ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT REVIEWS destinations

TRIED BH M allorca, M agaluf TESTED Craig David and Tinie Tempah on stage while Love Island & stars bask in the pool? Only in Magaluf, reports Rose Dykins

t 7am, I’m awoken by The glitter cannons. The up as DJ and MC, and it feels like Tuesday and Thursday between Asomeone repeatedly moshing. The on-site arena 1999 all over again. June 15 and August 24. AllForget everything you thought younew knew hollering ‘Scotland!’ outside packed with thousands of “The calibre of performers about all-inclusives. Travel Weekly tests my window. The night before is bronzed, excitable party animals. ◗ PARTY ANIMALS has to be pretty consistent as a bit of a blur, but I look down Tinie Tempah screaming “Make BH Mallorca hotel appeals to we are building the Stage brand three resorts making the concept cool again and see the laminated orange some Noiiise!” into his mic. The clients who want the Magaluf as best-in-class for live music,” band around my wrist, with crowd roaring in response. And party experience, but are also says Kathryn Sayburn, managing ‘BH Mallorca’ printed on it, all within the vicinity of the hotel. tempted by an overseas festival director of Cursach Hotels, BH and remember. By the afternoon, it’s pool or an Ibiza trip. This summer Mallorca’s parent company. party time at BH Mallorca, where saw acts including Chase and These performances are Alex and Olivia from Love Island Status, David Guetta, DJ Tiesto offered as part of an all-inclusive pose for photos and pour shots and Steve Aoki on stage every package, with accommodation, into fans’ mouths. And the next food and drink, access to the evening, back on stage, Craig on‑site waterpark and four David brings the house down weekly pool parties, and return with his treacly voice, doubling You feel like you’re flights thrown in, though non- residents can pay €30-€50 to going to a concert access the performances. or a festival – and you don’t even have ◗ MUSIC MATTERS to leave your hotel “I think it's fantastic,” says Jessica Greaves from Hays Travel. “If I turn around to my customer y PICTURE: conor mcgrath photograph

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and say ‘by the way, included in your and three giant Jacuzzis. We created in the season. Finding a sunbed price, you get to see Tinie Tempah, Island Beach Club – home of legendary around one of its three pools isn’t too Craig David, and Alex and Olivia from More pool parties – and launched Stage, difficult, though queues at the bar are Love Island at the pool party’, it’s a Mallorca Mallorca’s largest open-air music venue. rather lengthy. massive selling point. “We understand young people The pool parties are well-managed “You feel like you’re going to a want an experience when they travel, and feel relaxed rather than raucous; concert or a festival – and you don’t dive in so we listened to their feedback and the glamorous dancers and inflatables even have to leave your hotel. You can Go scuba diving launched a ‘Disneyland’ for young to play with go down well. finish for the night and crawl back to in Puerto Pollensa people. It’s fun to stay here and your room, if you want to.” or windsurfing definitely fun to work here!” ◗ ADDED EXTRAS Tina Sweeney, of Independent and jetskiing in Hiring a pool party cabana for four Travel Experts, says: “You can see Puerto Calanova. ◗ THE LOWDOWN people costs €160, and gets you the why it appeals to the younger crowd The hotel’s refreshed rooms are simple same amount of credit at the bar. Fans who are into music, and I imagine it Sightsee and functional, with a decent amount of Towie, Love Island and Geordie Shore appeals quite heavily to stag and hen Wander through of space; they can comfortably will enjoy the celebrity meet-and-greets dos as well. I think I could sell it to a the streets of accommodate four people sharing, that take place at each pool party. younger client. I personally wouldn’t Calvia, Deia with two in the bedroom and two in As for stage performances, there’s recommend it to couples, though, and Arta. the lounge. They have balconies with an elevated VIP area close to the main definitely singles.” seating, funky artwork on the walls, stage – access is €250 for four people, Targeted at 18 to 26-year-olds, watch tiled floors, mini fridges and full-length with a premium bottle of Grey Goose BH Mallorca keeps its clientele firmly Ahoy, me hearties! mirrors with ‘You Look Great!’ and the and mixers thrown in. Or, for clients in mind. “We launched BH Mallorca Watch the hotel’s social media tags at the top. who really want a front-row seat, in 2015, following a €15 million Pirates Adventure Rooms are serviced daily, and Stage-view apartments can be booked refurbishment,” says Sayburn. dinner show despite the antics throughout the for a supplement, allowing guests “We renovated 656 apartments, for world‑class night, its public areas are hosed down to wander from their room to their converting them into fresh, modern acrobatics, dance and spotless by breakfast time. The balcony, look out over the crowd and suites with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and comedy. buffet has a great selection of food, enjoy the music from above. walk‑in showers and flatscreen TVs with plenty of healthy options, a range Book it: All-inclusive rates start at €57 a with UK channels. of soft drinks, and San Miguel on tap. night. BH Mallorca can be packaged up “On-site, we built the world’s first Some nights are themed to focus on through operators including Thomas 18-plus water park, complete with Italian, Arabian or Mexican food. Cook, Jet2holidays and Expedia. high-adrenaline slides, a wave pool The hotel feels pretty full even early bhmallorca.com

