Royal Resorts protecting the environment

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In 2017, Royal Resorts continued its work to protect the environment. Here is the latest news about some of the projects that form part of the going green campaign at our Cancun and Riviera Maya resorts.

Bumper year for Turtles in 2017
The summer of 2017 was a record-breaking sea turtle season at Royal Resorts and throughout the Mexican Caribbean, 1,063 nests were protected in the turtle nurseries at The Royal Sands, The Royal Caribbean and The Royal Islander. By the end of November the security guards had released 111,226 baby turtles.

A further 20,000 baby turtles from 228 nests were released at Grand Residences by Royal Resorts to the south of Puerto Morelos and there were five nests at The Royal Haciendas too where turtles rarely come ashore.

Since 1998, Royal Resorts has protected 7,995 turtle nests and released 741,042 hatchlings. We look forward to watching over many thousands more turtles this year too.

Saying no to straws
Royal Resorts has joined the global no straws campaign to protect our beaches and oceans. Straws are a major component in the plastic waste being dumped in our oceans and are harmful to marine life. We are no longer serving drinks in our restaurants and bars with plastic drinking straws and we ask all our members and guests to support this initiative. Join us and go even further, ask for your drinks without straws wherever you may be in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, and back home.

In more restaurant news, the resort pool and beach bars have switched from polystyrene glasses and take-out containers to reusable melamine plates and biodegradable glasses and bags. The next stage is to eliminate all plastic cutlery. Cloth napkins have replaced paper napkins in all the restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, thus saving paper and reducing the amount of trash generated.

At the resort stores all shoppers are asked if they need a plastic bag for their purchases and cloth bags are on sale as an environmentally friendly alternative.

Recycling
Trash is separated at Royal Resorts and all plastic, aluminum and paper waste suitable for recycling is sold, with the proceeds going to the Royal Resorts Foundation’s charitable causes. In 2017, an estimated 311 tons of waste were recycled representing US$13,600.

Used cooking oil from the restaurants is also recycled and sold to a company that uses it to generate biofuel.

Solar panels at The Royal Sands
The solar panels on the roof at The Royal Sands in Cancun heat 50 percent of the water used in the villas. Savings after the project investment now stand at US$71,474.00.

From high efficiency boilers and air-conditioning centrifuges that are heat exchangers used to preheat water in the machine house to LCD flat screen TVs in the rooms and energy saving light bulbs, energy-efficient technology is used at the resorts to reduce electricity consumption.

Water saving measures include installing efficiency devices in bathrooms and campaigns with guests to reuse towels and bed linens instead of requesting a daily change.

Using eco-friendly products
The resort housekeeping and maintenance departments use eco friendly cleaning products, soaps, polishes and varnishes wherever possible. Ozone technology keeps the water clean in the swimming pools and the use of chlorine has been cut by 40 percent.

Beach cleaning and reforestation
In other green news, Royal Resorts employees took part in beach cleaning campaigns during the year in Cancun, Puerto Morelos and the Riviera Maya; a clean up of the shores of the Nichupte Lagoon in Cancun and a City Hall initiative to eradicate casuarina pines in the Hotel Zone and plant mangrove seedlings in their place.

Royal Resorts Foundation sponsoring physiotherapy for children

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A heartfelt Happy New Year and gracias from the children receiving physiotherapy at the Cancun CRIT Rehabilitation Center thanks to the generous donations of members, guests and staff at Royal Resorts. The Royal Resorts Foundation is sponsoring Dionicio, Jacob, Jessica, Jesus and Ricardo so that they can attend the center and receive the treatment that they need to develop their motor and communication skills, improve their quality of life and give them a better future.

Diagnosed with conditions ranging from spina bifida and cerebral palsy to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (a genetic connective tissue disorder affecting the skin, muscles, bones and blood vessels) and slow psycho-motor development, these brave children are attending physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, speech therapy sessions and arts and crafts workshops. They also have regular appointments with the team of pulmonary specialists, orthopedists and psychologists at the center, depending on their particular needs.

One of the children, Jessica, is the daughter of a member of staff at The Royal Sands.

Great News
The Royal Resorts Foundation donated $217,620 pesos to the Cancun CRIT Rehabilitation Center this month and has increased the number of children it is sponsoring to six. The son of one of the electricians in the Corporate Maintenance department, Juan Eduardo has a cerebral development disability and therapy will help improve his coordination.

