Caribbean, Mexico vacation spots are new and improved

By Lena Katz

Mexico and Caribbean resort and hotel developers are going crazy with openings, revamps and new experiences lately. It seems like they’re all in competition to out-glam, over-option and underbid each other. It’s great news for vacationers, especially since short-haul travel is in a lot of our plans this summer.

Spas are no longer for the 18+ crowd … in fact, at Grand Velas All-Suite Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, there’s a whole program geared toward the "Please Mom, let me borrow your makeup" set. A special menu of 25-minute kiddie treatments includes the "Little Green Elf Facial" and scented "Malt Baths" in chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. Mommy and Me offerings include a "Princess Ritual," "Glamour Ritual" and "Dream Nails" — all with standard pampering for moms, and lots of sparkly stick-on stuff for little girls.

All-inclusive mini-chain Couples Resorts improves on a winning formula with the $4.5 million refurb of Couples Sans Souci. Updated décor and public facilities make this classic luxury all-inclusive even more appealing. A $15 million property-wide renovation of Couples Ochos Rios follows; the property is closed throughout the summer and fall. Meanwhile the Couples manifesto remains the same: a "Chief Romance Officer" heads up the twosome-friendly staff; personalized romance novels are back for a second season; and an enhanced "Romance Rewards" program caters toward Couples’ loyal repeat guests.

This winter, two popular hotels for weekend getaways — the San Juan Marriott Resort in Puerto Rico and Marina el Cid hotel in Cozumel — completed extensive renovations and expansions. The Marriott increased its numbers to 525 rooms and updated all of them with 36” flat-screen televisions, wireless Internet, and remodeled bathrooms with rain showers. The hotel also expanded on-site Stellaris Casino. Marina el Cid finished a $50 million expansion in January, adding 150 new suites and a convention center. This all-inclusive deluxe resort also has four restaurants, a 120-slip marina and a 13,000-square-foot spa.