10 Best and Fabulous All-Inclusive Swim-up Suites You’ll Fall in Love With

 Having a luxurious home-away-from-home while on holidays is important to many travelers. Especially when it comes to all-inclusive getaways where you have the opportunity to be spoiled in every aspect from cuisine, fancy cocktails, and incredible service levels. These competitive beachfront resorts always seem to be one-upping each other on a regular basis and what feature is all the rage these days and in hot demand? The infamous swim-up suite room category but of course. 

What is a Swim-up Suite?

A swim-up suite essentially brings the swimming pool right to your patio. They are mostly located on the ground floor which allows you to walk out and be dipping in the refreshing pool within a few steps. Most times this pool is shared by multiple swim-up suites in the same building. It's a concept that has gained immense popularity for it's convenience of having everything within steps of your room.

#1 - Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres, Mexico

This is one of Mexico's newest 5-star all-inclusive resorts in the exclusive area North of Cancun called Costa Mujeres, located just 20 minutes from the Cancun airport. It offers spacious rooms and impressive oceanview suites combined with exceptional quality service including unlimited dining, unlimited premium liquor, infinity pools with ocean views, attentive butler service in The Club section and more.

The Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres has a variety of swim-up suites including the Majestic Swim-up Junior Suite for families, the Swim-up Suite with Outdoor Jacuzzi for families, Elegance Club Majestic Swim-up Junior Suite or Suite for adults only.

Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres Swim-Up Suite with Outdoor Jacuzzi Family

#2 - Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica

The Beachfront Swim-up Millionaire Butler Suite at the adult-only Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica is as luxurious as they come. With breathtaking Caribbean Sea views, butler service, 24-hour room service, wet bar with premium liquors and a tranquility soaking tub for two, you'll never need to leave your suite.

The Beachfront Swim-up Millionaire Butler Suite, Sandals Montego Bay Resort

#3 - Sandals Royal Barbados, St. Lawrence Gap Barbados

The Millionaire Crystal Lagoon Swim-up Butler Suite at this exclusive adult-only resort not only provides you with a private Rolls Royce airport transfer, exclusive butler service, 24-hour room service and VIP check-in, it gives you access to a large swimming pool lagoon! This suite is one of the higher end swim-up suites available in Barbados and is also equipped with a four-poster king-size bed, a tranquility soaking tub with privacy curtains, and spacious patio.

The Millionaire Crystal Lagoon Swim-up Butler Suite, Sandals Royal Barbados

#4 - Dreams Las Mareas Resort and Spa, Costa Rica

Discover this emerald hideaway on Playa El Jobo in the middle of the Costa Rican tropical rainforest. Offering lush landscapes and awe-inspiring views, this charming all-inclusive offers everything for families and couples alike. The Preferred Club upgrade provides elevated concierge service, personalized check-in and check-out services, exclusive access to the Preferred Club lounge and designated areas, plus upgraded suite in premium location with enhanced room amenities.

There are four room categories that offer swim-up suites; The Preferred Club Junior Suite Swim Out Tropical View, The Preferred Club Master Suite Swim Out, The Preferred Club Master Suite Swim Out Oceanfront and The Preferred Club Presidential Suite Swim Out Oceanfront.

Preferred Club Master Suite Swim Out, Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica

#5 - Generations Riviera Maya Resort, Mexico

This all suite, all oceanfront, all gourmet-inclusive family-friendly resort will wow all visitors. It's not often that you can find a swim-up suite on your second or third floor balcony but you can with the Generations Riviera Maya Resort. The spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom oceanfront swim-up suites comes with direct access to an infinity pool from the balcony, rewarding you with privacy and stunning view of the white sand beaches and the largest artificial coral reef in the world. Alternatively choose the main level for direct access to the main pool and swim up pool bar.

