Michès Playa Esmeralda
Small Business :: Big Life
Sunday, January 14 – Friday, January 19, 2024
Michès Playa Esmeralda
2024/01/14 09:00:00
At the Indie Business Network, we believe that you can use your small business to create a big life for yourself and your family. It's incredibly rewarding, and also, easier said than done. That's why you need to get away for a time to work ON your business and not IN it. Indie Cruise is your annual opportunity to savor self-care as you re-imagine and plan the next level of your unique Small Business :: Big Life!!
Treetop Yoga
Revel in the quiet of the treetop wellness canopy where you can enjoy different types of yoga and meditation classes to soothe you — mind, body, and spirit.
Intimate Gathering
Break away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy our private Indie cocktail party, artisan gift exchange, private dinner, White Night group photo op and more!
Secluded Wonderland
Be surrounded by relaxing pools, sandy beaches, and delicious sunshine. Reconnect with yourself as you journal and plan amidst soft ocean breezes.
Mastermind in Paradise
Gather with fellow Makers to mastermind your most important projects. Give ideas, get ideas. Brainstorm strategies and create your 2024 plan.
Click here to view the Indie Cruise 2023: Cabo San Lucas Photo Gallery!
Prices + Accommodations + Travel Details
Register early to lock in lowest pricing. The resort can increase pricing at any time without notice.
ROOM OPTIONS + PRICING
Michès Playa Esmerelda is located on a white sandy beach, tucked away between one of the most beautiful spots in the Caribbean, on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic. It is an eco-chic resort located in an untouched, pristine destination. Tucked away from the world, Michès Playa Esmerelda is a very secret hideaway surrounded by lush palm groves, verdant treetop canopies, and tropical forests.
We have several room options across four unique “boutique-villages” to accommodate every traveler's preferences. Browse them below: exclusive high-end adults only (Archipelago and Emerald Jungle/Zen Oasis) and the more open accommodations for adults and families with children (Explorer Cove and Caribbean Paradise).
OPTION 1: EXPLORER COVE: Situated close to the children's clubs and sports facilities, Explorer Cove is the perfect venue for fun and family. Garden View only. This option is one of the closest to the reception area and our meeting room.
Single: $2,905 (price based on availability) per room per single person. Includes ground transportation, transfer fees, resort fees, all food and beverage. Does not include airfare, up-level restaurant option, spa, and high call bar.
Double: $1,780 (price based on availability) per room per person. Two person maximum per room. Includes ground transportation, transfer fees, resort fees, all food and beverage. Does not include airfare, up-level restaurant option, spa, and high call bar.
Family Suite: $6,365 (price based on availability) per suite per 2 adults and 1 child 8 and under. Two adults per room. Includes ground transportation, transfer fees, resort fees, all food and beverage. Does not include airfare, up-level restaurant option, spa, and high call bar.
Contact us for rooms accommodating more than one child or single parent traveling with a child.
OPTION 2: CARIBBEAN PARADISE SEA VIEW: Located between the Emerald Jungle/Zen Oasis and Archipelago, this area is best described as the best of “surf and turf,” with the ocean a short walk on one side and the jungle a short walk on the other. This option is one of the closest to the reception area and our meeting room.
Single: $4,944 (price based on availability) per room per single person. Includes ground transportation, transfer fees, resort fees, all food and beverage. Does not include airfare, up-level restaurant option, spa, and high call bar.
Double: $2,650 (price based on availability) per room per person. Two person maximum per room. Includes ground transportation, transfer fees, resort fees, all food and beverage. Does not include airfare, up-level restaurant option, spa, and high call bar.
OPTION 3: EMERALD JUNGLE/ZEN OASIS: Adults only. Nestled in lush nature and surrounded by greenery this area is furthest away from the ocean. It is steps away from the zen pool, treetop yoga, and fitness and spa facilities, this serene area is perfect for wellness seekers. This option is one of the furthest away from the reception area and our meeting room.
Single: $3,540 (price based on availability) per room per single person. Includes ground transportation, transfer fees, resort fees, all food and beverage. Does not include airfare, up-level restaurant option, spa, and high call bar.
Double: $2,130 (price based on availability) per room per person. Two person maximum per room. Includes ground transportation, transfer fees, resort fees, all food and beverage. Does not include airfare, up-level restaurant option, spa, and high call bar.
OPTION 4: ARCHIPELAGO: Ultra exclusive and adults only. A romantic ocean front cocoon ideal for couples seeking the ultimate touch of exclusivity. Features a private beach, access to luxury services, and your own private pool. This option is one of the furthest away from the reception area and our meeting room.
