Question 1: Do the a la carte restaurants need reservations?

Geography Question: What are other names of Puerto Vallarta? Hint: There are two other names, just give me one.

Travel Trivia Rules and Terms: By participating in the travel trivia contest you are agreeing to follow all rules and terms of Applespecials.com, SVH tours and travel and any state or government regulations. Void where prohibited. Be aware that your IP Address will be recorded when submitting answers, do not use multiple e-mail addresses. Only submit one set of answers per Travel Trivia Contest Video. Read the rest of this entry »

Edvin interviews many different types of travelers to get their own personal opinions about this magnificent hotel! Enjoy this short video of Barcelo Puerto Vallarta and leave back any comments or thoughts about this hotel. Scroll down to view some of the comments of this clip.

Good description of hotel amenities, great for families.
– Dorita Scott
Sales Manager-Pacific Coast, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado
Barcelo Hotels & Resorts

He did an extraordinary job.
-Ana Diaz Coreas
Director of Sales West Coast and Southwest USA
BARCELO HOTELS AND RESORTS

It looks good & quite focused.
-Claudio A. Zboznovits
Vice President Sales & Marketing USA
Barcelo Hotels and Resorts

Excellent job, great interview and very nicely done.
- Rhoda Jimenez
Apple Vacations Sales Manager
West Coast

I visited this hotel with my son for site inspection. The Grand Velas in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico was just splendid! The Spa was amazing, as usual, too amazing to be captured of video or photo. The Grand Velas in Puerto Vallarta did not disappoint me, with its two different temperature pools, its amazing eatery, and its beautiful location! Grand Velas left me in awe once again! I just had to share some of its beauty with our followers and you can view the Hotel’s information by Clicking Here. Take a look through our Photos and decide for yourself wether Grand Velas is of your liking! Our Grand Velas HD Slideshow will be uploaded soon, so stay tuned for that and constantly check back! Grand Velas is a top of the line chain of hotels, visiting the Grand Velas in Riviera Nayarit we were amazed to see that each cycling treadmill in the Gym had its own mini TV! Grand Velas cares about the small details that make a resort amazing, and that is makes the difference!

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Maya Riviera is a lovely Mexican resort that provides incredible all inclusive vacation packages, making it one of the premiere resorts for Mexico vacations.

With only 90 luxury suites, this hotel offers an intimate setting that focuses on wellness, romance, and relaxation. The Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita is truly catered to travelers seeking a serene getaway from their bustling lives. Read the rest of this entry »

Mexico’s Mayan Riviera:
The ancient Mayan civilization built its world famous pyramids around the area of Tulum, an ancient city surrounded by a brilliant sugary white beaches, clear blue waters, and acres of lush and tropical palms. The Dreams Tulum Resort sits on two miles of powdery white sand, just five minutes away from the mystical pyramids of Tulum. Located in Mexico but on the Caribbean shore, this Apple vacations resort is a great location to experience both Mexico and the Caribbean all in one.

Resort Overview:
The mixture of colonial and Hacienda-style architecture is well complimented by the blue and white hews radiating from the beach. No matter which sumptuous suite you choose, some of the highlights enjoyed by all guests are marble bathrooms, dock stations for your iPod, in-room Jacuzzis, and private patios or balconies (some even with hammocks)! All the typical fun water activities are included at this all inclusive resort, including snorkeling, an ocean trampoline, and introductory scuba diving lessons. Dreams Tulum is the only resort in the Mayan Riviera that offers bike tours to the ancient ruins and pyramids. Kids ages 3 though 13 stay/eat/play free! Also, children can take part in a supervised Mayan-themed Explorer’s Club at no extra cost.
The vast majority of guests select the all inclusive vacation package, which Dreams Tulum has dubbed their “Unlimited Luxury” package. With 8 gourmet restaurants to choose from, this resort can satisfy anyone’s appetite at anytime. Enjoy a wide variety of sushi, gourmet Mexican, a seafood/steakhouse grill, pan-Asian specialties, a café-style diner, Italian cuisine, and of course, 24-hour room service. There is an abundance of night fun to choose from. Let loose at one of 7 cocktail lounges, including a poolside and a beachside bar. Attend themed beach parties, open-air stage shows, movies every night at the beach, karaoke, disco night, and casino night. Like any Apple vacation resort should be, Dreams Tulum is a Mexico all inclusive resort where the fun only ends when you want it to.

