Magical Mexico
We started our trip with a direct flight from Gatwick on Virgin Atlantic which took 10 hours and arrived in Cancun to blue skies and very warm temperatures. I was in Mexico for seven nights and spent the first four nights at the Dreams Riviera Hotel and the last three nights at Secrets Maroma.
There are many different Dreams and Secrets hotels located in Mexico and I was fortunate to visit all of them. I also visited the Now Sapphire and the Now Jade Hotel and the incredible Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Hotel which I shall explain about in detail later. Unless you are staying in downtown Cancun, all of the hotels along the Riviera Maya are quite isolated and therefore have amazing on-site facilities. The quality of food at all of the hotels is second to none and the choice is incredible. As all of the hotels are sold on an all-inclusive basis, I was especially impressed with the cuisine and choice. In some parts of the world all-inclusive standards are not especially high but in Mexico they are excellent.
We had a wonderful time at the 5 star Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa. The Dreams Riviera is a luxury traditional hotel with a modern twist that will suit both families and couples. I loved the entrance to this hotel and the walkway down towards the pool and beach. I also loved the room layout; it was different and really worked. There was a great buzz to this resort and the live music in the lobby in the evening followed by the nightclub was excellent for entertainment. All in all, a very good experience and I would highly recommend it to couples, groups and families alike.
We stayed at the 5 star Secrets Maroma Resort & Spa for our last three nights. All I can say is wow! The personal service is second to none and the beach is simply stunning. It is recognised as having the world’s best beach by the travel channel. I was surprised by how warm the sea water was; it was like stepping into a bath! This hotel is adults only but again the choice of food was amazing with plenty of onsite activities.
Zoetry Paraiso De La Bonita is a very special and unique hotel. It is a boutique property with 90 luxury suites which are all dotted throughout the grounds. Originally built by a prominent Mexican architect as a private residence, this luxurious and intimate hotel has a very homely feel about it. All of the suites have a different theme and are named after a country that the owner has visited. They are lavishly decorated in different styles and some come with a private plunge pool with direct access to the beach. Many famous celebrities have stayed at this hotel as it is very private and exclusive. It is very quiet so perhaps not suitable for everyone.
Of course it doesn’t stop at the hotel experience; Mexico has loads to offer in terms of activities, excursions and historic sites. We swam with dolphins which was surreal. We also visited the Mayan Ruins in Tulum and spent a day at Xcaret, a world famous eco-archaeological site. It boasts Mayan ruins, a dolphin show, horses, a farm with tropical birds, butterflies, bat caves and a stunning beach. We went snorkelling in the famous caves and the well-known underground river. With over 53 activities to enjoy it is a great day out. And of course should nightlife be your thing then a visit to Coco Bongos nightclub is a must.
My seven days in Mexico were amazing! I got to visit so many different hotels and cultural sights which have certainly opened my eyes to everything that Cancun and the Riviera Maya have to offer. Magical Mexico I will be back!