Travel Tuesday: Deals for NY, Puerto Rico, Florida, Virginia and More

Complimentary Water Park Passes and $50 Nightly Resort Credit, El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Fajardo, Puerto Rico)

For a sun-splashed Caribbean escape this summer, El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico, is offering a “Fun in the Sun” package – with free daily admission for a family of four to the resort’s seaside Coqui Water Park. Also included in the package is a $50 nightly resort credit, which can be used towards rounds of golf on the renowned Arthur Hills designed 18-hole golf course, spa treatments for both kids and adults at the Waldorf Astoria Spa and Ki’ Children’s Spa, watersports on the resort’s 100-acre private island, dining at the resort’s 23 food and beverage outlets, and more. Inspired by the nearby El Yunque Rainforest, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System, Coqui Water Park delivers 2.4 acres of thrill and adventure including exhilarating slides, a lazy river, infinity edge pool and more. Nightly rates start from $240++ at El Conquistador Resort with the package, based on a three-night minimum stay. The package is available for travel from May through September 2016. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.elconresort.com. 

Fourth Night Free and Kids Eat Free Breakfast at South Seas Island Resort (Captiva Island, FL)

Spanning two and a half miles of shell-laden beaches framing the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico, South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island is offering a fourth night free plus kids eat free breakfast with the “Summer Getaway” package, available for travel from May 1 through September 30. Also included in the package, guests receive a coupon book with more than $250 in savings on resort outlets from rounds of beachfront golf and watersports to island cruises, spa services, dining, shopping and more. Additional activities offered at the 330-acre destination beach resort and wildlife preserve include tennis, nature tours, sailing lessons, fishing, interactive children’s programs, a full-service marina with boat rentals and more. Rates start from $239 per night with the “Summer Getaway” package, based on a four-night minimum stay. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit http://www.southseas.com/special-offers-en.html. 

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Save up to 46% on San Francisco’s 4 best attractions with CityPASS!

San Francisco CityPASS ticket booklets include admission tickets to 4 attractions in San Francisco plus unlimited cable car rides. By purchasing a San Francisco CityPASS ticket booklet, your users will save 46% compared to regular box office prices. San Francisco CityPASS tickets include admission to:

Save up to 46% on San Francisco’s Muni and 4 other attractions with CityPASS! Shop Now!

Visit San Francisco’s “Aquarium of the Bay” & 4 other attractions at a savings of up to 46% with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Visit San Francisco’s “California Academy of Sciences” & 4 other attractions at a savings of up to 46% with CityPASS. Shop Now!

The “Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” Velas Resorts announces the opening of Grand Velas Los Cabos on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula in November 2016. The $150 million resort is the fifth property of the family owned and operated company with over 20 years of tradition in hospitality. The beachfront property will have enhanced signature facilities and services of Grand Velas resorts including duplex wellness suites with juice bars, wine based features inspired by the proximity to the region producing Mexico’s fine wines, and dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort. A gallery of contemporary art will continue the company’s commitment to bringing the art, fashion and culture of Mexico to guests. Grand Velas Los Cabos will offer the next generation of all-inclusive amenities and facilities including a selection of gourmet specialty restaurants, oversize designer suites with plunge pools, a Leading Spa of the World, staff ratio of 3 to 1, exceptional meeting facilities and a commitment to the environment. 

Located between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Grand Velas Los Cabos will feature 306 ocean view suites, all over 1,180 sq. ft. with private terraces and personal plunge pools. In addition, five gourmet restaurants with an extensive beverage and wine program;  a 16,370 sq. ft. convention center with the capability for 20 breakout rooms; 19,375 sq. ft. spa with 20 treatment rooms and a leading hydrotherapy facility; three pools, including one adults-only; and pool and beach concierges are available. Rounding out the list of amenities and services are a Life Fitness Center with personal trainers, exercise programs, yoga, Pilates and meditation; recreational activities program; separate teens’ and kids’ club facilities and activities program; 24-hour personalized butler concierge service; and 24-hour insuite service. The curved, half-moon design of the hotel will catch eyes along the corridor with an iconic grand entrance that’s open air, three stories high and over 300 ft. above sea level. All of this beachfront, just 35 minutes from the Los Cabos International Airport which directly services over 40 destinations in the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Gourmet Culinary Program

Grand Velas Los Cabos’ variety of gourmet restaurants, quality of the ingredients, creativity, presentation, and foodie experiences allow guests to explore and savor a worldly fusion of flavors without leaving the comfort of the resort. Food, creativity and presentation comparable to that of top restaurants in world capitals will be served in the resort’s signature restaurant, such as Cocina de Autor which will be helmed by a renowned chef. Other on-property fine dining options include Frida, offering Mexican fine dining; Piaf, which serves gourmet French specialties; and Lucca, with a menu of traditional Italian cuisine. For guests seeking a casual dining experience, the all-day dining restaurant Azul offers panoramic beach vistas and a relaxing, open-air, yet air-conditioned, environment in which to indulge in international cuisine. Bistro focuses on fresh seafood. 24-hour In-Suite Dining is also offered.

Offering innovative libations and sensory ambiances for every mood, the resort features three diverse bars: Sky Bar, Bistro Bar and Koi Sports Bar and Dancing Lounge. Highlights of the casually elegant space at Koi include a dramatic marble bar, state of the art sound and video equipment and comfortable seating groups. A DJ will spin the latest hits for guests’ listening and dancing pleasure with a dedicated dance floor.