Golf Much?
Currently Dreams Tulum is offering a free, 18-hole round of golf per person per day to all guests (certain restrictions apply).

The Grand Velas in the Mayan Riviera is a stunning Apple vacations resort elegantly complimented by native artwork and upscale furnishings. Rated Five Diamonds by AAA, this Mexico all inclusive resort is situated along 1,640 feet of glorious white beach and the clear turquoise water that all Caribbean coasts are famous for. Not only do guest enjoy pristine private beaches, Grand Velas is surrounded by the lush, tropical Yucatan jungle.

Imagine returning to your suite after a long day of fun and taking a soothing rinse in your private plunge pool; more than half of the suites offer a plunge pool and Jacuzzis so it’s not just a feature for the elite. Dine like a king at any of 7 gourmet restaurants, or keep a low profile with 24 hour room service. Obviously everything is included in this all inclusive vacation package: food, drinks, tip, tax, etc. So eat up!

Fun in the Sun:

When guests finally venture away from the Infinity Pool, Grand Velas in Riviera Maya will have you zipping across jungle paths on ATV’s or swimming through deep underwater caverns in a secluded Maya community. Riviera Maya is home to one of the longest explored underground river systems in the world, making it a top Apple vacations destination.  These “cenotes”, or underground caves with freshwater rivers, make for exciting diving experiences. The Riviera Maya ranks among the top scuba diving destinations in the world. For passionate divers, please don’t miss the experience of discovering the Caribbean seabed: Caves, shipwrecks and the exciting night diving. Scuba diving is additional.

Complimentary snorkeling in the crystal clear Caribbean waters of the Riviera Maya is an unforgettable adventure where coral reefs teem with neon marine life. Wonderful private tours on sailboats and catamarans, diving courses, guided visits to the most fascinating coral reefs in Mexico, jet ski tours, parasailing, and kayaking are available. Swimming with dolphins and seeing them up close is a once-in-a-lifetime experience available to guests.

A Unique Feature of Grand Velas in Riviera Maya:

In addition to all the obvious amenities of a world class all inclusive resort, Grand Velas Riviera Maya boasts one of the most cutting edge, fully equipped convention centers in the world. With 91,547 square feet of elegant and flexible event space, 2 ballrooms, 32 breakout rooms, and a team of professional event coordinators, the Grand Velas convention center can host anywhere from 10 to 3,000 guests for any occasion from  business conventions to weddings and other special events.

I have just recently visited one of the best properties in Riviera Maya, Mexico, BarceloMaya Palace Deluxe. This hotel was just outstanding, and an amazing destination for a teenager like me. I can only begin by telling you that Riviera Maya is a great vacation spot, with its Caribbean Sea, and nice beaches. Specifically speaking, Barcelo Maya Palace had it all, including Tennis and Basketball courts! This is not all, what was just utterly amazing was the this property included an actual Soccer Field located within its grounds! This means that you can enjoy so much when you visit Barcelo Maya Palace, from AppleSpecials!

From the sports and activities, lets go to the pools. This hotel had its own mini water park for the children! Located directly next to its main pool was a small waterpark that had water slides, fountains, and was complete with a beautiful touch. The pools also had water jets that shot out at fast speeds and were soothing to the back. Personally, I enjoyed the hammocks that were set all around the Pool area. What was unique about Barcelo Maya Palace was that usually you have the ice hockey, and billiard tables located in the sports area, whereas in this hotel they were located near the pool area.

