"Life's a Beach"

Playa del Carmen, Mexico - Dec.13, 2011 - Paradisus Resorts, Melia Hotels International's luxurious all-inclusive brand, which expanded its portfolio in November with two new Mexican properties, Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda and Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla, announces its brand-wide partnership with seven-star Michelin Chef ...

"It's really unique," she gushed on the phone a few weeks ago, "you will love it!" I cringed. "Unique." If I had a dollar for every time a friend described a resort, a restaurant, a menu as "unique" ...well, let's just say I would be a wealthy ...

At The Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya hotel, the first course is value. This fall, the AAA Five Diamond resort is introducing "Appetite for Luxury", a savory all-inclusive Playa del Carmen vacation package highlighting the resort's award-winning cuisine. With an abundance of unique dining options and the ease of having an entire ...

For quite awhile now, the Kinnon family has considered Isla Mujeres the perfect family getaway. We often joke that we are Isla's "bridge and tunnel" people! If you lived in Manhattan and took the Jitney to the Hamptons every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day you will know exactly what I mean. Generally, it's a family affair. ...

Not surprisingly, our first full day on the island was a lazy one. The kids were sent off on a fishing excursion and the grownups recovered from the night before. Breakfast and Bloody Mary's at Estel's, our favorite place in San Pedro, brought us back to life somewhat and we filled the rest of the day puttering around the island on golf ...

Saturday evening at The Luna Blue Hotel, nearly 100 Playa del Carmen locals and visitors braved the oppressive heat and turned out to support Coco's Cat Rescue with it's first official fundraiser. Coco's Cat Rescue's is a non profit initiative in Playa del Carmen dedicated to controlling the feral cat population in ...

As the sun set over the roof tops of the city, several dozen Playa del Carmen residents and visitors took in the magnificent ocean views, enjoyed the cool Caribbean breeze and were treated to an excellent series of wine and food pairings and commentary from sommelier Jorge Valdes and Ricardo Garcia Gaxiola from Off the Vine wine shop. In ...

As many "Life's a Beach" readers will remember, Rob and I brokered the sale of Casa Ixchel, a lovely boutique hotel on Isla Mujeres last year. Last Thursday, on special invitation from the new owners, we made the trip across to Isla to attend the Grand Opening of the hotel's new restaurant. Never one to pass up an ...

Once again, Tony and Cheri at the Luna Blue Hotel hosted the "it" party for St. Patrick's Day! Packed to the palapa with locals and tourists alike, the Tiki Bar was hopping as Chris Bolister cranked out traditional Irish tunes and a long playlist of favorites. Business was so brisk, the bar even ran out of beer at one point! There ...

Last night was the first of a string of limited engagements that Canadian Blues player , Brent Parkin with be performing at The Tiki Bar at The Luna Blue Hotel in Playa del Carmen. For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure on an evening with Brent, you are in for a real treat. Having played with legendary performers such as B.B. ...