mexico

Earlier this year my colleague Deirdre Woollard reported that Justin Timberlake was launching a new brand of tequila dubbed 901 Silver.

The spirit is not trying to trade on his name however which does not appear on the bottle. Rather it's designed to appeal to connoisseurs looking for a fresh, modern take on tequila.

The ultra premium spirit is hand crafted in small batches using only 100% Blue Weber Agave. It's triple distilled for an ultra-smooth finish.

Timberlake and partners selected Tequilera Newton in the heart of Jalisco, Mexico to produce 901 after visiting more than 10 distilleries. Newton brings over three generations of craftsmanship and more than 60 years of experience.

Packaged in a distinctive multi-faceted bottle, the name 901 refers to both the area code for Timberlake's hometown of Memphis as well as the magic moment when the night's activities begin.

901 is initially available for purchase in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and St. Louis.

Remember the days when the only reason you needed to go to a spa was that you felt like it? Yeah, so do I, but it looks like they're behind us for a while. A tight economy makes even luxury decisions tough to execute, resulting in a similar tightness in necks and backs. When you need that deep-tissue rub most, it seems, it's hardest to reach. So, I'm pretty excited to see spas make it easier to pry open your wallet for a bit of bliss.

Spa AQUA is making it pretty easy for you to enjoy Cancun. The latest deal cuts 50 percent from the nightly room rate and lops dining and spa service by 25 percent. If you're looking for excuses to dust off your passport, this is about as good as it gets. Need to be seduced? Consider the adobe clay sauna and mandarin and rose aromatherapy pool. Yep, that's where I was hooked, too.

This destination bills itself as a "modern lifestyle resort," with a "sensory stay" philosophy. Call it what you want, but I'm drawn to anything that clears the tension from my mind, back and shoulders. Integrating Asian techniques into its spa therapies, you can enjoy rice wraps and a variety of massage treatments, including Shiatsu, Samuprai and (my favorite) Shinodarah. Western touches include milk wraps and diamond facials. Manicures, pedicures, fitness centers and the other spa stables are also offered.

The resort, of course, is just the beginning. Once you're in Cancun, walk along the beach, grab a filling meal and sip more than your share of tequila. Forget about home for a few days: you've earned it.

A basic trip to Los Cabos, Mexico implies a large hotel room with a view of the beach. Within minutes of putting your bathing suit on, you'll have sand between your toes. This sort of baseline can make it tough for a hotel to stand out. If every one is within striking distance of that lovely turquoise water – and each has an attentive staff and cozy digs – what can one hotel do differently? Upon entering my room at Hoteles Marquis Los Cabos, I learned the answer: everything.

You realize that Hoteles Marquis is a special resort when you pull into the driveway. A covered outdoor lobby is framed by a dramatic space, with the curved walls leading your eye to a carefully designed display that links the statue to the pool to the water ... and ultimately to the horizon. Practicality is not sacrificed for the sake of design, however, as cool air is corralled to offset the powerful Cabo sun only footsteps away. The registration process is as swift as it can be, and a refreshing drink makes it a bit more enjoyable. Hey, forms have to be filled out and credit cards imprinted – nature of the beast.

This is the third and final collection of "Les Masques" (the Masks) watches from Swiss watch maker Vacheron Constantin. The watches are in a limited edition of 25 sets, each with the four watches. My understanding is that you must get all four together. A few lucky people out there will have the entire collection of 12 Les Masques watches from all three collections. Each watch is 40mm wide and has a Vacheron Constantin in-house made automatic mechanical movement. The watches come in a different metal each including 18k yellow, pink, and white gold, as well as one watch in platinum.

For this collection the watches have been inspired from four new historic cultures. We have the pictured mask from China, as well as masks from Indonesia (Oceania), Gabon in Africa, as well as from Mexico. Each is done marvelously and by hand. The masks are incredibly hard to make taking a long time even from master craftspeople. Once a mistake is made, they often have to start all over again. Each watch has a different poem (in French) on the dial. Complications include the hours, minutes, date, and day - each displayed dia a disc visible on four corners of the watch. Really nice timepieces for those who connect with the emotion and history behind the masks and their respective cultures.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reivew site aBlogtoRead.com.

Billionaire Carlos Slim has been busy lately. The billionaire who holds the third spot in the Forbes billionaire list, has a fortune of around $35 billion. As part of a commemoration of World Environmental Day, Slim has donated $50 million to start an environmental project in Mexico with the World Wildlife Fund. The donation is part of the creation of a $100 million fund dedicated to Mexico's environment. The new project will focus on six regions in Mexico including the jungles in Chiapas, reefs in Baja California and the nesting ground for monarch butterflies in Michoacan. The World Wildlife Fund will raise the other half of the funds needed from foundations and donors. Slim has also said that he will donate more as the goals of the project are met. The plan will include ways of stimulating the economy in environmentally sensitive areas so that locals don't have to harm the environment to make a living. Mexico is estimated to be losing around 593,000 acres of land a year to logging. Slim made the announcement in Cozumel, Mexico with Carter Roberts, the the President of World Wildlife Foundation and Omar Vidal Director of Wildlife Mexico.