Oceanfront One, Two and Three-bedroom Swim-up Suites at Generations Riviera Maya

#6 - Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort, Bahamas

The West Bay Honeymoon Hideaway Swim-up Crystal Lagoon Zen Butler Suite's key feature is Zen. From the moment that you walk out onto your private patio and find zero-entry access to a Zen Garden river pool, you know you've arrived to a relaxed paradise. The spaciousness and beauty of this room includes a four-poster king-size bed, a separate bedroom and living room (which includes a dining area), and an en-suite bathroom with a rain head shower/tub combo. Top off this luxurious experience with included butler service, 24-hour room service and private Rolls Royce airport transfer.

Honeymoon Hideaway Swim-up Crystal Lagoon Zen Butler Suite, Sandals Royal Bahamian

#7 - Sandals Grenada, St. George's Grenada

The Italian Swim-up Bi-level Butler Suite and the Italian Oceanview Penthouse 1 Bedroom Skypool Butler Suite in the Italian Village at Sandals Grenada are something so unique to experience that you'd think you've died and gone to a Caribbean heaven. These oversized Love Nest Suites are the pinnacle of luxury. Slip into your zero-entry elevated infinity pool in seconds from your private patio on the main level or private plunge pool with infinity edge with stunning ocean views on the higher levels. Each come with butler service, 24-hour room service and luxury private airport transfers.

Italian Swim up Bi-level 1 Br. Butler Suite w/ Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub - Sandals Grenada

#8 - Royalton Punta Cana Resort , Dominican Republic

The Diamond Club Luxury Swim-out rooms at this family-friendly resort ensures that the fun never ends. Guests here can enjoy full access to one of the Caribbean's largest water parks plus tennis facilities and more. The Diamond Club upgrade includes extra amenities such as butler service, preferred room locations, private lounge and pool access, nightly turndown service, exclusive beach area with dedicated bar and waiter service and much more.

The Diamond Club Luxury Swim-out rooms, Royalton Punta Cana Resort

#9 - Secrets Puerto Los Cabos, Mexico

The Junior Suite Swim Out Ocean View at the adult-only Secrets Puerto Los Cabos on the West side of Mexico offers striking views of native flora and fauna with miles of unspoiled beachfront of the Sea of Cortez. Elevate your stay with Preferred Club that offers personalized check-in and check-out, preferred club lounge access, preferred suite locations, private pool access and more.

Preferred Club Junior Suite Swim Out Ocean View, Secrets Puerto Los Cabos

#10 - The Finest Playa Mujeres, Mexico 

The unique feature of the Junior Suite Swim Up at the family-friendly Finest Playa Mujeres Resort is the overwater hammocks, private deck and privacy screens for ultimate relaxation. Guests can cool off with a dip in the pool right from their balcony. The resort is situated on a peninsula with pristine virgin beaches and endless sand dunes overlooking the deepest Caribbean blues. There is a separate section for adults only for those looking for extra peace and relaxation.

To check availability and to book your next upcoming travel retreat, please connect with Boutique Travel Services at 1-866-247-8123 or info@boutiquetravelservices.com. We are your dedicated travel agency to ensure the best price at the best service level.

Author: Laurie Keith
President, Boutique Travel Services
https://boutiquetravelservices.com/contact/

Moon Palace to open in Jamaica

Palace Resorts acquires Sunset Jamaica Grande

By Gay Nagle Myers, Travel Weekly

Palace Resorts will assume ownership of the 730-room Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on July 7, and will close it on Sept. 1 for renovations.

The resort will reopen as the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande in early 2015.

"When we designed our strategic five-year growth plan, we listed several destinations as priorities, and Jamaica was at the top of that list," said Gibran Chapur, executive vice president for Palace Resorts.

"We believe Jamaica is the most important tourism destination in the Caribbean, and we found the Sunset Jamaica Grande to be the perfect opportunity for us to enter this market."

Palace Resorts currently owns and operates seven properties in Mexico, including the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, Cancun.

Sunset Resorts has three other properties in Jamaica: two in Montego Bay and one in Negril.

The Pros and Cons of a No-kid Destination Wedding

As with any parent, we should know that you cannot stand in between them and their children, unless you want a raging mamma-bear attack you. So why do brides try?