About the CRIT
The CRIT Center (Centro de Rehabilitacion e Inclusion Infantil Teleton) is part of a network of 23 centers all over Mexico managed by a charity called Fundacion Teleton. CRIT helps children with physical and neurological illnesses, speech impediments and other conditions requiring physio and specialized therapy get the treatment their families so often cannot afford. Fundacion Teleton also has a Children’s Cancer Hospital, and helps 294,172 children nationwide.

Visit www.royalresorts.com/foundation for more information on the Royal Resorts Foundation and its community and conservation causes.

Spreading Happiness, Royal Resorts Foundation Kings Day Children’s Party

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A big thank you to all our members, guests and staff that supported the Royal Resorts Foundation 2017 Toy Drive for needy children and donated gifts over the Christmas holidays. You helped spread some happiness. With your generosity we were able to host a surprise Dia de Reyes or Kings Day party for children attending the Huellas de Pan community kitchen and from the Region 96 district in Cancun on January 8.

Due to the numbers of children attending the event, the party took place in the local park near the Huellas de Pan community kitchen. Some 278 children from the center and the surrounding neighborhood enjoyed a morning of games, dancing and face painting. They munched on the traditional rosca de reyes cake, drank juice and took turns to hit the piñata.

In Mexico you cannot have a party without a piñata and even the smallest children at the Huellas de Pan event proved to be experts at hitting the papier mâché figures and racing to collect the cascade of candies.

As the party drew to a close, the children lined up to receive their gifts from Royal Resorts volunteers and for one last group photo with a big smile and a gracias to all.

SEE THE GALLERY

WATCH THE VIDEO

Huellas de Pan A.C. community kitchen is working to eradicate malnutrition in one of the poorest districts of Cancun. It provides children with the well-balanced meals they need for healthy growth and learning skills.

Missed this event? You can donate toys during your Royal Resorts vacation any time of the year
The Royal Resorts Foundation collects toys year round if you would like to support this Spreading Happiness cause and bring a smile to a child’s face at Christmas or on Children’s Day at the end of April. Donations of educational materials, art supplies, children’s books in Spanish and clothing for children and adults are also gratefully received.

Visit www.royalresorts.com/foundation for more information about the Royal Resorts Foundation, the causes we support and ways in which you can help.

Sign up for the Third Royal Resorts Foundation Race, Feb 18

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There’s still time to sign up for the Third Royal Resorts Foundation Race on Sunday, February 18 (week 7) in Cancun. Join us for a morning of exercise and fun in support of a worthy cause. All race proceeds will go to building and equipping a kitchen at the Don Bosco Community Project, a center that helps give disadvantaged and vulnerable young people a better future.

REGISTER FOR THE RACE ONLINE

Race details
• The Third Royal Resorts Foundation race takes place on February 18 at 7 a.m. Starting point: Captain’s Cove Restaurant to Westin Regina and back again.
• 3, 5 or 10 kilometers
• Age categories for men and women
Free (15-39 years) Master (40-49 years) Veteran (50 and over)
• Race Fee is $280 pesos per adult and $230 pesos per child and includes a souvenir t-shirt and finalist’s medal, race number, chip, water and an isotonic drink at the finish line
Prizes will be given to the first three places in each category in the 5 and 10 km races for men and women. The first three Royal Resorts employees to cross the finish in the 5 and 10 km races for men and women will also receive prizes.

Children’s Fun Run
Bring the kids! There is a race for them too!
• Children aged 4 to 7 years
500 meters
• Children aged 8 to 12 years
1 kilometer

Transport will be available for Royal Resorts members and guests staying at The Royal Haciendas in Playa del Carmen who would like to compete in the Third Royal Resorts Foundation Race.

If you are not going to be in Cancun in February you can still support the cause by making a donation to the Royal Resorts Foundation online at www.royalresortsfoundation.org or during your stay at Royal Resorts.

Our Race Cause
With the proceeds and donations from the 2018 race, the Royal Resorts Foundation will help build and equip a kitchen at the Don Bosco Youth Center. This Ciudad de la Alegria community center gives vulnerable teenagers in marginalized neighborhoods on the outskirts of Cancun hope for the future.

The Don Bosco Center lends a helping hand to young people who have dropped out of school due to poverty, gang membership, domestic violence and other factors. They continue their studies and learn English and computer skills. Seminars and workshops on health and nutrition, values and self-esteem also give them a boost of confidence and there are sporting and cultural activities too.

A study by the TecMilenio University in Cancun showed that many of the teenagers attending the Don Bosco Center are malnourished and that this is causing low concentration levels and poor academic performance. Building a kitchen will give them access to nutritious meals and better health.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Register for the Third Royal Resorts Foundation Race today
You can register online at www.royalresorts.com/foundation
Email: contact@royalresortsfoundation.org
Bring your friends and family!

