PLAYA PULSE
WINTER 2017/2018
HOLIDAY SPECIAL EDITION
COLORFUL CELEBRATIONS, ANNUAL POSADAS AND BEAUTIFUL TRADITIONS THROUGHOUT PLAYA HOTELS & RESORTS.
Ruben Becerra, Receptionist Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
Letter from The Publisher
DAYNA BLANK
In our busy lives we don’t often take the time to stop and thank those who work alongside us. As 2017 comes to an end, I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for the many contributions you’ve made throughout the year. The success of our company is built on the efforts of our employees and in this past year, we have enjoyed many successes. So, thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your loyalty and your commitment. Thank you for making Playa Hotels & Resorts the very best that we can be.
In this special holiday edition of Playa Pulse, we wanted to celebrate Playa’s most important asset – you! On the following pages we take a look back at a very special year shared with colleagues and friends and look forward to making more memories in 2018. I hope you enjoy the fun pictures of all of us celebrating the holiday season as one Playa family!
I’m looking forward to sharing more Playa news with you in the coming months! Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!
EXECUTIVES:
Chairman and CEO
Bruce Wardinski
Chief Executive Officer
Alex Stadlin
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Ryan Hymel
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Kevin Froemming
Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Office, Secretary
David Camhi
Senior Vice President of Development
Fernando Mulet
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Bruce Wardinski
Richard (Rocky) Fried
Stephen C. Haggerty
Daniel J. Hirsch
Trevor Allphin
Antonio Betancourt
Betty Ann Brown
Dedra Brown
Juan Calderon
Jevan Campbell
Cristian Carballo
Alfredo Garcia
Daniela Gomez
SPECIAL THANKS:
Service From The Heart,
Hal Stanley Jones
Tom Klein
Elizabeth Lieberman
Karl Peterson
PLAYA PULSE CONTRIBUTORS:
Alberto Guerrero
Claudia Guerrero
Italia Guerrero
Samantha Hardy
Marissa Hicken
Jonathan Jaimes
Myrna Lozano
Conchita Luviano
Perla Mercado
Arturo Sarukhan
Gloria Guevara
Mario Mihalic
Adriana Navarrete
Esther Navarrete
Alberto Romero
Mariana Van Olst
Estefania Vargas
Jennifer Velasquez
Amy Zocchi
To Cohort Creative Group for providing creative direction and design for this publication. Rebecca Bing, Danielle Ford, Carrie Lare, Beverly Roseman
PLAYA pulse
RESORT RECIPE
HALLOWEEN EDITION
Halloween is a night full of spooky decorations, scary costumes, and various sweet treats. For kids, that means lots of candy, but if you’re too old to trick-or-treat, we’ve got something just for you. Our friends at Panama Jack Resorts have concocted the perfect beverage for your next Halloween party… or any party for that matter.
Wicked Blackberry Brew
INGREDIENTS:
1 ½ oz blackberry concentrate
1 oz grapefruit juice
1 oz sour orange juice
½ oz simple syrup
1 can club soda
6 ice cubes
INSTRUCTIONS:
Add all ingredients except club soda to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, then strain into a glass filled with fresh ice cubes. Fill with club soda and garnish with a brochette of fresh berries.
FRIGHTFUL FUN HALLOWEEN AT THE OFFICE 2017
Stateside, employees celebrated Halloween with lots of tricks and treats.
There were jack-o’-lanterns, decorations—and of course—lots of delicious eats. In Fairfax, employees battled for a chili cook-off win and in Fort Lauderdale, employees gave their desks a spooky-scary spin. Both offices dressed in festive Halloween attire and held pumpkin carving contests that really came down to the wire. A spooktacular time was had by all, some might say it was the best day of fall.
HALLOWEEN PARTIES
FAIRFAX, VA
The team in Fairfax competed against Crestline Hotels & Resorts for the best pumpkin contest. Playa’s beach themed pumpkin took third place!
