I recently had the opportunity to travel to the beautiful Riviera Maya, a section of Mexico that follows the coastal Highway 400, which parallels the Caribbean coastline of Quintana Roo. It had been a while since I had traveled to this beautiful area, on the Yucatan Penninsula, and I was anxious to head back.

At one time, the Riviera Maya started at Playa Del Carmen and ended at Tulum, but now the area includes Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Felipe Carrillo Puerto with nearby Cozumel a short ferry ride away. With the annual temperature there ranging from 77-79, its flat low tropical jungle covered area, white sanded beaches and azure blue seas...the Riviera Maya is truly a tropical paradise.

There are enough activities in this area to satisfy almost any interest. At the top of the list are aquatic and reef activities. The Riviera Maya lies along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System( also known as the Belize Barrier Reef) which begins at Cancun and continues along the Riviera Maya down to Guatemala. Snorkeling and scuba diving are excellent here.

Many of the resorts have activities as well, ranging from jet skiing, swimming with dolphins, zip-lining, and horse riding. The area also boasts some fabulous new waterparks. In addition, there are guided jungle tours to a variety of archeological sites including Tulum, Chichen Itza and Coba.

The Riviera Maya is famous for its incredible all-inclusive resorts. Set back from the main road and hidden by the lush tropical vegetation, they tend to feel a bit Utopian. In addition to the luxurious grand scale resorts, there are also boutique hotels.

I was to split my time there between two sister resorts - The Royal Playa Del Carmen and the Royal in Cancun.

Upon arriving at the Royal Playa Del Carmen  I was  awestruck. What greeted me was nothing short of  spectacular. The grand lobby is open-aire-…no doors , which adds to its grandeur. And as I walked in and looked up, the ceiling was an awesome 'skylight' of stain glass.

I was expected; so, I was escorted to the concierge a few feet in front of me. I sat down and  registered - filling out the appropriate forms - and it was then, that I was fitted with  the “Magic Bracelet”.

The Magic Bracelet
I love all-inclusives. I write about them often. But, most of my experiences with all-inclusives have been aboard cruise ships. But here I was on land, and about to experience what a true, all-inclusive resort had to offer.

As I sat at the concierge desk, they fitted me with my 'Magic Bracelet', which was to become my “Keys to the Kingdom”.  The bracelet signified to all 'staff' who beheld it, that I was ‘entitled’.  I was entitled to eat at any of the exceptionally great restaurants the resort has to offer! I was entitled to order any drinks - anywhere in the resort - I wanted; I was entitled to partake of the beverages in my mini refrig; I was entitled to enjoy the bar in my room that was stocked with full bottles of liquor - from Jack Daniels to Jose Cuervo; I was entitled to room service, including the “Magic Box“; I was entitled to 'turn-down’ service… and I was entitled to be treated like I'd never been treated in my 'hard-working' life! I was entitles to be a celebrity for my length of stay here!

Variety - The “Spice” of  Life
Because I had gotten up at “O' Dark Thirty” to catch my flight, I had not eaten, partially due to time, but mostly due to my inner clock. So, before heading up to my room, I decided to grab something quick to eat. “Spice” the Resort's buffet style restaurant was  the perfect choice.  This tastefully  appointed restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, has an extensive variety of menu items… including salads, ‘show cooking’ station, pasta bar, dessert bar…and so much more. My waiter offered me a beautiful red wine from Spain, which sounded good, even though I am not normally a red wine drinker. But it was fabulous… and I had 'seconds'.

When I stepped up to a 'Pasta Bar'- one of the ‘show cooking’ stations - the chef at that station prepared a fresh Pasta Alfredo, complete with freshly grated cheeses as I stood there and watched him work his magic.

Room with a VIEW
I finally headed to my room - a “Junior Ocean-View Suite. When I stepped into the foyer,  my jaw dropped. This expansive, beautifully appointed room was palatial!  From the marble floors to the travertine vanities, it was a sight to behold. The king size, beautifully appointed bed was draped with an ivory-colored swag; the carved headboard was ornate, very large and magnificent.

The room was lined with decorative columns from floor to ceiling. All the furniture was carved and/ or hand painted.

The walk-in shower with glass doors was large enough for two… or more! The patio was also a crowning feature with a hammock  ready to unroll and enjoy the view of white powder sand beaches and turquoise seas.  But the piazz de resistance was the 2 person jacuzzi  strategically positioned  as one of the 'best seats n the house' with a view. Lining it were large candles, begging to be lit.

