Real-Time Retreats
Banyan Tree Resorts
A “Sanctuary for the Senses” in 10 Countries!
This week we engage with the beautiful Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, a brand of resorts, hotels and spas established in 1994 and now found worldwide.
Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts has grown into one of the world’s leading international operators in the hospitality and spa industry that manages more than 48 resorts and hotels, 64 spas, 74 retail galleries and three championship golf courses in 28 countries. We’ll focus on two of their jaw-dropping properties: the award-winning Banyan Tree Mayakoba and the lush boutique hotel, Hacienda Xcanatun by Angsana, a true jewel of a destination.
Building on the sustainable beginnings on the Banyan Tree brand, we will be channeling our inner Zen this week. We suggest dressing in whatever brings to light peace, tranquility, and a spa-like mindset for you. Bathrobe and slippers? Why, of course. A tie-dyed smock and huarache sandals? Buttery-soft PJs with burning incense? Yes, Daniel-son. Think ‘snatch the pebble from my hand, Grasshopper,’ and you’ll get into the mood this Wednesday.
Bring your best this week, because it’s definitely worth it. Banyan Tree Mayakoba and Hacienda Xcanatun by Angsana will both be awarding 2-night stays with dinner and spa treatments for two! Sanctu(ary) very much!
In addition to two travel prize packages this week, our lovely partner, Kelly McAlister, at Maui Jim will be on hand to award one of you with a pair of world-class sunglasses.
And remember, we also award the first five at 3:55 to log into the call (no earlier, please!) with a special gift from Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts! This week, those first five folks will receive a spa gift set of proprietary, organic products from Banyan Tree.
Tets Kato
COLABORA, Plaza La Roca, Local 23, SM 310, MZ109, LT 1 | Cancun, Q. Roo., México, 77560
Office: +52.998.500.6001 Ext. 109
Mobile: +52.744.355.8052
Email:
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Flor Anaya
www.banyantree.com
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Julio Landa
angsana.com/en/mexico/hacienda-xcanatun
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AnnaCeleste Brenner
+(650) 344–8777
www.banyantree.com/en/find-a-hotel
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Maria Jesus Lopez
Carretera Federal Chetumal-Puerto Juárez Km. 298
Mayakoba, Quintana Roo, México, 77710
Tel. +52 984 877 3699 Ext. 7300
DID +52 984 877 3672
MOB +52 984 807 7819
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Banyan Tree Mayakoba
At Banyan Tree Mayakoba, you will find a true blend of Asian hospitality with the idyllic passion of Mexico and AAA 5 diamond resort services and facilities. Nestled within the private gated integrated resort development of Mayakoba, you can fully immerse yourself at their eco resort in untouched nature, surrounded by an arcadia of indigenous fish and bird species in a carefully maintained ecosystem, complemented with the Riviera Maya’s familiar warmth and charm.
Dance your soul to the Caribbean breeze and be swept away by pristine coastlines in this bounty of freshwater lagoons and mangroves, natural dunes, intricate coral reefs and the famed Riviera Maya coast.
THE EXPERIENCE
Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts has created a family of brands to cater to the needs of today’s travelers. Whether guests are traveling for romance, a family vacation, business, visiting family or friends, or going on an adventure to discovering a far-flung destination, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts is the ideal choice. The four brands offer distinctive product offerings that cater to different locations and potential for various destinations.
CULINARY EXCELLENCE
With a range of dining options including private in-villa dining, gourmet restaurants or exceptional Destination Dining experiences, this is the perfect place for food lovers.
MEETINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN SO ZEN
Banyan Tree Mayakoba resort is perfect for your events and meetings, offering a capacity of up to 600 people. When the meeting is over, bond with your colleagues in the presence of the amazing waterways or stunning venues at the beach.
