Ready for the sun? Here are three destinations full of sunshine, warmth, and fun to celebrate the end of winter.Celebrate Carnival in Cozumel, Mexico
Stingray Villa, a downtown hotel, will provide public viewing areas for the 2025 Cozumel Carnival parades from March 1-4. The viewing location near the La Internacional Cervecería will allow Stingray Villa guests to observe the festival’s main events.The Cozumel Carnival ranked fourth among Mexico’s carnival celebrations, according to the federal Ministry of Tourism (Sectur), and it features three significant parades showcasing local culture and traditions. The event draws participants from generations of island families who create and operate the carnival floats.”Carnival represents a significant cultural moment for our community,” said Silvia Lupone of Stingray Villa. “By providing a dedicated viewing area, we hope to enhance access to this important tradition for our guests.”The 2025 carnival schedule includes:
March 1: Opening parade featuring costume competitions and the “Ladies Show” queen presentationMarch 2: Second parade with the “Wacaxe” bull contest and introduction of carnival royaltyMarch 3: Community 5k color raceMarch 4: Final carnival paradeMarch 5: Awards ceremony and traditional burning of “Juan Carnaval”
These events unite residents and visitors, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of joy and community. Artistic performances, live music, and cultural showcases are integral to the celebration, delighting audiences from across the globe.
According to the Quintana Roo Tourism Secretariat (Sedetur), carnivals across the Mexican Caribbean generate significant economic benefits, boosting local hotels, transportation, gastronomy, and commerce. Cozumel Carnival, one of the top five in Mexico, continues to grow in popularity, attracting thousands of national and international visitors. This beloved event highlights the island’s rich cultural heritage and strengthens its position as a must-visit destination.
The viewing area will be available to the guests of Stingray Villa during all three main parade dates: Saturday, March 1, Sunday, March 2, and Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Stingray Villa is a family-owned hotel located in downtown Cozumel, Mexico. The Villa is a welcoming oasis in the heart of Cozumel. Known for its personalized service and eco-conscious practices, the hotel offers guests a unique blend of comfort and local charm. Each villa is designed to ensure a relaxing and memorable stay, complete with modern amenities and thoughtful touches.
Enjoy Aloha Fridays in Miami Beach, Florida
The New Hotel in Miami Beach – courtesy of Blue Suede Hospitality Group
Blue Suede Hospitality Group (BSHG) announces the opening of Aloha Fridays, a boutique hotel located at 944 Collins Avenue in the heart of Miami Beach. Featuring 97 thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, Aloha Fridays offers a reimagined guest experience with a seamless, contactless check-in process that eliminates traditional formalities, allowing guests to start their vacations immediately upon arrival.
Steps from the iconic Ocean Drive and Miami’s pristine beaches, Aloha Fridays combines a prime location with modern convenience. Guests can explore Miami’s vibrant attractions or unwind in the tropical-inspired setting. Aloha Fridays revolutionizes the guest experience with a simple, no-contact check-in system. Guests can bypass the front desk entirely, handling reservations, room access, and inquiries via a user-friendly in-browser app. “The term Aloha Friday began in Hawaii as the original inspiration behind what we now know globally as casual Friday,” said Kenny Lipschutz, Founder & CEO of Blue Suede Hospitality Group. “Our hope is to bring a piece of that laid back, welcoming spirit to Miami Beach, creating a fun and relaxing atmosphere for our guests to celebrate that state of mind, where every day feels like an Aloha Friday.”Featuring various types of rooms for solo travelers, families, and small groups, guests can choose from Queen Rooms to Bungalows, with sizes ranging from 215 to 370 square feet. Each space combines modern elegance with tropical inspiration, reflecting Miami Beach’s relaxed sophistication. Every detail within the rooms has been curated to ensure maximum comfort and convenience. Guests will enjoy island-inspired finishes, bespoke furnishings, smart TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, and beverage stations stocked with coffee, tea, and water. Additionally, each room is equipped with built-in safes, hairdryers, and custom-designed work desks and chairs, creating a warm, inviting ambiance tailored to today’s travelers. Beyond the rooms, Aloha Fridays offers an elevated experience through its well-appointed amenities and communal spaces. A lobby bar and restaurant concept from Freehold Hospitality will be open daily, providing visitors with classic bites and cocktails, elevated in a relaxed tropical setting. Guests can unwind in the pool area and enjoy drinks, creating a tranquil yet lively atmosphere. The guest lounge features comfortable seating and decor that captures the essence of Miami, providing an additional space for mingling, reading, or savoring the relaxed vibe. Additionally, the fitness center is equipped with state-of-the-art cardio machines, free weights, and yoga mats, ensuring guests can maintain their routines while embracing their vacation. Whether checking in, requesting assistance, or exploring recommendations for local attractions, the digital guest portal offers 24/7 support, ensuring that every inquiry is addressed with ease and efficiency.
Encounter Southwestern Art in Arizona
Salt River Arts Trail – courtesy of Discover Salt River
Tour the Mescal Movie Set in Benson, in southern Arizona, to see where classic Western TV shows and movies were filmed. Spring guided tours kick off in February, enabling visitors to explore this fictional town set where legendary wild west movies including “Tombstone”, “The Quick and the Dead” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales” once filmed pivotal scenes. On the tour, attendees will feel like Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp as they roam around this old west set learning behind-the-scenes facts about their favorite movies and the operations of this active movie set.
Observe baskets, paintings and sculptures made by members of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) while venturing along the new Salt River Arts Trail woven throughout the Talking Stick Entertainment District. Visit all 13 stops along the trail to experience SRPMIC’s culture, creation stories and meaningful symbols. Those who visit the majority of the artwork along the trail will earn enough points to receive a free, exclusive t-shirt made by SRPMIC artist Dwayne Manuel at the Salt River Visitor Center. Visitors can then rock their custom t-shirt while gaming at Talking Stick Casino or catching a baseball game at Salt River Fields, spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, just to name a few other fun activities available within the area.
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