Cancun, MEXICO, February 28, 2008 "“ This winter visitors to Cancun will be able to luxuriate in a sophisticated and authentically Mexican resort. Lying on its own peninsula overlooking Nichupté Lagoon, Élan Resort & Spa "“ Cancun was envisioned by Mexican architect Tomás Auñon as a private enclave in traditional Mexican colonial style. Set amid lush tropical gardens and flowing tiled fountains, the stylish resort is reminiscent of a 17th century Mexican village and offers its guests a tranquil refuge from the bustle of high-rise Cancun. Cobblestone paths direct guests to flower-filled plazas that lead to charming two-story villas. Bougainvillea cascades down white-washed walls. Fiery flamboyan trees light up the squares and water plays in talavera-tiled fountains.
The luxurious all-inclusive Élan Resort & Spa "“ Cancun has 95 rooms and 51 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, six restaurants, three bars, two private beach areas, two swimming pools, two tennis courts, a fitness center, steam rooms, saunas and Temazcal, an authentic Mayan sauna. The Elements Spa showcases its signature Mayan and Ayurvedic treatments. Unlimited classes in yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi are offered and sail boats, canoes, windsurfers and water bikes are provided for use in the lagoon.
Scheduled to open March 15 after a $15 million refurbishment, Élan sits on the footprint of the former Club Las Velas which sustained only minor structural damage from Hurricane Wilma. New management has taken the opportunity to upgrade and refurbish the property. All the spacious rooms have been redecorated in an elegant colonial style using natural textures and fabrics. Vibrant colors accent the fresh white- washed interiors. Hand-crafted furniture and Mexican ceramics add to the authentic ambiance.
Guests enter Élan Resort & Spa through monumental wrought iron gates and take the cobblestone Paseo Santo Tomas past a colorful ceramic tile wall with cascading water to a massive stone fountain. At the reception area, they are welcomed with champagne or fresh juice and later escorted to their accommodations. More than a thousand years ago, the Moors first used water as an integral element in designing some of Andalusia's most emblematic monuments. Here at Élan, light reflects off tiled walls and water gurgles and flows from fountains, creating natural background music "“ and cooling the tropical air at the same time
With the variety of restaurants and dining options at Élan Resort & Spa "“ Cancun, guests will not get bored or be tempted to go far afield. Guests can start the day off with made-to-order omelets at the open-air La Palapa overlooking Nichupte Lagoon or opt for a quick espresso and croissant in the plaza of Tao. Lunch might be fresh grilled huachinango (local snapper) at Embarcadero or pizza at the Trattoria. In the evening, guests can choose between northern Italian fare at Mare Nostro Restaurant, Asian specialties at Tao or authentic Mexican fare at Cielito Lindo. All restaurants offer menus with light selections.
The resort's Elements Spa brings new meaning to the word all encompassing. Guests can relax and be rejuvenated throughout the property. Fancy a massage under a beach palapa? How about a body wrap in an open-air pavilion by the lagoon? Taking a holistic approach to each guest's well being, therapists will use treatments derived from ancient Mayan practices and Ayurvedic procedures combined with the latest techniques of the West to soothe the body. A treatment might typically begin with the Mayan purifying ritual and a visit to the Temazcal, the Mayan sauna. Guests might opt for a hot stone massage first done by the Mayans or an age-reversing rejuvenation therapy from Kerala in India. Offering an extensive range of treatments to promote the body's own healing processes, Elements Spa will feature: massages including Swedish, Thai, deep-tissue, hot stone and lomi lomi; wraps like the Moroccan Cocoon, Water Lily or Green Coffee Slimming Wrap; facials; Reiki, reflexology and other body treatments. The ancient Mayans studied the healing properties of native plants and guests will find some treatments feature those plants as well as staples of the Mayan diet like maize mixed with "calabasa", lime and chocolate.
The Fitness Center comes with all the latest weight-training equipment and state-of-the-art machines. Classes in yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Aikido are also offered.
Guests can see nature up close and personal by exploring the 42-square-mile Nichupte lagoon. A haven for migratory birds, this huge lagoon offers a quiet respite for kayaking, sailing and windsurfing.
Fully air conditioned, the 95 spacious rooms "“ all with private balcony or patio "“ have king or queen size beds with 400-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, cable television, direct dial phone, Wi-Fi Internet access and mini refrigerator. Guests in the 51 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas also have expansive living rooms that feature a second TV, a CD/DVD player (with access to DVD library), unlimited wine and beer in their refrigerator, a cappuccino maker as well as caftans for the spa and robes and slippers. Continental breakfast is served in the villas, when requested.
Entertainment in the evenings reflects the tranquil, relaxing, yet sophisticated atmosphere of Élan. A Mexican anthropologist might lecture on Mayan customs. A Tarot card reading or a game of tennis might tempt guests "“ courts are lit for night play. Sounds from strolling mariachis fill the night air and the Plaza Santa Cecilia comes alive with a ballet folklorico each week. And there's always the bright lights, bars and clubs of Cancun just outside the resort.
When guests stay at the all-inclusive Élan, all expenses are covered: all meals and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, roundtrip airport transfers, nightly entertainment, use of recreational facilities, water sports equipment, the fitness center and the sauna and steam rooms, tennis courts and equipment, exercise classes and a half-hour "Élan massage," and all hotel taxes and service charges.
From March 1 to April 7, the rate for a tower room with garden view is $300 per night and for the tower room with water view, $350. A one-bedroom villa unit on the garden side is $450 and on the water side, is $500 per night. Two- to three-bedroom villa units range from $700 to $1150. From April 8 to December 20, rates for rooms and villas are $250 to $1000 per night. Children 12 and over are welcomed as adults in appropriate suites when sharing with adults.
For further information, go to www.elanresort.com and for reservations, contact: 1-888-400-ELAN (3526).
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