Category Archives: Riviera Maya News

New Valentin Resort Approved

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Fans of the adults-only Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, take heart–final approval has been given for the completion of the originally planned complex conditionally approved back in 2005.  While only the Valentin was built and eventually opened in 2007, the rest of the originally planned complex consisted of two additional resorts (745 guest rooms in the second resort and 704 guest rooms in the third).  The second originally planned resort is supposed to be called Valentin Playa del Secreto and will be located north of Playa del Carmen.  No official opening date has yet been set.

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THE Royal PDC Is No More

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While THE Royal Playa del Carmen will still be welcoming guests, it will now be doing so under the Hilton brand name.  Playa Resorts and Hilton have now partnered in order to expand both businesses–Playa Resorts hopes to benefit from being part of Hilton’s global portfolio/78 million Hilton Honors members, while Hilton hopes to become a known name brand in the very lucrative all-inclusive resort market.  Guests who stay in the PDC resort can now accumulate or use their Hilton Honors points, a definite plus for those who are Hilton Honors members.

Barceló Maya Palace Premium Jr. Suite Video

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Once we finished our stay at the Caribe’s swim-up suites, we moved over to the Palace for the rest of our stay.  Here’s a short video of our room in the Oaxaca building–it’s a Premium level Jr. Suite with pool view.  What do you think of this room?

Webcam Views–Look No Further

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I ran across this compilation on a Facebook page, Fans of Hotel Xcaret, posted by Suzanne Haire (I would highly recommend this FB page for anyone looking for updated, detailed info about Hotel Xcaret Mexico, but you have to ask to be added).  For those looking to get a day-to-day look at the beaches and the sargassum issue, check out these webcams according to the area or resort you will be visiting. Continue reading →

Fire at the Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal

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Fire at the Bahia Principe Akumal last night has temporarily closed the Arlequin a la carte restaurant and the nearby main buffet.  The reason for the fire has not yet been disclosed (although it’s thought to be due to a short circuit of some kind) and luckily no one was injured.  While the entire restaurant was gutted, the buffet is expected to reopen within a short period of time.  Here is a link to the story.

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Riu Tequila Finishes Renovations

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Riu fans take note–Riu Tequila is now reopen for business since its closure in April.  There have been lots of major renovations including the pool areas; take a few moments and read the Riu blog post complete with pics.  Click the link here.

New Ventus Section at Marina El Cid

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The Marina El Cid Spa and Beach Resort near Puerto Morelos opened a new family-friendly upgraded section in Nov. 2017 called Ventus.  While Ventus guests have full access to Marina El Cid, it is classified as a resort on its own merits with the following amenities: Continue reading →

The Amazing Resort Called Hotel Xcaret Mexico

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Following our visit to the Riu Dunamar in February 2018 (if you want to read my review of that property just click here), my husband and I took a private shuttle to another new all-inclusive resort which also opened December 2017.  Hotel Xcaret Mexico is the first stage of a six stage project (Destino Xcaret) designed and built by the Mexican firm Grupo Xcaret.  The entire project will eventually consist of a multipurpose stadium, a shopping center, and 6,000 guest rooms across 12 hotels.  Hotels will range from luxury accommodations to those with four star ratings.

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Temporary Restriction to Akumal Bay Snorkeling

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For the months of February and September 2018, snorkeling tours will not be allowed to enter Akumal Bay in a further attempt to try and allow the ecosystem to recover from overuse (an estimated 22-23 million visitors each year visit the Akumal area, while snorkeling with the turtles in Akumal Bay is supposedly ranked the 10th most visited destination in the world for international tourists).  If you’re going to only swim and/or snorkel by yourselves without a tour guide, that is still permitted as long as the buoy restrictions are respected.

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Hotel Xcaret Mexico Room Category Clarification (Hopefully)

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For those of you wondering about the room categories or guest room buildings at the new Hotel Xcaret Mexico, here is a quick review of what I have discovered about them.

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