Showing posts with label Secrets Maroma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Secrets Maroma. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

My Secrets Farewell to Riviera Maya

The hospitality of Riviera Maya was felt everywhere, but the staff at Secrets went the extra mile to make me feel at home. I was practically the only one at the resort not celebrating my honeymoon or anniversary, yet I never felt alone.

My final night at Secrets Maroma happened to be the night of the Mexican Fiesta. Maria accompanied me to the weekly event, which includes a celebration of the culture, from vendors with silver jewelry, to Mexican food, tequila and a new favorite of mine, Mango Margaritas. There was a wonderful show of music and dance that took us through the various regions of Mexico. I remarked to Maria how impressed I was with the performance and she told me that this professional group is one of many hired to perform at the AMResorts. I have to admit this was my first show in the week I spent there and I wished I had seen more.

After a night of enjoying the food and music, I was off to go pack. I bid my new friends farewell and enjoyed the breeze off the Caribbean Sea for one final evening.  The next day my flight wasn’t until the afternoon so I enjoyed a final breakfast at World Café, where I tried the crepes with nutella (not very Mexican, but how often do you see crepes at a breakfast buffet?!).

I walked past some of the things that I had admired even though I didn’t have time to try…. The ping pong tables in the water… the giant chess tables… I had to take one final trip down to the pool before bidding farewell to Secrets Maroma and Riviera Maya.

It had been a wonderful trip…
…and I was sure I would be back to this part of Mexico someday, but for now-
Hasta Luego…

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Now to Dreams in Riviera Maya

The weather was still bringing a little bit of rain to Riviera Maya, but I was seeing plenty of this region’s beauty through three of the area’s top all-inclusives.

I started the day with breakfast in the World Café at Secrets Maromawhere you can literally get anything imaginable.  One of the chefs saw me looking at the Chilaquiles (fried squares of tortillas in sauce with green sauce and cheese), and when I asked if there was any without meat they said they would go make me some. The delicious bowl was delivered to my table a few minutes later. After breakfast there was a car waiting to take me over to Now Sapphire, one of two Now properties in the area.

I had been very curious about what exactly AMResort’s Now was.  I knew that Zoetry is boutique, Secrets is for adults, Dreams is for families, but I wasn’t sure where Now fit in until I saw it. This brand is a bit more modern, a bit more “now.” It is open air, with a preferred section and contemporary look, smaller than Secrets and Dreams, but not quite as condensed as Zoetry. Kids are welcomed here with an Explorer’s Club full of activities for those aged 3-12. 
The Explorer’s club for kids at Now Sapphire was very nice, but what really impressed me was something I had never seen before – a pool just for teens. At Now Sapphire 13-17 year olds have their own program, their own swimming area and their own nightly entertainment. It’s a wonderful idea since it’s a group that frequently vacations with their parents yet doesn’t want to spend all day with them.

As we went through the Mediterranean restaurant I could smell the lamb cooking in the open air. The Adults only Lemon Grass restaurant has three palapas outside for private dining. The spa is small at the moment, but in the beginning stages of a major renovation, mostly to accommodate the weddings that take place here.

From Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun, I just went down the block to Dreams Riviera Cancun, the newest resort in the area. I think I expected it to be much bigger and was not disappointed that it wasn’t. This hotel also has programs for kids and teens, with restaurants, bars and pools throughout the property. I discovered something I didn’t even realize I had a Secrets Maroma – CoCo Café, which is basically everything you love about Starbucks without any cost! The lattes and frozen drinks (I tried a frozen cherry with white chocolate coffee that was perfectly refreshing) are available all day.

Dreams is also a property that was mostly open air, with a huge lobby area surrounded by tropical foliage. The 486 rooms at Dreams Rivera Cancun are built to take in the ocean views as much as possible and some of the rooms at Dreams are literally on the beach. I loved the outdoor patio at the main restaurant at Dreams. It looked over a wide stretch of beach allowing for very scenic alfresco dining. This was one of the outdoor casual dining options that included the Grill, where you can enjoy pizza and burgers, and Oceana, where I had a great lunch with Marco, the Sales Manager, which started with a frozen Cucumber Mojito and some of the best guacamole I’ve had.  

The spa at Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort was rather inviting and I was tempted to stay and check it out more carefully, but I had some free time and was ready to get back to Secrets Maroma Beach. As unbelievable as it may sound, it was this afternoon – after nearly a week in Riviera Maya – that I finally got down to spend time on the beach.  That’s just what I did, enjoying my copy of fellow writer Dan Dunn’s “Living Loaded” (more to come on this book) and a Sea Breeze, brought to me by one of the beach waitresses. I then spent one more hour at the pool, feeling almost like a vacationer, before it was time to go upstairs and get ready for my final night in Riviera Maya. It was Mexican Fiesta night at Secrets and I was going to enjoy it with some of my new amigas.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Riviera Maya Luxury from Secrets to Zoetry

I knew the day would be great when it started with a walk out to the balcony for a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea. The beach at Secrets Maroma is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in this half of the world.