Single: $6,071.28 (price based on availability) per room per single person. Includes ground transportation, transfer fees, resort fees, all food and beverage. Does not include airfare, up-level restaurant option, spa, and high call bar.
Double: $3,330 (price based on availability) per room per person. Two person maximum per room. Includes ground transportation, transfer fees, resort fees, all food and beverage. Does not include airfare, up-level restaurant option, spa, and high call bar.
Register early to lock in lowest pricing. The resort can increase pricing at any time without notice.
Here is your payment schedule:
- A deposit of 20% is due upon registration. Deposit is due on or before Friday, February 17, 2023.
- Your second payment of 50% of the total price is due on or before Friday, May 26, 2023.
- Your final payment of the remaining balance is due on or before Friday, September 29, 2023.
Cancellations must be made in writing, sent via email to Suzanne Niemeier.
If a reservation is canceled before Friday, September 29, 2023, you will receive a refund of all payments made, minus the $60.00 non-refundable deposit.
If you cancel your reservation between September 30 – October 26th, you will receive a refund of 50% of the amount paid, minus the $60.00 non-refundable deposit.
If you cancel your reservation on or after Friday, October 27th, 100% of the amount paid is NON–REFUNDABLE.
Insurance is not included with this trip. If you would like a quote for travel insurance, please select YES on the Registration Page and you will be contacted via email to receive a quote. We highly recommend that you secure travel insurance.
Everything regarding transportation is included except your air transportation to and from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). Passports are required, and must be valid through at least 6 months AFTER the last day of travel, so make sure your passport is renewed and up to date. Indie Cruise pricing includes, room, meals, beverages, and round trip transfers.
In order to finalize ground transportation in a timely manner, your flight details must be finalized and received by November 1st.
There are currently no COVID-19 protocols or requirements for Indie Cruise 2024. As you know, COVID-19 presents fluid situations that can change at any time. We will update registered participants accordingly on any changes to COVID-19 protocols for the destination and venue. Bring a mask just in case one is needed for any of the restaurant, spa, or other experiences and excursions.
- After you decide on your room type, complete and submit the registration form below
- After submitting your registration form, on the next page, carefully follow the instructions to make your deposit and return the COVID-19 Waiver.
- You are NOT registered for Indie Business Retreat until your deposit is received and the signed the COVID-19 Waiver.
- You are NOT registered for Indie Business Retreat until your deposit is received and the signed the COVID-19 Waiver.
- (Yes, we repeated that on purpose.)
If you have any questions or need a roommate, contact us for assistance. If we cannot match you with a roommate we will try to switch you to a single occupancy room.
What’s Included:
- 5 nights at Michès Playa Esmeralda five-star award-winning all-inclusive Club Med resort
- The signature Indie Cruise Experience
- Artisan Gift Exchange + White Night Private Dinner and Group Photo Shoot
- Sparkler Party
- Mini-Maker Mastermind Intensive Session with Donna Maria
- Maker Planner in your choice of black or white
- 2024 Business Plan + Strategy Workbook
- Ongoing, organic masterminding of your unique business: poolside, beachside, and everywhere in between
- Unlimited meals and drinks
- Round trip ground transportation from the airport to the resort
What’s Not Included:
- High call alcoholic beverages
- Spa services (but we usually get discounts!)
- Air transportation
- Scuba, snorkeling and similar personally booked excursions
DETAILED ITINERARY ...
DAY ONE: COCKTAIL PARTY + ARTISAN GIFT EXCHANGE
You board your flight and proceed to be disconnected from the “usual” and transported physically and emotionally to a new world. Indeed, you are ready to embrace the INDIE CRUISE EXPERIENCE, and are excited and ready for a full five days of refreshment and self-care, along with deep focus on laying the groundwork for a transformative 2024.
When you land at Punta Cana International Airport, you are met at the airport by the ground transportation crew who take your luggage and whisk you away to the luxury resort that will be your home away from home for the next five days. You probably see a few other Indies in customs — you recognize them from our Facebook Group or from a previous Indie Cruise. You greet them and are feeling better and better every minute about your decision to join us.
After checking in, you join your friends (old and new) for a delightful seaside Cocktail Party, followed by an Artisan Gift Exchange where you have a chance to share your unique artisan product and receive the artisan work of other Indies. You oooh and aaah and sniff. It is a delightful evening.