And then there was that view of the gardens, pools and turquoise blue ocean with its white sand beaches!

It’s in The Details
Prying myself out of this palatial setting was a chore; I didn’t want to leave my room! But there was more to explore, and I had yet to see all this incredible resort had to offer. So I and another photojournalist headed down to the lobby.

On our way through the lobby, we also spotted a special room,  24 Hour All-Inclusive-Snacks, Bar & Games. It was exactly that, with a variety of snacks available 24 hours a day for guests who got those ‘anytime’ munchie attacks or were in want of an alcoholic libation during those ‘off-times’ when the bars were actually closed.

Lobby Bar & Lounge
Just off the lobby and toward the pool is the spacious Lobby Bar & Lounge. It is hard to explain the lounge in any other word but decadent!

Lounging cabanas, looking more like 4 poster beds, and sofas line the outer areas where one can recline and sip specialty drinks. Remember the magic bracelet? Your drinks are included!

The lounge area is open-air like the lobby. So, as we passed through the lounge, we headed out toward the pools and gardens... and that ocean view. Paradiseo!

And while exploring the pools and beaches, we snagged a few drinks at the outdoor bar... once again, remember the “Magic Bracelet?

As we walked through the pool area, we observed the lounge chairs perched comfortably on ledges in the pool; of course we had try them out; so we sat and sipped our drinks.

Out on the beach there were “Cabana Lounges”; remember the ones in the bar area? Well, they are out here on the beach, too. And then there is the “Beach Butler”, who circulates out on the beach checking with gueast to see if they are in need of any ‘incidentals’ that include cold bottled water, cool wet towels, additional beach towels, a large variety of suntan lotions and sunscreens, and magazines in 5 different languages... just to name a few of the items he offered. My photojournalist friend brazenly inquired if he was also in the ‘offering’!

Dining Was Fine, And Every Dish Was A Work Of Art
One of the many memorable experiences we had on this trip was the food... no, let me re-phrse that; it was the cuisine. We did not dine on Tex-Mex, we feasted on flavor fusion. Many of the dishes prepared for us were French/Spanish Fusion; others were a fusion of the Chef’s culinary expertise. The food was plated so beautifully, the Food Network would have experienced ‘peer envy’. And it all was as deliciously prepared as it was artistically plated.

Among the specialities were, of course, seafood dishes. The shrimp were the freshest I’ve tasted. Also of note, the locally grown produce - including Mexican Papayas - Mexican cheeses, and incredible postres ( desserts).There is probably a restaurant here to please even the most discerning epicurean palate.

A few of the restaurants on the property were: Spice, for buffet and ala carte; Pelicanos, the pool and beach grill; Asiana with A la carte sushi bar & Tepanyaki Tables; Tapas, for Spanish specialty food; Chef’s Plate with its International haute cuisine and others. But in addition to the restaurants at one resort, the “ Magic Bracelet” entitles guests to eat at a variety of additional restaurants at one of the “sister” properties”. Needless to say, guests don’t go hungry!

Water, Water Everywhere... And Yes, It’s Safe To Drink.
While I know I have several well-traveled photojournalist friends who will cringe at reading this, it needs to be addressed. Everyone I told about my trip to Mexico repeated - ad nauseam - “Don’t drink the water!”. OK, for all of you out there - and, yes, I was one of you - that statement is no longer viable. I questioned every chef, every general manager, every food service manager about the water, and the raw fruits and vegetable. “ Is the water safe to drink? Is the produce safe to eat?”

The answer is, yes! the Mexican government realized , almost 10 years ago, that the unsanitary conditions for both food and drink, were losing them tourism dollars. Their prime directive became a fight to radically change those conditions to the point of being obsessive. Their food handling procedures- now regulated by the government - are stringent. Their water processing is regulated and controlled, as well. Restaurants, hotels, and any facility that is open to tourism is subject to spontaneous and regulated inspections. The water is safe to drink at almost any eating establishment open to tourism and the produce - even raw - is safe to eat. I indulged, it and- as sensitive as I am to these kinds of problems - was fine.

Turn Down Service?
When I checked in at the concierge my first day at Royal Playa Del Carmen, they asked me if I would like “turn down service” and what time I would like it. It sounded like a lovely amenity I would like to try, so I said yes, and gave them a time when I knew I would not be in my room.

On my first night, I was surprised to see what ”turn down service” meant to the staff at Royal Playa Del Carmen. My bed had been “made ready” with all decorative pillows removed and my drapery swags were pulled back and tied. And perched in the middle of my bed were two swan “Towel Creatures” covered in fresh rose petals! Each night my ‘turn down maid’ would surprise me with a different creation just as beautiful as the first. The candles by the jacuzzi were lit; there was fragranced oil in the aroma therapy candle. The room was transformed into a heavenly retreat. And I felt like a Celeb.

“ Indulge Your Senses...Engage Your Spirit... Savor The Surprises...”
So states the ‘menu’ for SPAzul, the luxurious, world class, Mayan inspired, full service spa. SPAzul offers dual temperature jacuzzies, steam room, sauna, Polish massage waterfalls, cold plunge pool and the traditional “Temazcal”, stone steam bath with a serious Mayan ceremonial twist!

The Magic Box
The “Magic Bracelet” conjures up yet another bit of magic with the “Magic Box”. If you can’t find something to eat that satisfies your taste buds, or if you just can’t drag yourself from your palatial room and that glorious two-person jacuzzi... there’s room service, with a twist. Guests at Royal Resorts have the luxury of requesting their room service be delivered to the “ Magic Box”. This is a discreet, closet in the wall with a door on the outer wall and one facing the guest room. Guests order is placed in the “Magic Box”, a light is lit alerting guests that their room service has been delivered and at the guests convenience - and without ever having to open the door - can access their order. When done with the tray, simply place it back into the “Magic Box”, flip a switch turning the light on, and tray will be removed without the guest being disturbed. So civilized!

Especially For Families
Both the Royal Playa Del Carmen and The Royal Cancun are for adults only. Minors must be 16 years old or older to stay at either property. But, Real Resorts are family friendly. Families can stay at either the Gran Caribe Real, Gran Porto Real, or Real Playa del Carmen.

At these resorts families will find new “Family Suites” with bunk beds and trundle beds. In addition, family suites will accommodate up to 5 people - 2 adults, 3 children or teens. Gran Caribe Real offers new direct access to “Oki Splash” and “Kids Club” from the suite terrace. There is also a new beach.

Royal Playa Del Carmen & Royal in Cancun
While both of the Royal properties - The Royal in Cancun and the Royal Playa Del Carmen - are beyond expectations, they each have their own personalities.

Royal Playa Del Carmen
Royal Playa Del Carmen is situated in a dense tropical forested area and is just a block away from Playa Del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue Shops - local shops and restaurants with their own quaint charm and wares from all over Mexico. It is also the perfect location from which to tour attractions in the area, including Mayan archeological sites, Nature Parks and some of the most perfect dive and snorkel locations.

Royal Cancun
The Royal in Cancun is situated on the more populated Cancun beach front among the many high-rise hotels, like the Omni, the Westin and others. Here on the famous Cancun Hotel Beach Row are night clubs, restaurants, and other tourist hot spots. If you are looking for a ‘hopping’ resort experience, the Royal in Cancun might be the perfect place for you. If you prefer a tropical hide-away, the Royal Playa Del Carmen is your perfect destination!

From Their Hearts - Into Mine...
Perhaps one of the most beautiful things about both the Royal Playa Del Carmen and the Royal in Cancun, is the staff.

Both the Royal Playa Del Carmen and the Royal in Cancun have a code of work ethics. It has been instilled in them by the owner, Fernando Garcia. Mr Garcia explained to us, “ I tell them to do everything with love.”

The staff is, by far, the most ingratiating I have ever encountered, anywhere. There is nothing they won’t do to make their guests’ stay a pleasant and memorable one. When they speak to you, they cover their heart with their right hand... a gesture signifying “from my heart”. There are few places today that profess to do everything they can for guests, “ from their hearts”.

The staff at Royal Playa Del Carmen and Royal in Cancun did just that. They treated me with more courtesy and kindness than I have experienced in my travels. What they gave me “from their heart” has stayed in mine. This is a lingering memory of a trip I won’t forget. But- more than that- they are the lingering memory of people and place I will forever remember... in my heart!

So, to all of you who treated me with such kindness and hospitality, “from my heart..., thank you for a trip I’ll never forget!

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Read the Expanded Feature at www.DestinationsTravelMagazine.com