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LIFESTYLE
“Wellness is one of the pillars of the Westin brand, so that is very
important in terms of what we focus on,” Nolan says, whether it be
private in-villa massages or couples-friendly yoga classes. (A Westin
study found that 80 percent of respondents reported being more active
and health-conscious during their honeymoon than at home.) Two
24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studios serving both resorts are
often packed early in the morning with couples starting their day off
with a good workout.
Adventure as an Amenity
According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Travel Association,
76 percent of non-married couples say that being adventurous is an
important reason to travel together. Clearly, couples want to bond over
an adventure and seek out destinations, such as Hawaii, that offer a
wide range of activities and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Nearly half
of all baby boomers that responded to a recent AARP survey keep a
bucket list, and Hawaii is the top bucket-list travel destination among
boomers planning a domestic vacation.
“Maui has all different kinds of activities,” Nolan says. “Regardless
of your age, you can go snorkeling or hike into the rain forest at Hana.
We have Haleakala, a dormant volcano, which is something really cool
to be able to experience at sunrise or sunset. It’s like no other place
on Earth!” Resorts are partnering with trusted vendors to offer couples
access to a variety of activities and local excursions — from ATV safari
tours to zip lining — that can be arranged by the concierge.
Diving Into Culture
“Over the years, as travel has changed, couples aren’t coming to
do touristy things, but really to envelop themselves in the culture,”
Nolan says. “They want to meet the local people. They want to find the
mom-and-pop restaurants off the beaten path.”
Couples staying at Hacienda Encantada Resort & Spa, tucked
into a rugged cliff with mesmerizing views of the Sea of Cortez near
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, are invited to combine authentic culture
and wellness by participating in a traditional purifying ceremony called
temazcal. Named for the goddess Temazcaltoci, who was believed
to heal physical, spiritual, mental, and moral ailments, the ritual takes
place inside a small, round sweat lodge. A shaman splashes hot stones
with herb-infused water to release steam meant to cleanse the body
and spirit. Practiced for centuries in Mexican and Central American cul-
tures, temazcal can be an emotionally bonding experience for a couple.
Like Hawaii, Los Cabos is the perfect setting for the romance and
adventure that couples seek. “We’re located within the Tourist Corridor,
closer to Cabo San Lucas, where the action takes place,” says Gabriel
Ibarra Macias, sales and marketing director for Mexico Grand Hotels.
“We have the seclusion, but also the proximity to downtown.” The
hacienda-inspired grounds, private beach, luxe villas, and decadent spa
treatments create a sanctuary for couples who want to cocoon.
For foodies, the resort’s all-inclusive Dine Out Privilege Plan
includes a-la-carte dining at its six on-site restaurants and bars, as
well as complimentary shuttle service to six restaurants it operates in
the buzzy Marina Golden Zone at the Cabo San Lucas Marina. “For a
couple, it’s just perfect not only to be on property, but also to have a
chance to take the shuttle downtown, take a walk down there, have a
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JANUARY – MARCH 2018 VACATION INDUSTRY REVIEW
romantic dinner, and then come back to the property where the bar is open
until 11 p.m.,” says Ibarra.
Adventure-seekers can tap the concierge to arrange a wide variety of
high-adrenaline activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, and off-road excursions
to explore desert trails and secluded beaches in a dune buggy.
Urban Odysseys
The best adventures are not always at the beach. Many couples are drawn to
the energy and honeypot of cuisine and culture offered by iconic U.S. cities
and international destinations such as Paris, Rome, Sydney, and Tokyo.
Marriott Vacation Club is among a cadre of timeshare companies with
properties in the heart of the action. With the best addresses in five U.S.
cities — Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., Miami Beach, and San
Diego — Marriott Vacation Club PulseSM hotels cater to travelers who want
to go beyond standard sightseeing and feel like an insider rather than a
tourist. Concierges know the city’s best-kept secrets and can point couples
to the best shopping and restaurants locals favor.
Couples who fall in love with urban escapes can travel even farther afield
through Interval International’s hotel exchange program. Interval Gold®, Club
Interval Gold®, and Interval Platinum® members can exchange their week or
points toward a hotel or condominium-style resort stay in some of the world’s
most exciting cities.
Double the Fun
With the kids on their own and more disposable income, boomers account for
just over half of domestic trips, according to a study conducted by AARP, and
many are pairing up with other couples. Roomier timeshare villas with two or
more bedrooms make it practical and enjoyable for couples to travel together,
balancing privacy with all the upscale comforts of home.
79% of couples
believe that traveling together
has a positive impact on their
relationship*
76% say that being adventurous is
an important reason to travel together*
63% believe that travel
helps couples stay together longer*
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HACIENDA ENCANTADA RESORT & SPA, CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO
HACIENDA ENCANTADA RESORT & SPA
79% say that sharing
new experiences is an important
reason to travel together*