selfie control: Love Island winners Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies at BH Mallorca y PICTURE: ambient vista photograph

42 travelweekly.co.uk 9 November 2017 ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT REVIEWS destinations H ard Rock H otel TRIED Riviera M aya, M exico TESTED & Skiing? In the Caribbean? Kelly Ranson finds plenty of reasons to get off the sunlounger at this sporty resort

taying at the Hard Rock Hotel If you have a client who is too much to do, so Woodward’s Packed with ramps and jumps SRiviera Maya, it’s a given more into adrenaline-seeking indoor space is ideal for families galore, the lifestyle sports brand to live like a rock star, but now than sunbed-lounging, but still twiddling their thumbs when the has built an impressive facility guests can amplify their skills loves the lure of an all-inclusive sun doesn’t come out to play. with indoor skateboarding, BMX and add ‘skateboard legend’ or and Mexico’s sandy shores, then biking, dry-land snowboarding ‘BMX prodigy’ to the holiday mix. you’re in luck. and skiing all available for guests The 1,264-room music to try out. Snowboarding while memorabilia hotel is renowned ◗ SPORTING CHANCE it’s 30C outside? Why not! for offering the ultimate in all- The gigantic Woodward sports And the centre has been inclusive holidays, so it seems the centre, which has just opened at There’s trampolining put through its paces by perfect fit to open an activity- the resort, is a magnet for active and cheer sessions, skateboarding hero Tony Hawk, laden sports centre at the resort. kids of all ages – and they don’t who was on hand to show his It’s a totally new experience in even need to be a pro on wheels and you can launch skills at Woodward’s grand Mexico and the Caribbean, and a to take part. yourself into a foam opening last month. million miles from the stereotype It is downright genius too; pit like a superhero There’s also trampolining, of lazing by the pool or propping let’s face it, on a rainy day in cheer sessions, parkour (free up the bar for two weeks solid. the Caribbean there really isn’t running) space and you can