As destination wedding specialists, Romantic Planet Vacations gets approached by about five to ten destination weddings brides and grooms a year who want to put the ban on having kids attend their destination weddings, which means, if you want to bring your kids, you're simply not invited.

There is certainly an appeal of having your destination wedding at a luxurious adult-only 5-star resort on the tropical beaches of paradise, minus the screams and cries of little minions running around. These resort properties, such as El Dorado Resorts, Secrets Resorts, Excellence Resorts, Couples Resorts and Sandals Resorts cater to such a market. The restaurants have mature and gourmet menus and no high-chairs, the pools are peaceful and calm with no prospects of unexpected pool splashes in your margarita, and the beaches are relaxing and clean from the clutter of little beach toys. The rooms are romantic, emphasizing king-sized beds, open shower plans, and unobstructed view balconies. There are no kids clubs and no kids pools. Everything is for the enjoyment of adults....only. 

But what do you do if you have one wedding guest who has a child and must bring them? Do you change your destination wedding plans just for that one person or surely the resort will make an exception so to get your big destination wedding group business. Or will they?

There was a situation recently that the bride and groom were getting married a second time around. It was going to be a small wedding and they preferred to get married at a Sandals adult-only resort in St. Lucia. In this particular case, the bride had a 17 year old daughter and the rest of the ten passengers were adults. The team at Romantic Planet Vacations contacted the General Manager at the Sandals property, the sales rep for Sandals, their boss and their boss's boss, and all said there was NO exception on their adult-only rule. The group ended up having to book at a 4 star family-friendly resort in St. Lucia instead and although the wedding was incredible, the bride returned feeling a little unfulfilled. And this is the case with most, if not all, adult-only resorts. If they make one exception, they have to make more and then they will lose the whole concept of the adult-only theme in the first place, so in most cases, they do not, even if it means turning away a whole wedding group. 

What about the option of having those guests with kids stay off-property at another resort? In this case, the adults can come to your resort for the wedding itself, at approximately US$100 per person day-pass rate, but the children must stay away. Knowing today's moms, they don't like the idea of leaving their children alone, even at a supervised kids club, let alone in a foreign country at a foreign resort while their celebrating elsewhere. In most cases, it just doesn't happen. 

However, when you work with a destination wedding travel specialist like Romantic Planet Vacations, they take great pride in being able to utilize their expertise, knowledge, training and experience from over the last nine years of serving destination weddings, to find the right solution to meet your needs and that of your wedding guests. 

Take the case of Natasha and Will, married in Jamaica in February 2013. The bride had been dreaming of an adult-only resort for their destination wedding years before even getting engaged. Under all circumstances, it absolutely had to be a luxury adult only resort for their destination wedding. It was their first and only wedding so it was going to be done right. All plans were in place, engagement ring on the finger, and all guests onboard and excited. Then, her only brother had a child. Although thrilled to have a brand new nephew, she was in turmoil on what to do with her wedding plans as her brother's presence was a must. As a solution, Romantic Planet Vacations found the perfect resort to cater to their needs. The Iberostar Rosehall complex, near Montego Bay, consists of a 5-star adult-only section (The Grand), a 4.5

star family friendly section (The Suites) and a 4 star budget-conscious family-friendly section (The Beach). Although the family-friendly section guests could not enter the adult-only section, the guests from the adult-only section could visit the family-friendly sections, and hence, could also enjoy their vacation with her brother, wife and new nephew. Natasha's brother and wife got to attend the wedding in the adult-only section with the day-pass, while leaving their infant with the resort's babysitter for a couple of hours. The resort even provided them a beeper for that peace of mind and they were literally a 5 minute walk from their child. The bride got her wish of the dream wedding and stay at an adult-only property. Her brother attended the wedding. They visited with their family and friends throughout the resort complex and had a great time. Tragedy was averted.

But what if you want zero, none, zilch, no kids, at all, anywhere near your wedding or resort? What if you want adult fun with your friends and family without having them run off to spend time with their kids? You can certainly find a diplomatic way of advising "adults only" on your wedding invitation, but know that you do risk that these parent-guests will not attend at all. Without getting upset that they can't go, the best advice is to just walk around the bear and her cubs, to avoid an all-out fight. Let the parent-guests know that you do love their cute little cubs but this is your dream from when you were a child and emphasize that you understand fully if they can't make it. 

