I had the pleasure of getting to see all of the AM Resorts brands in the Cancun area recently, which include Secrets, Now, Dreams, Zoetry, and Suncape. We didn’t have long at each resort, so these are simply superficial observations. 14 resorts in 4 days – here are my quick summaries of each!
Secrets The Vine
Secrets The Vine is right on the Cancun strip. This resort is modern, posh, and makes you feel like a movie star. It’s a metropolitan-style high-rise so there’s not much greenery, but I didn’t miss it. The service is amazing, the food was delicious, and the layout is just cool. Since it’s located on such a small piece of land, the pools and outdoor areas are terraced, making it feel much bigger than it is. It’s very active and there were people lounging, swimming, and drinking – it kept reminding me of a swanky Miami hotel party. I was lucky enough to stay on the 27th floor in the Preferred Club – and the view of the strip was amazing. I would recommend the Preferred Club at this hotel especially, not only for the better views, but because there is an awesome Preferred Club lounge and private pool off the 12th floor. It was really cool chilling in a quiet rooftop infinity pool while looking down at all the guests at the regular pools below. Overall, I enjoyed this resort much more than I expected!
Dreams Sands Cancun
This resort officially opened on September 1st, 2014 after it was bought and remodeled by AM resorts. We visited 6 days prior, while they were still putting on the finishing touches. Located in the bustling hotel zone of Cancun, this is a family-friendly high-rise resort with nice pool areas and a moderate beach. Since the resort is relatively small, it would be a good choice for a quick family getaway or as a “home base” for exploring all the activities that Cancun has to offer.
Secrets Playa Mujeres
This resort will officially open in November of 2014, but we got to see it under construction – and it was AMAZING!! It’s big and beautiful, and only 10 minutes north of Cancun. All the rooms will be suites, and it just feels luxurious – even during construction. Located in an upscale private community, this resort has two main areas which sandwich an avian wildlife reserve. The reception area is up on a small hill and includes restaurants and activities. From there, you can see the avian reserve and the second area where the rooms, pool and beach are located. Keep your eye out for all the little elegant details – those decorative pebble borders on every sidewalk were done by hand (I saw it)! This sophisticated resort is sure be a star!
Zoetry Paraiso da la Bonita
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita is an all-ages AAA Five Diamond luxury resort south of Cancun in the Riviera Maya. Since children must pay the full rate and there are no kids’ activities, there are rarely children on property. This is a typically quiet, sophisticated spa resort for high-end clients to escape the stress of daily life. Gourmet food, top-shelf alcohol, large luxurious suites and the pristine white-sand beach make this resort extraordinary. The resort décor is hard to describe – combining Mexican artwork with natural wood and stone accents to create a sort of rustic Mexican elegance. They even have Mayan spiritual cleansing rituals on a weekly basis. If you’re looking for a quiet high-end retreat with an elegant Mexican flair, this is your resort.
Secrets Silversands
Secrets Silversands is a AAA Four Diamond resort with clean, modern indoor spaces and large open outdoor spaces. Their website describes it as a combination of “style, sexiness and sophistication” – and they’re right. This adults-only resort achieves luxury without trying too hard. Clean lines and neutral colors dominate, with the quality of the design, materials, and craftsmanship really shining through. The beach and pools are gorgeous, and the whole place just seems effortlessly cool. This is a very versatile resort that could satisfy a wide variety of travelers, making it a great option for an adults-only destination wedding!
Now Sapphire
For an all-ages resort, Now Sapphire is not what you’d expect. This AAA Four Diamond resort is pure tropical luxury. Natural stone and wood accents, soothing water features, thatched roofs, and lush greenery combine with elegant European architecture to create a uniquely beautiful property. The common areas, pools, and restaurants are all near each other on one side of the resort, with the rooms taking up the other half of the resort. This gives the two sides of the resort different ambiances – the room side being a little quieter, and the pool side being more active. This resort has something for everyone and would be a great choice for multi-age group travel or a destination wedding.
Dreams Riviera Cancun
Dreams Riviera Cancun makes a big first impression, the over-sized lobby with towering wood ceilings and elegant columns looks like you’ve entered a Southeast Asian palace. The lobby leads you to gorgeous wood walkways and the pool area- which is in the middle of the resort. It’s impressive too- three large curved pools with lots of open room for lounging in between, with the room buildings on either side. Since the resort is very open and centered around the pool areas, it has a very active feel and there aren’t many quiet areas. If you’re with your family or a group, this makes it very easy to find members of your party without having to walk around much. Even though it’s a family-friendly resort, it somehow manages to feel glamorous- so parents and children alike would love it.
