Grand Bay Hotel Isla Navidad Resort

In recent days, Isla Navidad Resort, Welcomed the Earthrace, boat that has the objective of promoting environmental conciense and the sustainable use of the natural resources, by breaking the record of traveling around the world in 65 days. This unique Boat made a stop at Isla Navidad Resort for four hours in the Puerto de la Navidad Marina considered as one of the most sheltered of the country underside the Grand Bay Hotel in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. Who is proud to be part of the Wyndham Hotel Group, company concerned of the enviromental protection, being this beautiful destination the only stop in Mexico, with the intention to replenish food, water and basic needs.

Pete Bethune and his crew were received by Mr. Jesus Silverio Cabazos Governor of the State of Colima, Mr. Sergio Marcelino Bravo Minister of Tourism for the State of Colima, Mr Rolando Miravette, The Director of The Grand Bay Hotel, Mr. Alejandro Aceves the Director of the Marina Puerto de la Navidad, Mr. Mauricio Alcocer representative of the Dean of the Autonomous University of Guadalajara, general audiences of the nearby cities and students of different local schools.

The captain and the crew had the opportunity to join the audience and answer all the questions of the media.

The crew of the Earthrace embarked in Sagunto, Spain On April 27. The route will be to cross the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and to cross the Panama and Suez canals.

The maximum speed of the Earthrace is approximately 40 knots. Nevertheless, when the Earthrace tries to beat the record of traveling around the world, will be sailling at a constant speed between 20 and 25 knots for 65 days.

This craft uses 100% pure biodiesel and does not leave any carbon zero residue, it is a trimarán wavepiercing type. It has three wavepiercing type hulls, which are designed to cross through the waves instead of floating on top of them. It is also known as " stabilized monohull ". It’s design allows the ship to navigate upon turbulent seas at a higher speed than the conventional crafts.

The places that The Earthrace will be touching are:
Valencia-Azores- Puerto Rico, Panama canal, Isla Navidad, Colima Mexico
San Diego-Hawaii-Majuro-Isla Marshall-Koror, Palau-Singapur-Kochi-India-Salalah, Oman - Suez canal - Valencia.

To follow this adventure closely viste is www.earthrace.net

* "Today we take a giant step forward towards strengthening and consolidating Manzanillo as a world class tourist destination”: Secretary of Tourism"

“We will make a new Cancun of Manzanillo”: FONATUR

The Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara Manzo, accompanied by the General Director of FONATUR, Miguel Gomez Mont, made a working tour of various tourist destinations of the beautiful state of Colima. The first official event was held in the Residential and Tourist Mega-Development Isla Navidad, in the installations of the Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad. The Secretary was received by the governor of Colima, Mario Anguiano; the Secretary of Tourism of the State of Colima, Fernando Moran Rodriguez; the Secretary General, Jesus Orozco Alfaro; the President and CEO of the Barramar Group, Antonio Leano Reyes and the General Marketing Director of Barramar, Gonzalo Leano Reyes, to execute the Signing of the Agreement between FONATUR and the State of Colima with the BARRAMAR y TURBANA S.A. DE C.V. group, intended to jump start tourism promotion and offer a better quality of life to the inhabitants of Colima.

Among the guests were; Jacqueline Arzoz Padres, Sub-secretary of Tourism and Planning; Nabor Ochoa Lopez, Mayor of Manzanillo; Alejandro Medina, Sub-secretary of Tourist Operations; and members of the Tourism Community of Manzanillo and Colima.

The Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara Manzo, emphasized that today an important step forward was made towards strengthening and consolidating Manzanillo as a world class tourist destination. She added that this new stage in the tourism promotions will provoke a greater investment in the region and will propel the creation of more and better jobs for the families of Colima. She indicated that her department will work hand in hand with all the investors and the dependencies involved to convert Mexico into the best option for their investment.

Gomez Mont specified that the Costa de Oro - Peña Blanca coastline is 14 kilometers long, allowing for the development of an important tourist destination, and spoke of a total of 35 to 40 thousand hotel rooms. He said this project could develop the location into an important tourist complex, emphasizing that; "yes, we can make a true Cancun in Manzanillo."

At the same time, the Governor of Colima, Mario Anguiano Moreno, underlined that today the bases were set for a collaborative agreement to join forces to together break out Isla Navidad as one of the most attractive destinations for both foreign and domestic tourism.

Antonio Leano Reyes spoke of the visionary men who originated this residential and tourist location such as; Hernan Cortes who, in a letter written in 1524 to King Carlos V, described a beautiful and safe port, but it wasn't until 1540 when the Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza arrived on Christmas day that the port received the name of "Puerto de la Navidad"(Christmas Port), appearing with that name on the maps of the XVI century. Dr. Madrigal was also mentioned, Antonio Leaño Alvarez Del Castillo as well as the architect Juan Domingo Leaño who all were ahead of their time, creating in an area of 500 hectares one of the most important developments of Mexico, Isla Navidad.