If you do have parent-guests that are able to make the trip as they have awesome babysitter grandparents at home, but they can't attend for the whole week, there is certainly the option to travel for a shorter duration. Your travel destination wedding specialists can find the airline and package that will cater to this need. At least in this case, they get a break too.

If you need a solution for the best resort to cater to your destination wedding needs, with or without kids, please feel free to contact Romantic Planet Vacations, specialists in destination weddings since 2004. They can be contacted at inquiries@romanticplanet.ca or www.romanticplanet.ca. They offer destination wedding packages to worldwide locales but cater to the all-inclusive places of Mexico, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Costa Rica, and Panama.

Honeymoon and Destination Wedding News Updates

Palace Resorts unveiled the $22 million refurbishing of the Nizuc section of its Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Mexico. The renovations include upgrades to Nizuc's 120 guestrooms, pool, dining venues and bars, and other public areas, plus a new Irish pub, kids club, and mini golf course.

Melia Nassau Beach has taken over the Sheraton on Cable Beach as it's first resort in English-speaking Caribbean at the Baha Mar in the Bahamas. The 694-room property will be executing a renewal plan that will be completed in December 2014. After a series of renovations, the hotel will be rebranded as Melia at Baha Mar.

The Bermuda Department of Tourism named February "Love Month" and unveiled a lineup of free public events and activities for couples (from free entry and tours at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art on Tuesdays next month to "Love Train" guided tours of the capital of Hamilton).

Karisma Hotels & Resorts released more details about the 144-suite Generations Riviera Maya property debuting in February. The oceanfront property will feature six dining venues, four bars, an Eko Kids Club facility, a Baby Beach Lounge, and other amenities.

AMResorts (Dreams, Secrets, Zoetry, Now, Sunscapes) announced its "Winter GREATaways" promotion, with discounts up to 40 percent and in-resort credit worth up to $400 for qualifying bookings. made by February 25 for travel until end of April 2014.

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts unveiled Valentine's offers:  in Hawaii, a free vow renewal ceremony on Valentine's Day for guests at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach or the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach; and in Fiji, a vow renewal package (from US$1,700 pp dbl when booked by Jan. 31) that will include the ceremony, a dinner for two, and seven nights in a deluxe oceanview room at the Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji.

Sandals unveiled a new service called "Soon to Moon" connecting guests with an "engagement concierge" to help them plan marriage proposals (from picnic lunches on a private island to carving "Will You Marry Me?" message on a beach). 

Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort debuted the 500-suite in Mexico. The property has 13 dining venues and lounges, a large spa, and many other guest amenities.

The Grenada Grand Beach Resort became the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort this week. The 20-acre property on Grand Anse Beach has four main dining venues and bars, two outdoor pools, two tennis courts, and other amenities.

  

Sunwing rolled out a new "Viva Dominicana" package for trips booked to Riu Merengue (Puerto Plata) or Grand Paradise Samana that include special activities such as rum tastings, cigar classes, Spanish lessons, fairs, and more (similar to its Viva Cuba program).

Blue Diamond (the resorts division of Sunwing Travel Group) welcomed two new properties in Punta Cana (D.R.):  the 470-room Royalton Punta Cana and the 525-room Memories Splash Punta Cana. The hotels were created when the former Grand Paradise Bavaro was split in two (with a water park added between them).

Transat Holidays and Nolitours now offers weekly departures from Toronto to Los Cabos, Mexico (Feb. 1-April 19).

Karisma Hotels & Resorts announces a "Canadian Beef Culinary Series" for 2014 built around guest chefs from Canada preparing beef dishes with wine pairings at all of their gourmet-inclusive Azul, El Dorado, and Generations Resorts.

