MAGAZINE N. 4, NOV-JAN, 2018
The Luxury of All Our Resorts in One Single Vacation REWARDS EXPERIENCE:
Win a Stay at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Habb Shifts to Indian Cuisine, and Everything That’s New
LONE STAR FESTIVAL COMES TO AN END
N. 4, NOV-JAN, 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS P.
4
My Exotic Experience
P.
8
My Favorite Benefit
P.
9
Special Contests
P. 10
Trip Advisor Reviews
P. 12
What’s New
P. 16
Membership Tips
P. 18
Members Events
P. 17
My Gourmet Inclusive Experience
P. 20
Member Deals
P. 21
We care
P. 22
Contact us
EDITOR’S NOTE
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he year is coming to an end, and so we publish our last issue of the year. It’s been a rollercoaster ride since we first launched Exotic Travelers Magazine back in February. We have grown and expanded, we have improved, we have learned from our mistakes and moved onto creating better experiences for everyone. With the closing of the year comes the promise of new things and adventures for Karisma Hotels & Resorts, Exotic Travelers and you. It’s always you. In this issue, you can read our favorite stories from the past months shared by our happy members – whether they’re on their first visit back as members, or their 20th. Within these pages, you will find out why we love the Stay One, Experience All benefit, and how to make the most of your membership while staying at Azul Beach Resorts. You will read about the Lone Star Food, Arts & Music Festival that took over El Dorado Royale since July, and you will learn how Exotic Travelers cares for their incredible staff. As always, it’s a pleasure for us to share our newest issue and look forward to hearing your comments about it. We look forward to writing more for you in 2018! Exotic Travelers Team
MY EXOTIC EXPERIENCE
“Buenos días! We are starting our 4th morning of our vacation off with a beautiful sunrise. Everything here at [El Dorado Royale] has been perfect for us. Smooth check-in, greeted by one of our favorites, Gabby! Such a perfect birthday trip so far. Love this place.” – Ashley Harland Lanman
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The Experience of a Lifetime
“Amazing last day in paradise! We had breakfast in bed, followed by an amazing 80-minute couples massage with Carmen and Paulina, after hydrotherapy journey. Did our last lunch at Jojo’s with our awesome waiter, Carlos. And then met some great folks and great conversation in our swim up. Finished off the night with a candlelight dinner on the beach, but the moon lit up the beach. So beautiful with the most amazing spouse ever. Lobster was so delicious and wine was flowing! We told him we were celebrating life, because life with each other is amazing. We danced all night and came back to our room for an amazing goodbye surprise from our butlers, Javier, Manuel and Berenice who were fabulous. We will miss our concierge team in block 41. Thank you for making this stay better than the last! Hoping to see you all next year. HASTA LUEGO EDR, it was a great 8 days! Love, team James.” – Melissa Jason James Don’t forget to share your best travel experiences using the hashtag #ExoticExperience and #ExoticTravelers across our social media platforms.
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MY EXOTIC EXPERIENCE
Why We Love Exotic Travelers!
“We just got back home and I’m already missing the fantastic people and fantastic view at El Dorado Seaside – Sensimar. Thanks to all of the wonderful staff – Carlos, César, Iván, Ana, and Arturo, who helped to make our days there so lovely!” – Rena’ Turner
Good morning from Azul Beach – Ashely Patterson
“Reserved beach bed…I can get used to this… “ - Frank Smith.
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“Had a great first day and night. Got to see some familiar faces and were able to actually meet some more that we only know through Facebook. Really enjoyed the Lone Star gala dinner and looking forward to turning 49 in a few hours with my friend Lance McCalip. Tomorrow should be a great day.” – Jim Breitbach
“Just got back from another amazing trip to Generations! Love this place! Always great food and service! Thanks Bruno, Paulina and our butler, David, for making it so special.” – Kim Evans Karcher
“The dream team of 32…xoxo 12 vacations together” – Michelle Gwizdala
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MY FAVORITE BENEFIT
The luxury of all our resorts in one single vacation Share your favorite benefits with us by using the hashtag #ExoticExperience on social media.
E
ven though most of our members have a favorite resort from all the Karisma properties, it can still be hard to decide every vacation whether to return to the same one or try a new one. Through other members they learn the pros and cons of every resort and sometimes end up deciding to try a new one. But if you’re set on always returning to the same resort, you can still enjoy the luxury of them all. One of the most attractive benefits of being an Exotic Travelers member is the ability to enjoy all our resorts in a single vacation through our Stay One, Experience All complimentary day pass (extra charges may apply for some membership levels). How does the Stay One, Experience All day pass benefit work? If you’re craving more than one resort during your visit to our properties, you can approach anyone from the Members Experience team or your Personal Concierge to ask for your complimentary day pass to another resort. You choose which resort you want to spend the day at – from 9am to 5pm – and you get the same perks you do as in your home resort. This means you won’t lose your Exotic Travelers member privileges. For further information on the Stay One, Experience All member benefit, be sure to contact Members Experience at memberservices@exotictravelers.com.
