by Carlos Rojas, Golf Director, Reserva Conchal Golf Club

As the director of the golf course here at Paradisus Playa Conchal in Costa Rica, I’d like to share with you a little overview of our course, Reserva Conchal, and a few tips to prepare to play it or use at your course at home!

The full, 18-hole golf course was meticulously designed by the famed Robert Trent Jones II and delivers sheer relaxation and spectacular fun for golfers of all levels. Whether it’s your first time golfing or even if you’ve been golfing for years, the course guarantees a fantastic play for everyone! 
           

Surrounded by the luscious greens and the striking blues of the Pacific Ocean, the scenery of the course is enough to keep you entertained.  Aside from the captivating surroundings, the 6,956 yards par 71 championship golf course is one of the best of the region. Since its inauguration in 1996, the course has provided golf aficionados with an extraordinary eco-golf experience. In fact, Audubon International has recognized our dedication, making this course the first one in Costa Rica to be certified by this prestigious eco award. This further shows our respect and responsibility to the Reserva Cochal Golf course and the environment.   
           

The golf course itself consists of elevations from tee to green that are very unique. The forest that surrounds the greens are extravagant, and the tee shots are covered by sand traps and lakes. Notable players who have taken a swing here are Jasper Parnevick, David Leadbetter, Hale Irwin, etc. However, this should not make you feel intimidated!

Some great pointers to keep in mind are to check the yardage book before you tee off and play very conservatively. The par 4s are long and uphill, which means that you might lose one or two clubs distance due to the elevations and sea level. I also always recommend practice the sand traps before you start because we have 63 of them throughout. In hole #7 alone, we have 13 traps! 

The number one tip that I can give, however, and I cannot emphasize this enough, is enjoy the views, the surrounding nature and have fun with your game!  Take your time and soak in the forest and wildlife around you.  Relax and have a ball!

We look forward to seeing you here in Costa Rica.

By María Victoria Gómez, Corporate Romance Manager

 

With Valentine’s Day coming up there are plenty of great ways for couples to celebrate- some are very inexpensive, some are a little more luxurious and of course there is always the option to surprise them with a romantic trip to Paradisus! 

 

As Paradisus’ Romance Manager guests look to me for advice on how to spice up their time at one of our four beautiful resorts. 

 

Below are a selection of my favorite suggestions; perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays or any special day:

• Surprise your Valentine with a night of dinner and dancing at home followed by breakfast in bed the next day 
• Give your sweetie a turn down service at home (Paradisus style) with special chocolates, new pajamas and a deep shoulder massage 
• Surprise them with a limousine ride for a night out on the town.  The two of you can cuddle in the back and bring a special nostalgic beverage for the occasion.  
• Take them on a ‘home getaway’ to a favorite city or dream vacation spot you have always wanted to visit together.  This takes a little research, but the right recipes, music, decorations and even costumes can really bring a different culture to life.  
• Pack a picnic and find a hiking trail in your area. Enjoy the exercise and nature together, while you spend alone time removed from the chaos of everyday life. 
• Collect items from a special trip together (honeymoon or just a great weekend getaway) and surprise your sweetie with a scrapbook.  Include postcards, restaurant menus, hotel brochures and area maps to create a unique gift.  Definitely include photos and write any special quotes or memories right in the book.
• Retreat from the bright city lights to gaze at the stars. Even without knowing all the constellations, setting up blankets and bringing a bottle of champagne can set a romantic mood, while looking at one of nature’s most beautiful exhibits. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a shooting star to make a wish upon.
• Check local calendars to find art gallery openings or special events at local museums.  Enjoying artistic events and learning together is a great bonding experience.
• Cook dinner together for each other.  One person is in charge of the entrée, and the other is in charge of dessert.  This allows you to work with your sweetie in the kitchen and enjoy the delicious fruits of your labor together!  Another great option is to take a cooking class together; many specialize in International food, desserts or cooking with wine- all fun activities to enjoy together.

