Paradisus inspired cocktails are a delicious and easy way to bring indulgence and relaxation to any summer soiree. For those at home looking for a way to join us here in Punta Cana, just look to the kitchen!  Our bartenders here at Paradisus have whipped up some easy summer inspired cocktails to enjoy right at home when in the mood for some vacation fun.

Here are a few simple recipes below to bring the Caribbean feel to any back yard barbeque or party!  These fun frozen drinks will bring a splash of color and flavor to any gathering or romantic evening for two.  The highlighted Tropical Paradisus will make you feel right at the beach, and for a refreshing pick-me-up, the Blue is a great, delicious choice; and for Paradisus fans of all ages the Rainbow Kids cocktail cannot be beat!

Tropical Paradisus
1 ½ oz strawberry Syrup
1 oz orange juice
1 oz Pineapple juice
1 oz Liquor of banana
Garnish with a slice of orange and strawberry

Combine all ingredients into a blended with ice for 30 seconds and pour into a Hurricane Glass.

Blue
1 ½ oz Finest Call Blue Curacao
1 oz Coconut Cream
2 oz Pineapple juice
2 oz Orange Juice
1 dash of Amaretto
Garnish with a slice of pineapple and cherry

Combine all ingredients into a blended with ice for 30 seconds and pour into a Hurricane Glass.

Kids (Welcome drink for our little guests)
1 ½ oz Mango Syrup
1 ½ oz Strawberry Juice
1 oz Blue Curacao Finest Call (Non-alcoholic)
Garnish with a cherry

Combine ingredients one by one in a sour glass.

Few destinations boast the tropical beauty and colorful culture of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. With the Caribbean summer climate in mind,  Paradisus Palma Real has just announced a refreshing package that appeals to everyone— those looking to vacation with a significant other or families taking that well-deserved and long-awaited trip together. Paradisus Palma Real is offering the “Sunset Beach Bonfire” package, ideal for every type of vacation. This innovative package is anchored by the inclusion of a fully built bonfire pre-lit by the hotel’s staff moments before your arrival complete with extra wood to keep it going all night long! Large comfy beach blankets where one can relax while enjoying the fire and sunset views, a basket full of marshmallows, Hershey bars, chocolate chips and roasting sticks for those fire-side snacks allow you to maximize the beach bonfire experience. A portable mini freezer full of ice, chilled bottle water and soft drinks will sit on the sand to help cool off the summer heat.

In addition to the bonfire amenities, the package also includes a 50 minute massage for each adult, a complimentary round of golf and accommodations in a spacious Junior Suite, in which you can unwind after a day in the sun. Available for booking until July 31, 2010 the package requires a 5 day, 4 night stay and is priced at $3,385 per person.

For further information or to book travel, please dial 809-221-1111 or visit www.paradisus.com

Resort Bracelet

Keepsake Bracelet

Cota drew inspiration for the design after spending time at Paradisus Palma Real last fall. He was enamored with the beauty of his surroundings and used his experience to create a look that reflects the sophistication and glamour of Paradisus.

As Seen in Elle Magazine, Issue: May 2010

Cota created the bracelets using locally sourced products indigenous of regions where our properties are located (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Guanacaste, Costa Rica). Best of all- they are eco-friendly, made of hemp with a design embossed in a coconut shell!

Ahuia Spa at Paradisus Playa Conchal in Costa Rica is offering the Spa Getaway Package.  This package includes accommodations for four nights/five days and a welcome 30-minute facial to moisturize parched skin after a long flight as well as the signature spa treatment, a “shell massage.”  This 80-minute treatment uses warm clam shells (hand-selected in the Philippines) and coconut oil to bring balance to the body’s energy centers and create a state of well-being. 

Also included in the package is one private yoga class for two (30 minutes), an in-room
welcome gift, unlimited use of the spa Jacuzzi and 15% extra off of additional spa treatments. 

The package is $381 for a Deluxe Garden Junior Suite and $398 for a Royal Service Regal Junior Suite.  The price is per person, per night, based on double occupancy.  These rates are valid until August 31st. 

This package can be booked by calling (506) 2654-4123 or emailing resconchal@paradisusplayaconchal.com.
Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is offering the Spa Escape Package.  The package provides three nights’ accommodations in a Deluxe Garden View Suite (double occupancy) and includes two amazing treatments at the property’s tranquil Yhi Spa. 

Yhi Spas’ “Green Exfoliation” treatment is a 100% organic experience that combines aromatherapy with deep cleansing.  Guests are exfoliated using seaweed, afterwards a green tea moisturizer is applied to the skin to lock in and retain moisture.  

