Tuesday 4 February 2014

It may be February already but this blog is dedicated to events in past November!

We took an impromptu trip to Mexico. I had an appointment to see my adored Nassim Joaquin in Cozumel. A man I have known for 30 years who has been a true friend. The man who pioneered Aero Cozumel later to become Aero Caribe a giant of man in the aviation world also king of his island. At 98 he is still going strong.

We decided to visit Cancun with a stop-over at the CASA TURQUESA. http://www.casaturquesa.com/hotel-overview.html Whilst we at Mexican Tours work with this property on a regular basis it has been some years since I had visited. I make it a policy never to sell accommodation without having stayed personally at the property even if it is just for one night.

The flight to Cancun was a revelation, I do truly mean this. THOMSON were fantastic. The marvellous Dream Liner, the service, the comfort level, the complete experience. We flew economy but I did get a chance to spend some time having a look at premium. I have to say this product is faultless.

I have no hesitation in continuing to recommend and reserve these services for our discerning client. I only want the very best of “My” Mexico for our traveller and Thomson is very much part of this programme.

So back to our trip….

We departed LGW in the morning arriving fresh as a daisy early afternoon into Cancun. Met by our ground operators in a very comfortable limousine with 6 pink roses to boot, but then all our clients receive this fabulous treatment. A very personal touch, and I would be so bold as to say “The Cathy Matos Mexican Tours touch”!
15 minutes and we were in the hotel greeted by beautiful sunlight rooms. This is a small boutique property which has a style all its own, it has the elegance and atmosphere of the luxury of a bygone Cancun era, long before the arrival of the All Inclusive.

The added advantage of Casa Turquesa is that the Director Tracey Davies is the ex-manager of Thomson in Cancun…so what can possibly go wrong…nothing! We often place clients here when they have to overnight before moving onto Chichen Itza and Merida. Great pity people do not choose to stay for longer periods. Whilst the property is situated bang smack inside the Cancun resort it does have a certain air all its own and is very unique. The owner is a great Art Collector, his fabulous array of paintings are distributed around the hotel. He also has his own Art Gallery which is integrated in to the hotel. After settling in we immediately took off for long walk along the huge expanse of very quiet beach. Returning for my favourite occupation which I exercise all over Mexico…….Ordering room service, which turned out to be a superb dinner served on our private terrace. Talking of food…breakfast was simply divine, we then had to sadly depart for the rest of our journey.

MAROMA RESORT AND SPA
http://www.maromahotel.com/web/ocan/maroma.jsp
Our next stop MAROMA! How many reams of paper have I dedicated to my adored hotel. It remains as beautiful as ever. We had the top suite with gym, private pool, private frontage….Just gorgeous. I had the best facial I have ever had in my life delivered by Karen. The spa here is a place of peace and tranquillity, somewhere to escape to. We will be including a spa service with every future booking we make. All my favourite people were still there and all seemed pleased to see me. It really is “coming home” for me.

VICEROY
http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/rivieramaya
No matter how long I have worked with this beautiful place I will always know it as IKAL DEL MAR a Mayan title and the property is Mayan in every sense of the word. In fact it is so incredibly unique, stylish and exquisite. The Director Pedro Lara has to be one of the most wonderful people in the world and such a dear friend. We were greeted with such warmth and love. The Chef here JETZABEL ROJAS is simply top of her profession. Young, passionate with huge energy. We had the “Tasting Menu” which is a feast like no other, the food matches the wines (not the other way around). Again we intend to offer an extra service at Mexican Tours in including this menu and almost ethereal evening to our clients.

KIN SOL SOLEIL
This is a new luxury product called KIN SOL SOLEIL managed by Jose Luis Moreno and his wife Sally. They were the pioneers of Maroma and are continuing the tradition. Three sensational Villas split into suites. Food is outstanding; I so wish them well to succeed. Please ask us for information.

Before leaving Riviera Maya we visited OMNI
http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/PuertoAventuras.aspx
I am so fond of this property. Such incredible value for money, only 30 rooms situated far from the madding crowd. Sol, my dear friend and Sales Manager greeted us as always with her ready smile. I love this little area of Puerto Adventures. There is a Pharmacy, a Mini Market stocking good wines, a Cafe and a Beach Shop all adjacent….what more could anyone want!

NIZUC
www.nizuc.com
This is part of the BRISAS collection (remember wonderful Las Brisas in Acapulco) so as such it is elegant, streamlined and very different.

EL DORADO ROYALE
http://www.eldoradosparesorts.com/hotels/El-Dorado-Royale
El Dorado Royale, a Karisma property. It has to be seen to be believed, great value for money.

