Defining My Ultimate Luxury Hotel

I will fully admit it’s hard not to become a little spoiled when you have the opportunity to stay at some of the most luxurious hotels in the United States and beyond. With each trip I take, I find a new, indulgent feature that finds its way onto my fantasy list for, what I would consider, the makings of the Ultimate Luxury Hotel.

Sure there are the no-compromise standards for me such as:

Service*Service*Service: My saying is that just as location, location, location is to real estate, so is service, service, service to the luxury hotel industry: in my book ~ No. Compromises. Ever. Good service is the first and foremost attribute that defines any luxury hotel ~ bar none.

Decadent Beds: This is a must for me because a big part of a vacation is being able to relax and sleep well in order to rejuvenate yourself ~ which is what a vacation is all about, right? Many hotels are very aware that this is a growing request among their guests and are now going to extreme lengths to provide this luxury. The Four Seasons Hotel brand has gone as far as to implement custom-designed beds for their guests’ comfort, Travel and Leisure printed an interesting Battle-of-the Beds article on this trend, and hotel beds are now even making “Top 25” lists. Great news for all of us!

Aside from the expected standard-of-excellence at a luxury hotel, I relish in the fine details and the little extras that many places offer. These touches are what can make or break a hotel. Throughout my travels, I have accumulated a fantasy list of what I wish every resort would offer, so here are some of the top items on my list:

A Great Welcome: I love arriving at a resort and having the staff greet me by name. Sometimes I’m not even sure how they know it but it certainly makes me feel special. I also love a nice Welcome Amenity. There is something about walking into an unfamiliar room and finding a little treat awaiting you with a welcome note that immediately makes you feel special and at home. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way. The Rosewood Mayakoba is memorable to me in that the staff have a stealth way of communicating with one another throughout the property, ensuring that you are always greeted by name. The Rosewood Mayakoba also offered me one of the best welcome amenities, when upon my arrival, I was presented with a custom-monogrammed napkin with a welcome drink, as well as monogrammed pillow cases, a tote bag, a tequila set and a baseball hat placed in my room…talk about feeling special!

Breakfast Included: I know this might seem basic but I find this a nice perk as breakfast is my favorite meal of the day….and not any ol’ breakfast, let’s make this a gourmet breakfast! The Post Ranch Inn offers one of the most delicious breakfast meals I’ve ever had, not to mentioned it’s served in their Sierra Mar restaurant with stunning views of the Pacific. At Chateau du Sureau, a Relais & Chateaux property, I was awakened as the aroma of breakfast cooking seeped in through the floor boards and engulfed my room. It doesn’t get any better than that and obviously made for a memorable experience.

Outdoor Shower: I’m no exhibitionist but I adore an outdoor shower. There is something so invigorating about taking a shower outdoors in the fresh air. This has become one of my favorite amenities. Calistoga Ranch offers wonderful outdoor showers located under the beautiful mighty oaks on their property. It’s exotically rustic and decadent at the same time.

Luxury Car Program: Many luxury resorts offer a house driver that will usually take you anywhere within a few miles radius which is an extremely convenient service ~ and let me tell you, nothing feels more celebrity-like then when a place like the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills picks you and your besties up at the hottest restaurant in town in their stunning Rolls Royce.

But what is even more fun, is when a hotel offers a luxury car loaner program that allows you to complementarily use the car for the day. I’ve done this at many resorts but one of my favorite memories is when I rented a convertible Mercedes at Solage Calistoga and spent a gorgeous California day driving through the beautiful vineyards in Napa’s Wine Country. I can still feel the wind blowing through my hair!

Pool Amenties: Pool time is always a priority for me on my trips. So for that reason, I absolutely love pool amenities. Not just the water buckets, Evian spritzers, or occasional popsicles ~ although nothing wrong with any of those…but I’m talking about complimentary cabanas, having my sunglasses cleaned, my neck massaged, and yes, even a Margarita bar rolled over my way. To me, there is nothing more luxuriously self-indulgent than pampering pool amenities.

