TORONTO — With its sixth all-inclusive property opening Dec. 15, the all-suite Barcelo Maya Riviera, the always-popular Barcelo Maya Grand Resort is “no longer just a resort, it’s a destination.”

Luis Chaverri, Sales Executive, Barcelo Maya Grand Resort, told agents at last night’s trade event that the Dec. 15 debut of the adults-only Barcelo Maya Riviera will elevate the expansive Barcelo Maya Grand Resort to the premiere resort destination in the region. “When Barcelo Maya Riviera opens it will be the jewel of the Barcelo Hotel Group,” said Chaverri. “It will have one of the best locations, it will be the best of the best.”

Barcelo Maya Riviera is set to open on Dec. 15

Barcelo Maya Riviera guests can take advantage of everything on offer at the other five resorts within Barcelo Maya Grand Resort, including 22 restaurants, 10 pools, three theatres, three water parks, a bowling alley – as well as the new Ventura Fly & Ride Park, featuring rides and experiences.

Chaverri was joined by Rick McCauley, Senior Director of Sales & Marketing & MICE (Canada) for Barcelo Hotel Group, and Tammy Thompson, the Ontario BDM for Barcelo Hotel Group, at last night’s event, held at Michael’s on Simcoe in Toronto.

The trio highlighted several key selling points for the soon-to-be-open Barcelo Maya Riviera. The adults-only, all-inclusive resort has 850 Junior Suites and Suites, and more than 500 of those have ocean views. There are 110 Swim Up Suites and ‘Super King’ bed options.
Once open, Barcelo Maya Riviera will join Barcelo Maya Palace (756 rooms), Barcelo Maya Beach (630 rooms), Barcelo Maya Caribe (414 rooms), Barcelo Maya Colonial (481 rooms) and Barcelo Maya Tropical (479 rooms), for a total of some 3,610 rooms at Barcelo Maya Grand Resort.

Jessica Smid, Owner and Senior Travel Consultant with Love2Travel, said she loves the horseshoe shape of Barcelo Maya Riviera, for guest convenience.

Barcelo Maya Riviera is adults-only and all-suite

Barcelo Maya Riviera will have four pools, five bars and five restaurants. The resort’s specialty restaurants will offer a diverse array of cuisine, including Mexican (with a ‘Tacoyaki’ bar), French fine dining, Italian, and Japanese (including 10 Teppanyaki tables and one Robatayaki table for fireside cooking), plus a buffet restaurant with international cuisine available during breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The new-build will be ready Dec. 15, Chaverri promised. “I feel confident that the property will be fully operational on Dec. 15. We’re working really hard to make sure that the resort is ready for your clients.”

Agents also heard about Barcelo Maya Riviera’s grand opening promotion, valid for travel Dec. 15 – 23 and priced at US$80 per person, per night, double occupancy.

Also in December, Barcelo Maya Grand Resort will unveil Barcelo Maya Arena, the largest convention center and meetings inventory in the region.

With a capacity to host up to 8,000 attendees, Barcelo Maya Arena will offer more than 190,000 square feet of customizable multi-purpose space for expos, conventions and events. There’s also a 3,400 square foot terrace. For wedding planners, beach receptions at Playa Azul will be of special note thanks to the ocean views.

Agents were also reminded to check out Barcelo Pro Rewards, Barcelo Hotel Group’s reward program for travel agents, at barceloprorewards.com.

McCauley said he’s often asked by colleagues in Mexico and other Barcelo destinations about the Canadian market and its distribution channels. “They say, what’s it like in Canada? And I tell them, it’s dominated by travel agents. It’s not like in the U.S. It’s all predicated on how you sell your product to travel agents.”

Amid applause McCauley thanked agents for their Barcelo sales and their loyalty. “We couldn’t do it without you,” he said. “Just keep selling us.”