Dreams Tulum
I try not to play favorites- but this resort stole my heart, and most of the other travel agents agreed. I do not have children, and I am yearning to stay at this family-friendly resort! It’s very large with many different sections, so there is a lot of walking involved- but it’s worth it. At most resorts, you can’t tell what country you’re in- not at Dreams Tulum. They are proud of Mexico and show it in the architecture, art, and fountains around the property. The pool area is adjacent to the beach, and is bright, open, and active. Heading away from the beach is quieter with beautiful stone walkways that wander through arches, gardens and courtyards- leading to the rooms. There are so many little touches that help make this resort special- you really have to see it for yourself. On top of the physical beauty of the resort, they take great care of their staff too. They have a foundation that pays for employees’ children to go to college and a little shopping area where employees have opened their own businesses. When you experience something special you can just feel it- and Dreams Tulum is it.
Dreams Puerto Aventuras
Dolphins! Dreams Puerto Aventuras is the location of Dolphin Dreams Dophinarium, where you can swim with dolphins and manatees! This amazing facility is part of the resort, so even if you don’t want to participate, you can still enjoy watching the dolphins play and interact. The resort is a little awkwardly laid out, with the rooms building in the middle, pool and common areas to either side, and restaurants scattered everywhere. For adults, there’s a gorgeous tequila bar in the main restaurant, and an adults-only pool near the dolphinarium. Don’t worry- your kids will adore the atmosphere, activities, and excursions. People were having fun everywhere, creating a high-energy atmosphere. It’s a great choice for families that like to move, play and have fun!
Now Jade
Now Jade is an active family-friendly resort that almost feels like a cruise ship on land. There’s not a ton of greenery, and some of the hallways feel maze-like, but there’s always something to do, a shop to visit, or a restaurant to try. I would highly recommend paying a little extra for the Preferred Club, and you’ll get to enjoy the private lounge, upgraded amenities, a Jacuzzi on your balcony, and more. The best meal of our trip was at Tamarindo, the Mexican restaurant at Jade Now. The guacamole was some of the best I’ve ever had, and the tacos, chile rellenos, tamales, and desserts were delicious too. Make sure you hang out at the quiet adults-only pool located near the Preferred Club rooms- it feels like its own little resort within the larger resort.
Secrets Maroma Beach
Secrets Maroma Beach is the jewel in AM Resorts’ crown. Earning the AAA Five Diamond award, this luxurious resort has a good combination of activity and relaxation, and is the top choice for a honeymoon. I’ve stayed here before- the service is impeccable and the restaurants are amazing (to the point I tried foods I normally don’t eat- and liked them). This resort is simply gorgeous. It has an artistic elegance, but without feeling pretentious. I would recommend getting a swim-out room if you want a more private pool experience, since the main pools are centrally located and very active.
Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun
Every room at Secrets Capri is considered Preferred Club- so you know you’ll be spoiled from the moment you arrive. This AAA Four Diamond resort is gorgeous, luxuriously combining European styling with Mexican accents. Overall, the resort was fairly quiet with people mostly sunbathing or swimming. It only has one large central common area, where the pool is, but it didn’t feel crowded at all. The main building felt a little like a mall, and there isn’t much greenery, so it’s not for everyone. But, if you want to stay at a gorgeous resort and be spoiled by amazing food and service, Secrets Capri is your choice.
Sunscape Sabor Cozumel
First, Cozumel is an island off the coast near Cancun- so you either fly directly there or take a 45 minute ferry ride. It’s worth it, I promise. We were all so surprised by this resort. Sunscape is the family-friendly “value” brand in the AM Resorts lineup- so we weren’t expecting much, but we were blown away. The resort had a surprisingly sophisticated Caribbean feel. Simple white buildings with a balcony for every room, wood accents and railing, surrounded by gorgeous lush greenery. It hugs the beach, stretching out lengthwise towards Secrets Aura Cozumel next door. One big plus about this resort- even though it’s considered a value brand, it shares the spa and a few other facilities with Secrets next door. It only has 3 restaurants and 1 buffet- but the food was delicious so I wouldn’t let that deter you. Since it’s on Cozumel, obviously Scuba diving is a huge activity, but they have tons of other activities including snorkeling, bike tours around the island, volleyball, yoga, watersports, etc. This resort is a value in that you get way more than you expect for your money! Skip the other value resorts and go straight for Sunscape Sabor Cozumel.
Secrets Aura Cozumel
Just when I had decided that I wanted to stay at the Sunscape next door, we saw Secrets Aura Cozumel, and now I can’t decide! It was gorgeous too, but obviously more luxurious and for adults-only. The buildings were simple, sophisticated, and modern with tons of gorgeous green landscaping tucked everywhere. You also get to enjoy all the facilities at Sunscape next door, but Sunscape guests cannot visit Secrets. The swim-out rooms were amazing, and you could actually swim out into one of the main pools. Did I mention there’s a waterslide? It’s not huge, but I really love waterslides, so that got me excited at an adults-only resort. I loved that most of the balconies had glass railing so the view isn’t blocked, and I loved how laid-back the resort felt. Obviously, if you’re a Scuba diver, this is a great option- but you should check it out even if you’re not. It’s a perfect place to relax, set your watch to island time, and escape the world.
Go to our Facebook page or www.Honeymoonsinc.com for more photos of each resort!
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