Valet Closet: Many of you may not even know what this is, and it’s probably not what you’re thinking, but it is one of my very favorite features and I wish that every hotel I stayed at had one these. This is a small pass-thru cabinet with a door opening from the hotel hallway and then another door opening from inside the hotel room that allows room service or other personnel to slip items into the cabinet and then you can retrieve the item from your room without having to open the main door to hotel personnel. Brilliant!! How many times have you been in your room relaxing, not appropriately dressed and someone knocks on the door with something for you? Too many times for me to count, so I really appreciate this privacy feature that allows me to remain in complete comfort when my room service order is delivered. The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas is one of the few hotels that I have been to that has this feature ~ other resorts please take note!

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This is just the tip of the iceberg of what I would like to see at my Ultimate Luxury Hotel…complimentary minibars, Club Level perks, downloadable hotel apps, resort bikes are just a few others that come to mind as well. How about you? What defines your Ultimate Luxury Hotel? I would love to know.

 

Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage | Rancho Mirage, CA

The Palm Springs area has always held special memories for me. I have very fond recollections from the time I was a young girl taking annual trips with my family; driving down with a car full of friends for Spring break; to eventually evolving into a more mature girl’s spa-weekend getaway. All extremely good times.

At some point though, the luster of Palm Springs diminished for me. The resorts felt a little “tired” to me and none of them were really appealing enough for me to make the effort to head back. However, over the past years, there has been a resurgence in the area that has sparked my interest.

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One of the major trends that has been happening is the development of mid-century modern design in both the homes and resorts in this area. This funky, retro-hip feel has sparked new life into this region. And although I love this new energy, I am also a lover of classic luxury…enter The Ritz-Carlton.

The Property

This property has an interesting history in that the Ritz-Carlton made its original debut in 1988 and operated as a top-notch luxury resort until the downfall of the economy in 2001 when it closed its doors due to bankruptcy and was eventually reopened and operated as the Lodge at Rancho Mirage. In 2008, the Lodge closed its doors and the property lay dormant until the Rtiz-Carlton swept in again reclaiming their property and began a multi-million dollar renovation process. The renovated property opened its doors in May 2014 to rave reviews.

Since the time I used to frequent this area, this region has grown significantly with new resorts, homes and shopping centers scattered throughout the surrounding cities from downtown Palm Springs to Indio. The Ritz has a convenient central location in the middle of all these surrounding cities with easy access to downtown Palm Springs, as well as to the resorts, golf courses and restaurants located near Indian Wells. This property also has the unique distinction of being the only resort with the coveted location of being set on a cliff side, with views of the entire Coachella Valley. You will not find this at any other resort in this in this area.

The resort has a contemporary look and yet feels warm and inviting with the incorporation of the desert surroundings which are reflected in the elements of rich wood tones, warm colors and stone accents. The lobby is welcoming with a cozy sitting area in front of a large, stone fireplace. Hearty succulents, colorful plantings and palm trees surround the property creating a beautiful landscape that feels indigenous to the area.

Guest Rooms

This property offers 244 guest rooms ranging from Resort view, Mountain view, Valley view, Terrace Fire Pits and Suites. The interior of all the regular guest rooms have the same square footage, decor and style. The only difference between the rooms is where they are located and the view they offer. The Asian-inspired bathrooms are large and luxurious offering oversized bathtubs and separate showers. The Suites are double the size of the guest rooms and offer a separate living area along with very spacious bathrooms with rain-head showers and separate soaking tubs. Two Presidential Suites offer 1,700 sq. ft. with a large living room and separate bedroom. These suites can be connected to an additional room to create a two-bedroom unit.

The property is laid out in two wings with the buildings of each wing in a “U” shape. The Spring wing consists of some guest rooms, the State Fare Bar & Kitchen along with the Air Pool (main pool) and the Mirage wing consists entirely of guest rooms overlooking a large, lawned courtyard with the adult pool located on this side.

I point this out because the rooms on the sides of the wings, looking into the center of the resort, are aptly called the Resort view rooms with the first floor units having fire pits which make those the Terrace Fire Pit room category. The Mountain view rooms are mainly located on the outside sections of both wings facing outwards and the Valley view rooms are located at the center of the Mirage wing looking out over the lawned courtyard with the majority of Suites being located at the very ends of each wing with panoramic valley views (some Suites are mountain views).

I stayed in a one-bedroom executive suite (#1142) which put me at the tip of the Spring Wing with a panoramic view of the valley. It’s an expansive view by day and a gorgeous view of the city lights by night. I found it to be an ideal room and location.

In the regular room category, I would consider one of the Mountain view rooms located closest to the ends of the building because these rooms will offer a peaceful mountain view and some of them will have a bit of the valley view as well.