mexico: Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya

9 November 2017 travelweekly.co.uk 45 ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT REVIEWS destinations

even launch yourself off a ledge into a giant cry from the usual all-inclusive buffet fare; there’s foam pit like a superhero (or on a BMX bike, for something for every palate, from Asian fusion to those with skills). Outside, there’s even more, Brazilian rodízio, and French cuisine to sumptuous including a ninja obstacle course. steaks. All skill levels are welcome as guests have to The high-energy hotel is split across two resorts, OF THE complete a one-hour instructor-led session before and adults can roam freely between them. Heaven BEST some free play to nail that perfect flip or jump. is the lavish and rather glitzy adult-only retreat, Woodward is available for guests aged seven complete with three tempting pools, private beach, 3RIVIERA and up, but instructors will offer ‘micro sessions’ for Heaven nightclub with its own pool, tequila-tasting MAYA under-sevens. sessions, beauty salon, gym and the Rock Spa, with TOURS Thanks to Hard Rock’s Limitless Resort Credit a staggering 75 treatment rooms. package (up to $1,800 per room for a seven-night Over in family-friendly Hacienda resort, the Chichen Itza stay and $3,600 for 14 nights), the cost is included, activity programme is endless and kids will love It’s a full-day so there’s no extra hard-sell to your clients. hanging out with their favourite TV characters trip, but the Guests pay $129 for a ‘stack session’, which includes including Angelina Ballerina, Barney and Bob the centre of the a one-hour introductory lesson, an hour’s free play Builder, while teens can drop in to the Cavern Club once-great and a two-hour drop-in session. Take advantage of for some parent-free space. Kids and gadget-mad Mayan Empire an introductory offer, though, for bookings made parents will also revel in the fact Xbox consoles and is worth it. Walk before June 30, 2018, and sports‑mad guests will Fender guitars can be delivered to the room. among the giant get a free double stack session per room, for a total With music at the centre of the resort’s heart, it’s pyramids and of four hours in the activity centre (for travel by hard to hold back your inner rock god or goddess, ancient ruins December 20, 2018, with Thomas Cook). so a visit to the Music Lab is a must. It gives of this Unesco- If that’s still not enough action, guests can head to wannabe stars the chance to form a rock band and listed site. Prices the beach for some paddleboarding, kayaking and perform on stage or create their own music video. from $145. snorkelling. They can even zipline into the resort’s From skateboarding one day to rock concerts the crystal-clear lagoon. For keen golfers, Hard Rock owns next, Hard Rock certainly knows how to break the Tulum an 18-hole course just 15 minutes’ drive from the resort. all-inclusive mould. Tulum is just 30 Book it: Thomas Cook offers a week at the five-star minutes from ◗ TIME TO RELAX below: Hard Rock Riviera Maya Hacienda, from £1,389 per Woodward Riviera Maya, Activity makes for thirsty work, so it’s a good job person based on two adults sharing on an all- sports centre at making it ideal Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya has 10 bars and nine Hard Rock Hotel inclusive basis, flying from Gatwick on June 17, 2018. for a half-day restaurants to help recharge. Dining options are a far Riviera Maya thomascookworld.com; hrhrivieramaya.com trip. You’ll be guided through the majestic ruins and learn colourful stories, and don’t forget your swimwear – Tulum is right on the coast. From $105.

Cenotes Discover these natural wonders of the Yucatan peninsula by heading underground to the cenotes (sinkholes) and underground rivers, seeing rock formations and a multitude

of sea life as you klar swim around S att the calm caves. From $140. PICTURE: M

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TRIED White Palace Resort, Crete Bored of buffets? Take all-inclusive eating up a notch TESTED& with a new luxury package, writes Rachel Roberts

he golden disc of Greek sun to test it out which, it transpires, ◗ VERY IMPORTANT PACKAGE Tslips down the sky, signalling mostly involves being spoilt rotten. The Lux Me package cleverly taps the end of another hard day of I ping a WhatsApp into the zeitgeist for all things basking in its blissful rays on the ◗ ALL WHITE NOW message to the celebrity and represents a long- sandy shores of the Aegean Sea. The five-star White Palace will overdue reboot of the traditional Right now, the thought of give travel-weary clients a real concierge, asking all-inclusive offering. It will appeal running a bath ahead of an ‘wow’ moment on arrival. The them to take care of to clients looking for a taste of evening of famed Cretan revelry sleek resort is an hour’s transfer running me a bath the VIP lifestyle on a mid‑range – all fine dining and fine tippling – from Heraklion airport or 80 budget: prices in the high is frankly exhausting. So I simply minutes from Chania airport, season start at around £1,600 reach for my smartphone and and has a prime spot near the per person for seven nights and ping a WhatsApp message to the historic town of Rethymno on The open-air entrance lobby shoulder‑season bookings can be concierge, asking them to take the northern stretch of coastline is reminiscent of a modern-day made for less than £1,000. care of this Herculean task. known as the Cretan Riviera. Greek temple, with stunning Guests can get their VIP on at The innovative 24-hour service, As the name suggests, all is views of the cobalt-blue Aegean. the Sunset Lounge Bar. With its the first of its kind on the Greek pristine white. The genial general Although the resort covers superlative views of the ocean, island, is the jewel in the crown manager Ioannis Zoulakis tells us 263 rooms, seven restaurants this is the ideal place for lazy of a new Luxury Made Easy the resort’s upkeep is the Greek and 17 swimming pools, it retains sundowners and is one of Crete’s concept. The ‘Lux Me’ package equivalent of Scotland’s Forth an airy elegance, thanks in part most-Instagrammed views. made its debut at the White Road Bridge: no sooner is the last to the chic-yet-comfortable Anyone with a horror of Palace Grecotel Luxury Resort lick of paint applied than it’s time minimalist decor and the low- those naff plastic wristbands earlier this year and we’re here to start all over again. level accommodation wings. of yesteryear can opt for a