Sandals signed a deal with the government in Antigua to convert the Grand Pineapple Beach Resort in Long Bay into Beaches Antigua. There's no definitive word on the timeline involved, but the refurbished property will offer one- to four-bedroom suites with as many as a dozen restaurants, a water park, a movie theater, a BMX bike track, an Xbox Play Lounge, and other family-friendly services. 

The 181-room Outrigger Mauritius Resort & Spa had a "soft opening" on Jan. 15, after the property wraps up an extensive refurbishment. On that date, most guestrooms, the Edgewater restaurant, the Bar Bleu, and other public spaces will be ready (with opening rates from US$202 ppdo for staysJan. 15-Feb. 15). The resort sits on the island's southern tip, about 45 minutes from the airport and the capital of Port Louis, and it's surrounded by a nature reserve. (www.outriggermauritius.com)

The 238-suite Riu Palace Jamaica is now open as an adults-only property with five dining venues, three bars, two pools, a gym, and access to services at the Riu Montego Bay next door.

Melia will take over the Braco Village Hotel & Spa in Jamaica, giving the 226-property a thorough makeover before it debuts next November as the all-inclusive Melia Jamaica.

Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spa will add nine new locations in the next few years, including its first Europe property (the Six Senses Mont Blanc in France in 2015) and its first Caribbean hotel (the Six Senses Freedom Bay in St. Lucia in 2016).

Air Canada previewed the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner cabin interiors that will debut next spring. Highlights include lie-flat "executive pods" in international business class and the largest personal entertainment screens (18 inches) offered by any North American carrier in business class.

Contact Romantic Planet Vacations, your honeymoon and destination wedding specialist since 2004.
www.romanticplanet.ca

Honeymoon and Destination Wedding News Update

The 225-room Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa recently opened as the third Jewel property in Jamaica. It's an adults-only all-inclusive resort with a focus on health and fitness activities. New to the property is the oceanfront Radiant Spa with treatments such as an in-ocean, two-therapist massage.

Tourism officials in St. Maarten report that construction is done on a new causeway connecting the island's international airport with the eastern bank of Simpson Bay Lagoon (allowing faster travel between the island's Dutch and French sides). The causeway has a swing bridge that opens to allow boats to pass through.

The MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas introduced new self-serve checkout kiosks in its lobby.

Fairmont plans its first location in Malaysia with the 2017 opening of the 750-room Fairmont Kuala Lumpur. The hotel will boast six restaurants and lounges, a pool, a fitness center, a spa, and other guest services.

  

WestJet rolled out its biggest schedule changes since the carrier began flying in 1996, adding five new routes to its summer plans, increasing frequency on 20 existing routes, and turning five seasonal routes into year-round schedules (see its release for the cities involved).

Air Canada Vacations has added a $35 currency surcharge per person on all new package bookings starting Jan. 27. And, Sunwing is following suit with the same $35 surcharge starting Jan. 30.

Contact Romantic Planet Vacations today for your customized honeymoon and/or destination wedding quote! www.romanticplanet.ca inquiries@romanticplanet.ca 1-866-247-8123

Best Catholic Chapels for Destination Weddings

We understand the dilemma that many Catholic brides and grooms face when deciding to book a destination wedding and just how they can combine both a Catholic ceremony with a destination wedding away from home. Many times we are approached by brides of grooms of the Catholic faith asking us how it all works, is it even possible and if so, what are the best resorts that offer on-site Catholic chapels or churches. Here, we dive into finding the answers.

In eyes of the Catholic Church, a marriage is a blessed Sacrament. With a Catholic wedding ceremony,  you are choosing the forming of a covenant to serve God, your faith, your community, and your new husband or wife. The ritual is to take place in the presence of Jesus Christ and witnessed by the minister of the church, a priest or deacon. 

A Catholic Destination Wedding needs to follow the same rules and protocol as a Catholic wedding at home. These include that you meet with your local priest in advance, that the couple attend a parish-approved pre-marriage counseling program, that the sacred scriptures at the ceremony be read by a Catholic priest (which can be your own priest or one at the destination that your priest has met over the phone), and that the venue location also be parish-approved. Please note that Catholic beach ceremonies are not approved by the Catholic church as it is deemed not sacred. 