HALLOWEEN
BEST DRESSED:
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
The Ft. Lauderdale team competed for best pumpkins, best costume and best work space.
HALLOWEEN PARTIES
LEE MCLAIN, 70’S THEME
WINNER OF BEST PUMPKIN: JACK THE RIPPER
DANIEL LARA AND DIANE MCINTOSH FROM THE IT DEPARTMENT
Winner!
Mexico’s Misunderstood Holiday Explained
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead in English, is much different than the “Mexican Halloween” that some may believe it to be.
With origins tracing back to the Aztecs, Dia de los Muertos is not to be confused with Halloween. While some of the themes may be similar, there are vast differences between the two holidays.
In Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is observed to celebrate and honor loved ones who are no longer with us. It is not about mourning lost lives, but instead, about celebrating them. Dia de los Muertos follows a two-day structure on November 1 and 2 each year. Typically, the first day is for families to remember children who have passed and the second is in honor of adults who have passed.
It is believed that on these two sacred days of the year, the spirits of loved ones can join the living once again. For this reason, pillows and blankets are often left out so the dead will have a place to rest after their long journey. On the Day of the Dead, many people go to cemeteries and play music, have picnics and other festivities to celebrate lost lives.
Families also create home-based altars with the intent that the souls of their loved ones will visit them. Along with candles, marigold flowers are used to adorn the graves or altars, as it is believed that the marigold attracts the souls of the dead to additional offerings.
Elaborate colorful altars are usually decorated with other offerings such as toys and sugar skulls (called Calaveras) for deceased children and beloved possessions for deceased adults. Food and spirits are also used as offerings and may include tequila, atole— a hot corn-based beverage, candied pumpkin— known as Calabaza en Tacha, and other treats like pastries and tamales.
Every year, the staff at each of our properties in Mexico create altars and participate in song and dance to celebrate Dia de los Muertos and honor their lost loved ones. As you can see, it’s a celebration and our collaborators put in a lot of effort to honor their loved ones and create a beautiful display.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Day Our Lady of Guadalupe Day
THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE DAY is a Catholic celebration that takes place in Mexico on the 12th of December. On this day it is the appearance of an apparition of the Virgin Mary (known as the Virgin of Guadalupe) that many remember. Some travel to Mexico City on this holy day, others visit their local churches to pray.
Tree LightingCeremonies
At Playa Hotels & Resorts, the holiday season is our favorite time of year and starting in October, our days are full with extra cheer. The lighting of the tree is a Playa tradition celebrated from coast to coast. So take a look and decide for yourself which Playa team outdid themselves the most!
AskPlaya PeopleHoliday Edition
ALONE
What do you love about your favorite holiday movie?
The Family Man — This movie always reminds us that no big success in life compensates a failure at home. A great message to remember at holidays.
Elsa Gonzalez
Elf — It’s bittersweet actually because it reminds me of the time my (late) sister who was bedridden would watch that movie over and over and laughed every time.
Rose Cosentino
Christmas with the Kranks — it’s hilarious and such a fun movie to watch with family.
Beatriz Ulloa
Scrooge — I think it captures the essence of the holidays and showcases that it’s a season of giving.
– Juan Cervantes
While You Were Sleeping — I watch it every Christmas! And Buzz Feed says it’s a Christmas movie so it counts!
– Niche Fray
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past — It’s a comedy based on the story of Charles Dickens (Ebenezer Scrooge) with current situations, which make us reflect of love and value what is really important in life, family.
Frank Suarez
Love Actually — Some may say that it’s not a Christmas movie but I believe it captures the magic of the season and encourages skeptics to believe that love does exist.
Amy Zocchi
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
My daughter is 23 and lives 5 hours away. We always decorate the tree together, so my son and I are waiting until she gets home on the 23rd. All our ornaments are from places we have visited. We each take turns hanging the ornaments and then talk about the time we took “that trip”.