treat time: A gelateria at White Palace Resort

9 November 2017 travelweekly.co.uk 49 destinations ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT REVIEWS

discreet white card or a stylish families are well catered for. Environmental concerns ribbon bracelet bearing the The Lux Me package price aren’t sacrificed at the altar of resort’s own Pucci-style print. includes a visit to the seriously We gave the ‘Be a pleasure, either, so the luxury And Lux Me guests won’t be fun Kingdom of Poseidon Aqua Local for the Day’ all-inclusive package has merits fobbed off with watered-down Park in sister resort Club Marine for the eco-conscious client too. cocktails, as minibars are stocked Palace & Suites, and a tour of the tour a whirl, mingling Conservation of endangered with premium-brand spirits. local Agreco farm, where children with the locals in the loggerhead sea turtles is high (and adults) can milk a goat or market in Rethymno on the agenda, with areas of the ◗ TIME TO DINE help shear a sheep. In resort, beach monitored by a team of A strong selling point is the five à there are family-friendly shows volunteers. The beach itself has la carte restaurants, all boasting and an open-air cinema where Blue Flag status. sea views. These include fine- kids can tuck in to popcorn. These cover eight categories, And what of that WhatsApp dining venue The White, offering An online guest portal also including nature, culture and request from the beach? I dégustation menus with French, keeps clients updated on the gastronomy, and offer an add-on returned to my suite to find Italian and Greek influences. daily activities in resort. Fitness experience at a reasonable extra a freshly drawn bath strewn A sommelier is also on hand is a focus, with yoga, power cost. Several new experiences are with rose petals, illuminated by to recommend wines from an walking and aqua workouts all also in the pipeline. flickering, softly scented candles. impressive 150-strong list. on offer. Those in need of further We gave the ‘Be a Local for It’s too bad that our final Clients can choose from 15 pampering can head to the the Day’ tour a whirl, heading cheeky WhatsApp request – to room types, all with the signature Hippie Spa, featuring a hammam, to Rethymno’s old town on spirit lovely waitress Dimitra back ‘all-white’ decor. These include nail bar and caviar treatments market day. There we mingled to the UK with us – was politely the Yali Collection, private for face and body. with boisterous locals buying turned down, with several smiley suites on the edge of the sea from stalls groaning with local face emojis, hearts and kisses to boasting their own pools and ◗ LOCAL LIFE produce, including cherries, soften the blow, of course. residential‑style living. These are a While the resort certainly does tomatoes and courgette flowers, Book it: Tui offers a week at the popular choice for honeymooning what it can to challenge outdated and tried the local ‘liquid gold’, 5T-rated Grecotel White Palace, couples and small families. notions of all-inclusive properties, the island’s delicious olive oil. staying all-inclusive, from £768 A friend lamented she one of its greatest assets is Another highlight of the tour based on two sharing, including wouldn’t be able to take her two encouraging guests to get out is a visit to Mr Hadjiparashos, a flights from Gatwick on May 1, boisterous boys for fear they’d and explore, with a programme of traditional filo-maker who shares 2018, and transfers. ruin the upmarket vibe, but 25 experiences around the island. the secrets of delicate pastry. tui.co.uk

feeling blue: Yali Collection private suite PICTURE: heinz troll 50 travelweekly.co.uk 9 November 2017