LOCATION: Mexico’s Caribbean coast                        
                                 

ADDRESS & PHONES:   Boulevard Kukulcan Km 12.5, Cancun 77500 Mexico
                                  Telephone:                                  52 (998) 8817600
                                  Toll Free:                                   (888) 782-9722
                                   Facsimile:                                  52 (998) 8817601
                                   Websites:                                  www.feel-aqua.com
                                                                                                      www.posadas.com

OPENING:                 February 2008

MANAGEMENT    Grupo Posadas
                                  Paseo de la Reforma 155,
                                  Col. Lomas de Chapultepec, 11000, Mexico, D.F.
                                  Phone: (52 55) 5326-6700

ARCHITECT                                       Issac Abadi of Studio Arquitectos in Mexico City

INTERIOR DESIGNER            Francisco Hanhaussen of Hanhaussen Arquitectos in Mexico City

KEY STAFF              Francisco Gutierrez                         VP Operations for Premium Brands
                                  Javier Barrera                                  Chief Marketing Officer
                                  Claudia Cordova                             Corporate Director of Public Relations
                                  America Anguiano S.                       Corporate Manager of Public Relations
                                  Fernado Gibaja                               General Manager
                                  Rafael Sandoval                               Sales Director
                                  Marcela Guisa                                 Public Relations Manager
                                  Jaime Martinez                               Spa Director
                                  Franco Madalozzo                          Corporate Executive Chef
                                 Martha Ortiz                                    Siete, Chef
                                  Michelle Bernstein                             MB, Chef                    
                                                                                                     

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES                                    471

BRIEF DESCRIPTION Luxury 371-room resort is a beachfront paradise on the serene shores of the Caribbean Sea.  Guest facilities include three restaurants, one cocktail lounge, one club, eight pools, spa, fitness room and business center.  

Modern and elemental design elements are found throughout the resort. The interior features many open spaces that let in warming energy of the sun while embracing the sounds, spirit and sight of the pristine white sandy beach and the crystal clear sea.

At Aqua, the guest experience is the most important factor.  The value is in the details, which work together to create an inspiring sense of quality, sensuality, freedom, harmony, playfulness and style.

The hotel operates under an innovative concept that tantalizes all the senses and allows guests to live life to the fullest.  The food, relaxation and personal service combine to create an authentic and enchanting environment for all to enjoy.
                                                                                                                 

ACCOMMODATIONS
GUEST ROOMS Each of the 306 luxury rooms, 29 Aqua Club rooms and 36 suites feature contemporary décor with design accents typically found in high end lounges and urban lofts. All rooms feature a balcony with panoramic views of glittering turquoise water.
                       

ROOM AMENITIES:

- BOSE home theater system
- 32” flat-screen LCD TV
- DVD/CD/MP3 player
- i-home® system
- High-speed internet access
- Three two-line telephones
- Personal voicemail
- Minibar
- Coffeemaker
- Radio alarm clock
- Iron/ironing board
- Electronic safe
- Oversized jetted-bathtubs
- Aromatherapy kits
- Pillow menu
- Molton Brown amenities
- Hairdryer
- Scale

SUITES (36)
Elegantly furnished suites from 762 to 4,109 square feet in size.  Aqua Cancun’s ultra exclusive guest suites are each based on an elemental theme, incorporating earth, fire, air, sun, moon and water into an innovative design. Jacuzzis are surrounded with firelight, spacious terraces features lounge and dining areas, and suites also feature outdoor showers, spa treatment rooms and private sundecks.

GUEST SERVICES

CONCIERGE Full-service concierge located in main lobby.  Concierge offers hotel and general information and can make arrangements for sightseeing, dining, entertainment and recreational activities.

LAUNDRY AND In-house facility offering same-day cleaning and pressing
DRY CLEANING                            service, seven days a week.
           
SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES   Complimentary safety deposit boxes are located in all guest rooms.

RECREATION
                                                                             
SWIMMING POOLS Eight swimming pools dot the resort property, each exploring a unique theme to further accentuate the luxury experience. 
                     

SHORE CLUB Exclusive beach-side lounging amongst cabanas, hammocks, sun beds, swings and massage tables.  Cool mist chills the warm Caribbean air throughout.

SPA AQUA Located within the hotel, Spa Aqua offers multi-sensory treatments firmly rooted in Mayan culture as well as relaxation techniques perfected in Sweden, Australia, Polynesia, Morocco and India.  Features a variety of diverse spaces both inside and seaside, as well as rooms for individuals and couples.

A full menu of rejuvenating Mayan massages, hot stone massages and exclusive Mexican treatments, including chocolate or avocado body wrap, coffee exfoliations and the Mayan temazcal.  Aromatherapy is an integral part of the Spa Aqua experience, as essences of mint, spearmint, eucalyptus and faint touches of lavender waft through the entire space.

WATSU Spa Aqua specializes in this Japanese Shiatsu massage while floating in water. Warm water envelopes the body during this treatment, blocking out sounds. As relaxation sets in, all that’s left to hear is the peaceful rhythm of one’s own beating heart.