— Martha Austin, Minnesota, USA
Santa brought our Christmas tree every year. On Christmas day, we would wake up and the tree was decorated and there were presents underneath.
– Gina Lantz, Massachusetts, USA
In Colombia, we celebrate El Dia De Las Velas – Candle Day – on December 7. We would save up the entire year to buy a pack of 5. We would light the candles and line the sidewalks with them and string homemade lanterns from house to house. Every street was lit up with little candles. As a child, it’s magical.
– Pablo Vasquez, Colombia
On Christmas Eve my hubby, the kids and I each open up one present (our Christmas PJ’s). We put them on and load into the car, pick up hot chocolate and drive to the next town over where we drive down a long road of beautiful homes fully decorated top to bottom with Christmas lights.
– Amanda Morris, Csnada
Three Kings Day was our favorite because the three kings could carry more presents than Santa. There were parades that feature all three kings and the mayor would give our presents to all children.
– Marines Arroyo, Puerto Rico
What’s your favorite holiday memory?
Every year my mom sets the Christmas tree at home, and she is always trying to make home shine. She is always looking for a family dinner to have all family together and make a toast. Now i think i really miss that.
—Carlos Flores, Mexico
When I saw my mother hide presents from me – LOL!
—Elvis Vazquez, Venezuela
Drinking mulled wine at Christmas Markets throughout Europe
—Saskia Mann, Germany
Being surrounded by family. Exchanging presents with my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
—Andre Remmers, Germany
After 4 or 5 years of asking, I finally received a Lego Pirate Ship. I still have it fully assembled after 23 years! I brought it with me from Mexico City to Los Cabos when I moved here.
—Rodrigo Delapena, Mexico
Making Latkes with Family — Marissa Hicken, New York, USA
We used to sing Christmas carols with the whole family
—Antonio Machain, Mexico
Making piñatas with my cousins. We would break them at the end of dinner.
—Aurora Roa, Mexico
Seeing Santa come down the street in a horse-drawn sled
—Daniele Pantalena, California, USA
What’s your favorite holiday food?
I’m a traditionalist. Gingerbread because it’s the time of the year where it’s prevalent in the United States.
— Daysis Vargas, Florida, USA
Going to church on Christmas morning and coming home from church to a lovely Christmas dinner, which includes: rice and guango peas, baked chicken, ham, curried goat, potato salad, tossed salad, sorrel and fruit cake.
— Claudia Dwyer, Jamaica
Definitely Tamales. It’s the traditional dish at every family gathering from Posadas to Christmas Eve to New Year’s Eve.
— Anabel Sandoval, Mexico
Turkey Sandwiches with cranberry sauce on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas). Why? Because who doesn’t love that?!
— Freddie Marsh, Canada
Speculaas! Speculaas cookies are thin, very crunchy, caramelized, slightly browned and, most significantly, have some image or figure (often from the traditional stories about St. Nicholas) stamped on the front side before baking; the back is flat. Indian, Indonesian, and Mediterranean spices used in speculaas are cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom and white pepper. I still blend my own batch of spices each year and actually use it in my desserts at Hyatt Ziva & Zilara as well.
— Wouter Tjeertes, Netherlands
Fudge, fudge, fudge! I love fudge, especially if it is dark chocolate.
— Brandon Buhler, Virginia, USA
Mashed potato with carrot. I remember that I loved when it was ready, I used to eat the little crust on top
— Edgar Inglesias, Mexico
Bacalao, beef & fish with mustard, a lot of shrimp ... really big shrimp with lime and habanero chili.
— Carlos Flores, Mexico
RESORT RECIPE
HOLIDAY EDITION
DUTCH SPECULAAS
INGREDIENTS:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
Pinch of ground cloves
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup water
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, mace, white pepper, and cloves in a large bowl.
2. Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in half the flour mixture. Beat in water, then remaining flour mixture. Shape into 3 disks. Pat each to a 1-inch thickness, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Roll out dough to a 1/4- to 3/8-inch thickness. Stamp cookies with cookie cutter and place on baking tray lined with baking paper.
4. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place cookies in oven, and immediately reduce temperature to 300. Bake until cookies are set and just beginning to turn light gold around edges, 25 to 35 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Enjoy!
—Recipe courtesy of Wouter Tjeertes, Head Pastry Chef of Hyatt Ziva & Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall
A Cancun Holiday FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED KIDS
BY MIA TAYLOR, TRAVEL PULSE
It’s a lesson in humility, a teambuilding project and, perhaps most importantly, it’s an attempt to have an impact on a needy child’s life, showing them that there are people who care.
For the past three years, the team at Panama Jack Resorts Cancun (formerly Gran Caribe) have embarked on a special project in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas.
It all begins with the construction of a custom-made gingerbread house in the hotel’s lobby, an effort involving nearly 100 hotel staff members—from carpenters to maintenance and the kitchen staff, including the pastry makers.
This group of Christmas “elves” is led by hotel General Manager Matias Klein—the driving force, and creator of the annual building project.Together the team assembles a magical, nearly life-size gingerbread house (covered in candy of course).
The house, however, is just the start of the group’s efforts. The hotel also selects a community organization in Cancun focused on supporting homeless or underprivileged children to be the recipient of a special holiday party.
As part of the preparations before the Christmas breakfast, the hotel staff takes up a collection to purchase toys for the children. And not long after the meal has been served, Santa Claus himself arrives to deliver a sleigh full of toys.
“I always think that with this action hopefully, we can change a life.”
“And the big surprise is that they can go up to the lobby and at the count of three, they can fight each other for all of the candies on the gingerbread house,” said Klein. “For them, it is so exciting, you should see their faces when they are doing this.”
Children from the organization— often dozens of them—are brought to Panama Jack Resorts Cancun on Christmas Day for a breakfast served by the staff, during which the kids are asked a few very important questions: Do they believe in Santa Claus? And what kind of gift would they expect if Santa visited?
Their answers range from humbling to heartbreaking.
“It’s amazing, their answers are that they want a pair of shoes, or some sandals or a t-shirt,” Klein told TravelPulse. “If I ask my daughter, she wants chocolates or a toy. These kids want basic necessities. It makes us cry.”
The children from a different foundation or organization benefit from the hotel’s efforts each year. In the past, the team has invited kids from two local orphanages. On Christmas Day this year, Panama Jack Resorts Cancun will welcome those from Casa Aitana, a local non-profit that cares for children without resources for cancer treatment.
“I always think that with this action hopefully, we can change a life,” said Klein. “These kids who are homeless or don’t have parents, they may get into the wrong hands. But hopefully someday in the back of their minds, they remember there was a place that was giving love to them.”
Did You Know?
As part of the Christmas celebration in Mexico, traditional fiestas called Mexican Posadas are held for family, friends and neighbors for nine days leading up to Christmas Eve.
HOLIDAY Parties 2017
The holidays season is a time of year for celebration and reflection and as a company, we have an abundance to be thankful for. This year’s employee parties and posadas gave us an opportunity to relax, laugh and celebrate the successes of 2017 while looking forward to what’s to come in 2018. From big name entertainment acts to unexpected management shows and getting to know one another just a little bit better, fun was had from coast to coast at all of our Playa resorts and offices.
The Hyatt Zilara Cancun family joined each other at the Mambo Café nightclub to celebrate the 2017 Holidays. The Rockstars of social networks and collaborators of the year were awarded, and each won a trip to one of the company’s hotels. While everyone enjoyed drinks and spending time with each other, there was also a silent auction taking place.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun welcomed all of their collaborators on December 5th, 2017 to celebrate their yearly Posada. Throughout the night there were many prizes won from raffles, lots of dancing to a performance by a live DJ, an act by a local comedian, and even a piñata. The yearly event was a huge success and everyone in attendance enjoyed a wonderful night!