WELLNESS PERSONIFIED
As a luxury spa resort, Banyan Tree Mayakoba is the recipient of several awards, including Mexico’s Leading Spa Resort by the World Travel Awards. Experience tranquility and comfort like no other at the resort spa while you perfect your play at the tournament-standard golf course to unwind and rejuvenate by the Riviera Maya’s idyllic coastline and lush greens.
Photo credit: Julio Landa
PINEAPPLE MEZCALITA
This signature drink from the La Nao Restaurant at Banyan Tree Mayakoba is prepared with Ancho Reyes liquor, which is a Mexican spicy liquor curated from ancho and poblano chilies. Also the agave syrup is a sweetener that comes from blue agave. It really has the Mexican touch!
Recipe
- 2 oz mezcal
- ½ oz Ancho Reyes liquor
- ½ oz agave syrup
- ½ oz lemon juice
- 3 oz pineapple juice
- Ice
Preparation
Add all the ingredients in the glass shaker, shake up to mix all the ingredients. Enjoy!
Hacienda Xcanatún by Angsana
Located just 15 minutes away from downtown Merida, the hacienda is in a unique enclave where history and traditions come together. Hacienda Xcanatún by Angsana by Angsana has recovered the its old 18th century grandeur, as one of the most iconic henequen (sisal) haciendas in the Yucatan. Transformed into a sophisticated hotel with 18 spacious and tastefully-appointed suites, all of them decorated with a fusion of local artworks and all the contemporary details necessary to make your stay comfortable, guests will enjoy being time-traveled to an era of splendor.
SENSING THE TRADITIONS OF A TIMELESS DESTINATION
Hacienda Xcanatun by Angsana is surrounded by four acres of private gardens, filled with lush vegetation and bright tropical flowers that highlight the beauty and lifestyle that made it one of the most important haciendas in the Yucatan. Its iconic “Casa de Piedra” restaurant is a traditional favorite among locals due to its delicious and sophisticated Yucatecan cuisine, developed with French techniques.
CULTURALLY ENRICHING
The state of Yucatan is known for its diversity and richness, not only culturally and historically, but also gastronomically. It offers a myriad of activities for all kinds of visitors including exploring some of the most important Maya archaeological sites, such as Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, and discovering the colonially-rich city of Merida with its museums, monuments and world-renown cuisine.
Photo credit: Julio Landa
HABAÑERO MARGARITA
This unique margarita merges the regional ingredients with new spontaneous flavors. Chaya is the leaf a special plant of the region used in a wide variety of dishes in traditional Yucatan cuisine. Sour orange is endemic of the region and also used to add a fresh flavor specially to soups. And of course habanero pepper is a must in Yucatan gastronomy, a very spicy chili served to accompany almost any dish.
Ingredients
- 2½ Oz Tequila
- Oz Lime Juice
- 1 Oz Chaya Juice
- 1.5 Oz Sour Orange Juice
- ½ spoon of cut habanero pepper
- Ice
- Salt
Recipe
- Place salt on small shallow plate.
- Rim two glasses with lime wedge, then dip in salt to coat rim.
- Pour the tequila, lime and sour orange juice into the blender
- Serve in a glass, add the habanero pepper and Chaya Juice
- Enjoy!
SPAHHHHHHHH.....
Zen-sational ideas to bring you closer to this week’s theme:
Simple ways to master Zen at home
Mindfulness in the modern world
Zen comes from the Sanskrit word “dhyana” which means meditative absorption - perfectly relaxed, perfectly alert, so the opposite would be having a mind in chaos - agitated, ignorant, inattentive, unfocused. So here’s the antithesis to Zen.
And finally, 15 practical ways to find your Zen at work. If these don’t help, please refer back to the two cocktail recipes above.
Kelly McAlister, Maui Jim
Kelly McAlister of Maui Jim will be with us on the calls each week as judge and jury to see which planner really goes all-in with the theme. So engage, be creative, and have fun... and you may be the winner!
She’ll be doing some gifting that will surely lift your shelter-in-place spirits!