Below are considered as the best and most awe-inspiring Catholic Destination Wedding Venues;

Jamaica - 
Jamaica has limited options for an onsite catholic ceremony service but there are many churches located throughout this Caribbean island that many Catholic get married at. The resort's wedding coordinator can assist with booking the church and your group's transportation there and back. However, for more convenience, even though they do not have a Catholic chapel on-site, we understand that Iberostar Rosehall is one of the few that will perform catholic ceremonies right there. The most popular resort in Jamaica for a destination wedding with an on-site Catholic chapel however, is the adult-only Sandals Montego Bay.

 

 Another alternative might be the Jewel Runaway Bay (formerly Breezes) with their open-aired oceanfront chapel.

The Lady of Fatima church tends to be our most popular off-site Catholic wedding venues in Ocho Rios for destination wedding brides and grooms.

Hawaii - 

Moving on to the other side of the planet, we take a look at the tropical oasis of Hawaii. Here, one of the cutest and most picturesque oceanfront chapel's in the world has be found at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui. Although not an all-inclusive resort, this property boasts 5-star elegance and charm. 

Other alternatives in Hawaii include the Sheraton Keauhou or the Turtle Bay Resort.

One of our personal destination favorites where money-is-no-object and that provides the most unique experience possible, is the "over-water chapel" at the beautiful Intercontinental Bora Bora Thelasso Resort. Here, you can actually see fish swimming underneath the glass-floor as you walk down the isle! In the background is the most picturesque landscape of the rolling mountains on Bora Bora and the turquoise blue ocean. The average cost of a travel package including flights from Los Angeles and a 7 night stay in Bora Bora is around $8,000 per person.

However, if all-inclusive and affordable is what you are looking for, then the Dominican Republic and Mexico are going to be your very best bet. Here, a travel package for you and your weddings guests including flight, airport transfers, 7-nights accommodations and the all-inclusive feature with all meals and drinks, generally is $2,000 and under per person. 

Rooted in Catholic traditions, each of these countries have numerous Catholic destination wedding options to choose from. 

Dominican Republic -

Our personal favorite and top destination wedding resort in Punta Cana for years, is the Barcelo Resorts. This complex is made up of four different resorts and include a golf course, the most expansive beach in the Dominican Republic, a mini-golf course, casino, water park and so much more. Exploring the grounds by golf cart, we stumbled upon one of the most picturesque, tranquil, organic and natural Catholic chapel we've seen. The open-aired structure over-looks a pond setting with flowers and chirping birds and can accommodate larger wedding groups.

Our other top all-inclusive Punta Cana seller for destination wedding groups is the Majestic Colonial and Majestic Elegance Resorts. Although they do not have sharing privileges, they are sister properties situated next door to each other. Their chapel is reserved for Catholic weddings only.

Outside Punta Cana but requires honorable mention and consideration are the Spanish-colonial style chapels at both Cap Cana and Casa Del Campo. When considering the new development at Cap Cana, you can get married at the Catholic Chapel in town but stay at the adult-only Secrets Cap Cana Resort for a luxurious 5-star experience.

The complex of Casa Del Campo is located closer to La Romana and the capital of Santo Domingo. Our favorite 5-star family-friendly resort here is the Dreams La Romana, then bring your friends and family to the historic Catholic Chapel in Casa Del Campo.

And finally we touch on our most popular place for destination weddings - Cancun and the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. Cancun is one of the most connected airports in the world, allowing guests from every corner of the globe to gain easy access to your wedding. The resort options are endless from EP to all-inclusive from 3 star to 5 star luxury. Here are our top choices for all-inclusive resorts that are 4-star or higher and offer Catholic Chapels right on-site;

Cancun -

The Royal Cancun is an adult-only luxury resort and shares their oceanfront "Our Lady of Guadeloupe" chapel with their next door family-friendly sister property - the Gran Caribe. It offers a glass-protected and enclosed area with the most beautiful view of the azul Caribbean Sea behind. 

