A big vacation

Found during my regular office reading: "New Resort Caters To The Plus-Sized Market" by Ian Stalker

My summary:

Freedom Paradise Resort is a new four-star all-inclusive resort that opened in the Mayan Riviera (Mexico - near Cancun) this past March. A "'size-friendly vacation club' (where) seriously overweight people needn't feel out of place."

I couldn't quite wrap my mind around it. I realize that plane seating configurations could do with more "size-friendly" spacing. But what would a resort need to do to accommodate fuller-figured people? Well, here's what Freedom Paradise has done and is offering:

  1. "a picture of an overweight man on a beach in (their) promotional literature"
  2. "strong and sturdy furniture" specially-ordered by the resort
  3. chairs that don't have armrests
  4. double doors on room units
  5. "larger than usual" life jackets for guests participating in water sports
  6. two floors with no elevator. Guests physically unable to climb stairs are given lower-level rooms.
  7. selling shirts up to XXXXX-large size as well as larger bathing suits "than one would normally find in a resort available for purchase."
  8. privacy from prying eyes. The next closest resort to Freedom Paradise is three kilometres away.
  9. some overweight employees have been hired to ensure that visitors feel "more comfortable"
  10. you are welcome to eat or drink as much as you want (duh, it's an all-inclusive) with menus which tell guests which choices are high calorie and low calorie, as well as a diet menu
  11. there is an on-call doctor nearby
  12. four swimming pools, tennis, basketball, bike tours, horseback riding, and soccer
  13. nightly shows with a Mexican or Caribbean flavor
  14. no pressure to exercise

I realize we have to be sensitive to people of all sizes these days, and I'm very thankful for that, but does anyone else think this resort is going OVER the top? It's almost insulting to be assured that the furniture is strong and sturdy enough to hold you up. Don't advertise it, just make it so! It's practically insulting.

Oh, and slimmer people can stay there if they'd like. For example, "a big guy with a slim wife" won't have to vacation separately.

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