Breakfast was at the World Cafe buffet, where the choices are endless. I couldn’t decide what I wanted so I took a small taste of everything. I didn’t have much time before my ride to Zoetry Paraiso del la Bonita would arrive.  I had never seen a Zoetry and, after seeing the “unlimited luxury” of Secrets, was anxious to see what more could be offered by AMResorts' highest level property.

We passed by Puerto Morales, a small fishing village, to the other side of  Riviera Maya. As soon as we arrived I realized this place was different. This boutique resort reminded me a bit of Royal Plantation, which I had visited a number of years ago, but it appeared to be even more intriguing thanks to the artwork the owners had picked up around the world. Around every corner there is a new unique piece, which flows with the open design built by a local architect.

Guests are greeted with Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea and there is an Afternoon Tea daily where you can sample more of the resort’s infusions from their plants. The Library Bar is warm and inviting, as it has been to many of the celebrities who stayed there and left their photos behind (Heidi Klum had just left the resort). Another celebrity is always in residence -- Maquita, one of the many beautiful parrots here, already has 275 Facebook fans of her own and receive emails!

I was very interested in the Thalasso Center, where the Therapeutic Seawater Pool is available to all guests. The full service spa has yoga lessons every morning and a gym that faces the sea. Wellness and well being is definitely a theme here at Zoetry, even down to the food. Calorie counts are available for all menu items in the restaurants and they are quite reasonable. I could certainly see coming to Zoetry and eating gourmet meals without gaining weight (and possibly losing a few pounds if you are taking advantage of all the activities). La Canoa is a Four AAA Diamond restaurant (the property itself has been rated Five Diamond). Children are welcomed here with their parents, but there are no programs specific to the younger set.
My lunch at Zoetry’s Kaax with Sales Directors Hayde Bacelis and Irene Prado was perfect and started with my choice of the restaurant’s homemade tequilas. I chose the cinnamon and was quite happy with it, along with my Caprese Salad Skewers. For a main course I chose the Chicken Skewer with Peanut Sauce and Wild Rice with Coconut followed by a Cappuccino and delicious chocolate raspberry dessert. It was more than satisfying and the whole meal came in at about the same amount of calories as an entrée in most restaurants.

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita has 90 rooms, making it the smallest of that chain’s properties. It is built horizontally so that all of the rooms are ocean view. In keeping with the luxurious theme, there are some wonderful amenities at this resort that you won’t find included at no extra charge in many all-inclusives: private, chauffeured airport transfers; aromatherapy pillows and scented linens; shopping excursions to Puerto Morales by boat; 24-hour laundry service; unlimited worldwide phone calls; and maid service three times a day. At this time, there are only two other Zoetry Resorts, in Los Cabos, Mexico, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. All three run specials so don’t presume you can’t afford this high end chain.

As inviting as Zoetry was, I was happy to get back to Secrets Maroma Beach with a bit of time to spare. I spent an hour floating on the pool (I love hotels where there are enough floats that everyone isn’t fighting over them) and relaxed on the lounge with a piña colada for a short time before getting ready for my very special dinner. I was going to experience the Wine Cave Dinner with Maria Rivas, Sales Manager, and Maru Suarez, Director of Sales, with visits from Chef Cesar to explain each course. The chef, as he does for the couples that chose this dinner, made up a menu just for me, based on my allergies, likes and dislikes. It was quite an event and I enjoyed the company as much as the food and wine.

We started with some Foie Gras with Apple Compote and Chocolate Sauce. (I may never be able to appreciate “plain” foie gras again!) Next, it was a Mix of Soups, actually three bowls of soup: French Wild Mushroom, Italian Minestrone and Mexican Tortilla. They went well with the recommended wine, Albarino Lagar de Cervera, a complex wine with light spice.

The main course was a Duo of Beef &  Lamb – Beef Filet with Potato Gnocchi with Basil Pesto and Tomato Sauce, and Lamb Chop with Mashed Polenta and Demi-Glace Sauce. We had that served with Chateau d’Arains, a Bordeaux blend of four of the region’s best reds.  Dessert was tasty, but not too rich: Melon Cannelloni; Kiwi Carpaccio; Tiramisu; Chocolates, Ganache. All were great.