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STAY ONE, EXPERIENCE ALL
SPECIAL CONTESTS
Win a 3-day / 2-night stay at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows!
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n our constant search to offer you better and bigger rewards, we’ve decided to give you a chance to win a 3-day / 2-night stay at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows, at El Dorado Maroma, a Spa Resort by Karisma. If you can picture yourself spending a weekend sipping on cold margaritas, being tended to for your every need, and enjoying the azure calm waters of the Caribbean Sea, then this contest is for you. How does it work? Enter our Top Referrals contest by clicking here. All you need to do is enter as many referrals as possible – with a minimum of 10 – during the time the contest is open (until December 22, 2017). Your referrals will get a chance to visit paradise and learn all about the Gourmet Inclusive® Experience, while you enter for a chance to stay at our most luxurious accommodations. For further information on the contest, or on the Rewards Program, you can reach us at rewardsexp@exotictravelers.com. Remember, the more you refer, the sooner you vacation for free!
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REVIEWS
What You’ve Said Share your opinion on TripAdvisor and don’t forget to include the words ‘exotic experience’ in your reviews!
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hare your opinion in TripAdvisor and don’t forget to include the words ‘Exotic Experience’ and ‘Exotic Travelers’ in your reviews. Your reviews on TripAdvisor and other social media platforms are a true reflection of the wonderful experiences that Exotic Travelers resorts offer for our members.
“[Generations Riviera Maya] is bananas; absolutely amazing, [and I] definitely recommend it to anyone. Food, the pools and my friend Luiz is a top-notch guy, super nice and helps with anything with a huge smile on his face. I will come back as soon as possible. We came here for a wedding for my family and we couldn’t ask for a better experience” – Ty C.
“Best vacation we have ever had. Don’t think we will ever go anywhere else again. Nothing like you find in the USA. Very reasonable prices and great entertainment. Loved my experience [at El Dorado Seaside Suites] with Norma, Eddy, Christopher, and David. Norma was by my side the entire week to make sure we were having fun. Will be scheduling another trip this spring. Thanks Norma for everything.” – Coffey1980
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“We traveled to El Dorado Maroma per the recommendation of a friend of ours and, WOW, are we glad we came! We just returned to Ohio from spending 7 nights at the Palafitos and what a wonderful experience this was. Everything was perfect – from the moment we arrived at the resort, until the moment we left. Upon arrival, Mark picked us up from the main lobby to check us in to the Palafitos, and he had us laughing the entire time! Our room wasn’t quite ready, and we were starving, so he made the check-in process smooth and swift, then took us to the Overwater restaurant to get some lunch. What an asset to the staff! David at the Palafitos lobby was also great, he gets FIVE stars! While we didn’t utilize our concierge service as much as most probably do, Tomas and Fernanda were wonderful and both were very kind. Thank you! Special shout out our FAVE – Felipe, the Palafitos beach bartender. He is AMAZING! Wonderful personality, extremely attentive, and he made sure we were never thirsty! Daisy was equally as wonderful – making sure we always had a beach bed, food, and anything else you could possibly think of! Glad we got to spend part of her birthday with her! Jesus, who took us kayaking and snorkeling, is an absolute sweetheart. The entire staff is just fabulous! I truly wish I could remember everyone’s names because everyone deserves recognition! The few I remember – Diego, Omar, Manuel, Florentino, and Simon. Patty, who turned down our room every night, also deserves mention! Thank you everyone – we WILL be back next year!” – jbanks12
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WHAT’S NEW?
Exotic Travelers is always looking to improve, expand and enhance the experience of our members.
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xotic Travelers is always looking to improve, expand and enhance the experience of our members. In partnership with Karisma Hotels & Resorts, we are always striving for bigger, better and more luxurious and exciting. Here is what has been happening over the past few months:
Natura Day Club and Grill: an adults-only paradise! Azul Beach Resort the Fives Playa del Carmen has now introduced a tropical oasis with an elevated dose of originality: Natura Day Club and Grill. Featuring a sandy poolside hang out that encompasses a lounge, grill and bar serving unrivaled exotic drinks, you can keep your senses alive and refreshed. The natural elements of the local mangrove make it a relaxing area offering adults-only tranquility.