Grand Residences & Royal Resorts Best in Mexico TripAdvisor Travelers Choice 2018

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Members of the TripAdvisor travel community have given a thumbs-up to Grand Residences and Royal Resorts by including them in the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice 2018 listings of the Top Hotels in Mexico.

Grand Residences has picked up four different Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice 2018 accolades given to the best of the best in Mexico. This is the fourth year running that it has been included in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice 2018 Top 25 Hotels in Mexico category.

• TripAdvisor Travelers Choice 2018 Top 25 Hotels in Mexico
Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is No. 4
• TripAdvisor Travelers Choice 2018 Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Mexico
Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is No. 2
• TripAdvisor Travelers Choice 2018 Top 25 Hotels in Mexico for Best Service
Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is No. 14
• TripAdvisor Travelers Choice 2018 Top 25 Hotels in Mexico for Families
Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is No. 18

Grand Residences in Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the World
There’s more exciting news, Grand Residences also appears in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice 2018 World’s Top 25 Luxury Hotels listing at position No. 25.

Three Royal Resorts in the Top 25 Hotels in Mexico for Families
Three Royal Resorts also feature in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice 2018 Top 25 Hotels in Mexico for Families list. The Royal Haciendas is rated No. 13, The Royal Sands No. 19 and The Royal Cancun No. 25.

Royal Resorts and Grand Residences are proud to be included in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice 2018 listings showcasing Mexico’s Top Hotels. We strive for excellence in everything that we do and will continue to work to raise the bar on service and look for more ways to offer an exceptional vacation experience for our members and guests.

You can help your resort reach the top spot by posting a review of your Royal Resorts vacation experience on TripAdvisor. Visit www.tripadvisor.com or use the link in the online guest satisfaction survey you receive after your stay. Your feedback is very important to us.

Royal Resorts App now available for Android

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Great news, the Royal Resorts App is now available for Android and iOS users will soon be able to download an updated version from the App store. The App has lots of useful features to save you time and help you make the most of your vacation.

No more check-in and check-out lines!

Use it before your trip to
• Make special requests, ask for cribs, high chairs or mobility aids
• Check past, current and future reservations
• Preregister guests and save time at check-in

During your vacation
• Book tables at your favorite Royal restaurants using the restaurant reservations tool NEW FEATURE
• Check the daily Activity Center and Kids Club programs to plan your vacation time NEW FEATURE
• Keep tabs on orders and vacation purchases
• Make payments to your account
• Check out from your resort
• Report incidents and send suggestions to Guest Services
• Retrieve your Member PIN if you have forgotten it

Download today

The free Royal Resorts App is available from the App Store and Google Play

The Royal Caribbean

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Dear The Royal Caribbean Member,

As you know, it is the final year of The Royal Caribbean membership program.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to your resort home this year. During your stay, we hope that you will join us on Thursday afternoon for the 30 Year Farewell Cocktail in La Cabaña Bar from 3:30 to 5 p.m., an exclusive event for members of The Royal Caribbean.

The last interval for The Royal Caribbean is week 43, 2018 and the final day of resort operation will be November 3, 2018.

Further details of the membership program termination process are currently being discussed and we will be able to update members of The Royal Caribbean in the spring.

We recommend that you disregard any rumors about the resort that may be circulating in online forums and elsewhere.   Official updates and news will be published in the News section of the Members’ Area and sent by email to Members of record of The Royal Caribbean. If your email has changed it is important that you update your contact details with Interval Servicing Co. (ISCO) in order to receive emails from Royal Resorts. You can do this online by visiting www.intervalservicing.com and logging in as a member and registering your new email in the Update Info section. As an alternative, call Toll Free 1-800-930-5050 US/Canada, 01-800-099-0486 Mexico or 954-485-5400 All Other Countries.

Warm regards,

Grand Caribbean Company Ltd.

Villa Renovation Program (FF&E) at The Royal Sands

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Royal Resorts would like to share this update on the Villa Renovation Program (FF&E) program at The Royal Sands. To date, 163 villas have been renovated and you can see the list of completed units below.

Work is currently underway in 42 villas, of these, work is 80 percent completed in 17 units, the walls have been painted and the new furniture is in place but the kitchen cabinet doors and countertops have yet to be installed. For the remaining 25 units in this group, progress is at 50 percent. The painting phase is over but the new furniture and kitchen cabinet doors and countertops have not been installed yet.

One hundred villas are scheduled for renovation in 2018 (including the aforementioned 42 units), however this is subject to availability. The high occupancy level at the resort, particularly during peak seasons, reduces the number of units available for renovation work.

