14th November 2011- A newly launched programme, Maroma’s Mexican Immersion, aims to incorporate as much of the local culture into relaxed daily resort life as possible. From traditional spa treatments and time-honoured Mexican cuisine to staff that, when requested, will converse only in Spanish, Maroma Resort and Spa is an idyllic retreat where guests can indulge in a splash of Mexico’s enthralling ancient culture. Set among verdant jungle beside a white sandy beach, on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the Riviera Maya, Maroma Resort and Spa is pure escapism with a touch of Mayan magic.

As part of the Maroma Mexican Immersion programme guests can experience a Mayan Temazcal. A therapeutic cleansing ritual known for its healing properties, the Temazcal is one of the richest traditional spa experiences in Mayan culture. Carried out at dusk, this ritualistic treatment weaves together ancient traditions, chants and meditation to provide deep physical detoxification combined with mental calm and relaxation.

A favourite world over, no Mexican experience is complete without sampling the native gastronomic fare. Held in the hotel’s La Cantina restaurant, Noches de Cantina is a twice weekly event that offers a genuine taste of Mexico. A specially devised menu of delicious Botanas (home-style dishes), including Fideo seco (dry noodles with chipotle, avocado and fresh cheese) and cordero rostizado (roasted suckling lamb ‘Monterrey Style’), is served alongside homebrewed beers, a range of tequilas and the local tipple, Mezcal. The evening is completed by atmospheric Mexican music and dancing.

The Spanish Language Immersion programme is ideal for those wanting to become fully absorbed in their surroundings. Guests can wear a special pulsera (bracelet) signalling to the resort team that they wish to communicate in Spanish-only. To help guests along, Spanish-English dictionaries are placed in every room along with a “cheat-sheet” of helpful phrases. Best of all, Maroma’s 2:1 staff to guest ratio ensures guests plenty of people with whom to practice.

Keen to learn more? Guests can partake in a private walking tour of Maroma, where staff will discuss the iconic symbols that make up the property’s history, combined with their cultural and social importance.

Maroma’s Mexican Immersion programme costs from $USD240 (approx £149) per person and can be added to any holiday at the hotel. The price includes a Temazcal spa experience, an evening at Noches de Cantina including a special menu of Botanas and a tasting of Mezcal and beer, a tour of Maroma and the Spanish Language Immersion programme. To book email Guest Relations at guestrelations@maromahotel.com

Nightly rates at Maroma Resort and Spa start from $USD575 (approx £358) based on two sharing a Deluxe Garden View Room, including breakfast. To book visit www.maromahotel.com or call the Orient-Express reservations team on 0845 077 2222

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Orient-Express, (NYSE: OEH, www.orient-express.com) the name behind an elite collection of travel experiences, first came into being in 1883 as one of the world’s most exciting and indulgent train journeys. Today that evocative name also embraces hotels, cruises and other luxury rail adventures in 24 countries, across five continents. The Company has offered exceptional luxury travel experiences since 1976, when it first purchased Hotel Cipriani in Venice and then shortly afterwards, recreated the celebrated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, linking London, Paris and Venice, along with other European cities. Today, the company owns or part-owns and manages 49 businesses, 40 of which are highly acclaimed hotels, each unique in style, from the Mount Nelson in Cape Town and Rio’s Copacabana Palace, to the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg and Maroma Resort & Spa on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. There are six luxury tourist trains, two river cruise operations and ‘21’, one of New York’s most iconic restaurants.

For further information, please contact Sara Mirza or Emily Wilson at Orient-Express on 020 7921 4069 or sara.mirza@orient-express.com, Emily.wilson@orient-express.com