special section Resorts Mexico

A must-visit golf destination

When most think of Mexico, they think of azure seas, pristine beaches, and centuries- old ruins. But many will be surprised to hear that Mexico is also a sublime destination for golf. With a warm climate and postcard-per- fect landscape, Mexico’s 200-plus golf cours- es, many of which have been designed by the world’s top architects, can be found through- out the country — from hotel hotspots in Cabo San Lucas on the West Coast, to inland mountain retreats near Mexico City, and at sprawling resorts in the Riviera Maya on the East Coast. For retreats, smaller meetings, and off-

site activities, there are intimate courses like the Robert Trent Jones II–designed, 18-hole Cabo Real Championship Golf Course, which has hosted the PGA Senior Grand Slam twice,

and has earned accolades from Condé Nast Traveler and Golf Digest for its stunning, pan- oramic views of the Sea of Cortez. Next door, the 56-room Casa del Mar Golf Resort & Spa and the all-inclusive Melia Cabo Real Beach & Golf Resort, along with multiple other Cabo San Lucas hotel properties, provide plenty of nearby accommodations and meeting space. For a change of pace, the Avandaro Hotel

Golf & Spa Resort in Valle de Bravo offers a charming respite in the Sierra Madre moun- tains. About two hours outside of Mexico City, the 60-room resort has no shortage of on-site activities, ranging from tennis to paragliding, in addition to its 18-hole, par-72 course. On the East Coast in Playa Del Carmen, El Camaleón Golf Club is home to the Mayakoba Golf Clas- sic, the only oficial PGA Tour event held out-

side the United States and Canada. The par-72 course is Greg Norman’s latest masterpiece, and as players move from hole to hole, the scenery transforms from tropical jungle to dense mangroves to oceanfront stretches punctuated by massive limestone canals. Next door, the AAA Five-Diamond Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya Resort offers 401 rooms and close to 35,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space.

For more information: Mexico Tourism Board; Eduardo Chaillo, CMM, CMP, Executive Meeting Director; (202) 265-9021; echaillo@visitmexico .com; visitmexico.com/meetings

Well-heeled The 1,235-acre Grand Bay Hotel – Isla Navidad Resort near Colima is more than just a 27-hole golf course and AAA Four-Diamond hotel — it is a feast for the senses. Classic Mexican architecture, old-world charm, and gracious hospitality set this exclusive, Wyndham-branded resort apart.

86 PCMA CONVENE JUNE 2012 PCMA.ORG