 

 

Below is a special romantic menu inclusive of the recipes, from our Executive Chef at Paradisus Palma Real, Freddy Chi.  You can cook it with your sweetheart, or surprise them and cook it for them!    

 

Cherry Chilled Gazpacho

Ingredients:

7 oz Fresh Cherries

250 ml Tomato Juice

1/4 Cucumber  

2 Tbsp Rice Vinegar

1/2 Celery Stick

1/4 Small Onion

Salt to taste

4 Slices of White Bread

 

Preparation:

Blend all the ingredients. Chill.

Place croutons on top and serve.   

 

Filet Mignon with Passion Fruit Sauce
Shrimp Medallion with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce

Ingredients:

2 Filet Mignons 3,.88 oz each

3 Pcs of Shrimp 

3 Pcs of Bacon

Pinch of Rosemary

Pinch of Thyme

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

1/2 Onion, chopped  

1 Celery stick

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

100ml Truffle Oil 

100ml Chicken Broth

80ml Cream

 

Preparation:

Marinate the fillet for 10 minutes and pan-fry or grill until desired temperature. Marinate the shrimp and roll it in the bacon, pan-fry each side for 3 minutes and then put in the oven at 302ºF for about 5 minutes.  Dissolve the demiglaze with hot water or beef stock, then add the truffle.  Chop the onion, celery and garlic and saute with thyme and rosemary until brown, add chicken broth, boil for a few minutes and put the cream, salt and pepper to taste and blend.

 

Apple filled with Passion Fruit Mousse

Ingredients:

2 Red Apples

6 Pcs of Passion Fruit

14.11oz of Passion Fruit Purée

1 Cup of Sugar

10.58oz of Whipped Cream 

 

Preparation:

Puree the passion fruit in a blender until smooth, set aside. Whip the cream and sugar together. Mix in the passion fruit puree. Cut the apple in half, remove the inside and fill the apple with the passion fruit mousse.

 

Strawberry Sauce

Ingredients:

7 oz Strawberries

3.53 oz Sugar

 

Preparation:

Boil strawberries in two cups of water for 10 min and then mix in sugar. Add a dollop of the sauce to the top of each apple.   

 

 

Enjoy.

Daniela Pranjic, Manager at Paradisus Palma Real’s acclaimed YHI Spa

 

January and the early part of a new year are when the majority of people tend to make resolutions for the coming year, not surprisingly most resolutions have to do with one’s health.  I wanted to share some tips for staying healthy and renewing the body during the winter months, but it is also very important to focus on resolving unhealthy habits throughout the year. 

 

One of the most simple ways to improve health is drinking green tea.  According to Web MD, green tea has potential to fight cancer and heart disease, can lower cholesterol, burn fat, prevent diabetes and stroke, and stave off dementia.

 

Paradisus offers a Green Tea Body Scrub to cleanse and detox your body.  The green tea stimulates the immune system and protects the body from aging inwardly by delivering antioxidants, the Green Tea Body Scrub also cleanses and hydrates the body.  I also would recommend trying the Abhyanga Ayurvedic Massage at Paradisus; the rhythmic and deeply relaxing massage moves the “prana” which stimulates the body’s vital energy. 

 

 

There are easy treatments to replicate an invigorating scrub with items in one’s home.  A simple body scrub for the shower made by mixing bath salt or brown sugar with body cream, exfoliating and rinsing.  The scrub helps hydrate dry skin during the cold, winter months. 

 

I definitely suggest relaxing with a cup of green tea after the home treatment.  Surprisingly the antioxidants in green tea are actually more powerful than those found in Vitamin C.  

 

In addition to drinking tea for the health benefits, another healthy option for antioxidants is consuming mushrooms.  According to the World’s Healthiest Foods the relatively inexpensive button mushrooms provide as much or even more antioxidants than their costly cousins.  I think steamed mushrooms are delicious and they are very healthy, eating them raw is also a healthy way to consume them. 