The pool is also near a outdoor specially designed basketball court, made for playing in the Pool area. The fitness was great, it offered many different machines and workout stations. You could also rent a basketball, tennis racket/ball, football, and even a volleyball in the fitness area for use! Another amazing factor was that this hotel offered electric bikes, and golf carts, that you could rent and drive on the hotel grounds. Barcelo Maya Palace is a complex with other Barcelo hotels’, which means that this is closed, and very safe for driving and just enjoying your vacation!

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world of high class all inclusive resorts is Cancun.

Cancun all inclusive vacations are amazing as such—the landscape of the area has grown to be one of the best-suited travel spots for tourists seeking luxurious vacations.  But for many, enjoying a Cancun all inclusive in the midst of all of the tourist traffic can be difficult.

If you’ve been considering a Mexico all inclusive in the Cancun area but the traffic is an issue, than check out the region just south of Cancun known as the Riviera Maya.

The Riviera Maya is predominantly a tourism region as well, but it offers a bit more sanctuary than the bustling Hotel Zone nearby.

Secrets Silversands Riviera Maya might just be the perfect all inclusive resort for those seeking a little romantic privacy in a luxurious resort setting.  For starters, it’s adults only, so the family atmosphere is completely removed.

8 Fine dining restaurants, 7 of which are a la carte, make Secrets Silversands Riviera Maya a bit more conducive to couples vacations. The landscape is breathtaking, offering over 43,000 square feet of pool areas, manicured gardens and luxurious facilities.

Secrets Spa by Pevonia

Secrets Spa by Pevonia offers an elegant array of therapeutic body treatments, including eccentric treatments like ice baths and high-pressure showers. An in-spa beauty salon with full hair treatments and the traditional manicure and pedicure services just scratches the surface of the spa—17 massage rooms, a whirlpool, sauna and steam room facility round it out. Try an outdoor couples massage facing the beach for the ultimate in romantic relaxation.

Check out the video below for some up-close and personal shots of Secrets Silversands Riviera Maya.  If you like what you see, check out all of the Apple Vacations packages Apple Specials offers to Secrets and book your Mexico all inclusive today.

Cancun offers some of the most stunning and elegant resorts for vacationers year round, but if you’ve been to the Hotel Zone before and want to avoid the bustling tourists or obnoxious spring breakers for your next vacation, we at Apple Specials recommend having a stay out of the Hotel Zone and in Riviera Maya instead.  Here, you get the benefits of the beautiful resorts, but are away from the bulk of the tourism and closer to the local culture as well.

No resort is a better option for this than Iberostar Paraiso Lindo, one of the finest resorts in Riviera Maya—and they DON’T allow spring breakers at all! Located right on Playa del Carmen, Iberostar Paraiso Lindo is a spectacular pocket of the Carribean and is crafted with colonial architecture reminiscent of the local Mayan culture.  Yellow interior suits have antique lantern fixtures while the outdoors are riddled with palm trees to accent their sub-tropical landscape.

Iberostar Paraiso Lindo has five pools, two of which are lake-sized and one of which is the only wave pool in Riviera Maya.  Special accommodations and activities are available for children of vacationing families. There’s no shortage of food at the resort either, with one international buffet style restaurant and four a la carte restaurants to choose from, in addition to a snack bar and grill located poolside.

Nearby Playa del Carmen offers a fantastic snapshot of local markets, Mexican art and culture. An eclectic city with plenty of local nightlife and exotic views, an experience away from the touristy traps of the Cancun Hotel Zone is just minutes away.  Guests can even take a ferry to the nearby island of Cozumel as well should they desire an adventure away from the resort.

If the activities of Iberostar Paraiso Lindo aren’t enough for you, the all inclusive resort also has full exchange privileges with Iberostar Paraiso del Mar and Iberostar Paraiso Beach, neighboring resorts that also share the amazing Caribbean and ancient cultural scenery of Riviera Maya.