My next choice would be a Valley view room located on the third floor and in the center of the Mirage Wing overlooking the lawned courtyard facing the Coachella Valley. The Terrace Fire Pit rooms are fun if you want to sit out and enjoy the activities going on around the resort. These rooms won’t be quite as private as some others as they are located on the ground floor, but when the fire pits are lit they create a warm, glowing ambiance and it can be fun to people-watch. All rooms have coffee makers and a limited mini/snack bar (at cost).

At the time of my visit (July 2014), the resort was still working on a wing of rooms that I believe will be considered their Spa room category (as they are located closest to the spa) scheduled to be open in October 2014. These are small residential style units which include a full kitchen, along with a living/dining room and separate bedroom. This should be a great option for families and/or extended stays. Also scheduled to open in October is the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge offering beverages and culinary cuisine throughout the day along with the ultimate in personalized service.

Spa

@2014 Susan Edel

In my opinion, one of the best aspects of this property is the spa. The spa is a beautifully designed building with a very luxurious feel as you enter into a two-story open lobby with a dripping crystal chandelier and a soothing white-on-white color palette.

There are 15 treatment rooms, many with private terraces and outdoor showers along with an outdoor relaxation lounge offering refreshing plunge pools. My one disappointment is that the spa facility is not available to guests unless they are getting a treatment or pay a day use fee. 

There are three pools and one separate hot tub on property, the Air Pool which is the resort’s main pool, the adult only pool with a nice view of the valley and a kid’s pool.

Dining

@2014 Susan Edel

The resort offers several dining choices.

The State Fare Bar & Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with casual indoor and outdoor dining offering seasonal menus and signature dishes featuring local harvest ingredients. The restaurant features a Chef’s display kitchen and an Experiential Chefs’ Market Table, presenting the ultimate in pairing wines and culinary delights. On one evening, I chose a casual option and ordered dinner from the bar’s menu at the outdoor patio. It was quite pleasant.

The Edge is an upscale steakhouse serving prime dry-aged bone-in steaks and fresh seafood, seasonal sides and sauces, unique cheeses and the finest selection of wines. The restaurant sits at the edge of the cliff and offers stunning views of the Coachella Valley and serves lunch and dinner.

Asian inspired meals including sushi al fresco and poolside libations can be found at the Air Pool Bar for lunch daily.

24 hour in-room dining is also available.

Activities

Morning Hikes: The resort offers daily morning walks around the property.

Ritz Kids: The on-site Ritz Kids program offers many creative activities to keep your children intrigued and actively busy while you pursue your interests.

The Living Desert and Botanical Gardens: Visit the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens while supporting the their mission of desert conservation.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, World’s Largest Rotating Tramcar, you will experience a breathtaking journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon.

Golf: A golf concierge is available to help you arrange an outing at one of the many golf courses offered around the Palm Springs area.

Indian Canyons: Hike through the Indian canyons in the area and learn the history of the Agua Caliente Cahuilla (pronounced Kaw-we-ah) Indians.

Hot Air Balloons: View the amazing desert from a bird’s eye view in a hot air balloon.

Jeep Tours: Explore the desert on a jeep tour.

Shop El Paseo: Known as the Rodeo Drive of Palm Desert, the El Paseo Shopping District features over 300 world-class shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, jewelers, restaurants.

In Summary

I found the staff very friendly and engaging which helped to create a personal atmosphere being this is a “brand” hotel.

The resort is clean and pristine and offers all that you would expect from a luxury property. This resort is located in a good central location in between Palm Springs and Indian Wells, and is the only resort that sits on a bluff and offers valley views. In my opinion, the property is by far the most luxurious in this area. And as with all Ritz brand hotels, you can count on a standard of excellence that offers guests a true luxury experience.

Rosewood Mayakoba Photo Gallery

Enjoy the photo gallery to my most recent post on the Rosewood Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico

 

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Click on image to start slide show

 

Rosewood Mayakoba, Riviera Maya

Paradisepar·a·dise noun \ˈper-ə-ˌdīs, -ˌdīz, ˈpa-rə-\  

a very beautiful, pleasant, or peaceful place that seems to be perfect

Welcome to Paradise….Welcome to the Rosewood Mayakoba

@2014 Susan Edel
Main reception building.

