Ready for another snowstorm, below-freezing temperatures, or you just need that long-overdue getaway?
Cancun & Playa Del Carmen reopened in June were Expedia’s number 1 and 2 most searched destinations in 2021. Mexico is in the ORANGE phase and Americans can travel there with no restrictions. And while there is a lot of buzz about the openings of Margaritaville Resort Riviera-Cancun the majority of visitors are seeking out a more intimate boutique hotel experience with contactless check-in and far less staff and foot traffic.
The Acanto Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham Playa Del Carmen comes in with 3 special “No Covid Here” packages.
Just a block from the beach and half a block from the shopping and restaurants on 5th Avenue in Playa Del Carmen offers Hacienda Style 1-3 Bedroom condos and a grotto-style pool. You will feel right at home and ready for an extended stay with the rooms all equipped with full kitchens, dining tables and chairs, utensils, and chic private terraces for fresh air.
The front desk can arrange for day trips jungles and ruins and expeditions like diving snorkeling and para-sailing. There are a set of more swanky rooftop suites that feature outdoor rooftop kitchens with BBQ and dining tables. Be sure to direct bookly and enjoy an additional 10% off, easy cancelation, lowest rate guarantee, early and late check-in and check out, free calls, free wifi, and even discounts at select local favorite restaurants nearby. There is even free breakfast in the mornings.
Work From Paradise
Acanto keeps it simple with this package to offer the best possible monthly rate for your work/School at home in one of our spacious suites. Complimentary breakfast and weekly maid service are provided as well as daily towel service. Enjoy some rooftop yoga, a swim in the pool, and some sand between your toes for a walk along the beach in between zoom meetings.
Monthly rates start at $1,500 for 2 People. with High-Speed Wifi, Maid Service, Breakfast, Front Desk, and Concierge Services
Bring Your Pod To Acanto
With fewer bookings allowed hotels will be able to offer a complete buy-out option. The Acanto Hotel with its’ 19 1, 2 and 3 bedroom Suites is a perfect option for a group up to. 70 people. Prices have never been lower and this is just for 2021.
Give Back, Get Back at Acanto
If you are willing to give back to the local Playa Del Carmen community by either teaching young children to speak English, the local dog rescue, or at the CEA (Ecological Center of Akumal) to help with Turtle hatching season we will give you 2 free nights when you stay for 2 nights. This is perfect for a long weekend getaway that is feel-good and easy on your wallet.
Well, what are you waiting for, book now, and we’ll see you at the Playa!
Four hundred years ago we were introduced to Don Quixote, an adventurer who fled the mundane world for imagined battles with wizards and giants. From the opening of “I’m Leaving Now,” it is clear that directors Lindsey Cordero and Armando Croda see their subject as another adventurer. Felipe, an undocumented worker, whistles and sings to himself as he drags a cart full of collected bottles behind him.
“We left each other long ago
But now it’s my time to go back.
You were right, I’m going to listen to my heart,
Because I’m dying to go back. I’m an adventurer, And I don’t even care.”
Unlike Don Quixote, Felipe’s adventure is only too rooted in the mundane. He left his home for the US after the birth of his youngest son, living in Brooklyn without papers to raise money for his family. He works at least three jobs, including collecting cans and cleaning bathrooms at a Hassidic synagogue. He wires as much money as he can back home to his wife.
Felipe Hernandez goes for a swim in Coney Island. Photo from IMDB.com
“I’m Leaving Now” picks up at what seems to be the end of his journey. After 16 years, he has purchased his ticket home and will be leaving shortly. We see the charismatic migrant celebrating a victory lap, saying goodbye to the friends he’s made along the way.
Then disaster strikes. One of his sons tells him that the family is swimming in debt and they need him to stay in Brooklyn. So starts a two-year journey in which Felipe, perhaps for the first time, considers staying in New York. Should he stay with his friends, his jobs, and a budding romance, or return home to the family which lost his money and a son who has only ever heard his voice.