The Fresh Herbs Eco-Facial is a 50 minute process where guests begin the treatment by having their skin deep cleaned, exfoliated and protected with antioxidants.  This is followed by a hydrating and balancing clay mask for dry and sensitive skin or a toning and anti-inflammatory clay mask for normal to oily skin types.  The last step is a lotion that protect guest’s new radiant complexion and seals in the benefits of the natural products.  The facial also includes an energizing and antiseptic toning massage and a rejuvenating acupressure facial massage with oil.

This package is $769 per person for the three night stay, and additional nights are $213 a person.  This package can be booked for stays from May 1st-July 30th.  The package can be booked by calling (809) 221-1111 or emailing hipolitom@solmelia-caribe.com.

We have some very exciting Paradisus updates I wanted to share with our wonderful Paradisus community.  Some of you may have heard the news surrounding changes in the Paradisus portfolio, and I wanted to tell you personally that we are opening two new Paradisus Resorts in Mexico- Paradisus Playa Del Carmen and Paradisus Xaman.  The properties will be located in Riviera Maya’s prestigious Playa del Carmen enclave on Mexico’s eastern shore– renowned for pristine white sand beaches and turquoise water.

In order to prepare for the addition of two new-build resorts we unfortunately had to sell our shares in the Riviera Cancun property, which is now under separate management.  This will allow us to focus on the two new properties and provide the very best that we can to our guests looking to visit Mexico.  We can’t wait to open these new properties and look forward to hosting you (although opening dates have yet to be confirmed). 

• Be smart about airfare 
  Oftentimes, booking last minute airfare can get very expensive. By figuring out the best travel dates for you two-three months in advance, you’re giving yourself ample time to shop around for competitive pricing on airline tickets. You can use websites such as Kayak.com to compare fares on all major travel booking engines. Also, by avoiding travel on major national holidays (for example, Fourth of July) airline fares can be very low. You can also land a great deal by extending your departure and arrival dates to weekdays, hence avoiding the heavy weekend travel rush.  
• Discuss and agree upon the destination of choice
  Making a decision on which destination is the best locale for a vacation is very important. Choose a destination that has elements to please everyone. For example, if one person wants to lay on a beach all day and another is interested in being active and going on nature-inspired excursions, a great option is Paradisus Playa Conchal where guests can enjoy not only a gorgeous and serene beach but also access to nature reserves with zip-lining, water rafting and volcano tours! Compromise galore! 
• Request in-room amenities in advance
  When making reservations, a smart and time-saving tip is to ask the booking agent to request certain in-room amenities in advance such as extra pillows, an extra bed or even a chilled bottle of champagne waiting for your arrival! 
• Book activities in advance
  Once you’ve identified the travel destination and made reservations at the property of choice, make sure you get in touch with the hotel or resort’s concierge to explain what types of activities you’re looking for. Once you have all of your options in place and have discussed them with your group, book everything in advance to avoid wasting precious sun time doing so while on vacation! The new YHI Spa at The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, for example, provides fantastic treatments in private cabins with outdoor showers that can alleviate the stress of having planned a summer getaway! 
• Pack light
  Remember mom’s packing advice: put everything in a suitcase, take half of it out and go. By being a savvy traveler and light packer, you’ll save money on airline luggage weight fees and will leave room in your suitcase to bring souvenirs home! Try to bring outfits that are similar in color palettes and styles so you can easily combine outfits and don’t have to bring extra items.
• Take advantage of family-focused programs
  If you’re traveling with little ones, it’s worth taking a look into Paradisus’ hassle-free vacation Family Concierge or Posh Mom programs. These two family-focused programs are available at all Paradisus properties and provide guests with access to a family-friendly pool equipped with toys, as well as a dedicated (24-hour) Family Concierge, available via walkie-talkie. The specially-designed Family Concierge suites are exceptionally spacious with separate living quarters, a sofa bed and the option for adjoining rooms and feature in-room amenities such as children-sized bathrobes and slippers, children’s pillows, towels, “tear free” bath products, weekly kids’ activity menu and a fully stocked mini bar offering juices and chocolate and strawberry-flavored milk.  
• The Posh Mom packages, developed in conjunction with the creators of PoshMom.com, offer the same services and amenities such as the Family Concierge program, but with added components aimed at having the most hassle-free and luxurious family vacation experience. These include providing beach toys and a “beach bag valet,” complimentary laundry for ALL of your clothing prior to your return home and reserved Bali beds beach or poolside.

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! 
           

Reserva Conchal Golf Club View

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.   

Romantic Candlelight Dinner

Enjoy.

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. 

YHI Spa at Paradisus Palma Real, The Reserve

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. 

Eco Spa Cabin, YHI Spa

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.

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.

Tropical Gardens at Paradisus Punta Cana

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.

Breathtaking views at Paradisus Palma Real