"I'm sorry if you'll be sore tomorrow," the massage therapist informed me unprompted, "but you needed it."

Set foot in the Spa at Esperanza in Los Cabos, Mexico, and you will encounter professionals who know their jobs cold. Surrender yourself to their capable hands, and you will not be disappointed. From the front desk, where your order for a post-treatment beverage is taken, to the gender-specific and general relaxation areas to the treatment rooms, you will be treated to the sights and sounds of trickling water, stone-based décor (commonplace in this part of Mexico) and a staff that is singularly focused on relieving you of the emotional baggage that you carried onto the plane en route to Baja California Sur.

The Spa at Esperanza, part of the Esperanza Resort, offers a wide selection of treatments, including facials, massages, manicure and pedicure packages, private yoga sessions and couples options. In addition to the basic presentations of these themes – such as the Esperanza Massage, the deep-tissue treatment I enjoyed through which I persevered – twists are available to suit your mood or help you connect more closely with the part of the world you're visiting. The Corona Beer Face Lift, Papaya Plus Enzyme Peel and Avocado Butter Mani/Pedi, for example, feature local color that you're unlikely to encounter back home. Spice up your revitalization a bit with the Esperanza's local expertise.

The push to bring tourism back to Mexico is gaining momentum. A few weeks ago we wrote about the swine flu guarantee being offered by some resorts. But now the government is getting involved with a $90 million campaign to tempt tourists back to Mexico in the wake of the flu outbreak. The ad campaign will include opera singer Placido Domingo, champion golfer Lorena Ochoa and other Mexican celebrities. The AP reports that President Felipe Calderon has said Mexico will also invite international celebrities for visits.

In terms of traveling well at a discount there has perhaps never been a better time to visit Mexico. The Wall Street Journal recently ran a piece on Mexico's travel deals. Luxury hotels including the Ritz-Carlton in Cancun and the Four Seasons Punta Mita are offering special packages with reduced rates or free nights. Flights to Mexico are also priced lower. Beaches, archaeological attractions, museums and restaurants are less crowded because of the flu scare which has claimed around 83 lives in Mexico.

Today's home is a bit of re-imagined Morocco tucked into the Mexican countryside in San Miguel de Allende. The home was designed by local architect, Juan Manual Barbosa and features high vaulted ceilings, columns and arches. Hand forged light fixtures and iron railings, antique Morrocan wood doors and Cantera stone columns add to the oasis-like feel. The home is being sold with the furnishings which include many twinkling chandeliers, plush sofas and a marquetry dining room table set.

The home includes a fully outfitted theater and a master suite with his and hers bathrooms. There is an office overlooking the gardens and a guest wing with three bedrooms. Outdoor seating areas are located near fountains, ponds and a tile pool and the rooftop offers wide-ranging views. This home is listed at $3.85 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Just how much damage has been done to Mexican tourism from the outbreak of the H1N1 virus? There are a variety of reports that indicate the flu has had a deep impact on Mexico's hotel industry. Data from STR shows that occupancy dropped more than 50 percent at the end of April and beginning of May. Tourism in Mexico was already on the wane due to threats from gang- and drug-related violence and from an overall downturn in resort travel because of the economy. The AFP reports that since the outbreak of swine flu 25 hotels in the Cancun area have closed down and that the tourism drop may cost Mexico around $2.3 billion in lost income.

As a response to this type of bad publicity, some of the hotels in the resort areas along Mexico's Caribbean coast have announced free vacations for three years to any tourist who catches swine flu while on vacationing in the region. So far over 5,000 hotel rooms are involved in the promotion which is hoped to bring a little life back to Mexico's beach resorts. Mexico's Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova has said that Mexican beach resorts, including Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta have not reported any cases of the virus.

When the weather finally warms up in these parts we look forward to sitting out in the garden with the sun, the birds, a good book and a tall cool drink. We recently had the chance to try some great new candidates for quaffing - three (relatively) recent entries and one true classic - courtesy of William Grant & Sons spirits. Reyka is the first and only vodka to be distilled and bottled in Iceland. The small-batch, hand-crafted, ultra-pure spirit is distilled in a copper still imported from Scotland using barley, wheat, and spring water filtered through 4,000 year-old lava rock. Milagro super premium tequila is crafted in small batches from estate-grown 100% blue agave hand-selected in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Using traditional clay ovens, Milagro slow roasts the agave six times longer than most tequilas, and uses a triple distillation process that imparts exceptional smoothness.

Sailor Jerry Rum bears the signature of Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins, the father of old-school tattooing. Distilled to 92 proof, it's a strong, spiced, smooth spirit. Made from Sailor Jerry's personal recipe, it's handcrafted from pure, rich dark molasses, blending Carribean-style rum with vanilla, caramel and various spices. And Lillet, an aperitif blended from 85% wine and 15% citrus liqueurs from France, was established way back in 1872. The wines are carefully selected in the Podensac area and citrus liqueurs are produced through the maceration of cold fruit peels in pure distilled spirits over several months. It's then aged in oak to acquire a soft, rich character. We're partial to the Blanc variety with its hints of honey, candied orange, lime, and mint.