Located in the Riviera Maya just forty miles from Cancun, Mexico and four miles south from the charming town of Playa del Carmen, Rosewood occupies 20 acres in an upscale development called Mayakoba. The Mayakoba development consists of thee luxury resorts ~ Rosewood, Banyan Tree, and the Fairmont; an 18 hole golf course, El Camaleón designed by Greg Norman; and private residences.

These resorts are all surrounded by a beautiful lagoon and guests of each property can enjoy the experience of being serenely shuttled between resorts by boat or by car through a reciprocal agreement between the properties. The reciprocal program not only includes transportation between the hotels but also allows guests to charge to their room when visiting another property. It’s actually quite a convenient perk.

Property

Walkway from valet to lobby.

Once you pass through the main Mayakoba entrance, you drive along a road surrounded by lush vegetation, half paved and half cobblestone. The cobblestone portion is quite bumpy and the drivers affectionately refer to the bumpiness as a Mexican massage.

As you approach the Rosewood entrance, you arrive to the valet round-about which is pleasant but not opulent, surrounded by beautiful greenery, stone exterior and lantern style light fixtures.

It isn’t until you make your way around a limestone walkway which reveals an open air lobby that you become in awe of what you’re seeing. Your attention is immediately drawn to a large spiral stone and glass rail staircase with whimsical star shaped light fixtures hanging from the top of the ceiling down into the shaft of the spiral staircase. Beautiful lanterns in all shapes and sizes are strategically placed around the lobby and throughout the resort which are decorative by day and create a magical ambiance in the evenings. Beyond the lobby, your eyes wander to the view of the lagoon which weaves its way throughout the resort.

Spiral staircase located in lobby.
Spiral staircase located in lobby.

This property has a striking element in which I can only describe as having a dual personality. One side of the property was developed facing the emerald lagoon that is surrounded by tropical plants, wild life and emits a rain forest feeling, while the other side faces the picture perfect view of palm trees emerging from the white sand beach with the crystal clear turquoise water seducing you from beyond.

The resort is designed with a sophisticated elegance, simple clean lines, cream colored stone and dark wood accents. Splashes of color are used in textured fabrics, artwork, light fixtures and the use of indigenous materials such Banyan Tree branches as privacy barriers between the suites and other elements that add a local flair in keeping with the culture of the area.

@2014 Susan Edel
Water shuttle boat.

Check-in

The resort seems to operate under a stealth mode of communication. Each employee wears a wire system which allows them to inform the approaching destination that you are arriving so they can personally greet you ~ this continues throughout your entire stay wherever you go.

So needless to say, upon arrival from the airport, I was greeted by name by the valet and then led to the lobby where a cool terry cloth towel and a refreshing drink awaited me. I’ve stayed at many top luxury resorts so not much catches me off-guard these days, however, I was so impressed to see that my drink was presented to me with a monogrammed napkin with my initials. I’ve never seen this done before and it was quite a pleasant surprise. I was immediately feeling pampered and getting a glimpse of the extraordinary things to come.

The paperwork process is simple as the resort usually gathers information prior to arrival so all I had to do upon check-in was confirm the information on-hand. I was then ushered down the spiral staircase to a boat awaiting me on the lagoon. Every guest is taken to their suite in this manner, it is quite a unique and exciting treat.

Guest Rooms

The resort has 130 guest suites and offers 8 different room categories plus three Presidential Suites (see descriptions here). Every suite on property offers a private plunge pool and a Butler to cater to your every need. The suites offer a complimentary welcome Tequila gift set along with fresh fruit bowls, espresso and teas which are refilled daily and a stocked minibar and snacks (at cost).

As mentioned before, the resort has two completely different personalities so when booking your stay think about how you want to experience this property. I had the distinct pleasure of experiencing both a Deluxe Overwater Lagoon Suite (#206) and a Beachfront Studio Suite (#607). Both very different but both offering a lovely experience. As with everything in life, you must make choices with what you want so I will try to break this down for you. (See resort map here for reference)

The Lagoon Side:

The majority of the resort suites are located on the lagoon side which places them the farthest from the beach. However, the resort does provide 24 hour golf cart transportation and each guest is assigned a bicycle cruiser which is extremely helpful in getting around the large property. The wonderful aspect of being on the lagoon is that it truly offers a unique and authentic feeling of being in a jungle or rain forest. As I sat on my deck in the mornings, I reveled in hearing the birds chatter and watching tiger fish swim around in the lagoon waters. It really made me feel as though I was in some exotic location.