As Day One comes to a close, you enjoy a delicious dinner and perhaps a few drinks, and definitely bask in the glow of the intimate connections you are forming.
DAY TWO: EXCURSION + MAKER MASTERMIND
You awaken to a beautiful view, and spend a little time journaling and just breathing in the sea air and relishing the special time away from the usual.
Then you head out for a morning walk or yoga to start your day with the self-care you need to feel grounded, relaxed, refreshed and ready for a day of deep transformation and connection.
You head to breakfast where you can choose from delicious fresh foods including juices, fresh fruits, omelette — all of this with like-minded Makers, some of whom become lifelong friends.
You enjoy a free morning to continue your new connections or enjoy any optional half-day morning excursion. You return to enjoy a scrumptious lunch with your friends.
After lunch, you enjoy an afternoon going through the Maker Method, IBN's proprietary framework that helps you build a profitable business that makes you happy and successful, and can generate income for life. You complete the afternoon knowing exactly where you have been in your business, where you currently stand, and where you are going.
As the 1st day wraps up, you make plans with some of the other attendees for dinner to relax and connect.
DAY THREE: STRATEGIC DESIGN WORKSHOP + PEER MASTERMINDING
You repeat your morning routine and excitedly head to the Strategic Design Workshop where you map out your vision and goals for 2024. You cover everything from finances, hiring, and key initiatives and goals — both short and long-term.
You head off to lunch to continue the strategy discussions started in the meeting room. You spend the afternoon continuing to bounce ideas and plans off of your friends and share and learn what works and doesn't work in different contexts.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed with a bunch of things, you feel focused and empowered to focus only on those things that matter most. You know that a weight has been lifted.
You head to dinner feeling excited and energized. Afterward, you enjoy a show or a resort party to celebrate your success.
DAY FOUR: FREE DAY WITH OPTIONAL MASTERMIND SESSION + WHITE NIGHT GOLDEN HOUR PHOTOGRAPHY AND SPARKLER PARTY
You enjoy a free morning to do whatever you want. You can head to the spa, go on an excursion, enjoy a morning poolside, or find a quiet place to continue to 2024 business planning.
After a delicious lunch, you either continue with your free day or join Donna Maria for masterminding poolside or on the beach.
Afterward, you head to our selected picturesque beach location for our White Night Photographs. It's the Golden Hour and you look and feel beautiful in your all-white clothing. You splash on the shore with your Indie Cruise friends taking pictures, live streaming, and savoring the special moments you are creating so you can tuck them away forever in your heart.
A delicious dinner with celebratory toasts follows, and you head off to bed thrilled with the choice you made to join us for Indie Cruise 2024: Michès Playa Esmaralda.
You pack your suitcase and set it outside for the porters to collect so you don't have to worry about it in the morning.
DAY FIVE: BREAKFAST + FAREWELL
You wake up ready to return to the business and life you love. You enjoy your final meal on Indie Cruise 2024 and head to the lobby to catch your ground transportation to the airport.
There are lots of hugs and last minute photos to be taken.
You leave Indie Cruise 2024 with a grateful heart for the joyous experience and the lifelong memories. You congratulate yourself for investing in your self, your business, and your life.
2024 is now yours to crush.
Disclaimer:
We reserve the right to make itinerary changes that may become necessary due to client requests circumstances beyond our control.
Insurance + Cancellation + Refund
Insurance is not included with this trip. If you would like a quote for travel insurance, please select YES on the Registration Page and you will be contacted via email to receive a quote. We highly recommend that you secure travel insurance.
Indie Cruise Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the dates of Indie Cruise 2024: Michès Playa Esmeralda?
January 14 – 19, 2024
What airport do I fly into?
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).
What is the all-inclusive, five-start resort venue?
The venue is the all-inclusive Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda Resort, a beautiful hotel with a wonderful position on a white sandy beach, tucked away between one of the most beautiful spots near Guayacanes close to Juan Dolio on the Southern coast of the Dominican Republic.
What can we expect for dining options?
The resort offers multiple dining options.
Cayuco Main Restaurant: With its three separate dining rooms and refined, sophisticated menu, this restaurant has something for everyone. The first room, reserved for adults, is streamlined with shades of blue. The other two are highlighted by jungle and tropical style motifs. In all three, your palate – as well as your senses – are in for a treat.
Coco Plum Beach Restaurant + Lounge: If you’re a seafood lover, then this is the place for you. Located on the beach, directly facing the ocean’s crystal clear waters, this restaurant is open all day long for guests in search of a Caribbean vibe. Enjoy a romantic dinner for two, or a lively evening with friends and family on the spacious deck with its breathtaking view of the ocean.