Renovated units at The Royal Sands as of February 1, 2018

 

Building A

A5002                        A5003                        A5004                        A5101                        A5102

A5103                        A5202                        A5203                        A5502                        A5602

A5701

 

Building B

B5105                        B5106                        B5107                        B5206                        B5305

B5307                        B5405                        B5605                        B5607                        B5707

B5805                        B5807

 

Building C

C5208                        C5209                        C5408                        C5409                        C5608

C5708

 

Building D

D5410                        D5511                        D5610                        D5611                        D5710

D5711                        D5911

 

Building E

E5313                        E5314                        E5413                        E5512                        E5514

E5515                        E5612                        E5614                        E5715                        E5812

E5813                        E5814                        E5815                        E5912                        E5913

E5914

 

Building F

F5317             F5516             F5616             F5716             F5717

F5816             F5917

 

Building G

G5118                        G5418                        G5519                        G5718                        G5719

 

Building H

H5120                        H5122                        H5220                        H5221                        H5320

H5321                        H5322                        H5420                        H5521                        H5522

H5620                        H5621                        H5622                        H5720                        H5721

H5722

 

Building I

I5023             I5024             I5028             I5124             I5125

I5225             I5325             I5327             I5426             I5525

I5625

 

Building J

J5131             J5230             J5329             J5330             J5331

J5431             J5529             J5530             J5631

 

Building K

K5132                        K5133                        K5232                        K5333                        K5433

K5533                        K5632                        K5633

 

Building L

L5135             L5235             L5237             L5434             L5435

L5436             L5534             L5537             L5634             L5636

L5736             L5737             L5837

 

Building M

M5138           M5139           M5239           M5339           M5538

M5638           M5639           M5738           M5739           M5838

 

Building N

N5141                        N5240                        N5242                        N5340                        N5341

N5540                        N5740                        N5741                        N5742                        N5840

N5841

 

Building P

P5043                        P5044                        P5045                        P5046                        P5048

P5049                        P5145                        P5146                        P5148                        P5149

P5244                        P5248                        P5250                        P5349                        P5445

P5446                        P5448                        P5645                        P5646                        P5647

P5747

 

We hope that you find this information useful. We will be publishing additional progress updates during the year as work advances.

JANUARY WINNER OF MONTHLY RAFFLE FOR MEMBERS ATTENDING MARKETING EVENTS

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Steven Michael Nalepka, member at The Royal Haciendas, was the winner of the monthly raffle for members attending Marketing events such as the Orientation Briefing, Taco Party or the Welcome Party. 

All members who go to the social events organized by the Marketing department during their vacation are eligible to participate in a monthly draw. The prize is a one-week stay for two in a room at The Royal Haciendas. The names of the lucky winners will be published in this Members News section each month.

Congratulations to Mr. Nalepka, the January winner

CLUB SERVICE FEES FOR 2018

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The 2017 Advisory Council meetings were held in Cancun during week 43 and the representatives of The Royal Caribbean, The Royal Islander, The Royal Sands and The Royal Haciendas met with Management to review the 2017 financial reports and the proposed resort budgets and Club Service Fees for 2018.

Due to supplier price rises and higher utility rates in 2017, a jump in the inflation rate in Mexico and other adverse economic factors, Resort Operations costs have risen at each club, The Royal Haciendas (5.3 percent), The Royal Cancun (5 percent), The Royal Sands (4.1 percent), The Royal Caribbean (3.56 percent) and The Royal Islander (2.19 percent). Management proposed a 2.5 percent increase in the 2018 Club Service Fee to partially offset the impact on resort operations. Royal Resorts budgets conservatively and works hard to keep Club Service Fee increases to a minimum and this is the first time that the annual dues have gone up in four years.

The Royal Sands and The Royal Haciendas Advisory Boards unanimously approved the dues increase.

There is no change in the Club Service Fee for The Royal Caribbean as the membership program ends on November 4, 2018.

The Royal Islander Club Service Fee also remains unchanged for 2018.

At the Royal Islander Advisory Council meeting, Management presented the budget and recommended a 2.5 percent increase for the 2018 Club Service Fee (CSF).  The Advisory Council accepted all of Management’s proposed budget items except for the increase of the Club Service Fee.  The initial budget showed a profit for the year but the Council representatives felt it was unnecessary at this time to add additional funds to the Club Cash Reserve account (as it is currently more than sufficient to meet an unanticipated catastrophic/emergency event which might require up to a 3 month resort shutdown).  When the budget was revised to keep the CSF at US $1,037 –the budget still shows a small cash surplus.  So, at the request of The Royal Islander Advisory Council representatives, Management agreed to hold the CSF increase over.  Nevertheless, Management would like to state for the record – that depending on next year’s economic indicators, a larger CSF increase might be necessary for 2019.

