest destination. The multi-destination availability is an important new feature in Mexico Boutique Hotels’ Circuit Tour program—allowing site visitors to map their own journey with a custom-built itinerary covering as many destinations as desired.If this Web site were a car, its driver would be reveling over its traction. As well as the aforementioned features, MexicoBoutiqueHotels.com is the best vehicle to sourcing quality Mexican travel information. With a presence in over 20 destinations and hotel concepts that cater to broad travel interests, such as the many facets of culture, gastronomy, well-being and sports, Mexico Boutique Hotels is able to blend its appealing catalogue with well-researched destination and travel information. From concierge tips to history-book facts, the result is a highly comprehensive directory. A different destination is featured monthly on its home page and viewers will find an extensive selection of maps, background and history, activity overviews, suggested itineraries and special interest information for all of its destinations.
Visit www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com. Supporting personal assistance is also available by telephone at: 1-800-728-9098 (US and Canada toll-free); 01-800-508-7923 (Mexico toll-free); or +(52) (322) 221-2277 (from other countries).
Puerto Vallarta-based Mexico Boutique Hotels is the only company of its kind exclusively dedicated to offering boutique-category lodging in Mexico under a qualification system. From the colonial heartland to hidden beaches, it’s a diverse collection of intimate hotels with unique attributes that must meet a special set of criteria to receive designation as a Mexico Boutique Hotel.