Some of the footage feels forced, or even invasive. One scene in particular, in which Felipe is nuzzled between the breasts of a prostitute, made me wonder how much control Felipe had of his own privacy during the filming process. Other scenes feel scripted or directed, with forced dialogue and emotions. The directors do not attempt to hide manipulation, with details like the weather revealing a jumbled timeline forced to fit a more narrative structure.
In spite of that, it is easy to feel for Felipe in his most genuine scenes. He seems very happy with Dionicia, a girlfriend who he acquires over the course of the film, and feels torn and hurt in conversation with friends. “I’m Leaving Now” is a window into the life of an undocumented worker in the US, telling a unique story of a much more mundane adventure.
UNICO 20˚87˚ Riviera Maya is celebrating one year of redefining the all-inclusive experience. As a resort that embraces a “no itinerary” mentality, they offer impromptu pop-up programming and inclusions that allow guests to enjoy vacation at their own pace.
For their #UNICOTurnsUNO birthday bash March 2 – March 4, 2018, you’ll find a Roulette style giveaway online. Five lucky people will win a three-night stay for only $1. The Roulette giveaway also provides the opportunity for participants to win extended discount rates from 20% – 30% off. UNICO is running a Special Anniversary Package where travelers can book five nights and get the sixth night free, too.
Photo courtesy of UNICO 20˚87˚
Guests of the resort enjoy all-inclusive amenities like food and beverages in addition to select tours, spa treatments, a beauty salon, barbershop services and unlimited golf for a 20% service fee. The resort uses Vacation Makers who strategically plan Signature Excursions designed for guests to enjoy a more unique, secluded experience. The five luxury excursions are just another part of the unique all-inclusive experience offered by UNICO 20˚87˚ — featuring mezcal tastings with top agaves of the region or artisanal ice creams along with traditional dance ceremonies.
UNICO 20˚87˚ places an emphasis on local culture and incorporating it into their resort. The design is heavily inspired by the rich character of Riviera Maya and uses handmade and locally sourced materials. Their art and artisan programs draw a connection between the hotel’s design and surrounding culture by featuring artists with a connection to Mexico. The resort has five unique restaurants on site that range from elegant fine dining to casual beachside buffets.
The anniversary celebration runs from March 2 – March 4, offering the chance to snag the unstructured, comprehensive experience of vacationing at the UNICO 20˚87˚ at a discount, or if you’re lucky — for free! Don’t forget to enter on their website during their anniversary week.
It’s Cinco de Mayo! And who doesn’t like an excuse to eat Mexican food and drinks? In a place as diverse as Downtown New York, there is a wide range of places to choose from. Fortunately for you, we’ve found the absolute best places to celebrate this festive holiday.
This yearly holiday emerged from the Mexican army’s victory over France more than 150 years ago during the Franco-Mexican War–particularly the Battle of Puebla. It has since grown to become a popular holiday in the United States during which Mexican culture and heritage is celebrated. Interestingly enough, May 5th is not celebrated as much in Mexico itself where the day is considered to be like any other.
Here are Downtown’s top picks for places to celebrate in the area.
Original and authentic, La Contenta’s goal is to showcase the owner’s Mexican roots with his classical French culinary training, offering Mexican cuisine with French accents. If you want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in a refined, calm environment this is the place for you.
On May 5th, Dos Caminos will have a special menu to make all of your Cinco de Mayo dreams come true. You’ll be able to pick from a list of authentic Mexican dishes and drinks. Bring friends and order the special Ponche Tropical tequila punch bowl (serves up to 4 people!). The party doesn’t stop there with live music, giveaways and much more.
Located at the Dream Hotel in Chelsea, this Mexican style restaurant will also be celebrating this holiday. Join in tomorrow to enjoy the cafe all day long and refined Mexican cooking.
Combining all sorts of Latin flavor, TAVO’s rich seasoning and mixed ingredients leaves you wanting more every time. Although not your typical Mexican cuisine, this simple but carefully thought out menu has you choosing between the best of the best.
