ZOËTRY PARAISO DE LA BONITA WINS SIXTH CONSECUTIVE AAA FIVE DIAMOND AWARD

  ZOËTRY PARAISO DE LA BONITA WINS SIXTH CONSECUTIVE
AAA FIVE DIAMOND AWARDLuxury Resort Brand Continues to Exceed Top Industry Standards
as it Approaches First Year Anniversary

PHILADELPHIA (November 16, 2009) – Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya, the first resort under Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts brand, received the highly coveted AAA Five Diamond award from the travel industry authority for the sixth consecutive time for providing travelers with the highest levels of service and accommodations.

“This recognition validates Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts’ updated approach to luxury travel and the rapid growth of the brand,” said Alex Zozaya, President and CEO of AMResorts, provider of sales, marketing and brand management services for Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, and Secrets and Dreams Resorts & Spas.

Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya, the brand’s marquee property, offers guests a new type of luxury experience that combines elements of wellness, serenity and social and environmental responsibility treating every guest to an indulgent experience without the guilt. Located just minutes from Cancun International Airport in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, the 90-oceanfront suite boutique resort offers the ultimate vacation experience with an array of Endless Privileges™. Accommodations and amenities include personalized in-suite services with such features as free worldwide calling, evening catamaran sails, complimentary daily laundry services and Wi-Fi throughout the resort, plus an exquisite award-winning culinary experience available at four on-site gourmet restaurants and a transforming spa experience at the first Thalasso Center & Spa in North America.

“Five Diamond establishments do more than provide luxurious surroundings; they consistently deliver a high level of personal attention to every guest,” said Michael Petrone, AAA director of Tourism Information Development. “Awareness and follow through are critical when dealing with the most discriminating guest expectations. To achieve this level of hospitality is a rare accomplishment. AAA is pleased to honor Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya with the AAA Five Diamond Award.”

With two resorts operating under Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts (Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita in Puerto Morelos, Mexico and Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic) the brand is slated to open two additional properties by the end of 2009.  New resorts include Golden Bear Lodge & Spa Cap Cana: The Zoëtry Collection in the Dominican Republic and Zoëtry Casa del Mar Los Cabos in Mexico.

About Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts
Zoëtry™ Wellness & Spa Resorts represent the highest level of luxury, characterized by unequaled romantic and holistic experiences. The name Zoëtry derives from a combination of the Greek words meaning “life” and “art form.” Together, these words join to establish the unique vision and essential mission of the brand, which is “The Art of Life.” Offering the utmost attention to detail, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts boast unmatched luxury beachfront suite accommodations filled with unique design elements and exceptional views, award-winning fine dining and wine collections. Combined with socially responsible practices, expressive architecture and exceptional service in natural and enriching environments, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts provide a luxurious indulgence without the guilt. For additional information about these resorts, please visit ZoetryResorts.com or call toll free at 1.888.4Zoëtry.

About the Zoëtry Collection
The Zoëtry Collection, offering the same incomparable service standards as Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, is an exquisite collection of distinct, intimate luxury resorts all embracing exceptional quality standards, lavish accommodations and devoted personal service. Designed for the sophisticated traveler and set amidst some of the most alluring locations, this stand-out collection of lifestyle resorts offers endless possibilities for gatherings, family getaways, romantic interludes, golf outings and business meetings. For more information about The Zoëtry Collection or for reservations, please visit ZoetryResorts.com or call 1.888.4ZOETRY.

About AAA Five Diamond Awards
The assignment of a AAA rating of One to Five Diamonds marks the completion of a successful annual evaluation by one of AAA’s professional inspectors. AAA’s professional inspectors evaluate and rate more than 58,000 lodgings and restaurants in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean using a scale of One to Five Diamonds. They conduct an average of more than 1,100 property evaluations per year and have a combined total of 700 years experience. The average tenure is 12 years, with the longest being 28 years. AAA inspectors work remotely and bring significant prior industry experience to the association.

AAA’s Diamond Rating System is the only ratings system that covers all of North America and one of only two that conducts physical, on-site evaluations. It is the only system that uses full-time, professionally trained evaluators to inspect each property using guidelines made available to all establishments. AAA evaluates more properties than any other rating entity.

Don’t Fool With Mother Nature Courtesy of AAWP

Jenna Bush, daughter of the last President of the United States, was married recently but not in the White House. In fact, there hasn’t been a White House wedding for 37 years and that was Tricia Nixon’s wedding to Edward Cox in 1971. Unlike most of her predecessors, who married in the splendor of the East Room, Tricia preferred the natural, lush surroundings of the Rose Garden and her father, the president, agreed. until the big day.

It rained.

By 4 o’clock, when the wedding was to begin, it was pouring. The White House staff would not set up the chairs because they didn’t want to dry them off. The guests were waiting and the President of the United States was in a tizzy.

Finally, in an act of desperation, he called the Air Force, who informed him that the skies would clear at exactly 4:30. The chairs were hastily set up and the bride and groom hurried up the aisle. The minister recited the Lord’s Prayer, then the vows, pronounced them man and wife, said one more prayer and then the benediction. Somewhere in between, the groom placed a wedding band on his wife’s finger. They turned and ran down the aisle.

The heavens opened up and everyone, including heads of state and dignitaries, made an undignified dash to the White House. The sad part is the ceremony was uneventful and the beautiful Rose Garden, decorated with the most luxurious topiaries and fresh flowers you’ve ever seen, was wasted on a ten-minute ceremony.

Don’t let this happen to you! Plan your wedding wisely and well and don’t take chances with Mother Nature!

Many times brides get hung up on the beauty of an outdoor wedding, when the weather can wreck havoc on their dreams. Never, never plan an outdoor wedding without having a viable contingency plan to fall back on. After all, most of us don’t have the luxury of calling on the Air Force for help.

Happy Wedding Planning!

When It Comes to Receptions, “LINES” Are Not a Good Thing! Courtesy of AAWP

Receptions are supposed to be fun times. Lots of “Eat, drink and be merry!” But how can guests enjoy the festivities to the fullest if they’re standing in lines for inordinate amounts of time to get a drink at the cocktail hour or during the dinner that follows?

* While buying liquor “by the head” seems like a booze bonanza, how many drinks can 100 people drink if there’s one bartender? The solution? Pay for extra bartenders.

Or what if guests are standing in lines at “stations” to get a bite of food? Or how about this….

Have you ever gone to a wedding that featured a buffet that was so poorly structured that by the time the LAST tables got up and served themselves, the FIRST tables had finished eating? The FIRST tables are ready to party but unfortunately, the LAST tables have just begun to dine so the dancing, etc. is put on hold.

There’s no excuse for this!

* When it comes to stations and buffets, it’s up to you to discuss in detail with your caterer or catering manager about the number of stations and buffet lines you’ll need to keep lines in check–and to maintain the flow of the party.

Moral of the Story: Lines can wreck havoc on a wedding. Don’t let them get the best of your wedding…

(Of course, if you hire a wedding planner, you won’t need to worry about these kinds of details. That’s their job!)

Happy Weddings Everyone!