I have been feeling quite fatigued with both Christmas preparations and work and needed a quick “mind vacation” to one of the most popular all-inclusive adults-only resorts in the Riviera Maya, Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya. This resort has a reputation for being both luxurious and fun and attracts lots of couples and groups of friends traveling together.
Now here’s a resort I’ve wanted to visit for quite some time…Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort is located right on Akumal Bay (also known as the Bay of Turtles) and offers vacationers a great stay in a jungle setting with wonderful snorkeling and diving opportunities just steps away from your room. It offers multiple oceanfront guestroom buildings and pools, multiple beach bars, a sushi bar, oceanfront yoga opportunities, a spa and gym, plus a buffet and four a la carte restaurants. The only negative here is the lack of swim-up bars, but there are bars set up all along the entire beachfront so you won’t have to go far to get a drink. And let’s not forget the resort’s rooftop Jacuzzi rooms with sweeping Akumal Bay and ocean vistas, my personal favorite.
No more delays, Secrets Impression Moxche has opened. Here’s a video of this new upgraded section taken about 3 weeks ago while still being completed…it looks gorgeous! What do you think? Would you stay here?
If you are following the upcoming opening of the fully renovated Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya, formerly known as Secrets Capri, here is a video about just the main pool area. If you remember what the pool was like when it was a Secrets resort, the main complaint was one of slipping when entering the pool. Hopefully that has been resolved; it looks like the pool was completely redone so I am guessing it’s a thumbs up for pool entry this time around.
For those interested in what cosmetic changes have been made to the Omni (now known as the Wyndham Grand Cancun), here’s a video which does a good job of summarizing the resort’s amenities and features. I wish the videographer would have showcased one of the villa suites since I think it’s always been one of this resort’s best draws. Glad to see Wyndham still kept the sushi station and the beachfront swim-up bar area!
While I tend to post vacation info well after the fact, even this is late for me. I stayed at Haven Riviera Cancun in April 2022 in the upgraded Serenity Club Jr. Suite Swim-Out Oceanfront. I have already posted the pics of this room category, but here’s a short video of what the terrace and terrace views look like in more detail. I stayed in room 1008 in building 1; upgraded oceanfront swim-outs can only be found in the original resort section. The new section does not offer this room category.
Travel agents can be remarkably resourceful…a prime example would be agents/owners from Lone Star Travel who were allowed to be on-site at the new Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya (formerly known as Secrets Capri). It is still adults-only but has undergone a complete remodel with some new additions as well–think oceanfront swim-outs, for example. Lone Star Travel reps took videos from several areas of the resort including a guest room category, King Jr. Suite Tropical View.
If you are looking for videos which give you lots of info about a resort, check out 3 Days 3 Noches. Blanche does a great job explaining the basic pros and cons of staying at an all-inclusive resort.
If you’ve been keeping track of the many new resorts already open or soon to open in the Cancun and Riviera Maya areas of Mexico, you may know that the brand new Hotel Riu Latino in the Costa Mujeres area north of Cancun just opened its doors for business. It is a new adults-only resort, and while it is not a Riu Palace brand, it has a lot to offer guests including a water park. It seems somewhat similar to Riu Dunamar which I stayed at several years ago–kids aren’t allowed at this one, however.
For those interested in booking Hotel Xcaret Arte or just interested in the resort in general, there are some very recent policy changes which have been in effect since Aug. 26, 2022. Here are the changes stated briefly, if you want a bit more specific info just watch the short video following this post; a travel agent goes over the specifics. Continue reading