"The Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort, with its 199 luxurious rooms, spacious meeting areas, 27 hole golf course, and its Safe Marina for 201 yachts, is ideal not only for the tourist of leisure, but for golfers, yachtsmen, and conventioneers in both the national and international markets. This will be the spearhead of a campaign to detonate the tourism development of the 14 kilometers of coastline in the "Costa de Oro" (Gold Coast) of Manzanillo, bigger still than the coastline of the Hotel Zone of Cancun, which is only 12 kilometers long.

The signing of this very important agreement will catapult Manzanillo into one of the most important tourist destinations in Mexico and will continue to promote the entire state of Colima as one of the most important in the entire Mexican Republic.

(Manzanillo, Mexico) - The Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort introduces a new Spa Package, combining a stay at the beautiful oceanside resort and treatments at their spa oasis.

With this package, guests are welcomed at the resort with a refreshing cocktail at check-in and a fruit platter in their Superior room on the day of arrival. The package also includes a spa breakfast each morning; one Hot Stone Therapy treatment or 4-Hand Massage; and one 50 min facial or reflexology - all per person, per stay. Guests can continue to de-stress with unlimited access to the hotel's fitness center. All taxes and gratuities are included.

The package is priced at $289.00 based on double occupancy.

All package rates are in US dollars per room, per night.
Subject to limited availability and change.
Not available to groups.
Commissionable to Travel Agencies at 10%.
Minimum 2 nights.

Valid: April 12 to December 25, 2009.

http://www.elitemeetings.com/property/grand-bay-hotel-isla-navidad-resort/

(Manzanillo, Mexico) - The Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort introduces a "Tee for One or Two" golf package for avid golfers, combining a stay at the beautiful oceanside resort with play at Isla Navidad's challenging 27-hole golf course and the legendary El Tamarindo course.

Guests can choose one of the following packages:

Tee for One

Accommodations in a Superior room (Upgrade subject to availability)
Welcome cocktail
Fruit platter upon arrival in the room
American breakfast for 2 people
One round of 18 holes of golf for one person in Tamarindo
One round of 27 holes of golf for one person in Isla Navidad
Shared golf cart
hour of daytime tennis per person
Unlimited use of Fitness Center
All taxes and Gratuities

Priced at $185.00 USD. Per person, per night based on double occupancy.

Tee for Two

Accommodation in a Superior room (Upgrade subject to availability)
Welcome cocktail
Fruit platter upon arrival in the room
American breakfast for 2 people
One round of 18 holes of golf for 2 people in Tamarindo
One round of 27 holes of golf for 2 people in Isla Navidad
Shared golf cart
hour of daytime tennis per person
Unlimited use of Fitness Center
All taxes and Gratuities

Priced at $242.00 USD. Per person, per night based on double occupancy.


Both packages are valid until December 19, 2009 and subject to availability. 3 night minimum stay required. Not valid for groups.


For guests that want to relax after a game of golf, the Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort is also offering a Golf & Spa Package. Stay for 2 consecutive nights and get the 3rd night free, plus 1 round of 27 holes of golf and 25% off all Spa treatments.

Priced at $179/Night per person. Taxes and gratuity not included.

About the Courses

The Isla Navidad Golf & Country Club is a spectacular 27-hole championship course designed by Robert Von Hagge. The golf course consists of three nines: the Ocean Course, the Mountain Course, and the Lagoon Course all of each features spectacular vistas with greens carved into ocean dunes against a backdrop of mountains. It received Golf Magazine's Gold Medal award for the most outstanding golf resort in Mexico (1998-99).

The El Tamarindo Beach & Golf Resort hosts a stunning 18 hole golf course which is set amidst a 2,040 acre natural reserve making it one of the most spectacular courses in the world. The fairways are lined with scores of beautiful Mojote and Cuba palms, as well as views of the rocky, pristine Pacific Ocean coastline.

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(Manzanillo, Mexico) - The Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort has recently received one of the hotel industry's most prestigious honors: inclusion on Condé Nast Traveler's 2009 Gold List which ranks top hotels, resorts and cruise lines as "The World's Best Places to Stay."

