Shangri La Caribe is Now Mahekal Beach Resort

27-year old iconic resort is undergoing improvements including distinctive name change

. December 28, 2009

December 23, 2009 (Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico) - Shangri La Caribe*, one of the few remaining beachfront palapa style resorts in Mexico, is excited to announce a distinctive name change, affective today, December 23, 2009, to Mahekal Beach Resort. Mahekal is the Spanish pronunciation for the word “magical,” a term consistently used by guests when describing their stay at the resort. Formerly a family-owned and operated resort, Shangri La Caribe was purchased in December of 2008 by a group of U.S. investors led by Circa Capital Corporation. In addition to changing the name of the resort, the company has spent the last year refreshing the resort's physical appearance and making service improvements in order to enhance guests' experience.

“We were looking for a name that might properly convey the nearly unexplainable feeling one experiences when vacationing at our resort,” said Lamont Meek, chief operating officer of Circa Capital Corporation. “And the word 'magical' surfaced time and time again. What also surfaced was our guest's strong desire for the resort to remain unchanged. And I'd like to assure our loyal guests that we have taken great care while improving the hotel to maintain the same relaxing atmosphere and warm service provided by our staff that has characterized the hotel for so many years.”

The resort's appearance has undergone a complete facelift with new paint, stain, tile and many other ascetic improvements throughout. All guestrooms feature new bedspreads, accent throws and pillows, and the bathrooms are furnished with new vanity mirrors and rain showers. The grounds of the resort have also been groomed with new walkways, fencing and landscaping.

“Guests will be pleasantly surprised with the physical and service oriented improvements we've made to the resort,” said Emilio Palazuelos, general manager of Mahekal Beach Resort. “We have succeeded in revitalizing the property while holding true to the soul of our very special resort that is so rich in history and memories.”

Service enhancements include a new flexible meal plan with the option to choose dinner or lunch so guests can dine in town when they want. The resort has added an extended menu with new themed buffets, such as Mayan and Italian, and the food presentation has been upgraded with new chafing dishes and more elegant china and table cloths. Guests are now greeted with a cold bottle of water and a fresh wash cloth upon arrival, and the concierge services and tour desk are prepared to service individual guests' needs as well as corporate or social events, including weddings. The resort has added a complimentary computer for guests to send social messages, and all guest rooms are now non-smoking. Smoking is permitted in open air areas such as terraces and in a designated area of the Casa Club bar. The new and improved resort website is equipped with a booking engine now giving guests the option to book their stay online.

To celebrate the launching of the new name, Mahekal Beach Resort is offering guests up to 40% off normal rates for a limited time. The “Celebration Rates” start at $151.00 for Winter 2010 and $118 for Summer 2010. Guests can book online at www.mahekalplaya.com or by calling the hotel at +011-52-984- 873-0579. For toll free reservations from the US & Canada call 01-866-909-5225 and for toll free reservations from Mexico call 01-800-022-0425.

About Mahekal Beach Resort
A Mayan paradise in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Mahekal Beach Resort is nestled between lush tropical gardens, a pristine white sand beach and the indescribable turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea. One of the most renowned hotels in the area, the resort has been providing the perfect getaway for couples and families alike since 1982. A 3+ to 4 star hotel, Mahekal Beach Resort is a unique lodging experience located in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula the heart of the Riviera Maya, and features thatched roof bungalows. These bungalows offer spacious, oversized rooms complete with private terraces or balconies. The resort is located along 800 feet of Playa's best beachfront, yet it is still within easy walking distance of the shops and restaurants of 5th Avenue, or La Quinta as it is known locally.

Mahekal Beach Resort operates under a modified American plan (MAP) which includes breakfast, and dinner or lunch daily. There are three restaurants on the property: Aventura Restaurant, a Seal-side restaurant offering breakfast and lunch; La Loma Restaurant, a thatched-roof restaurant in the tropical gardens featuring extensive buffet style or four-course dinners; and Casa Club Lounge and Game Room, the main bar and game room featuring the resort's signature swings.

The surrounding area in Playa del Carmen in the Mexican Caribbean has an unparalleled reputation for incredible beach vacations and is a world top destination for diving. The hotel is near Xcaret Eco Park, one of the world's most famous eco-archaeological parks featuring archaeological ruins, cave snorkeling and the well known underground river, Rio Secreto. Also nearby is Xel-Ha, an aquarium famous for its thousands of brightly colored tropical fish and dramatic limestone formations. Here visitors can explore creeks, lagoons and caves fed by subterranean rivers and experience the adventure of swimming with dolphins or manatees. Visitors also have the opportunity to go on a Mayan excursion to see the magnificent ancient ruins located only a short drive from the resort.

For more information about Mahekal Beach Resort, please visit www.mahekalplaya.com or call +011-52-984-813-0611 Ext. 113 or follow us on Facebook (Mahekal Beach Resort).

About Circa Capital Corporation
Formed in 1991, Circa Capital Corporation is a Dallas, Texas based real estate investment, development and asset management company with experience in the US and Mexico. Over the past 18 years, in partnership with major institutional and private foreign investors, Circa Capital has acquired, developed and managed over $400 million in assets including 12 hotels in the US and 4 full service beach resorts in Mexico.