Azul Hotels by Karisma unveils Mini Mayans program for kids

Fun and Interactive Activities to Educate Children on the Mayan Culture Plus Up to 35 Percent off and Kids Stay Free this Summer.

MIAMI (April 19, 2012) - Azul Hotels by Karisma, a premier collection of family-focused, Gourmet Inclusive properties offering the best in food and service, is pleased to launch Mini Mayans. Mini Mayans, designed to educate kids on the Mayan culture during their stays at Azul Hotels, includes fun and interactive elements such as Give the Mayans a Mano, Mayan Cooking Classes, Mini Mayan Musicians, and Tiempo de Tiles. Families are invited to experience Mini Mayans and more this summer with savings of up to 35 percent off and kids under 13 stay free.

"We strive to offer families elevated and authentic experiences that enhance their Gourmet Inclusive vacations at Azul Hotels," said Mandy Chomat, vice president of sales and marketing for Premier Worldwide Marketing, exclusive representative for Azul Hotels by Karisma. "Mini Mayans is a playful and interactive way for parents and children to learn about the Mayan culture and we're excited for guests to participate and take home memories as well as mementos as a part of the program."

Mini Mayans is offered at Azul Beach Hotel, Azul Sensatori Hotel and Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma, each of which is located along the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. The program features informative play sessions including:

Give the Mayans a Mano - Azul Hotels invites kids to pick up where the Mayans left off and create a 2013 calendar - a fun way for children to learn about the Mayans' distinct numerical values and choose symbols and apply this technique to important dates on their own calendars such as birthdays, holidays, and vacations!
Mayan Cooking Classes - Azul Hotels unveils a cooking program designed around authentic Mayan meals. Children will learn how to make tortillas and chocolate milk just like the ancestors by using Mayan utensils and natural cocoa, the signature ingredient, seen by the Mayans as more valuable than gold.
Mini Mayan Musicians - A fun and interactive way to learn music, Azul Hotels' Mini Mayan Musicians enables children to build their very own instruments of wood and recyclable materials, feathers, clay, fabric and paint. Once the art is finished, kids will learn to play drums and ocean shells while putting on performances for parents and grandparents.
Tiempo de Tiles -Thousands of years ago the Mayans used to tell stories through tiles and paintings. Azul Hotels invites children to put on a Mayan costume and create their own vacation stories on tiles.
Recognizing the significance of the Mayan culture in 2012, in particular, Mini Mayans has been incorporated into the daily schedule of activities at Azul Hotels' Azulitos Playhouses. The Azulitos Playhouses also offer Fisher-Price toys and play sessions, My Gym Children's Fitness Center activities, skits, games, storytelling, Spanish lessons, dance and exercise lessons, weekly piñata parties, and photo sessions.

Azul Hotels provide something for every family: the intimate and newly renovated Azul Beach Hotel is perfect for parents with little ones; Azul Sensatori Hotel, a 438-suite beachfront property, is the resort of choice for families with teenage children; and Azul Fives Hotel, which neighbors Playa del Carmen, is an all-suite property featuring 360 luxuriously designed one-, two- and three bedroom suites that are ideal for multi-generational travel.

Standard rates at Azul Hotels begin at $224 per person, per night including the Gourmet Inclusive experience complete with a la carte dining, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, full-service concierge, 24-hour room service, and Pack & Play, which includes Gourmet Gerber baby food, strollers, cribs, spa robes and baby bottle warmers for infants and toddlers.

With the Summer Splash promotion, guests can enjoy up to 35 percent off regular rates and kids under 13 stay free for travel May 1 - December 22, 2012. Booking code KFSS. Reservations can be booked through a GI Vacation Consultant, or by calling Azul Hotels at 1-866-527-4762, or by visiting www.karismahotels.com

ABOUT EL DORADO SPA RESORTS & HOTELS AND AZUL HOTELS BY KARISMA
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma are a premier hotel collection operating properties throughout the Riviera Maya, Mexico, where guests savor a Gourmet Inclusive experience that fosters togetherness. Karisma's growing portfolio is comprised of El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma; El Dorado Casitas Royale by Karisma; El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma; and El Dorado Maroma, A Beachfront Resort, by Karisma; Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma; Azul Sensatori Hotel by Karisma; and Azul Villa Carola by Karisma. Properties have been honored with the industry's top accolades including, Conde Nast Traveler's "Top 100 Hotels in the World," Conde Nast Traveler's "Gold List," Forbes' "Top 10 Most Romantic Hotels," Travel Weekly's "Readers Choice Awards," TUI Travel PLC's "Hotel of the Year," "Gold Medal," and "Green Medal", TripAdvisor® Traveler's Choice "Best Hotels for Romance," and AAA's "Four Diamond Award." Karisma has received worldwide recognition for its creative approach to hospitality management and product innovations including resorts with swim-up suites, Infinity balcony pools, beach butlers and cash-free transactions. Premier Worldwide Marketing is the exclusive worldwide sales and marketing representative for Karisma Hotels & Resorts. For reservations, please call 1-866-527-4762 or visit http://www.karismahotels.com.

Media contacts: Jenn Wade, Leah Goldstein, Courtney Finley, Danielle Mayer or Alexandra McClure at Glodow Nead Communications,

415.394.6500, [email protected].