LE SIESTE The body is submerged in water that remains a constant 97° F, the perfect temperature to allow this vitamin, seaweed and mineral salt infused water to treat the body’s every pore. 

TRANSPORTATION

AIRPORT Hotel is located 20 minutes from the Cancun International Airport via rental car or taxi.

GROUND            Arrangements can be made through the concierge for car
TRANSPORTATION            service.

DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT

SIETE  Modern  and  sophisticated  space  combines  Mexican  art
 6:30AM to 12:00PM and  pop  art  with  floor- to- ceiling  windows  of   exquisite
 5:30PM to 11:30 PM ocean views. Chef Martha Ortiz features local Mexican flavors for an unforgettable journey of tastes and textures.  Ortiz was named Best Mexican Chef 2007 by Bon Appetit magazine and is the owner of Mexico City’s award-winning Aguila y Sol. 

MB RESTAURANT Celebrity  Chef  Michelle  Bernstein  finds  inspiration  from
 6:00PM to 11:30PM locally produced organics and the highest quality cuts of beef, poultry and top grade fish -- constantly evolving the restaurant’s menu.  Prior to Aqua, Chef Bernstein won worldwide acclaim at Michy’s in Miami and is a twice-nominated James Beard Foundation chef.  

             
AZUR                   Ultra- contemporary  décor  with  fusion  of  Mediterranean
 11:30AM to 5:30PM flavors with Mexican and Asian accents.  Chef Franco Maddalozzo specializes in array of ceviches and tapas from his worldly experiences. 

“AKA BAR” WINE AND MEZCAL               A  playful  atmosphere  of  world  class wines, handcrafted
BAR BY STEVE OLSON              cocktails  and   sophisticated   tequilas  are  suggested  by
 5:00PM to 11:00PM renowned mixology and wine expert Steve Olson. 

BAR EGOS Ultra-posh bar and lounge.  Seductive, electric and eclectic guests dance till dawn to the rhythmic pulse of a variety of high energy techno cuts spun by in-house DJ, Gotardo Dorado. 

B-ON CYBER CAFE Located at spa level and offers modern computer workstations and lounge-style seating.

IN-ROOM DINING 24-hour service offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, and a complete selection of wines and liquors.

MEETING AND BANQUET  FACILITIES
17 meeting rooms encompassing 16,500 square   feet   of indoor meeting and banquet space.  Rooms are equipped with modern equipment and accommodate up to 1,000 guests.  Three executive meeting rooms accommodate 6, 14 or 16 people.

            Event space can incorporate theme parties, group events, coffee break activities, spa treatments, Tai Chi sessions and DJ services. Food menus for all events are created by the hotel’s celebrity chefs and renowned mixologists.

 GARDEN OF SENSES Elements of fire, water, air and earth are arranged to accentuate the experience within this welcoming haven, while music from DJ Gotardo nudges guests into a heightened emotional state. The hotel’s ritual Sun & Moon Welcome Ceremonies enthrall participants while positively energizing them.

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
            The Aqua Cancun experience starts as guests are welcomed with “In Lakech,” a traditional Mayan greeting expressing the staff’s philosophy of devoted service and desire to please. “Your wish – my wish” (su deseo es nuestro deseo) is the hotel’s motto, a deep commitment held by the property’s staff to ensure guests have a memorable stay.

Aqua Cancun has been designed to delight and surprise all the senses. Mood setting aromas are an integral part of Aqua. In the hotel lobby, essences of mint, spearmint and eucalyptus mix with hints of lavender to fill the air. Guests also enjoy aromatherapy in their rooms, selecting treatments from the exclusive guestroom scent menu, featuring therapies that boost energy or set the stage for tranquility, relaxation or romance.

The resort is programmed with its own soundtrack created by the hotel’s in-house DJ, Gotardo Dorado. Using a palate of more than 40,000 songs, Dorado created a one-of-a-kind soundscape that creates different moods depending on time of day and location on the resort.
                                           

HEALTH AND FITNESS                    The waterfront Aqua Cancun gym features state-of-the-art
exercise technology, including cardio equipment, workout stations and free weights. Yoga and Tai Chi classes are taught from Tuesday to Sunday, and personal training sessions are available for hotel guests.  The adjacent Kinesis Salon offers salon and beauty services integrating natural products with modern techniques. Fitness Center is open daily  from 7am to 10pm.

SHOPPING

 LA BOUTIQUE AQUA Cozy lounge and private library offering books on photography, fashion, art and design.  Display of extraordinary handmade Mexican jewelry by Fiorenza Cordero.

 GIFT SHOP Aqua-branded apparel and accessories, Haagen-Dazs ice cream, Punta del Cielo and Illy coffee, convenience items and beachwear.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution photography is available upon request.

Media Contact: Elizabeth Ortega, Ypartnership, (407) 838-1817 / Elizabeth.Ortega@ypartnership.com