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SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA Breezes Panama–A Pacific All-Inclusive for Everyone By Doug Cooke, CTC Superclubs debuted their first all-inclusive resort in Central America last fall with the opening of Breezes Panama Resort & Spa. JAX FAX had a chance to visit for a few days last November and our onsite report follows. Location Breezes Panama overlooks a spectacular stretch of beach in the Santa Clara region, known as “The Dry Arc” for its comfortably dry climate throughout most of the year. The resort is about a one hour, forty minute drive from the airport in Panama City. The Pan American Highway, which leads to resort, runs through small towns and lush, hilly countryside. Superclubs Breezes is part of a larger resort complex that includes an 18hole golf course, which is not part of Breezes, but is available to guests wanting to play a round. A winding driveway leads down a gentle sloping hillside to the resort, which overlooks the Pacific. An open-air reception area overlooks the pool complex and Pacific Ocean beyond. The resort sits above a beach that extends for miles in both directions with very little development along it shores, although that is sure to change in coming years as this resort area develops. For now it is a beach walkers paradise as I experienced each morning of my stay. Accommodations & Amenities The resort features 294 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites with separate parlors, all featuring either views of the Pacific Ocean or the lush mountainside surroundings. All guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a table and two sitting chairs, flat screen TV with international stations, direct dial telephone, desk with chair, iron and ironing board, tea and coffee maker, safety deposit box, hair dryer, private bath and shower or shower only and balcony or terrace. In addition, hotel suites are equipped with mini refrigerators stocked with soft drinks and water. A must in today’s busy world, computers with internet access are available and there is wifi available in the large lobby/reception area (additional fees apply). The hotel has three swimming pools, including one with a swim up bar for adults and two separate children’s pools, one featuring a slide. The hotel also has two heated Jacuzzis and two tanning pools. The pools are located below the main building and are flanked by guest room buildings making them the focal point of the resort. Sports available include all water sports, tennis courts – lit for night play, pool and beach volleyball, shuffleboard, bicycles and a large, well equipped fitness center. The Miraflores Spa offers several treatment rooms offering a wide variety of spa options at reasonable rates. Dining and Drinking Options Breezes resorts all offer a buffet restaurant which are open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and mid-night snacks along with DOUD COOKE DOUD COOKE Breezes Panama Resort & Spa their signature, a la carte specialty venues; Munasan Japanese restaurant features Teppanyaki tables and sushi, while Martino’s features Italian cuisine in an elegant setting. Reservations are necessary to ensure a table at either of these choices. The resort also offers a poolside bar and grill open from 12:00pm – 6:00pm. In addition, there are four bar options including; the lobby/Piano Bar (my favorite), the pool terrace and swim up bar, the Portobello Bar in the Italian Plaza and the Canopy Lounge and Sports Bar. Ship transiting through Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal Excursions It would be a shame to travel to Panama and not experience some of the unique tourism offerings available. A trip to Panama City makes for an interesting day trip. Be sure to recommend that your clients visit the “Old City” ruins. This was the site of the original city, which the residents burned to the ground to keep it out of the hands of famous Pirate Capt. Henry Morgan. Of course no trip to Panama would be complete without a visit to the Panama Canal. Watching ships come through the Miraflores Locks, followed by a trip through the on-site museum is a fascinating way to spend an afternoon. For your adventure seeking clients, a trip to El Valle De Anton is a must. This is an ancient volcanic crater with lush rainforest mountainsides. Located about an hours drive from Breezes, this is a great daytrip with activities including: ziplining, natural hot springs, hiking to waterfalls and to see unique square trees, horseback riding and bird watching. There is also a wonderful local farmers market in town where everything from local produce, herbal remedies and native handicrafts are available. Suggest that your clients stop in at Los Mandarinos Boutique Spa & Hotel (www.losmandarinos.com) for lunch. For more information or reservations go to www.breezes.com or call 877-273-3937. E70 NORTH AMERICA & HAWAII WWW.JAXFAX.COM FEBRUARY 2010