In the case of The Royal Cancun, which does not have its own Advisory Council yet, a 2.5% increase in the Club Service Fee for C Villas is also shown. When the resort is 80 percent sold the Advisory Council will be duly constituted.

 

CLUB SERVICE FEES FOR 2018

 

The Royal Sands

2.5% increase

Villa Occupancy 1-44 days before 44-90 days before
CSF 918.49 905.88 893.28
VAT 16% 146.96 144.94 142.92
Occupancy tax 3% 27.55 27.18 26.80
CSF + Taxes 1,093.00 1,078.00 1,063.00
Suite Occupancy 1-44 days before 44-90 days before
CSF 605.88 593.27 580.67
VAT 16% 96.94 94.92 92.91
Occupancy tax 3% 18.18 17.81 17.42
CSF + Taxes 721.00 706.00 691.00
Room Occupancy 1-44 days before 44-90 days before
CSF 337.81 325.21 312.60
VAT 16% 54.05 52.03 50.02
Occupancy tax 3% 10.14 9.76 9.38
CSF + Taxes 402.00 387.00 372.00

 

The Royal Islander

No change

Villa
CSF 871.43
VAT 16% 139.43
Occupancy tax 3% 26.14
CSF + Taxes 1,037.00

 

The Royal Caribbean

No change

Villa
CSF 831.93
VAT 16% 133.11
Occupancy tax 3% 24.96
CSF + Taxes 990.00

 

The Royal Cancun

2.5% increase for C Villas

Villa B Villa C Villa
CSF 811.77 893.28
VAT 16% 129.88 142.92
Occupancy tax 24.35 26.80
CSF + Taxes 966.00 1,063.00

 

The Royal Haciendas

2.5% increase

Villa Flexivilla Deluxe
CSF 960.50 1,021.01
VAT 16% 153.68 163.36
Occupancy tax 3% 28.82 30.63
CSF + Taxes 1,143.00 1,215.00
Suite
CSF 624.37 663.86
VAT 16% 99.90 106.22
Occupancy tax 3% 18.73 19.92
CSF + Taxes 743.00 790.00
Room
CSF 336.14 357.15
VAT 16% 53.78 57.14
Occupancy tax 3% 10.08 10.71
CSF + Taxes 400.00 425.00

 

What does my annual Club Service Fee cover?

Your annual Club Service Fee covers upkeep of your resort home and the following:
• Maintenance and replacement of furniture and appliances in the villas due to wear and tear
• Landscaping and gardening
• Utilities
• 24-hour Front Desk
• 24-hour security
• Maid service (except Sundays and official Mexican holidays)
• Floodlit tennis courts and use of tennis rackets
• Sports desk and snorkeling gear, bicycles, sailboats and/or kayaks
• Activities organized by the Social Activities Team
• Supervised Kids Club
• High-speed Wi-Fi
• Professional resort management

Resort services not covered by the Club Service Fee

There are some services that many Members believe are covered by their Club Service Fee when in fact they are not. For clarification purposes we would like to point out that the following services are in fact part of resort businesses or sales and marketing programs with independent budgets and are not included in your annual Club Service Fee. They include:

• Restaurants and bars
• Spa and gym
• Tour desk
• The Royal Market
• La Paloma Gift Shop
• Concierge Desk and Service
• Events such as the Welcome Party, weekly Cocktail and Taco Party, which are activities organized and sponsored by the Sales and Marketing department
• REFINE All-Inclusive package

 

The Club Service Fee does not pay for expenses relating to the REFINE All-Inclusive Package

Some members at The Royal Sands, The Royal Cancun and The Royal Haciendas think that their Club Service Fee pays for services used by All-Inclusive guests in some way. This is not the case. The REFINE All-Inclusive program has a separate operating budget and pays a resort fee of US$2.50 per All-Inclusive guest per day to Resort Operations to cover extra expenses generated by the program such as the evening turndown service and housekeeping service on Sundays, laundry (bathrobes, linens and towels) and use of the Kids Club. In addition, the resort also receives a Club Service Fee for the rental of each villa to cover the services included in the annual dues.
Member Club Service Fees do not subsidize the REFINE All-Inclusive program in any way.

The Advisory Council meeting reports and financial statements will be published in Royal Resorts Life magazine in January and online here in the Members Area in the weeks to come.

We hope that this information is helpful, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.