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Introducing ALG Kids Concierge Program If you’re traveling through Apple Leisure Group your children are about to really understand the Gourmet Inclusive® Concierge Program. Our specialty Kids Concierge Program will receive your children with a big smile on their faces and by offering them a delicious children’s beverage. They will also be given a personalized welcome letter with a personal invitation to visit Azulitos Playhouse. New Regulations at Azulitos Playhouse To ensure greater safety for our smallest guests at Azul Beach Resort the Fives Playa del Carmen, Azulitos Playhouse has instituted new regulations that parents must agree with before dropping their children off. These are the official rules: • Parents must present an official ID of the minor. No minors will be allowed to enter or leave without a parent or guardian present. • Activities are managed via reservations (which must be made one day in advance). These are subject to maximum 24 children per activity. Once the activity has begun, children will not be able to join.
• Parents may not participate in any activity, except in family-oriented ones. Children under 4 are not allowed in activities either. • Parents must drop off and pick up their children at Azulitos Playhouse exclusively when participating in beach and pool activities. They are not allowed to pick them up or drop them off at the beach or at the pool. • From 1pm to 2pm Azulitos Playhouse leaves for lunch time and is left unsupervised. Parents must pick up their children before the stated time. However, if parents wish to stay at the playhouse with their children (fully supervised) at that time, they may do so. • Nightly activities are exclusively for children 4 to 12 years old and last 2 hours (from 7pm to 9pm). • Every activity is fully supervised by professional Azulitos staff. If children do not wish to participate in certain activities, their parents may join them in the facilities. • Stay & Play for children under 4 is from 9am to 5pm. • Azulitos is not a nursery or day care center. It is an activity area and so schedules and programs must be followed through appropriately.
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Habb: new Indian cuisine at Generations Riviera Maya Habb Restaurant has completely redesigned their menu, migrating from their deliciously traditional Mediterranean take onto Indian cuisine. The change comes from a demand for this type of cuisine from a large group of visitors every year. Amongst the many new options, you will find appetizers such as chicken tikka and Hara Barah kebab; soups like the mouth-watering jeera Gobi soup; main courses like the traditional tandoori masala shrimps; and of course, rice, everything from chicken biryani to jeera rice. Complement with the traditional oven-baked flatbread, naan, and bon appetite!
Discover the Spicier Side of Mexico at the Chili Pepper Festival From October 23 to October 27 guests at El Dorado Royale enjoyed the second edition of the Chili Pepper Festival. This year around, we brought Bravo’s Top Chef Master, Rick Bayless, and six local chefs to create culinary delights and enlighten our guests’ five senses all centered around the star ingredient: the chili pepper.
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See you at Rick’s Bar! El Dorado Maroma recently opened the longawaited Rick’s Bar. Open until 2am, the bar is perfect for those who want to shake it up on the dance floor to the live music, but it also accommodates those who just want a nightcap. Rick’s is Maroma’s life of the party.
Holiday Village Montenegro coming in 2018 In summer 2018, you will have 257 new rooms in Montenegro to enjoy the 12 km of coast in Ulcinj. Located on Velika Plaza – or the Big Beach – Karisma is bringing a new unparalleled experience for you in one of the most sought-after destinations for vacationers in Europe. The brand-new hotel, with its fresh-from-the-wrapping facilities, will offer amazing family vacations for you to brag about.
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MEMBERSHIP TIPS
How to exploit your membership at Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Mexico
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f you are traveling to the Riviera Maya, it’s safe to bet on staying at Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Mexico. The resort is perfect for the whole family, offering an extensive selection of daytime and nighttime activities, events, restaurants, pools, and many more things. As Exotic Travelers members, here are some of the amazing perks you get to enjoy and how to exploit them while staying at this family-centered resort. Trust us, your family playcation is about to reach a whole other level.
Choose the suite of your liking Pick from one of the 435 suites available at the resort. Whether you are looking at the Luxury Jacuzzi Suite or the Family Jacuzzi Suite, you are sure to find accommodation to fit your needs, wants, and offer you the amazing beyond-all-inclusive experience that Exotic Travelers has for you. Book a reservation at Le Chique This avant-garde AAA Five Diamond restaurant is a member-favorite, and you have got to try it. The only downside is that it’s adults-only, but this grants you a night off from changing diapers while one of our nannies takes over the parenting duty for the night. Go for it – award winning multi-sensory dining is waiting for you.