 

So if getting down to Paradisus right now isn’t an option, definitely start drinking green tea, eating steamed mushrooms and trying an at home body scrub.

Mayan wedding ceremonies are filled with love and a deep-rooted respect for life

In this current fast passed traditional world, people are looking to add a deeper meaning to their lives and personal relationships. The unique experience of reuniting with nature and each other is a very passionate and spiritual experience. Mayan weddings are deeply moving ceremonies that remind us of an age-old universal force and sacred metaphors that people can still connect with today.

The Mayan Wedding Ritual is based in the Maya’s connection with the universe and their gods, and connected to ancient Mayan ceremonial wedding rites which is described in their sacred book the Popol Vuh

Your Paradisus Riviera Cancun Mayan ceremony is perfect for the bride and groom who desire something truly spiritual and non traditional for their wedding group celebration. Consider reconnecting with your loved one in a unique vow renewal, or perhaps you desire an intimate wedding for two. No mater size o your wedding group is, our local Mayan Shaman will perform your special Mayan wedding ceremony, filled with ancient Mayan mysticism and wisdom.

Celebrated at our sacred ceremonial site at Paradisus Riviera Cancun ,the bride and groom are presented to the seven directions: the four winds (north, south, east, west), up to the superior cosmic energy (masculine), down to Mother Earth (feminine) and inside to their hearts of the superior being. Flowers of the four Mayan colors are used are used to represent the four corners: white (representing North), red (East), yellow (South), and violet (West).

After the presentation of the couple, all guests present will proceed to the center of the circle. One by one each will offer a special blessing, a song, or a personal message to the couple. This makes the ceremony uniquely personal .The couple shares with each other whatever comes from their hearts, or whatever personal vows they have prepared. During this time rings are exchanged as symbols of the union. The group jointly gives thanks to all the directions, and they are considered husband and wife

Your Spiritual Mayan Wedding at Paradisus Riviera Cancun includes.

The Mayan Wedding Package – from $1,000 USD*

• Purified Wedding Location
• Special handmade altar done by our Mayan Priest
• Mayan Priest (Ha Men)
• Pre-Hispanic Mayan Music (Huch Ben Paax)
• Bridal bouquet with roses or tropical flowers
• Grooms Boutonniere matching bridal bouquet
• Paradisus Wedding Cake (your choice of Vanilla or Chocolate)
• 1 Bottle of domestic Champagne for the wedding toast
• Sound system with microphone
• Romantic turn-down service during your stay
• In-room bottle of domestic Red or White Wine or Champagne on the night of the Ceremony for the Couple
• 10% Discount on Spa Services for the Couple
• The expertise of our Romance Specialist, to help you plan all details to perfection
• Late Check-out for the Couple until 4pm (Subject to availability)

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Paradisus Punta Cana has spectacular gardens and is set amidst a tropical mangrove. It has a warm and welcoming tropical Caribbean feel that you will notice from the moment you walk into the spectacular lobby and are greeted with the warm smiles of the staff.

Multiple villas are dotted threw the property and the choice is yours if you want a tropical garden retreat or a spectacular ocean villa retreat.

The beach is one of the best in the Dominican Republic with a deep powder white sand beach and a clear shallow entry to spectacular clear aqua waters.

 

Paradisus Palma Real is a regal and impressive resort for those of discriminating taste. Once you enter the lobby of marble floors, golden statues and avant-garde furnishings you will know you have found your paradise.

One glance down the open staircase towards the plaza colonial will give way to the spectacular ocean view and palm tree line beach. Smaller and intimate Paradisus Palma Real will surprise you with its high end chef inspired restaurants and Las Vegas style shows.

Both resorts offer a Reserve section, Gabi Club, Family concierge and Royal service.

You will love them both, come for two weeks and stay one week at each resort.