SKI & SPECIAL INTERESTS Comissionable Northeast Ski Packages Take advantage of the cold this winter by finding the perfect late-season ski & stay packages for your clients right here in the Northeast. Not only are these packages a good deal for your clients, they’re comissionable to you as well! NEW YORK: Holiday Valley was ranked 4th in eastern North America by SKI Magazine, with 56 slopes and 13 lifts spread over four distinct faces offering challenging steeps, cruisers, glades and terrain parks. Three base lodges offer full dining, four bars, ski repair & rental and on-site day care. Holiday Valley Inn has 106 rooms available and HV Rental Management Service offers 260 privately owned condominiums, townhouses and homes. For Mountain Lodging and HV Rental Property info visit the website www.holidayvalley.com To book package reservations call 716-699-2345. Lift and lodging packages start at $133 pp/pn double occupancy weekdays, and weekends from $193 pp/pn. Special 3-night Holiday Packages available Presidents Weekend (Feb. 12-14) and Presidents Week (Feb 15-18). Set in the Adirondacks overlooking Lake Placid, Whiteface Mountain has the greatest vertical drop in the east, with 85 trails and 11 lifts. Call 518-946-2223 or visit their website www.whiteface.com for helpful links to accomodation options in nearby Lake Placid, and to view a full directory of package options. Ski & stay packages are available from $79 per night. VERMONT: Killington Resort spans six mountains with 141 trails, 22 lifts and 600 acres of snowmaking. Guests can also enjoy cross-country skiing, rock climbing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, dog sledding, spas, shopping, fine dining and nightlife. Killington Central Reservations represents more than 100 properties, from slope side full-service hotels to charming country inns, condominiums, townhomes and single-family homes. Guests save up to 30% on lift tickets, lodging and rentals by booking a ski & stay package. Featured packages and special offers available through their website or by phone. Mid-Winter packages start at $113 pp/pn 2-7 days and 5-day, 5-night Ski Weeks are available from $81 pp/pn. Call 800-621- 6867 or visit www.killington.com Smugglers’ Notch offers northern Vermont’s biggest vertical drop and has three interconnected mountains for beginners, intermediates and expert skiers. There are 78 trails, 6 chairs and 700 acres of unmarked backcountry. Lodging includes more than 600 mountainside condominiums centered around a Resort Village with shopping, dining, child care and teen centers, pool and hot tubs, outdoor ice skating rink and a nordic ski (30 km) & snowshoe (26 km) center. Winter pack- KILLINGTON SKI RESORT Killington age information can be found at www.smuggs.com or by calling 800-419-4615. The Club Smugglers’ Advantage Package offers condominium lodging; daily lift tickets; daily ski and snowboard allday camp for young children; group lessons for children ages 6- 17; adult beginner lessons; one free adult group lesson; offslope activities and entertainment and more. Also ask about Super Sunday and Valentine’s Day weekend specials. Okemo is currently in top mid-winter form, with all 15 chairlifts servicing 119 trails, seven terrain parks and the Ross Powers Superpipe. Book a package for their Super Bowl Ski Weekend Feb 5-7 and save 20%. Guests save 30% when they stay 3 nights and enjoy the big game at the mountain. For more information call 866-706-5366 or visit www.okemo.com Clients can spend a day at Sunapee or Stratton with Okemo’s Three Mountain Package, although both resorts have pretty sweet deals of their own. Stratton’s Take it Easy package includes lodging, lift ticket, lunch and rentals all at just $89 pp/pn (double occupancy), available midweek and select weekends for savings of $75 a day. For more information on Stratton and other Vermont ski areas you can visit www.skivermont.com NEW HAMPSHIRE: New Hampshire also has a wealth of alpine and Nordic ski areas, most of them only 20-30 minutes apart from each other. Rated the most accessible resort in New England by SKI Magazine readers, Loon Mountain boasts 12 lifts and 55 trails, including the recently opened South Peak. Call 1-800-229-7829 for lodging info or visit www.loonmtn.com Bretton Woods is renowned for its breathtaking views of Mount Washington, and has 101 trails, 5 lifts, frour terrain parks and a reputation for family programs, service and onmountain food and lodging. Elegant lodging options are also available at The Mount Washington Hotel, including, “Stay Here, Ski Free.” Call 603-278-1000 or visit www.Mount- WashingtonResort.com Just two hours from Boston, Waterville Valley is another excellent mountain for the whole family, offering Ski & Stay packages all winter long. Take advantage of WV Fab Feb through February 11th, two days and two nights from $105 pp/pn. Waterville also offers a Threedom Pass, valid at Bretton Woods and Cranmore, and heavily discounted Spring skiing starting in late March. Call 603-236-8311 or visit www.waterville.com FEBRUARY 2010 WWW.JAXFAX.COM NORTH AMERICA & HAWAII E71
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