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Give your children the spa day they deserve Children should never be getting stressed – especially when on vacation. However, they will find something to stress about – even if it’s about having sand in their hair. Give them a relaxing experience by booking them for a kid’s spa treatment and they will surely be thanking you for it later. Take away more than just a stress-free vacation Take part in the wide array of activities available for the whole family, giving you something to cherish as a family when you leave the resort. Take home the ability to impress your friends on the dance floor, or the knowledge of a new language, a surprisingly good new recipe to cook, and much more. Stop parenting and start enjoying Leave the children at the Azulitos Playhouse by Nickelodeon™ and go spoil yourself at the spa for a couple of hours. They will enjoy a full day of fun, themed activities while you grab a drink at one of the three swim-up bars and call it a day at the sauna.
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MEMBERS EVENTS
It’s a wrap – the Lone Star Food, Arts & Music Festival comes to an end
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ack in July we launched our very first edition of the Lone Star Food, Arts & Music Festival acknowledging the most celebrated Texan chefs and musicians, as well as local Mexican artists, with the purpose of enlivening everyone’s senses and opening up a world of culinary opportunities. A partnership with 2 Getaway Travel, guests were afforded hands-on epicurean experience, pool parties, concerts, an exclusive Gala Dinner, and other events. The festival kicked off with chefs Daniel Puleo and Jon Stevens, while the ambiance was musicalized by Steve Helms, Jamie Richards and Bo Phillips. All the way through October 21st, the festival spotlighted distinguished chefs, restauranteurs, winemakers and sommeliers. To conclude the festival, Hugo Ortega – five-time finalist for Best Chef: Southwest at the prestigious James Beard Awards, and author of two cookbooks – enlivened senses with his twist on Mexican cuisine, while Chef Steve McHugh delighted with his unadulterated culinary approach. The week was spiced up by musicians Nightbird and JB Barnett. Thank you to everyone who assisted to the festival. We sincerely hope it was delightful so we can carry on with this Lone Star state tradition for many future years.
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he Karisma Gourmet Inclusive® Experience has reinvented the all-inclusive, allowing our resorts to position themselves as the game changers of the travel industry. The experience stands upon four pillars that define the new standards of what luxury traveling is like. On past issues, we have delved into the delicious gourmet cuisine and the premium drinks we offer, and today we’ll be taking a sneak peek at the prime AAA Four Diamond service that is delivered within our resorts. Authentic and Sincere Service A warm smile, a friendly welcome, and a firm handshake are all part of the package. But we go above and beyond the simple formality of receiving our guests at the resort. We firmly believe that no request is too far-fetched or below us. Our personalized service sets a whole new standard in hospitality. Every need you have during your vacation will be fully catered to by our friendly and attentive staff. We take service the extra mile for your comfort. Our staff makes sure you are spoiled beyond belief and are never lacking anything to make your vacation completely perfect and stress-free. We aim for excellence, which is why your every wish is our staff’s command. From sommeliers to concierges, from beach butlers to maid services, you will be spoiled senseless by our beyondstandard services. Learn more about the four pillars of our Gourmet Inclusive® Experience in our blog.
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MEMBER DEALS
Deposit your Explorer Weeks today! It’s about time to start planning your next paradise vacation.
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ust the thought of thinking you can explore the world is exciting; but even more so knowing that you can start planning your next vacation through one of our exchange companies today! Deposit your 2017 Explorer Weeks and start seeking out the amazing travel opportunities around the world that
Exotic Travelers has in store for you with our high-quality partnerships. It’s time for the paradise vacation you’ve been longing for. Timing is important when you want the perfect vacation – so don’t let any more time pass. If you need further information about how to deposit your Explorer Weeks, please contact exchanges@ exotictravelers.com.
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WE CARE
Mobile Medical Unit Fundación Karisma lent their mobile medical unit to Exotic Travelers for a full day in order to give the best medical attention to all our staff. Throughout the day every associate of our company went through a thorough check-up and were offered tips to lead a healthier life based on better dietary choices. Mexican Independence Day In September, we celebrated Mexican Independence Day with the help of six Exotic Travelers members in a feast were our associates were given cash prizes for the most original Mexican-themed costume. Amongst tacos and mariachi music our members and associates celebrated our country. Thank you, Scott Robert, Suzan D’Ann Whitefoot, Don Adams, Brenda Adams, Jack Lee Davis and Angela Ann Werner for joining in on the fun. Karisma Olympics Every year Karisma Hotels & Resorts hosts the Karisma Olympics, encouraging associates to participate in several disciplines and fight for the gold – which came in the form of cash prizes. Exotic Travelers sent representatives to every discipline, and walked away with gold in the men’s 10km race and in gotcha. We also received third place in Miss Karisma’s sustainable dress competition where a dress made of natural and recyclable materials had to be presented.
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N. 4, NOV - ENE 2018
CONTACT US
1 800 466 9552
memberservices@exotictravelers.com