Bad Economy = Luxury Mexico Vacations for Less? It's true.

What's that you say? Luxury vacations for less? It's true. Luxury hotels are offering special deals and discounted rates left and right. The latest is from Pueblo Bonito Luxury Resorts and Spas in Mexico. They have announced a "Stimulus Package" promotion that will consist of a series of different offerings all throughout 2009. Currently, the promotion is 4th and 7th nights freeeeee at any of their Mazatlan or Cabo hotels. UPDATE: The current promotion is 35% of rates at their Mazatlan and Cabo hotels plus Kids Stay, Eat and Play Free.

Other promotions that will be sprinkled throughout the year include a Kids Eat, Stay and Play Free promo, spa credits and discounted rates (up to half off). You can read the official press release on their blog. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to take that long awaited vacation to Cabo!

Win a Romantic Retreat to Los Cabos AND Swim with Dolphins? Cha-ching!

What's better than luxury travel? Luxury travel for free! Cabo Adventures and Pueblo Bonito hotels have teamed up to offer a pretty sweet prize. One lucky couple can win a relaxing 4-day/5-night vacation to the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Cabo hotel and two passes to the Cabo Adventure complex where you can swim with ze dolphins. The contest ends on April, 7th 2009 so if you want a shot at paradise, hurrrrrry. Go here to enter!

Forbes List: World's Most Decadent Hotel Amenities

True luxury travel is more than just a nice big room - it's what comes with the room. Come one, come all, and read about the extravagant amenities available at some of the the world's most luxurious hotels.


Pet Services - Pet's are luxury travelers too! If you think you love your pet, image to what lengths a rich pet owner would go to make sure their furry friend is taken care of. At the Lowell New York, the pet room service menu includes filet mignon tartar and organic buffalo marrow bone. Sounds more gourmet than most of my meals. It doesn't stop there. Pets that need pampering will enjoy an aromatherapy spray, oatmeal shampoo or paw moisturizer treatments.


Butler Service - There are more than 150 butler programs around the world, including those at the Marriott Moscow Royal Aurora, the Rixos Hotel Premium Belek in Turkey and the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in Hawaii. Butler service gets pretty specific at Keswick Hall, an Orient-Express hotel in Virginia. New moms can take advantage of the baby butler - they warm bottles, place a rocking chair and personalized crib in the room and rock the baby to sleep while mom soaks in the tub.


Excursions - Who says you can't go on vacation while you're on vacation? At the Banyan Tree Phuket, guests can fly by private plane to a secluded island where they'll watch the sunrise over breakfast.


Transport - Instead of arriving at the hotel by taxi, why not roll up in a Bentley or Rolls Royce? The JW Marriott in Beijing will escort guests from the airport in one of these. At Taj Palaces in India, guests arrive in a restored vintage car and are greeted by hotel staff--as well as elephants and camels.


Details - It's hard to feel truly doted upon without the little touches. At the Ritz Madrid in Spain, monogrammed robes are placed in a guest's room before arrival. The Conrad Bangkok in Thailand provides its guests with personalized milk, white and dark chocolate business cards.


Tech Stuff - It's a tech world and the hotel industry is not one to be left behind. Plasma TVs, DVD players and iPod docking stations are increasingly common at high-end hotels. Aloft, a W Hotel brand, offers guests the ability to plug and play with a 42" LCD TV that hooks up to other electronic devices. At Pueblo Bonito's Cabo hotel, Pacifica, guests are provided with their own iPods - while they lounge on a private beach bed and enjoy a gourmet 3 course dinner and champagne.

Want to read more? See the full list of Forbe's World's Decadent Hotel Amenities!

In the Lap of Luxury (for V-day, at least!): Cabo Spas

With Valentine's day around the corner, everyone has dimly-lit restaurants, chocolates and relaxing couple's massages on the mind.

Well what better place to enjoy a weekend away from it all than Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! And if you're going for a romantic vacation, you have to visit one of the many luxurious Cabo spas. Hey, a Cabo hotel vacation is good any time of the year, not just Valentine's day :)

Pueblo Bonito's Cabo spas are uh-mazing, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for complete pampering and relaxation. Here is just a short list of the luxurious spa treatments they offer, from facials to manicures to a million different types of massages.

Honey Scrub
An innovative body treatment that nourishes and regenerates the skin by exfoliating dead cells, revealing smooth, healthy skin. Its exclusive formula incorporates crystallized honey, which nurtures and hydrates the skin, and a delicate floral scent that promotes relaxation. This soothing treatment ends with a body lotion massage. 50 minutes - $110.00 USD

Temazcal
A steam bath of pre-Hispanic origin that is utilized for therapeutic, detoxifying and ritual purposes. Exotic! Healing benefits include menstrual period regulation, release of muscle tension, and release of stress and negative energy. The close quarters are also great for bonding and "introspective exploration". Ceremony - $130.00

Therapeutic Stone Massage
A wonderfully soothing treatment that includes a variety of massage techniques combined with the healing properties of heated river stones. These smooth stones are placed on key tension areas to open the chakras or energy channels. This massage is designed to take you into a deep state of relaxation. 80 minutes $170.00





For The Guys: Gentleman's Nourishing Facial
A remarkable treatment specifically designed for men. This facial begins with a deep pore cleansing with enzyme peeling and steam. A relaxing anti-stress facial massage follows, ending with a hydrating mask. As a final touch, a moisturizer and soothing gel are applied to prevent razor burn and sensitivity. For best results, we recommend shaving prior to the treatment. 50 minutes - $100.00

Couple's Massage
The perfect choice for couples. Massages are given side-by-side on two separate tables, each with your own therapist, in a relaxing private environment. Select from Swedish, Sport or Deep Tissue massage. 50 minutes $200.00, 80 minutes $280.00

For more indulgences, check out the complete list of luxury spa services.

Luxury Travel Must-Have: Cabo Beach Beds

Being in bed is a great place to be, especially if you're trying to relax. But being in bed on a beautiful white sand beach in Cabo takes the luxury travel cake.

Before this year, I thought beach beds only existed in music videos but now I know that I, too, can be fabulous and lay in bed on the beach. Luxury resorts in legendary beach hot spots like Cabo, Hawaii and Thailand offer this amazing opportunity that everyone seems to want to know more about and I am no exception.

One of my favorite Cabo hotels, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, offers what they call the "Beach Royalty Packages":



I'm sold.

The Couples Royalty Day Package includes:

• Your own curtained bed on the hotel's beautiful private beach
• Two iPods
• Two cocktails
• Two bottles of Voss water
• Your choice of a snack or lunch from a special menu

OR, if you want to spend a romantic evening, you can enjoy a delicious three-course meal, complete with Voss water and a domestic drink. "Dinner begins at 6pm, the rest is up to you." Oh RLY?

Sounds like heaven to me, and the perfect way to spend time with your significant other. Even if it's your dog.