Serving exclusively Mexican cuisine, Añejo offers a street food inspired menu varying from tacos to sliders. Known for it’s energetic feel, this restaurant will most definitely be celebrating Cinco de Mayo. If you are feeling festive, this will be the place to be tomorrow.
And finally, although not in Downtown, Cantina Rooftop is definitely at the top of our list. Located in Midtown with an amazing rooftop overlooking the city and a variety of drinks and dishes to satisfy your Mexican cravings, this place is perfect for Cinco de Mayo.
Address: 605 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
Celebrate at home
If you’re not feeling up for a night out, we have a couple cocktail recipes for you to shake up yourself. Thanks to Avión, we have the best tequila recipes for you to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the comfort of your own home.
Sandia Fresca
2 oz. Avion Reposado
1 oz. fresh watermelon juice
0.75 oz. lime juice
0.5 oz. agave nectar
Spiced Rim: 1 part kosher salt, 1 part superfine sugar, and ½ part cayenne.
Shake all ingredients with ice and fine strain into a cocktail glass with a spiced rim
Blood Orange Margarita
1.5 oz. Avión Silver
.75 oz. fresh blood orange juice
.5 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
.75 oz. agave nectar
In a cocktail shaker add all ingredients with ice. Shake and strain. Serve over fresh ice and garnish with an orange twist.
Now there’s no excuse not to celebrate. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Said Jerry Hourihan, President of AIG Private Client Group, U.S. and Canada: “Ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families are more mobile than ever, and their insurance needs are more fluid. They typically own property in multiple locations across the U.S. as well as outside the country. In addition, they have experience.”
While the Americas are popular among these U.S. consumers, in the next three years, 60 percent of high-net-worth Chinese consumers are likely to purchase investment real estate properties in the United States. Leading cities for such are reportedly Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.
One of the most popular spirits around the world, tequila is distilled from the blue agave plant. To be a little more specific, agave is a member of the lily family and there are approximately 136 types of agave in Mexico. While Mexican law requires that all tequilas contain at least 51% agave, the spirits of Blue Nectar Tequila are made with 100% blue agave.
Founded in October 2011, Blue Nectar has accomplished plenty in its first five years. The brand — as founded by a father and son — has four varieties of tequila available: Blue Nectar Silver, Blue Nectar Reposado Extra Blend, Blue Nectar Reposado Special Craft, and Blue Nectar Añejo Founder’s Blend. Honors for Blue Nectar include a 95 point score from Tasting Panel Magazine, four stars from the Spirits Journal, a Gold Medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and a winning entry at Mexico’s Envase Y Embalaje Estelar contest.
While tequila is generally associated with Mexico, Blue Nectar has ties to our city. For starters, Nikhil Bahadur — the company’s Chief Operating Officer — attended Columbia Business School. Blue Nectar can currently be found in over 400 locations within our metropolitan area. Nikhil spoke to Downtown about the past, present and future of Blue Nectar. The acclaimed maker of spirits can be followed on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, in addition to keeping up a great website at www.bluenectartequila.com.
When did you first get serious about tequila?
Nikhil Bahadur: My first distillery visit was an amazing experience but it was the subsequent visits that strengthened my relationship with agave spirits. Spending countless weeks at the distillery with our Master Blender and the teams that both harvest the agaves and purposefully transform it into tequila allowed me to understand the spirit in a deeper way. Hearing their stories and being a part of the physical process was extremely powerful.
Was there a particular event that inspired you to leave behind the financial world and get into spirits?
NB: I’ve always wanted to feed the entrepreneurial spirit in me. A few years before we launched Blue Nectar, my father and I started gifting each other bottles of tequila for our birthdays. That ritual is what led us to meet both tequila and spirits industry folks who helped us build Blue Nectar.
Tequila used to be thought of as something that people do shots of, as opposed to sipping or enjoying it as a primary cocktail. When do you think Tequila changed in the eyes of the public?
