March / April 2006 Article

Cancun is Calling You Back
Update on rebuilding and reopening of Fiesta Americana Hotels.

Cancun is in better shape than it was pre-hurricane says John Buschman of Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts. “What needed refurbishing has now been taken care of and we are better than ever.” It has been five months since Wilma hit the peninsula. Much of the restoration work is complete and the place is open for business. In fact, The Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach was the first major meeting place to reopen, he reports.

Nearly 17,000 of the 28,000 hotel rooms in the resort town are now open, according to the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau, with 21,000 expected to be operating by July 31. Restaurants, night clubs, cruises, scuba, archaeological sites, marinas, golf courses, and most of Cancun’s other riches are also welcoming visitors now.

As part of the largest hotel chain in Mexico, the Fiesta Americana resorts had a bit of an advantage in restoring its properties, Buschman explains, because it could quickly command resources.

Here’s the status of the three key Fiesta Americana Cancun hotels:

Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach
Extent of damage. Not major thanks to its location on the northern side of Cancun.
Opening date: Opened the end of January, 2006.
Completed renovation: 600 suites plus restaurants and bars: La Joya (Mexican specialties); Viña del Mar (breakfast brunches), Le Basilic (French Mediterranean), Lobby Bar and its new Terrace (Latin American Jazz and Bossanova and Havana’s best cigars.)
Meeting space: 35,000 sq. ft.
Maximum banquet size: 1,100.
Projects underway: Complete renovation of two 1,900-sq. ft. Presidential Suites, the Governor Suite and the beachside seafood restaurant “Isla Contoy.” These projects are planned for completion by March 31, 2006.
Bonus: The beach gained sand as a result of Hurricane Wilma
Special Distinction: Recipient of the AAA’s 5 Diamond Award for hotel excellence during the last twelve years in a row (only resort in Mexico or the Caribbean to do so).

Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun
Extent of Damage: Moderate
Opening date: Opened February 16,2006.
Renovation: Refurbished everything in guest rooms, replaced furniture in all public areas, replaced tiles and roofs, upgraded public areas, all restaurants, bar, meeting rooms and ballroom, and spa.
Swimming pool redone in a new Venetian Mosaic.
Hotel basics: 502 rooms, 3 restaurants: Rosato Ristorante (Italian-Mediterranean fusion). Restaurante Kalmia, (casual international), Restaurant Kambu (open-air seafood and snacks), and 3 bars.
Meeting space: 37,300 sq. ft.
Maximum banquet size: 800
Special Distinction: Contemporary Mexican ambience, beginning with the largest palapa in Mexico, 115 feet in height, shading the expansive lobby to the hotel’s beautiful swimming pool, bar and restaurants accented by a 40-foot long waterfall.

Fiesta Americana Grand Aqua
Damage: Major due to location on the peninsula and extensive use of glass on the exterior of the building. Soaked top to bottom.
Opening Date: Fall 2006
Renovation: Over 700 people are currently at work renovating the entire building. Specialty glass is on order to preserve the aqua colored glass architectural feature, however built to much stronger standards.
Hotel basics: 371 rooms. 8 restaurants and bars including Siete, contemporary Mexican high-end cuisine.
Meeting space: 16,500 sq. ft.
Maximum banquet size: 400
Special distinction: Designed not to be a typical hotel-- custom made furniture, the specialty aqua glass to please the senses, and views everywhere.

Cancun. Mexico City. Puerta Vallarta. Cabo San Lucas. How do you choose where to meet? Here are some guidelines from Buschman:

• Cancun is good for any size group but is the clear choice if your attendance is over 400 (200 rooms).
• Los Cabos and and Puerto Vallarta are better suited for meetings and incentives ranging from 50 to 150 rooms.
• Puerto Vallarta is also the choice if you want true Mexican colonial architecture and atmosphere.
• Mexico City is the place if you want to mix with your professional counterparts in Mexico and/or you want to reach a major portion of the country with your message. Pharmaceutical companies often present new products here, he explains.

Fiesta Americana offerings in these other cities include:

MEXICO CITY

Fiesta Americana Grand Chapultepec
Rooms: 189
Meeting space: 3,300 sq. ft.
Maximum banquet size: 180
Restaurants and Bars: 3 restaurants and 1 bar
Special distinction: Across from the Chapultepec Park in one of the most beautiful and important areas of Mexico City, offering easy access to the main business, commercial and trade centers

Fiesta Americana Hacienda Galindo
Rooms: 168
Meeting space 19,500 sq. ft.
Maximum banquet size: 550
Restaurants and Bars: 4 restaurants (high season) and a bar
Special distinction : 90 minutes from Mexico City, the property is a Mexican Hacienda from the 16th Century and was transformed into the hotel in 1977. Includes a little farm onsite with a golf course.

Fiesta Americana Reforma
Rooms: 616
Meeting space: 29,500 sq. ft.
Maximum banquet size: 700
Restaurants and Bars: 2 restaurants and 2 bars
Special distinction: Located on Mexico City's renowned Paseo de la Reforma, the ideal setting for a memorable social or business event

CABO SAN LUCAS

Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos
Rooms: 238
Meeting space: 17,800
Maximum banquet size:700
Restaurants and Bars: 3 restaurants and 2 bars
Special distinction: The famed Jack Nicklaus Signature Ocean Course, one of Golf magazines Top 100 Golf Courses in the World, is located right next door.

PUERTO VALLARTA

Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta
Rooms: 256
Meeting space: 7,400 sq .ft.
Maximum banquet size: 440
Restaurants and Bars: 3 restaurants and 3 bars
Special distinction: A watersports paradise, the hotel offers 100% Ocean View guestrooms with balconies, to enjoy unparalleled views over Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas.