Part of the AMResorts chain which also includes Secrets, Dreams, and Breathless resorts, Now Jade Riviera Cancun is less than two miles south of the quaint fishing village of Puerto Morelos and a 20 min. taxi ride from the airport.  Guests can easily venture offsite for a change of scenery or souvenir shopping in town; a morning bicycle tour to Puerto Morelos offered by the resort is an alternative way to burn off vacation-acquired calories while getting to know fellow resort guests.  Now Jade is more of an upscale family-friendly vacation destination which offers large guest rooms (sq. footage starts at 700 sq. feet), suites with balcony Jacuzzis, an adults-only pool for upgraded guests, a Kid’s Club which accepts children as young as age three, and many fun poolside activities.  For those interested in swimming with dolphins, Delphinus Puerto Morelos is just a few minutes’ walk north adjacent to the marina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upon entering the lobby at Now Jade, guests are provided with comfortable seating areas and a large, rectangular “tranquility pool”.  Unlike many other Riviera Maya resorts, Now Jade’s lobby lacked a “wow” factor in the past; this has changed to a great degree thanks to the recent lobby renovations.  Renovations include the addition of a series of hanging ceiling decorations which closely resembles a group of swimming sharks, along with the creation of an outdoor space which includes another bar, a huge TV screen, and seating.  The interior lobby bar is situated next to a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass which allows vacationers to have a view of the ocean and well-manicured grounds while having a drink and socializing.  Live music is typically heard in the lobby area in the evenings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pool lovers will enjoy Now Jade with its family-friendly infinity pool, adjacent children’s pool, and separate adults-only infinity pool for Preferred Club guests on the north side of the resort.  Both main pools have a swim-up bar and large sections of pool shelving, while shaded overwater hammocks are situated directly above shallow water at the adults-only pool.  Loungers and shade umbrellas can be found on both sundecks while Bali beds are located at the adults-only pool–they are first-come first-served.  The only amenity absent from either pool is a Jacuzzi.  Guests should take note that lounger and Bali bed “reserving” begins very early in the a.m. during peak travel periods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a few steps down from both pools is the rather narrow strip of beach.  Although pool lovers will be very happy here, beach lovers may be disappointed due to the large rocks both at water’s edge and on the ocean bottom just offshore.  Since most of the rocks are present on the Preferred Club side, guests may want to enter the water to swim either directly in front of the main infinity pool or points south.  Depending on weather conditions, large amounts of sea grass can accumulate here, but that is not unusual in this area of the Riviera Maya.  There are plenty of loungers and shade palapas from which to choose as well as a beach bar.  Although the beach bar is not located directly on the beach, it is beachfront with great ocean views.  Non-motorized water sports are offered by the resort in addition to nearby opportunities to parasail or Jet Ski.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The oversized suites at Now Jade are colorfully furnished with dark woods, rattan armchairs, and comfortable sofas with white, red, orange, aqua, or chartreuse accent colors.  Sunken sitting room areas are the norm in the Jr. Suites, while bathrooms include a Jacuzzi tub and bidet in addition to a separate shower; balcony Jacuzzis are also standard in Preferred Club rooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those familiar with AMResorts reservations-free dining policy may find it to be both a blessing and a curse–although there is equal opportunity to eat in any a la carte without waiting in line to initially reserve a table, those who wish to eat around 7-8 p.m. or are a part of a large party may be at a disadvantage without a reservation.  There is a way to solve this problem at Now Jade, however.  Guests who purchase a bottle/bottles of wine (enough to serve the entire party) will be allowed to make dinner reservations.  This does incur an extra expense, but it may be worth it for some vacationers.

Type of Resort:  Family-friendly

Pro:  Large rooms and showers, free WiFi, no dinner reservations, adults-only pool, Kid’s Club starts at age 3

Con:  Rocky narrow beach, no dedicated teen lounge, dinner reservations possible with purchase of bottle(s) of wine, lounger “hogging”

Best Suited For:  Families with children ages 4-9, destination weddings are popular here

No. of Rooms:  550

Room Amenities:  King or two dbl beds, A/C, balcony/terrace, separate sitting area with small sofa, armchair, coffee table, desk and chair, ceiling fan, mini-bar, digital safe, flat screen TV, telephone, coffee maker, radio alarm clock with iPod dock, robe and slippers, iron/ironing board, hair dryer, Jacuzzi tub, separate shower with rainforest showerhead, bidet, toiletries, and 24-hr. room service.  WiFi is complimentary by downloading the app; long distance calls to the continental US, Canada, and Mexico are also complimentary.  Non-Preferred Club room categories include the following:

• Jr. Suite Tropical View:  King or two dbl beds, sunken seating area.  Garden/grounds view.
• Jr. Suite Ocean View:  King or two dbl beds, sunken seating area.  Some rooms have partial ocean views, especially on lower floors.
• Jr. Suite Oceanfront View:  King or two dbl beds, sunken seating area.
• Family Suite Tropical View:  Two adjoining Jr. Suites, one bedroom with king bed while the other has two dbl beds.  There are two full bathrooms, two flat screen TV’s, sunken seating area, large balcony/terrace.  Garden/grounds view.

(Preferred Club Amenities)

This is a resort upgrade and includes the following amenities:

• private check-in/out
• exclusive concierge
• access to the Preferred Club Lounge with continental breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, top-shelf liquor, and complimentary computer use
• access to adults-only pool with sundeck Bali beds.  NOTE:  children staying in the Preferred Club section do not have access to this pool despite being upgraded
• breakfast at Mercure restaurant
• balcony Jacuzzi
• upgraded mini-bar with small bottles of liquor and extra snacks
• upgraded toiletries
• Secret room service box
• daily newspaper

Preferred Club Room Categories:

• Preferred Club Suite Ocean View:  King or two dbl beds, separate living room area, balcony Jacuzzi, third bathroom sink.  Some rooms have partial ocean views, especially on lower floors.
• Preferred Club Suite Oceanfront View:  King or two dbl beds, separate living room area, balcony Jacuzzi.
• Preferred Club Governor Suite:  King bed with sunken sitting room area, separate living room/dining area with table and eight chairs, living room with sofa, two armchairs and coffee table, two flat screen TV’s, guest bathroom with shower, dbl-sided vanity in the master bathroom, walk-in closet, two separate balconies, balcony Jacuzzi, full loungers, table and six chairs.  Oceanview.

Physically Challenged Rooms:  Available

Resort Amenities:  Three pools (two infinity-edge–one family-friendly and one Preferred Club adults-only, both with a swim-up bar, along with a children’s pool), spa, beauty salon, fitness center, tennis courts and basketball court (located on top of the lobby building), non-motorized water sports, bicycle tour into Puerto Morelos, Kid’s Club (ages 3-12), playground, teen activities, Euro-bungee, pool and beach wait service, hammocks, theater, sports bar/disco, movies, outdoor theme nights, complimentary greens fees at Grand Coral Riviera Maya and El Tinto golf courses, concierge, tour desk, gift shop, jewelry shop, medical services, child care, car rental, and ATM.

Restaurants/Bars:  There is one buffet (Carnival, it includes a lowered kid’s section), and five a la cartes including Italian (Capers), French (Mercure), Mexican (Tamarindo), Asian (Spice–teppanyaki show tables and sushi), and Mediterranean (Cin Cin–adults-only).  A la cartes do not require reservations; however, reservations can be made if guests are willing to purchase bottles of wine to consume with dinner.  There is also a coffee shop (Coco Café), and the poolside luncheon restaurants (Castaways and the Barefoot Grill) to round out dining and eating options.  Occasionally there are poolside theme night buffets.  There are six bars including two lobby bars, two swim-up/poolside bars, a sports/disco bar, and beach bar.  Preferred Club guests have their own lounge bar.

Entertainment:  The theater hosts live music and stage shows, outdoor movies, fire show, sports bar which becomes the disco after 10 p.m., and live music in the lobby.

Website: http://www.nowresorts.com/jade/