Luxury items and watch maker Philip Stein is opening up their first "Americas" store this fall. Interestingly enough the boutique store will be opened in Cozumel, Mexico - likely to due a large volume of wealthy tourists. Instead of just 'any store,' the shop will focus on an unique and immersive shopping environment. Philip Stein called it their "Natural Frequency Technology," and the idea is to create a calming and personalized shopping experience for luxury buyers. The theme of the technology is to harmonize the shopper's Chi energy. To do this they will be presented with messaging in the form of video, verbal information, and hands on experiences with the products. Imagery in the store will impress upon customers the various design elements of the products as well as the unique design prowess of Philip Stein. Through that process the customer is apparently prone to staying calm, relaxed, and open to purchases.

The whole idea is to create a sense of well being in the customers to the point that they are so impressed with their experience at the shop, they themselves become individual Philip Stein brand ambassadors. Customer testimonials are the best type of advertising if you can manage to get it. Pictured above is a Philip Stein Sport Chronograph with dual quartz movements and rubber accents. Retail is about $1,600 with prices on Philip Stein watches going up from that. Don't miss Philip Stein's "Wine Wand" as well and other interesting luxury themed products and watches.

Via National Jeweler.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Last month angry investors sued Donald Trump and Los Angeles developer Irongate Wilshire over the failure of the Trump Ocean Resort Baja Mexico. Now Trump is fighting back with a lawsuit of his own. His lawsuit accuses Irongate Wilshire's principals of not following through on the plans for the five-star resort which bore his name.

Would-be owners of the condos are asking the courts for the return of $32 million of down payments made in 2006 and 2007. Trump's suit is for $40 million in compensatory and punitive damages and that the lawsuit will help buyers get their money back. The LA Times reports that Trump felt "unfairly targeted" by the buyers' lawsuit because he was not a developer of the project, it was just using his name but that he doesn't like to see people lose money. The owners just want their money back whether it comes from Trump or anyone else.

Julia Chaplin, a chic, talented New York–based writer and editor who covers contemporary art, fashion, design, lifestyle, and travel, has identified a new substrata of international society: the Gypset. In her new book Gypset Style, due out soon from Assouline and available for pre-order on Amazon, she presents a super-stylish Baedeker to those who "fuse the wild and unconventional ethos of a gypsy with the sophistication and speed of the jet set."

Most of them are exceptionally good-looking and have money, of course, but even those with obscene amounts of the stuff are anything but ostentatious. Most are also relatively unknown, but numbered among their ranks are the likes of designer and "daughter of Mick" Jade Jagger, British fashion designer Alice Temperley, and even bad boy Brit artist Damien Hirst and his partner, Californian surfer / designer Maia Norman, who make it by virtue of their houseboat moored on the Thames in London.

Chaplin coined the term "Gypset" to refer to "an international community of artists, designers, surfers, and bon vivants who live and work around the globe." The 21st century's Bright Young Things, if you will. Gypset Style explores the "unconventional lives of these high-low cultural nomads and the bohemian enclaves they inhabit, as well as their counterculture forebears, including the Victorian explorers, the Lost Generation, beatniks, and hippies."

The Mayan Riviera has gotten another big project. Grupo Grand Coral has announced Grand Coral Riviera Maya which will be located 30 minutes from the Cancun Airport and five minutes from the coastal town of Playa del Carmen. The $2.5 billion project covers 561 oceanfront acres and will include restaurants, hotels, boutiques and an 18-hole Nick Price golf course.

The ambitious development is broken into multiple construction phases which are estimated to take place over the next ten years and $700 million has been invested to date. Already underway is Mareazul which includes 300 luxury beachfront condominiums, a spa, Botanical Zen garden with Mayan sculptures and a beach club with private cabanas.

The golf course will take approximately two years to complete and will include the Nick Price Residences, 123 units adjacent to the clubhouse and with course views. These properties will be available for full or fractional ownership. When the development is finished there will be close to 7,000 residences.

More than 75% of the land will be kept in its natural state or turned into recreational parks and gardens and all greenery removed during construction will be housed in a greenhouse until ready for replanting.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has once again raised eyebrows with his taste for luxury. Sarkozy and his lovely wife Carla Bruni spent a luxurious weekend at the El Tamarindo Beach and Golf Resorts in a one bedroom villa owned by a millionaire friend of Mexico's President Felipe Calderón. The villa has a private pool, outdoor Jacuzzi and comes with the services of a butler, cook and maid. The Telegraph reports that the overall cost for the weekend jaunt, including security, could be as much as £45,000. It is not known who paid for the stay but it seems not to have been the French government.

With France facing high unemployment and the possibility of a recession some are shocked by the president's vacation. The photogenic couple have spent the last couple of years globetrotting on adventures that included trips to Egypt, Brazil and most recently a ski vacation in February in the French resort of Megève. Sarkozy is in Mexico on business. He paid a state visit to Mexico and held talks with President Calderón about the global economic crisis. Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala also took the French first lady and French President for a visit to the pyramids of Teotihuaca, Mexico where the picture above was taken.