GRAND RESIDENCES BY REAL RESORTS
The Great Carlo Bicaci who headed up Intercontinental for many years is now The Director of this amazing place. I did not stay there during our visit but I will be doing so very soon so I will then give a full report.www.grandresidencesrivieracancun.com/puerto-morelos.asp

FIESTA COZUMEL HOLIDAYS 
www.fiestaholidays.com

We then set off on the ferry from Playa Del Caram to my private paradise COZUMEL. I only have to step off the boat and all the memories come flooding back. So many and all so wonderful, some with sadness, some with much love but always I am back to “My” Island. I can walk along the beach and hear the voices of people I have loved, I can hear Joanne calling to me from the beach when she was a little girl, always up to her neck in tropical fish and sandcastles made from the pure white sand. How well I remember her here.

We stayed at the PLAYA AZUL http://www.playa-azul.com/ My dear friends Fernando and Martha still own and run this small intimate hotel. I ALWAYS visit the fabulous Golf Club when I am here, not because I play Golf simply because I just love being here amongst the wildlife and nature and sheer beauty of the place. It must be one of the most attractive golf courses in the world.

We at Mexican Tours rely very heavily on the services of Fiesta Cozumel and the wonderful Afredo. They can organise fabulous excursions, diving, and of course this trip to the golf course.

INTERCONTINENTAL COZUMEL
 http://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/cozumel/czmha/hoteldetail/
What joy arriving at lunchtime to find that we were in the same suite we enjoyed for our honeymoon (17 years ago). Huge windows opening onto the beach, two beautiful bathrooms, sitting room, huge glorious bed, I could go on and on. We immediately headed for the beach restaurant, fresh local fish, loads of Margaritas…. Heaven. Martha Paredes a fabulous Sales Director, makes sure everything runs smoothly.

Evening into town to seek out my adored Nassim!!

MAYAIR
This is a superb local Airline which hops between the above listed gateways. So useful, especially for the CANCUN/MERIDA route. Whilst it is glorious to travel by road via the Mayan sites it is super convenient to take the 40 minute flight back to Cancun Airport on Mayair ready for your next destination. Carlos Martinez is our "Mayair Man"! He takes very special care of our clients/passengers.

CAMPECHE
I intend to give lots of support and promotion to this area... Often overlooked but such an incredible place to visit, this is Merida 60 years ago! With the wonderful history of the Pirates...Francis Drake being of course the worst of all...I often visit his old home in Devon he made millions from the waters of Campeche.....Look for report to follow

WE HAVE MOVED ADDRESS……

Cathy Matos Mexican Tours
LA CASITA
Totteridge Village
Totteridge
London N20 8AG
sales@mextours.co.uk
Telephone: 0208 492 0000

I am off to Mexico City with KLM on a “Mission of Mercy”(Visiting the famous clinic in Puebla).My Dear Friend Linda Shramm with whom I have worked for over 25 years has a very sick 21 year old son. Linda of Amigo Yucatan has been a huge element within Cathy Matos Mexican Tours. I could not work without her. With other friends and working colleagues all over Mexico we are trying to setup a fund to help pay for the Bone Marrow Operation. I would like to share this with you all. If anyone out there knows Linda please can you help!

Estimados Amigos:
Por este medio les saludo y al mismo tiempo les comunico que el pasado 23 de noviembre Álvaro Cámara Schramm, hijo de nuestra amiga, gran luchadora de por Premium Yucatán y Ejecutiva de Amigoyucatán, Linda Schramm, fue diagnosticado con una Leucemia muy avanzada y agresiva.
A partir de ese momento, Linda y su familia, han emprendido un largo caminar que supera por mucho todo esfuerzo y previsión material y económica y representa además una enorme tristeza y desgaste moral.
Les mando una carta donde expone sus razones y les invito a que en forma anónima, los que gusten, los puedan apoyar con sus oraciones y su ayuda económica.
No hace falta recordar, que todas esas acciones, quedan escritas en la eternidad y que la vida, al ser una rueda de la fortuna, siempre nos devolverá el bien hecho al ciento por uno.
Si son dirigentes de otras Cámaras o Asociaciones, les ruego que si pueden y quieren, circulen la petición.
Muchas gracias y fuerte abrazo.
Cathy Matos

DEPÓSITOS.
Banamex.
Cuenta. 7007-3280336
A nombre de Ashley Beatriz Cámara Schramm

Tarjeta de débito de Banamex
No. 5204164831547192
A nombre de: Ashley Beatriz Cámara Schramm