Recognizing the demand for more Catholic Chapels in Cancun, The JW Marriott and Casa Magna Marriott have built a new chapel to accommodate their Catholic destination wedding guests.

Mayan Riviera -

One of our top-sellers in the Mayan Riviera for destination wedding groups is the beautiful 5-star family-friendly all-inclusive resort of Dreams Tulum. Here, it's color Catholic Chapel is portrayed to be a part of a Mexico pueblo (small town).

We also greatly favor the Barcelo Maya, Beach, Caribe, Tropical and Palace Resort complex and like their property in Punta Cana, they also have an on-site Catholic wedding chapel. At this all-inclusive resort you will find the whitest, softest and most expansive beach in the Mayan Riviera. It's open-aired chapel feels spacious and natural.

The all-inclusive Palladium Resort complex also consists of a Catholic Chapel but is designed as a Spanish colonial-style building - a perfect backdrop for wedding photos.

If you are looking for an oceanfront Catholic chapel in the Mayan Riviera, then The Moon Palace all-inclusive resort is going to be the place. This is the largest resort in the Mayan Riviera offering three different resort sections and so many resort amenities including a wave rider, dolphin enclosure and golf course as well as a large variety of restaurants. Combine this with their designer wedding collections and $1500 per room resort credit (which can be used towards your wedding, upgrade in room, spa treatments, golf, tours and more), it makes it most ideal for destination weddings. 

 

The Grand Sirenis is another top value-package all-inclusive recommended resorts where the price sells itself. The Catholic chapel here overlooks the ocean.

Said to have the only Roman Catholic Chapel in the Mayan Riviera, is the upscale and all-inclusive resort of the Valentin Imperial. It's chapel is more modern and contemporary with marble, white and brown hues.

If you're looking for an upscale adult-only resort that has a picturesque Catholic Chapel, then you can find it at the gourmet-inclusive El Dorado Royale Resort. Just steps from the beach, this Spanish-colonial white-washed chapel is the perfect setting for an intimate Catholic destination wedding ceremony.

 

Although not located at a resort, we had the opportunity to explore the Xcaret Eco Theme Park in the Mayan Riviera and was truly amazed and drawn into the mystical and spiritual place that it is. Created as a colonial town among the jungle, cenote caves and ancient Mayan ruins, it's truly the most ideal setting for anyone who is looking for that feeling of be re-connected to nature, history, God or your own spiritual being on your wedding day. 

Xcaret has two Catholic chapels that are both recognized officially by the Catholic Prelature in the state capital, Chetumal. Although enjoyed throughout the day, one of the very best times to wed at Xcaret is in the evening as the buildings and pillars are lit up in a spiritually lifting way. The wedding team at Xcaret ensures that no detail is left undone.  

St. Francis of Assisi Chapel is perched on top of a hill at the end of a windy cobblestone road. It's open aired venue is very spacious and feels like you can touch the sky.

The Chapel of Guadalupe is located in the center of the "puebla" (town). On the outside it appears to be a Spanish colonial-style building but as you enter the giant wooden doors, you feel like you've entered a magical world not known like any other place on Earth. This chapel has been created out of an old cenote cave and this giant 'tree of life' appears over the alter. It feels organic, natural and very spiritual and will definitely be a stunning venue that you and your wedding guests will never forget.

If considering the Xcaret Eco Park for your wedding, you can stay at the Occidental Grand Xcaret all-inclusive resort because they offer free entrance and river transfer into the park for you and your guests.

Romantic Planet Vacations has been serving destination wedding groups since 2004 and has heaps of first-hand knowledge, expertise and experience of these resorts and more worldwide. They have organized destination wedding trips for wedding ceremonies of all religion-types including Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and more, as well as non-legal, civil, symbolic and now renewals. 

We can be contacted at inquiries@romanticplanet.ca or 1-877-247-8123 for your group's destination wedding quote or if you have any questions about these resorts and more. For more information about other resort or destination options, please visit www.romanticplanet.ca

Sincerely;

Laurie Keith

President

Romantic Planet Vacations

laurie@romanticplanet.ca

EARLY BOOKING BONUS EXTENDED!