On Friday December 15, Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos held their Posada 2017, starting at 7:00 p.m. The night began with a warm welcome from the Executive Committee and Human Resources. The celebration was accompanied with welcome videos, dinner, gift raffle, and dancing that lasted through the night. There was also recognition for employee of the month and collaborators of the year for each department. These winners received a gift for a trip to any of our sister hotels, airfare included!
On December 5th, Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta held their annual Christmas Posada. The collaborators were welcomed to the Rio Lounges by the Executive Committee and a raffle with 230 gifts shortly ensued. Next, the awards were given out to collaborator of the year. Congratulations to the following; Cinthia Garcia Rodriguez, Armando Garcia, Carmen Beatriz Ulloa Paul, and Edgar Javier Ayala Miramontes. After the awards, there were surprise performances and the dance floor opened up for everyone to enjoy the night.
Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Rose Hall celebrated their employee Car Park Holiday Party on December 8th, 2017. Employees received various prizes ranging from hotel passes to televisions. The night was accompanied with performances by Christopher Martin and Jamaica’s #1 dance group. The night was a huge success and one the entire team won’t forget!
Panama Jack Resorts Cancun end of the year celebration was a huge success. The night began with each collaborator receiving a gift and entry into the raffle upon arrival. There wasn’t a hungry person in sight by the end of the night due to the buffet filled with every food imaginable. The night included live music and a performance by a comedian. During the event the Rockstars of social networks and the manager of the year, the supervisor of the year and the collaborators of the year won a trip to one of the hotels within the company.
Panama Jack Resorts Playa del Carmen celebrated its first ever Posada! The night was filled with fun, entertainment and recognition. awards were given out that included prizes to the winners in the categories: Front/Back Supervisor and Manager of the Year, as well as the collaborators who had the most mentions during the year in Tripadvisor and Medallia.
On Wednesday, December 6th, The Royal Playa del Carmen resort welcomed all collaborators to celebrate their Posada at The Royal Playa del Carmen for 2017. The night was a huge success, everyone in attendance enjoyed a night full of entertainment accompanied with a performance from the comedian “Tila Maria” imitator of Maluma, Bruno Mars, etc. The celebration also included a huge and varied buffet including many traditional Christmas dishes.
On December 12, Sanctuary Cap Cana held their annual holiday party in their ballroom space. The celebration was filled with tasty food, cold drinks and a special dance showcase. Employee of the Year went to Mr. Fausto of the maintenance crew and Mr. Hurtado was recognized as Manager of the Year too.
CORPORATE OFFICES
FAIRFAX, VA • FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
& Marketing
hosted their luncheon on December 19 at Grill 401 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Playa Hotels & Resorts Sales
office
Above: Playa Hotels & Resorts Corporate office in Fairfax Virginia hosted their luncheon on December 14 at Capital Grill.
PLAYA GIVES BACK
COMMUNITY SERVICE SPOTLIGHT
Playa Hotels & Resorts Corporate Offices in Florida: On December 23, the Playa team spent the morning with the Salvation Army of Broward County distributing gifts as part of their Christmas Angel Program to those less fortunate.
Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos: Delivered clothes, shoes and toys to “Cáritas”. As shown, Entertainment Director Alejandro Mejía and the entertainment team with the charity representatives.
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta: “Donate a gift.”
This little Christmas house is the place to collect toys, clothes and nonperishable food items and essentials for those in need.
LOOKING FOR A NEW OPPORTUNITY?
Visit your on-site Human Resources Department to discuss potential opportunities.
HAVE A QUESTION REGARDING HOSPITALITY?
Submit a question for a future “Ask Alex” article by emailing: PlayaPulse@playaresorts.com
HAVE AN IDEA FOR AN ARTICLE OR A PHOTO TO SUBMIT FOR A FUTURE ISSUE OF PLAYA PULSE?
Email Amy Zocchi, AZocchi@playaresorts.com or Samantha Hardy, SHardy@playaresorts.com