Mex Factor

I had been to Mexico before: around 11 years ago I toured Mexico City, Oaxaca and Tasca and visited many Mayan archaeological sites. This was a very different experience: travelling with a group of fellow Travel Counsellors and staying at or visiting six all-inclusive resorts operated my AM Resorts along the Caribbean coast close to Cancun.

We flew with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick, the flight takes around nine hours and I chose to upgrade to premium economy to experience the difference from standard economy. I do think that the additional space and comfort is well worth paying for on a flight of this length, especially on the return journey when travelling overnight.

All of the resorts are beachfront, but each was very different: with a wide range of architectural styles from traditional hacienda-style to ultra-modern chic. Some are more suitable for families, others are adult-only, some would suit dedicated party-animals, and others favour the healthy life-style. What they all had in common is free wifi throughout and a consistently high quality of food and beverages with a wide range of outlets: typically with seven or eight unique restaurants to choose from, so it felt very much like ‘going out’ to dine; in addition there are a range of bars and cafés. All the resorts have multi swimming pools too, so you could choose the active areas or find a quiet corner to snooze or read, and the beach areas are well kept and patrolled.

Each day there was a range of entertainments and activities on offer, for those who could drag themselves away from the sun-loungers: I learned to mix a mojito with tequila; completed the hydrotherapy circuit at one of the spas, which was lovely but left me limp as a rag doll; we had a cookery lesson, making ceviche with raw fish, limes, veggies and herbs – sounds strange but it was delicious; and had a mescal tasting, learning about the differences between different tequilas and mescal. There were very professional shows on offer: fire shows on the beach, gymnastic/circus shows and music of all kinds: those that we experienced were of a very high standard.

For a supplement guests can book preferred ‘Club’ rooms which give them access to private pool areas, lounges and other privileges, such as the spa hydrotherapy circuit. The spa areas have a range of treatments and services available to all guests for additional cost.

I was greatly impressed by the quality of the resorts we visited and learned more about the other resorts in the group which comprises Sunscape (family fun); Dreams and Now (5 star family resorts) , Secrets and Breathless (5 star adult-only) and Zoetry (2 very exclusive, top of the range, up-market boutique retreats). All have wedding facilties: ranging from a simple blessing on the beach right up to a traditional church wedding. The group also operates a ‘Sip, Savor & See’ programme, where guests at one resort can visit other resorts to try out the facilities there and as they have multiple resorts along the coast it’s relatively easy to do.

I’d have no hesitation in recommending these resorts to anyone wanting a beach holiday or a special get-away, and I’ll be happy to help in choosing the right one: they are all very different in style so some guidance is needed.

My only regret about my trip is that there was not enough time for us to visit any of the Yucatan historical sites.

So I’m just going to have to go back!