The January 2009 issue of Conde Nast Traveler included the Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort on its prestigious 2009 Gold List as a Reserve Property - the first time that the Resort has received this honor. The Fifteenth annual Gold List was based on data gathered from the annual Conde Nast Readers' Survey, and aims to reflect a property's overall character by rating service, dining, design, rooms, activities and location. The "Gold List" takes a closer look at the Readers' Choice Awards properties, and through interviews with readers, identifies what specifically distinguishes the property as a destination truly worthy this coveted recognition.
https://media.scoopreprintsource.com/CondeNast/5378CN_GrandBay_071609.pdf

"Being included on the Gold List is an incredible honor," said Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort General Manager Rolando Miaravette. "We are delighted to be recognized by Conde Nast Traveler in this way. It is a true reflection of our superb staff, our outstanding cuisine and the overall ambiance of the Resort."

Isla Navidad Resort received ratings of 95 in the category of rooms, and 90 for service and design from Condé Nast Traveler The resort is number one in Wyndham Hotels & Resorts overall guest satisfaction 'Medalia' scores for the second year in a row, achieving a rating of 9.15 and 9.18 respectively for 2008 and 2009 year to date. In addition, the Isla Navidad Resort boasts a phenomenal 75% return guest factor.

About Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort
The AAA Four Diamond-rated, "Gran Turismo" 199-room Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort is located north of Manzanillo on Mexico's Costa de Oro. Situated on a lush mountainside overlooking Puerto de la Navidad and the Costa Alegre, it is part of a 1,200 acre resort community on a private peninsula and features a 27-hole championship golf course, a 207 slip marina, 3 inviting pools, tennis courts, 'Iguana's Club' kids program, an intimate spa and state-of-the-art workout center; three restaurants (five in season), 25,000 square feet of meeting space, and a private beach. For additional information, please call the resort at 011 52 (314) 331- 0500 direct, or for toll free reservations call (800) 996-3426 in the U.S. and Canada or (800) 849-2373 in Mexico, or visit www.islanavidad.com.mx or http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/ZLOGB. Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort is a Wyndham Luxury Resort.

About Condé Nast Traveler Truth in Travel: Many travel publications accept free travel and accommodations. Condé Nast Traveler does not, and its correspondents, as far as possible, travel anonymously. They experience travel the way consumers do, both the good and the bad, and report on it fairly and honestly. In 2008, Condé Nast Traveler was named one of the top 10 magazines in the U.S. by both Adweek and Advertising Age, one of only three magazines in the U.S. to be named to both lists. Condé Nast Traveler has an audience of 3.1 million and is published by Condé Nast Publications, Inc. The magazine's Website is www.cntraveler.com.
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Perched on a terraced mountainside, overlooking Laguna de la Navidad, the Grand Bay Hotel offers unsurpassed luxury and beauty in a tropical resort near the beach town of Manzanillo on Mexico's Gold Coast.

This 199-room hotel is the crown jewel of the 1,200-acre Isla Navidad Resort, a relaxing getaway, wreathed in palm trees, featuring a 27-hole championship golf course, a 207 slip marina, a private beach, a nature reserve and 22,000 square feet of meeting space.

Visitors to this Spanish-style resort are sure to return again and again to enjoy the hotel's friendly service, the unmatched beauty of the nearby sun-splashed beaches and verdant wilderness, plus the luxury of the resort's many modern amenities.

Within a short stroll of the hotel, guests can indulge in an array of fun and relaxing activities, including sailing from a private yacht marina, swimming in sheltered waters and sport fishing from a bay with the reputation as the "Sail Fishing" capital of the world.

Guest visiting the resort can fly into the recently-remodeled Playa de Oro International Airport (ZLO), located about 45 minutes north of Manzanillo and 35 minutes south of the resort. This modern airport is served by several major American airlines.

The Hotel

Despite the array of outdoor activities, guests may be tempted to stay indoors to enjoy the plush accommodations at the Grand Bay Hotel. Guests enter breathtaking rooms and suites decorated in cool, pastel tones, adorned with amenities such as hand-carved wood furnishings, tile floors, art treasures, a marble bath and sitting area with awe-inspiring views of the sea, marina, a saltwater lagoon or the mountains.
All the rooms and suites include a private balcony, complimentary coffee, fully-stocked mini-bar, high-speed wireless Internet access, nightly turn-down service, showers with a separate tub, a bidet, satellite TV, multiple telephones, hair dryer, iron & ironing board and personal safe.

The accommodations at this AAA Four-Diamond rated resort range from a simple but elegant 516-square-foot room to a 3,985-square-foot, two-level suite with a steam room, wrap around terrace, a private Jacuzzi, a reading room, piano, and kitchenette with a separate service entrance to facilitate catered events.

For guests who want to stay close to the hotel, there is no shortage of ways to relax. At the well-appointed Tequila's Bar, guests can choose from over 200 types of tequila. With a smooth glass of tequila in one hand, guests can pick out a flavorful cigar made by the master cigar maker, located on site. The hotel spa and salon pamper guests with more than 20 treatments, including shiatsu, reflexology, and the signature Grand Bay facial. The diverse and appetizing dining choices include a Mexican hacienda-style restaurant with international and regional cuisine; a caf that offers local classic dishes and a hearty buffet; and a restaurant-snack bar near the pools. For younger guests, the hotel offers babysitting service, a complimentary Kids' Club, tennis courts, beach volleyball and a water activities center.

