Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Chef & Hotel Profile

If you have not selected the perfect get-a-way gift for the special mother in your life, you might consider Secrets The Vine Cancun. This stunning all-adult, non-smoking resort with special amenities will bedazzle any mom.

Each guest room and suite has a balcony with ocean views, a complimentary mini-bar that is refreshed daily with a collection of

beverages and waters. Their room service and butler services are the finest I’ve encountered during my travels over the past twenty years, and the beds were made for restful sleeping. A plunge shower and luxurious bath area offers fine bath products, and fine linens for bath and bed as well. Everything you could want is in your room including an alarm clock, iPod dock, laptop size safety box, personal safe and they do offer 24-hour concierge service. Breakfast served on your patio, while looking at the breath taking ocean views, is an unforgettable experience.

Preferred status guests, which I enjoyed, have a private area where they can access internet and enjoy small plates of appetizers and hors

d’oeuvres, beer and cocktails, soft drinks and coffees throughout the day. The preferred club includes concierge services and preferred guests not only have a pillow menu option, but also have a delightful infinity pool area with a private sun deck overlooking the lower pool and beach. This deck offers cocktails and food service, and it’s such a dreamy place to spend the afternoon.

Guests never run out of things to do at Secrets The Vine, an activities sheet is delivered to your room each day. Morning activities include yoga and

meditation classes, as well as group exercise classes and water aerobics. During the day guests can an enjoy wine tasting classes, dance instructions, walking on the white sand beach, a swim in three infinity pools, scuba diving or adventure tours, as well as a round of golf with complimentary green fees at a nearby course. There are shopping venues, but it’s difficult to leave the property when you have everything you could possibly need for a completely stress free vacation steps from your hotel room door.

Dining at the hotel is such an adventure, with eight restaurants to choose from and seven with gourmet a la carte menus. My favorites include the Salt & Sea with an outdoor patio and delicious seafood options, the Blue

Water, where I enjoyed a traditional steak with baked potato and creamed spinach, the Dragons Pan Asian restaurant is where a full selection of Thai, Chinese and Japanese favorites are a delight to savor, especially the sushi.

Throughout the day hotel guests are welcome to enjoy breakfast and lunch in the market Café, a buffet that is brimming with original and delicious recipe options from around the world. In the evening the Red Lounge, and Patio deck offer live entertainment and dancing, or just a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy an after dinner liqueur.

The 12,580 sq. ft. Secrets Spa by Pevonia is the best place possible to get lost and bliss out. Their menu offers multiple indigenous treatments and hydrotherapies including warm whirlpools. Indoor and outdoor massages follow visits to the light and comfortable sauna and steam rooms. The relaxation lounge is a chic comfort zone with floor to ceiling windows offering panoramic views of Cancun. Beauty salon services and manicure-pedicure treatments are also offered in the spa. Therapists are extremely well trained, and provide wonderful treatments that are specific to your problem areas. The signature facial and massage is a perfect recipe to shake off your jet lag and get you right into vacation mode.

That all being said, if you are seeking a paradise destination to please yourself and your mom, or the woman you married that your kids call mom, look no further. For reservation information visit www.SecretsResorts.com or call 1-866-GOSECRE.

After sabering off the start of Uncork’d week in Las Vegas Thursday afternoon, Chef Daniel Boulud headed to his new restaurant db Brasserie located inside The Venetian Las Vegas as master chefs gathered to celebrate the renowned chef's return to Las Vegas. The evening began with a reception in the bar and lounge before a ribbon cutting with Chef Daniel Boulud, Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation Sheldon Adelson, Dr. Miriam Adelson and other hotel and restaurant executives ceremoniously opened the main dining room. Following the ribbon cutting, guests mingled and enjoyed champagne and Dalmore signature cocktails while tasting a selection of items from the db Brasserie menu including signature dishes such as escargot spaetzle, Hamachi cru, grilled swordfish, Tunisian Lamb duo and spiced lamb flatbread among other creations. An array of sweet treats including almond and strawberry tartelettes, mini versions of the pistachio-cherry sundae and warm madeleines all complimented the brasserie classics.

Guests were treated to a surprise when Buddy "The Cake Boss" Valastro, who also has Buddy V's Ristorante and Carlo's Bakery on the Venetian property, arrived in true Vegas style with a showgirl on each arm to present Daniel with a welcome "back" to Las Vegas cake.

Property Chefs of Venetian with DAniel Boulud & Sheldon Adelson, CEO, Chairman Vegas Sands Corporation

Guests included chefs Thomas Keller, Jean-Georges Vongerichte, Nobu Matsuhisa, Paul Bartolotta, Francois Payard and Sam “Sammy D” Demarco, host of Travel Channel's "Chow Masters."