Several Mexican resorts are offering a “flu-free guarantee” in hopes of stemming national tourism losses that could total 4 billion in 2009. Travel to more than twenty resorts booked by June 30 for this calendar year is eligible for the offer of three free vacations should a traveler become ill with a verified case of swine flu.
The Royal Playa Del Carmen is among the properties offering this incentive to hesitant vacationers with additional deep discounts and promotions listed on the resort website. Having recently enjoyed the endless amenities of this luxury resort last December, I can attest to the excellent values of the current vacation offers -regardless of the money back (in the form of future travel) guarantee.
The Royal’s palatial suites, most of which are ocean-view or oceanfront, include enormous in-room jacuzzis and terraces overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Rose petals, artistic towel “swans” and daily aroma therapy embellished our already delightful room, but the prize was most definitely the view of ever-blue water framed by rippling sheers.
All-inclusive resorts are the norm in Mexico’s resort areas; the quality of included fare can range from mediocre on up to exceptional. We found the extensive beverage and restaurant service at the Royal Playa Del Carmen to be consistently very good to excellent. We especially enjoyed our breezy lunches at Pelicanos on the beach and the fusian fare at Asianos. The fresh fruit, Mexican cuisine and outstanding made-to-order omelets at Spice gave it our top vote for breakfast. A well-equipped spa/fitness facility, watersports and a long beach -perfect for running and walking- made keeping up our exercise routines easy, and Playa Del Carmen was but a wander away -roughly a one block walk from the resort property.
A billowing breeze, crescent of shoreline and clear blue sea are the only true essentials for a perfect beach day. Add in a few unexpected delights such as frozen sugared grapes proffered on a passing tray and canopied beach beds -and one begins to understand the quiet joys of an adults-only resort.
Note the inviting plank swings dangling in front of a beach side bar and know that the child lives on in many of these adults…
It sounds heavenly! I wish I could convince my husband to go there.
What I have found from the link:
Guests who catch the H1N1 virus in Mexico — and have the blood test to prove it — can get their next three vacations for free.
I shall, for sure, not to try, even once.
I would love to visit Mexico to see the Mayan ruins but meanwhile my son and I are off to Peru in July to see the ruins of Machu Pichu. Mexico is definitely in my future though.
A flu-free vacation? Do we get our money back if we get it?
because of the swine flu pandemic, the Playa del Carmen must heighten their efforts to keep their customers free from h1n1 virus. but sometimes, no matter what the effort of the resort, people safeguard themselves from the spread of disease
Trisha: It was a pretty nice perk to enjoy just before the flurry of Christmas. The resort was lovely. ~Didn’t do as much of the usual exploring, but we did enjoy some snorkeling and the town of Playa Del Carmen. Tell your husband I think he should take you ; -)
Rainfield: I don’t know how many people who, having contracted a serious illness, would desire to return to the scene of the infection. My guess is that there would not be many actual partakers on the offer. However, what I believe these resorts are trying to communicate is an “all clear” to vacationers. ~And I would have to say that, at this point, the threat of flu would not deter me in taking advantage of some of the outstanding deals available.
Suzanne: That’s a dream trip! Mark at “Travel Wonders of the World” has written a terrific series about his travel on the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu. Here’s the first of them: http://www.travel-wonders.com/2008/10/trekking-to-lost-city-part-one-inca.html
Graham: -Not exactly a money-back offer; more of a “do over”, I’d say.
Airport Limo Service: Agreed. Ultimately, we are responsible for washing our own hands and fruit when we choose to travel (and back in our home countries). According to the CDC, there is no need to wear a mask unless one is ill or caring for a sick person.
Three free vacations should a person become ill? You’ve got to love the way PR/Advertising folk think.
If a trip to Mexico were in my plans, I’d take advantage of the offer. (Well, I’d *try not* to take advantage, but I’d choose one of the resorts making the offer.)
Delmer: The coastal towns are dependent on tourism dollars that have dwindled to a minimum. There are terrific values in travel to Mexico right now, and Playa del Carmen is definitely worth a visit.
I am surprised that there are such descent resorts in Mexico.
Ayia Napa: There are some excellent resorts in Mexico, but present turmoils throughout the country will preclude me from traveling there again anytime soon. Sad and scary times for the ordinary Mexican citizen…