@2014 Susan Edel
Lagoon Studio Suite

Lagoon Studio Suite ~ this is the most basic suite on property ~ meaning smallest room size, and yet ironically, this is the exact same floor plan as a Beachfront Studio Suite which is one of the more expensive suites available, but what’s the saying… “location, location, location” which is why the beachfront suite commands double the price that this room does.

For those who enjoy staying close to the main reception building and breakfast restaurant, rooms 100-107 might be a good choice as they are located closest to the these buildings at the front of the resort. Suites 421-424 face the most open part of the lagoon where you may very likely see the resident alligators hanging out. The rest of the suites in this category seem to offer fairly similar settings.

@2014 Susan Edel
Deluxe Overwater Lagoon Suite

Deluxe Lagoon and Deluxe Overwater Lagoon Suites – these two suites are the exact same spacious floor plan with a bedroom and a large bathroom with outdoor shower on one side of the entry, and a very large living area and outdoor deck on the other side. The main difference is that the Deluxe Overwater Lagoon’s deck sits out over the water whereas the Lagoon Suite does have a boat dock but is tucked back and sits on land vs. being over the water and, therefore, does not offer the same view. A fact for couples with small children, one woman I was speaking with stated that she specifically chose the regular lagoon suite instead of the overwater suite because she had very small children and she thought the openness of the overwater deck would be a little to tempting to her children.

I absolutely loved staying in the Deluxe Overwater Lagoon Suite. Not everyone might agree with me but this was my favorite floor plan of all the suites I saw. I thought that the design of this space was well thought-out with large, floor to ceiling corner sliding doors that open up to the outside and there are many small window cut-outs that contribute to a wonderful indoor/outdoor living feel. Something to keep in mind when you are staying on the lagoon, the boats go by on a regular basis and can see onto your deck. It didn’t bother me, I rather enjoyed seeing the boats go by, but it’s something to keep in mind if you do like your privacy and the suites set on narrow inlets have a little less privacy. The very best Deluxe Overwater Lagoon Suite might be 320 as it has a more private location and is also in very close proximity to the beach ~ Suites 310 and 311 are also good choices for the same reason, other good choices for their more open views would be Suites 408, 409, 425 and 426.

Island Suites: These suites are for the serious minded spa enthusiast. The units are nice with upstairs and downstairs areas and have in-suite treatment rooms. They are located right near the Sense Spa and Cenote on property. These units are only for adults.

The Beach Side:

@2014 Susan Edel
Beachfront Studio Suite

Beach suites are limited as there are probably approx. 30 suites (between beachfront and beachside units) that actually have ocean views. But let me tell you, it’s a breath-taking moment when you first feast your eyes on that crystal clear turquoise water. These suites are all walking distance to the beach and the Punta Bonita pool and restaurant, along with being close to all the water activities and kids club but are the farthest suites from the lobby and shops.

Beachfront Studio Suite: As mentioned before, the Beachfront Studio Suite is the same exact floor plan as the resorts most basic suite…however…the location and view from these suites are priceless! You can soak in your plunge pool and listen to the waves crash and you are steps to the beach with your own private lounge chairs in front of your unit and personal staff that accommodates your needs. In my opinion, it’s the ultimate in beach decadence, and I personally would choose this suite every time.

@2014 Susan Edel
Deluxe Ocean View Beach Suite

Deluxe Ocean View Beach Suite: These suites sit back one row from the beachfront suites but offer stunning ocean views from their rooftop sun deck and pools. These units are much larger than the Studio Suite and seemed to be the most popular with families that were visiting the property. If you have a larger family or want to combine two families, these units also connect to a lagoon view suite providing even more space. As you can see in the photo, if you and your neighbor are in your pools at the same time, you won’t have much privacy but it may be worth it for that stunning, panoramic view.

There are a few in-between categories but the ones I have listed are the most popular and abundant at the resort. There are three Presidential Suties that were occupied so I was not able to see them but one is located beachfront and looked quite nice from what I could see from the beach, another is located on the lagoon tucked in amongst the other lagoon suites, and finally there is Casa Laguna which is the resort residence and is located remotely for the ultimate privacy. This is the unit that most celebrities and high-end clientele stay in.

