|
The Riviera Maya is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the Caribbean. Starting about 20 miles south of the Cancun airport and going all the way down to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (about 80 miles further south), it's famous for white-sand beaches and crystal clear water but it also for ancient Mayan ruins and pristine ecological wonders to explore, as well as nature parks and many all inclusive resorts with all the bells and whistles.
Playa del Carmen is the main town of the Riviera Maya. You can swim and snorkel during the day or just hang out at an outdoor cafe and people-watch. When the sun goes down, there's lively nightlife at funky venues, many run by ex-pat Europeans and Americans. It's also where you catch the ferry to Cozumel.
With eco-parks such as Xcaret, and Xel-Ha and Mayan ruins like Tulum and Coba, dolphin encounters, zip lining, ATV tours, scuba excursions and fishing, there is enough to keep visitors busy off resort properties.
The vast majority of resorts in the Riviera Maya are all inclusive offering multiple restaurants, pools, watersports and daytime and night time entertainment options. On our last 2 visits to the Riviera Maya, we stayed at 3 different resorts and visited over 15 other properties.
These are some of the hotels we visited:
|
Excellence Riviera Cancun |
This is one of my favorite hotels in the Riviera Maya and I get rave reviews from my clients. It is a deluxe adults only all inclusive resort with an impressive main lobby with lots of wood and a stained glass ceiling. The lower lobby bar overlooks the gardens. With 8 restaurants (all a la carte for dinner) there are certainly enough choices for dining. There are 10 bars and lounges throughout the property including a swim up pool bar.
All rooms are junior suites with an in room Jacuzzi, marble bathroom with separate shower, in room safe, bathrobe and slippers for use during your stay, a pillow menu, restocked mini bar and patio or furnished balcony. There is no bad room in the house. Even the least expensive rooms- the spa-pool view rooms are wonderful and overlook the expansive pool that meanders through the property. Swim up pool rooms are available although they do not open directly to the pool. I would say that the pool is about 20-30 feet away which gives you some privacy as well. For those wanting even more luxury, the Excellence Club rooms offer additional amenities including a 2nd Jacuzzi on the patio or balcony, concierge service and private Excellence club lounge with free internet access, a private pool and beach, upgraded in room amenities and an upgraded room service menu.
The spa is lovely and serene with treatment rooms on the upper level and a pool on the lower level and offers a multitude of spa treatments.
Complimentary wedding, honeymoon and anniversary packages are available and you will find a lot of honeymooners at this resort.
As I said, this is one of my favorite adults only all inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya and my clients all come back happy. This property is definitely one to check out!
Another one of my favorite adults only all inclusive resorts, Secrets Maroma Beach is on one of the best beaches in the Riviera Maya. This new deluxe resort opened in the fall of 2008 so the landscaping isn’t as lush and mature as some of the more established resorts but this resort is gorgeous and chic.
It has 412 rooms that are all junior suites, in 6 room categories including their honeymoon suite. The preferred rooms are closest to the ocean in 5 buildings and come with concierge service, premium amenities, a preferred club lounge, free in room internet access, ocean views and most rooms come with a private outdoor soaking tub. Even if you can’t go for the extra cost of the preferred club rooms, all junior suites have an in room Jacuzzi for 2, a gorgeous bathroom, 4 poster king bed or 2 doubles, 24 hour room service, a mini bar that is refilled daily and a “secret box” for private room service delivery.
If you are a spa person, this resort is for you and although you might think this is for couples only, this is also a great spa getaway resort for girl friends and would make a great bachelorette party spa getaway. This spa is one of my nicest that I have ever seen with a gorgeous outdoor hydrotherapy circuit and a fabulous Moon and Stars Amor couples treatment room.
Seven restaurants all offering outdoor dining and no reservations plus 8 bars round out this resort. In addition to the usual variety of land and water sports and activities, Secrets Maroma Beach has weekly Star Gazing Rock’ n ‘ Roll Parties.
This resort gets rave reviews from all of my clients and associates. It is perfect for honeymooners, romantic getaways, destination weddings and spa getaways. This is another resort to check out for your next adults only vacation.
|