Cacao & Co. Family Restaurant: the meal! The starter offers something for everyone. Children can create their dishes with their favorite goodies. A buffet focuses on appealing to the younger ones with perfectly sized mini-portions. And for dessert? The Secret Chocolate Room. Pay attention because the access code is hidden somewhere on the menu! This confectionery filled treasure room exudes a deliciously sweet atmosphere. Fruits and marshmallows for dipping in the chocolate fountain will have the children jumping for joy. Reserved for lunch by the Mini Club Med®.
Coal & Copper Specialty Steakhouse: Done in wood, metal, and leather booths, the Steak House is an ode to urban style design. Specializing in charcoal grilling, the restaurant’s chefs show off their skills at an “asado,” a grill made famous in Argentina. Open for dinner only. Reservations required.
What types of fitness and sporting activities are available?
There will be plenty of time built into the schedule for you to engage in physical activities to move and exercise your body, including the following:
- Treetop and traditional yoga
- Tennis
- Dance
- Archery
- Basketball
- Beach volleyball
- Football
- Pickle ball
- Swimming
- Mini golf
- Ping Pong
- Table tennis
- Beach horseback riding
What are the swimming pool options like?
The resort has four separate outdoor pools.
- Main Pool: open to all, in the heart of the resort
- Children's Swimming Pool: in the Kids Club, designed for kids
- Family Pool: exclusively for parents and children
- Zen Pool: rest and tranquillity for adults only
What can we expect for beverage options?
In addition to a coffee house, the resort offers multiple beverage options.
Coco Plum Beach Lounge Bar: …
La Perla Pool Bar: …
El Limon Pool Bar: …
Main Bar:
La Cava Cellars Wine Bar
Is there a spa?
The resort features Cinq Monde Spa.
Inspired by ancestral beauty traditions from all over the world, Cinq Mondes offers a sensory journey through different cultures. Discover a treatment that combines the quality of natural ingredients with genuine savoir-faire, derived from collaboration with masters of traditional medicines. A return to sources with proven effects.
Learn more about the Cinq Monde Spa at this link.
Do I need a passport to enter the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Passports are required, and must be valid through at least 6 weeks AFTER the last day of travel, so make sure your passport is renewed and up to date. Retreat pricing includes, room, meals, beverages, and round trip transfers.
For more information on how to procure or renew your US passport, click here.
Will I have to have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to join you?
No.
Will I have to test negative for COVID-19 in order to enter the Dominican Republic from the US?
No.
What are the resort's COVID-19 related safety procedures?
Club Med employs enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures. Read more about Club Med's “Safe Together” enhanced hygiene and safety protocols at this link.
What are the COVID-19 protocols for Indie Cruise 2024?
There are currently no COVID-19 protocols or requirements for Indie Cruise 2024. As you know, COVID-19 presents fluid situations that can change at any time. We will update registered participants accordingly on any changes to COVID-19 protocols for the destination and venue. Bring a mask just in case one is needed for any of the restaurant, spa, or other experiences and excursions.
What is the schedule of events?
While exact schedule will be provided as the event approaches, Indie Cruise is always filled with informal presentations and masterminding. Among other experiences, you will enjoy the Artisan Gift Exchange, White Night Private White Night Dinner and Group Photo Shoot, Sparkler Party, Mini-Maker Mastermind Intensive Session with Donna Maria (our founder and CEO), your Maker Planner in your choice of black or white, and your 2024 Business Plan + Strategy Workbook. Topics covered: IBN's proprietary Maker Method to help you build a profitable business that makes you happy and successful, and can generate income for life. Additional topics: digital marketing, social media strategy, branding, brand and community building, pricing, leadership and personal development and more!
Does the resort have Wi-Fi?
Yes. Wi-Fi is included throughout the resort.
What types of excursions are available?
The resort features numerous excursion options!
• Nature getaways : Beach horseback riding / Montaña Redonda Express / Playa Esmeralda sailing cruise / Whale watching
• Local + cultural connections : Cacao & El Seibo journey / Hidden treasures of los Haitises / Lush landscape expedition
• Sense of adventure : E-bike fun tour / Kitesurf school / Personal transporter / Scuba diving / Speed boat
• Made to measure : Tailor-made adventures are available; just visit the concierge on property to create your own adventure.
What do I do if I have further questions?
Please email support@indiebusinessnetwork.com with any questions not answered on this page.