The bottom line with room placement comes down to personal preference…or do what I did and stay half and half. I was really happy I experienced both.

@2014 Susan Edel
My Butler, Alberto

The Butler: A Butler is assigned to each suite to cater to your every need. It’s a very nice concept in the fact that you have one point of contact for anything you may need. They do anything from assisting you in packing and unpacking, to making dinner reservations, taking care of any unforeseen needs with your suite…really anything you need.

My Butler would randomly pop-up out of nowhere to greet me while I was at the pool, beach or at lunch wanting to know if I needed anything. It felt quite decadent knowing that my Butler was there to cater to me. All I had to do was mention something in passing, for instance, wanting some coconuts from the tree and they would show up in my room. I mentioned I loved the ambient lighting from the hurricane lanterns and low and behold more candles showed up on my deck. It’s just another way that this resort goes over-the-top to service you and make you feel so important. The resort even has an app you can download on your smartphone or tablet that gives you access to your Butler, to make reservations at a restaurant or the spa and much more. I have never seen this done before but I thought it was a really convenient resource.

The Spa

The Sense Spa located on its own little island within the resort is aptly named as this little oasis offers something for all of your senses.

This full-service, 17,000 sq. ft. retreat is located in the midst of a jungle setting with the lush vegetation creating a calming environment for you to completely relax. The spa facility along with a fitness center is open for all guests to use complimentary. I thoroughly enjoyed using the indoor therapeutic plunge pool and sitting in the aromatic steam room prior to my treatment. While waiting for my treatment to begin, I sat in the outdoor waiting room listening to the rhythmic sound of the water feature and I was offered an aloe vera beverage that was delicious. There is also an adult only swimming pool located here if you are looking for a relaxing place to swim. I highly recommend taking advantage of the use of this facility even if you do not get a treatment. It’s so rejuvenating.

Dining

The resort offers several different on-site dining options with themed dinners on various nights which you will find in your activities directory in your room.

@2014 Susan EdelCasa del Lago is open for all day dining offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. If your resort package includes breakfast this is where you will come for it. I unfortunately did not have breakfast included so I cannot speak to it personally but I heard it was good. I did enjoy the Italian cuisine served at dinner.

Punta Bonita is the restaurant located by the beach and pool and serves a casual Mexican lunch menu and a delicious tapas style and seafood menu at dinner.

Agave-Azul is a sushi and tequila bar. This is a quaint restaurant with limited tables so reservations are highly recommended each night.

Other options include in-room dining, a romantic dinner set under the stars and decorative illuminated lights in a private nook, and the option of being driven to the Fairmont or Banyan Tree to experience one of their restaurants. I’ll give a little shout-out to Banyon Tree’s Saffron Restaurant, it was a little pricey but really good.

Take note, tips are included on each bill so no need to give an additional tip unless you are feeling generous.

Pool

@2014 Susan EdelThere are no lack of pools at this resort. Along with the private plunge pools located with each suite, the property offers three resort pools ~ the beautifully designed Casa del Lago pool located near the front of the property, the beachfront infinity pool and the adult-only spa pool. During my stay, I chose the beachfront pool which seemed to be the most popular and kid friendly.

Both the Casa del Lago and beachfront pools offer cabanas on a complimentary first-come, first-serve basis and have ample lounge chairs located around the pool and facing the beach. The pool staff is amazing! From the moment you arrive, they set up your lounge chairs to your satisfaction, set you up with an ice bucket filled with water bottles and consistently stop by to see if there is anything you need. Throughout the day, treats such as popsicles, snacks, and even facial massages and sunglass cleaning services are offered for your comfort. The resort also sets up numerous lounge chairs with umbrellas and some cabanas directly on the beach.

Beach

@2014 Susan EdelThe beach is gorgeous with its white sand against the beautiful turquoise water. When the current is calm, you can see straight through to the bottom. The water is warm and swimmable although it is a rocky bottom so I do suggest wearing water shoes. The shoreline at all the Mayakoba beaches have recently (Aug 2014) experienced some loss of their shoreline and therefore have had to place large sand bags in the water to help diffuse this situation. It’s not too intrusive but does take away a little from the natural beauty of the shoreline.

Activities

Complimentary, non-motorized activities such as snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, kayaks and even catamarans are offered. I thought this was a great perk and took advantage of it each day.