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Top 10 Mexico/Central America/South America Hotels
 1. The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun
Beaten by Hurricane Wilma, Cancun’s Ritz didn’t just repair, it remade its appeal. Reopened in September 2006, the resort now boasts a half-million-dollar Culinary Center programmed with cooking classes, and wine and tequila tastings six days per week. The upgraded Kayantá Spa hones bikini bodies in an expanded fitness center while the added Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center drills the racquet set. A new seaside restaurant serves in 16 private and romantico cabanas. (800) 241-3333 or 011-52-998-881-0808, www.ritzcarlton.com
 2. JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
Another Wilma victim that sprang back to life this past year, the JW Marriott Cancun rebuilt infrastructure as well as amenities. The former now includes hurricane-resistant windows, while the latter spans flat-screen TVs in the guestrooms and new fitness facilities in the Mayan-themed spa. Re-establishing its beach, six spacious cabanas come with up to six sun beds, a private sundeck, and food and beverage service. (888) 813-2776 or 011-52-998-848-9600, www.jwmarriottcancun.com
3. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, Los Cabos
New spa suites and dedicated spa butlers mean never having to leave your quarters. Rent a Porsche Boxster when you do. Spied here: Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Anniston, Sandra Bullock. (888) 767-3966 or 011-52-624-144-2800, www.lasventanas.com
4. One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos
Get a pedicure designed by the well-known Bastien Gonzalez, charter a 50-foot yacht, or nosh on spa cuisine from celeb chef Charlie Trotter, among new options here. (800) 637-2226 or 011-52-624-146-7000, www.oneandonlyresorts.com
5. Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa
Now run by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Le Meridien Cancun does Mexico with European flair including seawater facials. 011-52-998-881-2200, www.cancun.lemeridien.com
6. Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires
A new Mediterranean restaurant, health club with outdoor swimming pool, and Inca-informed spa treatments update this Buenos Aires address. Sighted: Shakira, Bono. (800) 819-5053 or 011-54-11-4321-1200, www.fourseasons.com/buenosaires
7. Four Seasons Hotel Mexico, D.F.
An enlarged health club and spruced gardens create a sanctuary in the city, while super-fast WiFi upgrades plug you into the world beyond. (800) 819-5053 or 011-52-55-5230-1818, www.fourseasons.com/mexico
8. Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro
Soon to open: a three-story, seven-room spa and the two historic, now refurbished, “casino rooms” for parties. (800) 237-1236 or 011-55-21-2548-7070, www.copacabanapalace.com.br
9. Las Brisas Acapulco
The company announced it will spend $60 million to update its seven properties in Mexico, including this pink pamperer in Acapulco. (800) 223-6800 or 011-52-744-469-6900, www.brisas.com.mx
10. CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort
Reopened post-hurricane with storm-resistant windows, flat-screen TVs, and renovated gym, spa, playground, and restaurants. (888) 727-2347 or 011-52-998-881-2000, www.casamagnacancun.com
Mainland U.S. | Hawaii | Canada | Mexico/Central America/South America | Caribbean | Europe | Asia | Africa | Australia/New Zeland/South Pacific | U.S. Business | International | Business | Family Resorts | Editor's Picks
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The Platinum List
Isn’t
it great to hear firsthand from a friend about a wonderful travel
experience, complete with tips on where to stay and where to play?
Welcome to the ever-popular Celebrated Living
Readers’ Choice Platinum List, which is like having more than 38,000
friends share their travel preferences in one superb best-of-the-best
list. And what a list it is: 130 luxury hotels, 48 legendary golf
courses, 26 sumptuous spas, and 10 top cruise lines.
Two
highlights of the survey, for me, actually take the form of statistics
— we received 10 percent more entries than last year, and a whopping 79
percent more of you reported you read Celebrated Living regularly. As editor, that’s music to my ears.
For your eyes, our Platinum List has a handsome new design, courtesy of CL’s
talented art director Marilyn Calley. The pages are fresh, engaging,
and filled with images that will make you say “I want to go there,” or,
also fun, “We’ve been there and loved it!” As one reader commented,
“These picks are a mix of places already visited and those I dream of
visiting.” See for yourself, beginning with a handy pullout compilation
list on page 49.
 Of
course, we wanted to entice and reward you for taking the time to weigh
in with your outstanding travel knowledge. Grand Prize winner Henry de
Lagarde is glad he participated. He was randomly chosen to win a
two-year lease on a 2007 Lincoln MKX, MKZ, or Navigator (he chose the
MKZ and is pictured with it here), and 500,000 American Airlines
AAdvantage miles. Ten Second Prize winners received 50,000 miles each.
Quite an incentive, I’d say.
We hope you’ll agree that the rest
of this summer issue is as entertaining and enlightening as the
Platinum List. There’s a feature story on Heidi Klum, a look at
chartering fabulous yachts, five great summer motorcycle rides and
several bikes to enjoy them with, a tour of several cool European
castles, and more. Or, for those weekends when you want to just sit
back and enjoy your own backyard, check out our cocktail story, with
recipes perfect for poolside sipping — and for contemplating where
you’d like to go next.
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