[EDITOR’S NOTE: Part of a series devoted to Mamiverse attending Festival People en Español Presented by Target in San Antonio on September 1-2. The inaugural festival promises to celebrate Latino contribution to art, music, lifestyle and culture. Join our Twitter parties for a chance to win fabulous prizes! RSVP here.]
For nearly three decades, Luis Miguel has been dazzling audiences with his unique brand of soulful vocals and showmanship. We love the way he effortlessly blends the traditional bolero and mariachi influences of his Mexican roots with pop music and romantic ballads. The shy 12-year-old singer grew up into a smoldering, sexy young man and bona fide heartthrob. He is now a confident, commanding performer in the prime of his career.
For his female fans, Luis Miguel is all about romance. After all, his albums Romance and Segundo Romance firmly established him as Latin music’s most romantic leading man, a position he’s maintained ever since. So, in honor of El Sol de Mexico, and the many romances for which he’s provided the soundtrack, we propose these five ultra-romantic getaways for you and your lover, all with the distinct flavor and style of Luis Miguel.
BACK TO THE BEGINNING
Though Luis Miguel grew up in Mexico, devoted fans know that he was born in Santurce, a district of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Plan a long weekend on la isla del encanto, where you’ll find plenty of romance on the gas-lit, cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, the island’s postcard-perfect beaches or verdant rain forests.
Our best bets for a romantic stay: The ultra-chic Water Beach Club Hotel, with its minimalist style and see-and-be-seen rooftop pool and bar. For the more traditional flavor, try the upscale Chateau Cervantes in Old San Juan, which is also home to renowned Panza Restaurant.
SUN, SAND, AND SEA
Celebrate the hit single, Sol, Arena y Mar from Luis Miguel’s 1999 album, Amarte es un Placer (Loving You is a Pleasure)—where else? Under El Sol de Mexico. Miguel’s adopted homeland is replete with stunning beaches and romantic locales, but we’ll stick with easily accessible Yucatan and the Riviera Maya, for an ideal, quick getaway.
Our top picks for romance: Rosewood Mayakoba, where jungle meets sea at Playa del Carmen, or the intimate, eco-friendly Jashita Hotel, directly on the beach and within a stone’s throw of the Maya ruins of Tulum. For the intensely sensual? Check out Desire Resort & Spa, a clothing-optional “erotic retreat” for couples only. Loving you is a pleasure, indeed!
Read Related: Top Latino Artists and How They Climbed To The Top
WALK IN MIGUEL’S FOOTSEPS
Los Angeles loves Luis Miguel. He has repeatedly sold out concert halls in the City of Angels, and the presentation of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996 saw record-breaking attendance. He’s such the favorite son of L.A. that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, designated April 13 “Luis Miguel Day”.
The best L.A. hotels for Old Hollywood romance and celebrity spotting: Try the notorious Chateau Marmont or the more staid Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows. Be sure to head to paparazzi-swarmed The Ivy for lunch, then maybe dinner at a hallowed celebrity haunt, like Mr. Chow or Katsuya Hollywood.
VEGAS, BABY
Luis Miguel became synonymous with Las Vegas when, in 1994, Frank Sinatra personally invited him to sing along on Come Fly With Me for his album, Duets II. He was the only Latin artist invited to perform at Sinatra’s televised 80th birthday party a year later. Luis Miguel later went on to become the highest-paid Latin singer to perform in Vegas.
Our best bets for reveling in the glamour and glitz of Sin City: Follow in Miguel’s footsteps, of course. Try Caesar’s Palace, where Miguel sang at a concert to mark the 30th anniversary of the resort (be sure to rent a decadent poolside cabana). Or check into a breathtaking tower room at Mandalay Bay, the last stop on Luis Miguel’s record-breaking 2005-2006 album tour, Mexico En La Piel. While you’re there, make sure to stop into one of the resort’s celebrity chef restaurants—we like Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood, or Lupo by Wolfgang Puck.
GETAWAY, LUIS MIGUEL-STYLE
The Latin crooner is notoriously hush-hush about his private life. He rarely gives interviews or attends award shows, and he travels with a posse of identical vans to throw off paparazzi. So, if you really want to emulate Luis Miguel’s love of privacy, why not splurge on one of these ultra-exclusive, ultra-expensive private island getaways, like Cayo Espanto in Belize. If those are a bit out of your price range, surprise your lover with a “secret” getaway to a destination known only to you. Don’t tell anyone where you’re going. After all, if they really need to find you, they can call your publicist! Make sure you pack with panache.
And the most romantic experience of all? Hearing Luis Miguel perform live at the People en Español Festival’s closing night, Sunday, September 2.
Mamiverse is thrilled to attend Festival People en Español presented by Target, an event celebrating Hispanic entertainment, culture and community. We are hosting three Twitter parties this week and Tweeting Festival related content with the hashtag #TargetAtFestival. The participant who tweets and retweets the most using the hashtag #TargetAtFestival including a link to our Twitter party events on FB, or a link to one of our People en Español-related articles from today through the end of the Festival by midnight September 2 will receive a $100 giftcard. Join in our Twitter Extravaganza! Click here to RSVP.