All restaurants and bars are designed to take full advantage of the stunning views and have indoor and open air seating.

Renowned for the best Mexican wines, Baja California furthers its appeal for wine aficionados at Grand Velas Los Cabos. In addition to a Grand Velas-labeled wine, the resort will feature wine pairings at dinner, ultra-premium wines from Ensenada, and wine tastings.

Unique dining events, coffee bar, foodie experiences, premium liquor brands, cigar room, and custom cocktails in innovative ways are also planned for the resort.

Designer Suites

Stylish suites vary in size from 1,180 to 3,412 sq. ft., while all feature ocean views, private terrace with sitting area and plunge pool, separate living area with sofa, king or two queen beds, expansive bathroom with Jacuzzi and built-in shower. Daily turndown, personal concierge service, daily stocked premium mini-bar with refreshments and snacks, Nespresso Coffee Maker, high definition flat screen with digital cable TV, L’Occitane bath amenities, goose down pillows and comforters, and a pillow menu are also available insuite. A highlight of the suite is the full bottle of artisanal Mezcal, made exclusively for the resort. In the multi-bedroom Governor and Presidential Suites, a bottle of the finest wine from Ensenda also greets guests.

All six two-level Wellness Suites are double height with lofted ceilings and feature a plethora of fitness and wellness amenities, such as Life Fitness recline bike, spa concierge, Vitamin C sprinkler, crudité minibar, aromatherapy kit, in-suite massage and more. All Wellness Suites face the spa with the second level being exclusive for the fitness amenities, inclusive of a juice bar with a wide selection of juices and healthy beverages.

Interior design is contemporary Mexican with touches inspired by traditional Mexican architecture, a signature of Grand Velas Resorts. Ricardo Elias, principal of Elias and Elias Architects in Guadalajara, who designed the highly acclaimed Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit, returned once again to Grand Velas as the architectural designer for the Los Cabos location. The resort’s interior design was created by architects Roberto Elias and Ernesto Vela and interior designer Melin Castro.

Signature Spa

The two-level, 19,375 sq. ft. Spa at Grand Velas Los Cabos will have 20 treatment rooms, some with a water view. Guests will enjoy authentic and innovative treatments using the latest technology and products of the Earth, traditional in the Mexican culture. Included in any treatment of 50 minutes or more, hydrotherapy facilities feature dry saunas, cold plunge pools, vitality pools, whirlpools, herbal steam rooms with color-therapy, clay and ice rooms and experience showers. A beauty salon, spa boutique, Life Fitness center, and rooftop garden for events are also available for guests.

Meetings and Events

The Convention Center at Grand Velas Los Cabos will offer 16,370 sq. ft. of flexible event space, with the capacity to hold up to 1,700 attendees. With two large ballrooms, the greater being over 10,700 sq. ft., the space can be conveniently divided into 20 breakout rooms. The resort features a dedicated area for events, the only at a hotel in the destination, for everyone from family groups and weddings to private dinners.

“Our convention center will undoubtedly be one of the largest and most functional of the area that will be able to accommodate a wide variety of top national and international meetings and conventions,” said Eduardo Vela Ruiz, majority owner, founder and president of Velas Resorts.

In addition to customizable meeting space, the resort offers top-of-the-line audio-visual equipment, technical support, secretarial and translation services, and a fully-equipped business center. With its convenient location to the airport, special pre- and- post -group rates, and easy access to an abundance of local activities, Grand Velas is a perfect destination for a meeting and a vacation all in one. The resort’s expert meetings and events team is dedicated to deliver accessible, well-equipped and exceptional meetings and events tailored to every guest need.

Leisure Activities

A leisurely day at the resort is effortless with a sun-soaked afternoon walking miles of uninterrupted beach or lounging at one of the three heated pools.  The pools’ design is inspired by the flora and marine life of the area. An adults-only pool will epitomize Zen and serenity for those looking for total rest and relaxation. All are infinity pools providing maximum views of the Sea of Cortes and its famed whale watching. Grand Velas also offers a collection of workout programs such as yoga and Pilates.

For families travelling with children, Grand Velas’ Kids’ Club offers a safe, fun and creative environment to explore interactive activities such as soccer, treasure hunting and cooking classes.  The resort’s Teens’ Club is a contemporary space where teens from 13-18 years old can enjoy their own mini vacation. The Teens’ Club will feature an extensive game room complete with an X-Box Kinect, pool table, air hockey, ping pong, foosball, karaoke set with vintage dance floor and more.

Eco-Friendly Hospitality Practices

Grand Velas Los Cabos has been meticulously designed to exist harmoniously within its fragile environment. To create the site for the resort, several hundred trees and cacti that only grow a centimeter a year were dug up and will be transplanted so all are used, protecting the native flora and fauna of the region. Eliminating the need to rely upon local and regional natural resources, Grand Velas Los Cabos’ Reverse-Osmosis Desalting Plants operate self-sufficiently. For every liter of potable water, the resort will be able to re-use 2.54 cups for general purposes, while 1.69 cups are returned to the subsoil, aiding in the conservation of the environment. Saving 30% of all water used in the entire laundry process, the laundry facilities include a water treatment plant that efficiently filters soapy waters to then be used in the rinsing process. The residual water treatment facility receives and processes all the water from the entire resort, which is then used for the watering of all exterior gardens and surrounding mangroves and jungle.

For more reservations or more information on Grand Velas Los Cabos, please call 1-888-407-4869 or visit www.velasresorts.com.