So if you’re looking for as romantic couple’s retreat or a nice family vacation away from the bulk of Cancun’s tourism, then check out what all inclusive vacation packages Apple Specials can offer for a stay with Iberostar Paraiso Lindo.

HOT SUMMER TRAVEL DEALS
CANCUN / RIVIERA MAYA

Los Angeles to Cancun Non-Stop Charter Service!
Upgrade to first-class seating from $140 more per person.

BARCELO TUCANCUN BEACH (CANCUN)
ALL-INCLUSIVE! SA/SU, Aug-21 to Sep-5, 7 nights
from $829.99

SQUARE DEAL (CANCUN)
ALL-INCLUSIVE! We’ll advise you of your hotel just prior to departure,guaranteed to be 5-Apple or better! SA/SU, Aug-21 to Sep-5, 7 nights
from $829.99

ROYAL SOLARIS CANCUN (CANCUN)
ALL-INCLUSIVE! Two kids 12 & under Stay, Play & Eat FREE!SA/SU, Aug-21 to Sep-5, 7 nights
from $879.99

SQUARE DEAL (RIVIERA MAYA)
ALL INCLUSIVE! We’ll advise you of your hotel just prior to departure, guaranteed to be 5-Apple or better! SU/SA, Jul 3-17, 24, 31, Aug 7-15, 7 nights
from $829.99

OCCIDENTAL GRAND XCARET (RIVIERA MAYA)
ALL-INCLUSIVE! Two kids 12 & under Stay, Play & Eat FREE! SU/SA, Jul 3-17, 24, 31, Aug 7-15, 7 nights
from $949.99

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FROM SVH TOURS & TRAVEL

RIU PALACE LAS AMERICAS (CANCUN)
7 Nights 8 Days with non-stop air on Alaska Air departure 2 PAX. Ocean view room.
Travel Sunday to Sunday, Jul 4, Jul 25, Aug 1, Aug 15.
TOTAL FOR 2 TRAVELERS AFTER TAX $2,798
For booking or more information contact us

BARCELO MAYA PALACE (RIVIERA MAYA)
2 Adults and 2 children (under 12 years old) with non-stop air from LAX departure.
Sunday to Sunday,  July 4, July 18, August 1, August 8.
TOTAL FOR 4 TRAVELERS AFTER TAX $4,198
For booking or more information contact us

SECRETS SILVERSANDS (RIVIERA MAYA)
8 Days with non-stop air. Adults only. Departure July 24.
TOTAL FOR 2 TRAVELERS AFTER TAX $2,798
For booking or more information contact us

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RIU CARIBE (CANCUN)
8 Days ocean view room. 4 Travelers. 2 Adults and 2 Children (under 12 years old). Departures July 31 and August 8.
TOTAL FOR 2 TRAVELERS AFTER TAX $2,198
TOTAL FOR 4 TRAVELERS( 2 Adults & 2 Children) AFTER TAX $3,498
For booking or more information contact us

OCEAN CORALS (RIVIERA MAYA)
8 Days, 2 adult and 2 children (under 12 years old). Departure August 1.
TOTAL FOR 2 ADULTS AND 2 CHILDREN AFTER TAX  $3,498
For booking or more information contact us

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LAST MINUTE DEALS

Los Angeles to Cancun Non-Stop Charter Service!
Upgrade to first-class seating from $140 more per person.

ALLEGRO PLAYACAR (RIVIERA MAYA)
ALL-INCLUSIVE!  SUN, June 20. 7 nights. From $599.99

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RIVIERA MAYA SQUARE DEAL (RIVIERA MAYA)
ALL-INCLUSIVE!  We’ll advise you of your hotel just prior to departure, guaranteed to be 5-Apples or better! SUN, June 20. 7 nights. from $599.99

All-Inclusive and Unlimited-Luxury Include all meals, drinks, non-motorized watersports and more!