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Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya & Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun
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Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya - A Stellar Seaside Playground by Susan Campbell
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t’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Secrets brand resorts, I have visited over a dozen in the past few years and I’m addicted to their Unlimited Luxury® adult-only experience. But what I really like the most about this brand is that each resort is so different in every other way. These are not cookie-cutter one-sizefits-all all-inclusives. They consistently go out of their way to blend into the region’s culture and style, sourcing and hiring locally, and environmentally aware. And each destination has unique attractions, so I’m always seeking out new ones to explore. And for me the attraction at the new Secrets in Akumal was sea turtles!
Now for many it would be enough that it is situated on a stellar white sand beach with glorious calm sea swimming, but there is so much more to this resort than a great beach and super service. My ocean front suite was one thing that was above and beyond. I was in the Preferred Club- always an extra upgrade worth splurging on - and my huge dipping tub on my balcony was always competing with my deep Jacuzzi bathtub and the endless pools and outdoor whirlpools, so it was hard to figure out where to get wet next! And the private cabana day beds on the beach with butler service were also constantly beckoning. And then there’s also a glorious spa with a water circuit! So much pleasure to partake in and so little time! But I’m always seeking to interact with marine life, so everything else was simply icing on the cake. I was there to swim with sea turtles. However, there is a definite dilemma there. But you can help. The Riviera Maya's only natural Sea Turtle sanctuary is at Akumal Bay right in front of the resort. And though I applaud the resort’s ongoing effort to ask their guests to forego plastic straws with their drinks, (sea turtles mistake them for jellyfish) and they are vigilant about you’re not wearing flippers within the protected marine park, sadly it is public property. There are far too
many local tour operators bringing groups in from outside which stresses the turtles. They need their space. So my recommendation is to NOT take a tour but just snorkel around the shallows on your own quietly. I did that, and a sea turtle came right up to my mask as if to say thanks for not making a racket and disturbing my habitat! Hopefully the government will crack down on the number of tours so that this new beautiful playground will still be full of sea turtles for generations to come. And even if marine life encounters aren’t your thing, you will surely enjoy Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya for its plethora of other pleasures; it’s truly a gorgeous resort. www.secretsresorts.com/akumalriviera-maya
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Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun - Wonderful New Overwater Bungalows by Susan Campbell
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n the heels of my recent Tahiti trip I was missing my overwater bungalow big time so I was delighted to discover that there are similar abodes closer to home in Cancun. Though they are not directly over the sea, they are just a few steps from it, and they are perched over gorgeous private warm pool circuits and boast their own big dipping pools on the deck as well. These new rooms are called “Over The Pool Cabana Honeymoon Suites” and you’ll find them at Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun resort, one of the very first Secrets brand resorts established in Mexico many years ago. The original multi-level building is still spectacular with long water circuits winding throughout and many secluded wings where you can escape the party people. It’s
adult-only all-inclusive with their signature Unlimited Luxury®, and though it is a humongous expanse- 411 rooms and suites- the design is such that the cordoned off wings with their own pools make it seem much more personal. Eight seems to be the lucky number here- there are eight a la carte dining spots, eight bars and eight pools! Though the swim-out suites were very enticing, I was there for the new thatched bungalow digs, though only for a very short stay. There are only a few of these new accommodations strung along the outer edge of the property close to the beach. I was fortunate enough to snag the one that looks right out onto the sea, and I could even watch the waves right from my big comfy bed through the glass doors. The decks are wrap-around with lots of lounges and stairs down to the pool waters, and the lively pier beach bar is only a few steps away. Not that you have to walk anywhere for service, you can be served on your deck or by 24/7 room service via private box, and of course, you also have beer and spirits in your mini-fridge refreshed daily. I adored the bathroom, it had a huge Jacuzzi tub and a Swiss shower- just two more liquid luxury escapes to immerse in. Water-loving souls like me will absolutely fall in love with this place. And though it wasn’t as exotic
as Tahiti, it was absolutely the next best thing, and so much easier to get to by air. Flights to Cancun are frequent and affordable, so a fast escape from the cold to an overwater bungalow on the sea is now a reality for us winter-haters. Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun is an AAA Four Diamond resort and offers Unlimited Connectivity which means free Wi-Fi, and free calling to the U.S. and Canada. They also offer the Sip, Savor and See program that allows guests to visit their other resorts and partake of their dining and amenities for free, and there are many in easy travelling distance all around this region. (Transportation not included.) www.secretsresorts.com/silversands-riviera-cancun
Canadian World Traveller Spring 2017