COUPLES RESORTS, Jamaica

***Book before January 15, 2008***

COUPLES OCHOS RIOS, Deluxe Garden
January 3 - February 13..................182

February 14- February 24...............190

February 25 - March 30...................173
March 31 - June 28...........................157

June 29 - July 6.................................157

July 7 - August 17.............................159

August 18 - October 31....................159

November 1 - 30...............................159

December 1- December 25..............159

COUPLES NEGRIL, Deluxe Garden
January 3 - February 13..................207

February 14- February 24...............216

February 25 - March 30...................198

March 31 - June 28...........................181

June 29 - July 6................................181
July 7 - August 17.............................183

August 18 - October 31...................183

November 1 - 30..............................183

December 1- December 25.............183

COUPLES SWEPTAWAY, Garden Suite
January 3 - February 13..................212

February 14- February 24...............221

February 25 - March 30...................204

March 31 - June 28............................181

June 29 - July 6..................................181

July 7 - August 17...............................186

August 18 - October 31.....................186

November 1 - 30................................186

December 1- December 25...............186

COUPLES SAN SOUCI, Ocean Suite
January 3 - February 13.................212

February 14- February 24..............221

February 25 - March 30.................204

March 31 - June 28..........................181

June 29 - July 6................................181

July 7 - August 17............................186

August 18 - October 31...................186

November 1 - 30.............................186

December 1- December 25............186

Rates are per person, in CAD$, based on double occupancy, all-inclusive, per night, and are subject to change and based on availability.

If there is ever a time to book the beautiful Couples Resorts in Jamaica, NOW is the time, before the sale is finished!

http://www.romanticplanet.ca/

GREAT CARIBBEAN SPECIALS!

Barbados

Turtle Beach, AI

from $260* (Junior Suite Pool/GardenView)

Categories: Junior Suite Pool/GardenView and Junior Suite

Book now through 31-Mar-07 Travel now 31-Oct-07

Nassau

Atlantis, Paradise Island, EP

from $330*(Beach Tower Terrace)

Categories: Beach Tower Promo Terrace, Beach Tower Promo Water, Coral Tower Promo Terrace, Coral Tower Promo Water, Royal Tower Promo Terrace, Royal Tower Promo Harbour, Royal Tower Promo Water

Book now through 08-Mar-07Travel 07-Apr-07 through 14-Apr-07

Riu Paradise Island, AI

from $250* (Superior OceanView)

Categories: Superior OceanView, Deluxe OceanViewBook now through 30-Mar-07

Travel now through 30-Apr-07

The Cove Atlantis

4th Night FREE

Categories: Ocean Suite, Deluxe Ocean Suite

Book now through 14-Mar-07Travel 08-Apr-07 through 27-Jun-07

St. Lucia

The Jalousie Plantation

from $348* (Superior OceanView)

Categories: Villa no plunge pool; Sugar Mill; Villa Mountain View; Villa Ocean View; Villa Suite Mountain View; Villa Suite Ocean View; Mountain Lodge; Ocean Lodge; Piton Suite; & Caribbean Suite

Book now through 31-Mar-07Travel now through 30-Apr-07

Jamaica

Riu Ocho Rios, AI

from $129* (OceanView)

Categories: Ocean View, Ocean Front, Junior Suite Ocean View, Suite Oceanview, & Suite w/ Jacuzzi

Book now through 30-Mar-07

Travel 1-May-07 through 08-Aug-07

Aruba

The Westin Aruba Resort, AI, EP

5th and 7th Night FREE

Categories: Island View, Balcony Overview, Oceanview

Book now through 30-Mar-07

Travel now through 22-Dec-07

Aruba Mariott, EP

5th Night FREE

Categories: Marriott Quality Room, Garden View, Ocean/Island View, Ocean/Pool View, Executive King, & Grand Oceanfront Room

Travel now through 29-Mar-07

* per person double room, in CAD$. Rates are subject to change and based on availability. Please contact us for further details - travel@romanticplanet.ca