I relaxed a bit with an after dinner drink before calling it a night. It had been a great day in Riviera Maya and I was ready for another, as I still had to tour Now Sapphire and Dreams Riviera Cancun, where I was having lunch. Then, there was my final evening which was fittingly a Mexican Fiesta at Secrets Maroma.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Discovering Secrets in Riviera Maya

I was picked up at Grand Velas by the Secrets Maroma driver for the next part of my Mexico adventure. It was only a short drive, but we had to go through some areas of unpaved road in • Riviera Maya so it took longer than expected. 

When I arrived at the resort, I was greeted by management and staff who all said the same thing, “Welcome home.”  As much as the unlimited-luxury was a theme here, so was the feeling of comfort. My home for the next four days would be in the Preferred Club, which reminded me quite a bit of the Royal Service area at Paradisus Punta Cana. That area of the Secrets Maroma offers rooms with ocean views or swim up suites, and extra amenities such as a lounge with daily continental breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres; free internet access; and upgraded mini bar and bath amenities.

Carlos, my concierge, introduced himself and gave me his private extension before he took me to my building. My room could not have been better. I had a corner room on the fourth floor with a tub on the balcony (and a Jacuzzi inside between the bed and bathroom) and perfect views of the pool and ocean. There was a bottle of champagne waiting for me, but what I was most impressed by is something that is available in all rooms of all Secrets resorts – the Secrets Box, which allows the concierge and waiter to leave food, drinks or whatever you order from 24 hour room service in the box if your “Do Not Disturb” button is pressed.  For the (many) honeymoon couples it offers complete privacy, but for the rest of us it’s nice to not have to run out of the shower to get the door in your towel!

Lunch was at the World Café, a huge buffet with an incredible selection of pizza, pasta (made to order), sushi, salads, and just about anything you could want. As soon as I walked in and gave my name I was told they had noted my allergies and the maître took me to the chef, who confirmed anything that might have been cooked with fish that I couldn’t eat.  With that in mind, I filled a plate with a little of everything else, enjoying it all with a glass of iced tea brought by the friendly waitstaff.

I went back to the room a bit, unpacked my suitcase and got ready for the only thing I had to do on my first day – get a massage in the spa.  I was going down early to check out the Hydrotherapy Circuit, which is included with most treatments : Sauna, Steam Room, Jacuzzi, Sensations Path, Cool Plunge,  Warm Plunge, Rustic Shower, Pressure Shower, and Water hydrotherapy with swan and cascade jets, high pressure water hoses and bubble massage beds.  Yes, it was as heavenly as it sounds and by the time I got done with my massage in my private cabana, I was so relaxed I didn’t even have the urge to turn on the computer.

It was also late in the day so I missed the scheduled activities, of which this resort has an impressive amount. Almost every day you can find yoga, tennis and Spanish lessons; jungle bike and kayak tours; scuba demonstrations; volleyball; water aerobics; and even swim up poker and bingo!  There are also special classes called “Sharing Secrets” that take place once a week, including tequila tasting and cocktail mixing lessons.

I was happy to learn that reservations are not needed at any of the eight restaurants. I had been eating mostly Mexican food and the Italian in me was craving pasta, so I headed over to Portofino for dinner. It was dark (maybe too dark, the waiter had to bring everyone flashlights to read the menu), cozy and comfortable, with soft pillows in the private booths. I started with a selection of their warm breads, which included a warm onion roll with a touch of cream cheese. It was hard not to ask for more, but my Eggplant Parmesan appetizer showed up just in time, with a semi-sweet glass of Blanc de Blanc from the Baja vineyard Vinos Domecq.

In addition to pretty standard Italian specialties, the Portofino Restaurant  at Secrets Maroma Beach lets you put together your own, choosing your type of pasta, sauce, vegetables and, if you want, chicken, shrimp or meat. I chose Fettuccine with White Wine Sauce, Mushrooms, Asparagus, Artichokes and Sundried Tomatoes, served with fresh shredded parmesan cheese. It was absolutely scrumptious, but I didn’t finish it all because I knew dessert was coming. It was a touch choice and I settled on a cappuccino with my Pana Cotta in Caramel Sauce. The restaurant manager brought me a special cordial for dessert, a Pomegranate Tequila from La Pinta that I highly recommend.

Before I went back to my room, I went over to the Rendezvous Lobby Bar for a little while to listen to a great piano player and have a Pomegranate Cosmo.  There was also an “American Idol” show in the theatre, followed by Disco Night at Desires Bar.  It looked like I would not run out of things to do, but first it was time for a good night’s sleep before my day at Zoetry Paraiso De La Bonita, and it appeared my four poster bed was ready and waiting for me.