NB: Premium 100% agave tequilas really didn’t take hold in the U.S. until the mid-1980s. It wasn’t until the early 2000s, however, that an increasing base of bartenders and consumers started to become knowledgeable about tequila and started sipping it or mixing it in more unique cocktails. We educate our fans to sip and savor it and we showcase it in quality cocktails because that really allows the consumer to taste the inherent complexity and differences in our juice.
What do you feel makes you brand different to others?
NB: Our partners in Mexico started off as agave farmers and then built a distillery. The agaves we use are grown on their fields surrounding the distillery, in the valley of Amatitán, so there is a true concept of terroir. Blue Nectar is well-known for how we blend our aged tequilas, something that is not common in the agave spirits world. We’re also serious about being genuine and transparent. We post our production process and details directly on our website. Most brands are either silent on this or purport that their methods are better than others, which is really disingenuous. Good tequilas have great people behind them but at the end of the day, it really comes down to an individual’s taste.
Fernando Real Meza, BN Bahadur & Nikhil Bahadur
Do you have a favorite Blue Nectar Tequila?
NB: I love all our expressions — they are earthy and agave forward. Our Silver is dry and crisp with a minerality common for valley tequilas. It serves as a great base for cocktails. Both our Reposados and our Añejo are all very well-balanced. The agave isn’t overpowered by the oak.
What is your drink of choice?
NB: I’d say it’s the drink I didn’t have yesterday. I enjoy trying new things and being creative. My friend Yoichi from The Ship on Lafayette created a riff on the classic Negroni that we call “Chipilo,” named after a town in Mexico founded by Italian immigrants. It’s definitely one I go to often.
Where in New York City can people find Blue Nectar Tequila?
NB: We’re in over 400 bars, restaurants, hotels and liquor stores across the New York metropolitan area. Brooklyn Wine Exchange, Union Square Wines & Spirits, Chelsea Wine Vault and Flatiron Wines & Spirits are just a few. The best thing you can do if you don’t see Blue Nectar is to ask for it at your neighborhood bar or liquor store. We certainly appreciate the support.
What was the first bar in New York to carry Blue Nectar Tequila?
NB: One of our earliest supporters was Toloache on Thompson. They’ve got a great team and really put together a fantastic drinking and dining experience for their guests.
Tequila is generally thought of as best on the West Coast if not just Mexico entirely. Is it challenging to be presenting yourself as a Tequila conceptualized in New York?
NB: To the contrary. There is an amazing agave spirits community here in New York that is very knowledgeable and supports great producers and bartenders. The spirit is made in Mexico but there is some deep love for tequila here in New York City.
What’s ahead for Blue Nectar Tequila? More varieties? Partnering with other brands?
NB: We have a few exciting projects in the works. Our most recent is our Bespoke Blend program where liquor stores, bars and restaurants can blend their own unique variety of our Reposado Extra Blend. It’s been a great success and allows some of our biggest supporters to truly connect with the brand.
Is there an accomplishment for your brand that you’re most proud of?
NB: I’m really proud of the critical reception of our juice. Our Reposado Extra Blend was rated best Reposado Tequila by F. Paul Pacult’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge the last three years. Our Silver was a finalist the last two.
When you’re not busy with Blue Nectar Tequila, how do you like to spend your free time?
NB: I need more hobbies. Everyone always says family, friends and travel, and I love those things too, but I’ve been wanting to build something — furniture or something mechanical. Maybe learn to fly a plane?
As someone that went to school here in New York at Columbia Business School, do you have a favorite restaurant that you can recommend to our readers?
NB: My MBA may lend me some credibility in clichéd management phrases but probably not restaurants. My wife and I usually end up at Jake’s Handcrafted or Piccoli Trattoria, which are neighborhood spots with exceptional food.
Finally, Nikhil, any last words for the kids?
NB: Wait, are you planning on killing me? Can I sip on some Blue Nectar first? (laughs)