Outdoor Recreation

Guests of Grand Bay Hotel will never run out of choices for outdoor fun. In the southwest end of the cove, guests can snorkel in an underwater oasis dubbed by locals as "the Aquarium." Other activities include jet skiing, tennis, hiking, mountain climbing and boating. Known as the sailfish capital of the world, Manzanillo Bay offers unsurpassed sport fishing. Here, sport fishermen can cruise the aqua-blue waters of the Pacific in search of tournament-size marlin, mahi mahi, dorado and sailfish.

A Business Traveler's Paradise

Business travelers, looking for a unique and relaxing meeting location, need look no further than the Isla Navidad Resort. The resort offers a separate multi-floor conference wing with 25,000 square feet of indoor and open-air space, and a 115-seat amphitheater. Each meeting room is equipped with state-of-the-art sound systems, telephones, TVs and computer hookups, including both wireless and wired connections. The ballroom, with its refined and graceful architecture, opens to a terrace with bay and lagoon views. From the ground level terrace, guests walk into the lush Colima Garden that can accommodate a gathering of up to 150 guests. Overall, there is over 75,000 square feet of outdoor space with beach and water views available for 'al fresco' events.

The Golf Course

Bordering the wind-swept sand, award-winning golf course designer Robert Von Hagge created a golfer's heaven that features spectacular views and challenging greens in the lap of a lush tropical mountain. The greens, overlooking crashing surf and sky-blue waters, are as plush and velvety as green felt. Golf Magazine awarded the course a Gold Medal for the most outstanding golf resort in Mexico (1998-99). Taking advantage of wind, light and surface variance, the course presents challenges for different skill levels. The Ocean Course is well-suited for the intermediate golfer, the Mountain Course a good choice for beginners and the Lagoon Course a "seat-of-the pants" ride for experienced duffers.

The luxury of the golf course is matched by the Spanish-colonial style clubhouse, featuring terracotta tiles, sleek marble flooring, overstuffed furniture, bevel-edged leaded glass windows and doors. The main focus of the clubhouse is a central patio with a bubbling fountain that adds to the restful ambience. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and the bar is fully stocked with a wide selection of premium tequila.

http://www.elitemeetings.com/property/grand-bay-hotel-isla-navidad-resort/

(Manzanillo, Mexico) - The safety and security of its guests is of the utmost importance to the management of the Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort. They wish to reassure visitors to the property that not only is the resort completely safe, but that the state of Colima where the property is located and the surrounding area is considered on of the safest in all of Mexico.

The Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort is a gated, exclusive and very secure resort destination. It is located on a private 1200 acre peninsula and there is only one way in and one way out via road, through an ornate, yet guarded entranceway Equally as important, national surveys show that the state of Colima is one of the safest states in the country, including the Fifth National Survey about security in Mexico. The crime percentage in Colima is lower than Canada, Australia, Chile, and Japan, which are considered to have some of the best security levels in the world. Unemployment is also extremely low and is at 1.1% for the state. Colima has some of the best schools in the entire country, and the University of Colima is known worldwide as having excellent cultural and science departments.

According to Rolando Miravette, the Resort's General Manager, who is also on the board of the directors of the Manzanillo Convention & Visitors Bureau (O.C.V. - Oficina de Convenciones y Visitantes), and heads up the Manzanillo Hotel Association, "Although Colima is considered to be very safe, the Governor is making every effort to strengthen security measures in order to keep it that way. For example, the state has just invested $80 million pesos ($5 million US) in phase one of a video surveillance system - much like the one in London - in cities throughout Colima, and particularly Manzanillo. All levels of Government in Mexico are showing a willingness to work together to solve the crime problem - as they know that they can't handle it alone without the help of the federal government."

Viewed from a larger perspective, Mexico remains a safe tourist destination and this is reflected in the 22.6 million international visitors that arrived in 2008, of which18 million were Americans. Mexico is the tenth most visited tourist destination in the world and remains the number one destination for Americans. The violence in the news is primarily associated with drug trafficking and is predominately isolated to border cities that are far away from most resort areas.

The proximity of the country to the U.S. and the friendliness of its people are just two of the reason's Americans are heading south. Combine this with Mexico's natural beauty, established tourism infrastructure and cultural diversity, along with a strong U.S. dollar and excellent exchange rates, traveling to Mexico makes more sense than ever.

For further information please visit [url]www.visitmexico.com[/url]

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