The Mexican WOW Factor
Author: Marin Bright
December 2007
Features
The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun gives luxury meetings a new meaning
I recently had the good fortune to attend The Luxury Meetings Forum at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun and am still reeling from this fabulous three-day experience. I did not know what to expect when I packed my bags and headed south, but I was intrigued by the agenda and just knew I was in for a treat.
And I was right! From the moment I entered the property and was greeted with freshly made guacamole and watermelon margaritas in my room, I knew we were off to a great start.
Friday evening began with a cocktail party celebrating the “Day of The Dead,” a festive Mexican tradition. The room was decorated with many colorful altars—a real Wow factor—and the story behind the holiday was told by scary-looking actors for a surreal experience!
After the reception we walked to the beach for our shoreside dinner. The scene was magnificent: fire pits blazing, Moroccan-looking chaises and food stations where each of the hotel’s restaurants displayed its finest dishes. I fell into my seat and kicked my legs up, knowing this was an evening I would not soon forget.
Saturday started off with breakfast and attending the hotel managers’ meeting, where I learned The Ritz-Carlton Credo (one any business should subscribe to). I found the meeting to be an informative daily routine to share the day’s events with the property’s staff.
We spent the morning attending panels where we discussed trends, learned all the latest news about Cancun and heard first-hand from the meeting planners what is important to them. That afternoon, we cruised to nearby Isla Mujeras, an enchanting island where anyone could easily fritter the time away. The water was a bit choppy, but all the more relaxing to me—it was like being rocked in paradise.
At the end of the day, we returned to The Ritz to partake in a “community footprint activity,” where we released baby turtles into the ocean to start a new life after leaving their nest—such a rewarding experience! I am still worried about my turtle (I named him Henry), as only one in a hundred survive; but he seemed hardy.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better—it did. That evening, our hosts said to wait in our rooms until 7:20 p.m. to be escorted for a big surprise…and I have to say, the event lived up to the anticipation. We entered the hotel’s courtyard, led by Mayan-dressed young women, to partake in a full Mayan celebration, as drums thundered, smoke filled the room and the lighting gave off a mysterious aura. Wearing costumes like none other, Mexican entertainers surrounded a temple in a traditional Mayan ceremony that amazed all of us.
After the performance, it was off to dinner, where we crossed a bridge to what I could not believe was the ballroom. The décor made us feel like we were in a tropical rain forest—all my senses were engaged, and I had to work hard to keep my mouth from hanging open. I still cannot believe the effort that went into creating this incredible setting. The meal that followed, not surprisingly, was a culinary delight (at this point I was wishing I had packed more stretch pants).
Sunday morning we met at the newly opened, $500,000 Culinary Center, which is fully stocked with all the latest equipment from Viking Range Corporation. Chef Rory Dunaway was better than any Las Vegas show as he entertained and educated us about how to make the perfect margarita (I can’t believe I was not adding enough tequila) and how to chop all the ingredients without losing a finger—after which we sat down to our feast at the beachside patio grill.
With all of this eating, I felt it only appropriate that I walk the grounds, which encompass three swimming pools, Jacuzzis and a poolside café, the sound of waves just yards away. At the end of this “almost” workout, what could have been better than a massage—and the Kayantá Spa did not disappoint. I enjoyed an hour’s relaxing treatment, wishing I had more time for the baths and steam room.
It was hard to pack up and come home after this memorable event. I felt like I had been transported to another world and was not sure I wanted to go back to reality. As I did so, reluctantly, all I could think of was how fortunate meeting planners would be to share this experience with their group, and what a hero you would be if you arranged it. The Ritz’s Wow factor was off the map!
—Marin Bright
