Travels by Steven: Viva Mexico

by Steven Eidelberg

I dusted off my suitcase, packed my best resort-wear and headed to Cancun, Mexico! Specifically, to the adult-only Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf Resort & Spa, a four-diamond resort located just north of Cancun. Mexico is open to tourism without having to show a COVID test, and the destination is doing its very best to make travelers feel safe and sound, all while enjoying fantastic savings. After all, what better way to promote travel than to give you first-hand experience of how the world is opening and following health and safety protocols. As a travel professional, I was invited by AMResorts to experience their collection of properties in Cancun, and happily accepted!

I flew on American Airlines, and while the plane was full, it was completely sanitized. Everyone wore a mask throughout the entire flight, and service was limited to a sealed plastic bag given to all passengers upon boarding including a bottle of water, cookies and a sanitizing wipe. Prior to boarding I completed a health questionnaire required by Mexico, and felt completely safe during the entire journey. The only time there was an issue was while waiting in line at Immigration because the person behind me didn’t care about social distancing. So, I politely asked him and his family to stay distant, and stretched my rolling luggage behind me as a barrier so he “got the hint.”

I transferred to the resorts by a pre-arranged AMStar shuttle, with a friendly English-speaking driver in a mask who wiped down all luggage with sanitizer. Upon arrival at the resort, I took my luggage (they deliver it, but I was only staying three nights), and proceeded to the open-air lobby where I was asked to use hand sanitizer and my temperature was taken before I could register. Actually, each time I returned my temperature was taken, although most guests have no reason to leave the expansive resort which is shared by its family-friendly sister property, Dreams Playa Mujeres. Every staff member wore a mask, and I learned they all take COVID tests every 15 days! Resorts in Mexico are limited to 60% occupancy, and our resort had 40% occupancy, so it was easy to socially distance by the pool and the beach.

Secrets Playa Mujeres Room

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The resort is gorgeous and spread over acres with multiple restaurants and bars all included in the price of the room – even a round of golf (small fee for cart rental). The rooms themselves are large with great views, balconies, and amenities including: multiple pools, expansive beach, nightly entertainment and more. An added benefit of staying at this location is that one can use the facilities of both resorts, and I was able to visit the children and teen area to see how great this would be for a family to visit. There is social distancing in all the restaurants, so while you may want to eat outside, eating inside is no problem, menus are by QR code, and most guests were compliant.

Breathless Beach

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AMResorts has many properties from Playa Mujeres south to Riviera Maya. Most of the resorts in the collection are four-diamond all-inclusive (which they call “Unlimited Luxury”). I was lucky enough to check out Secrets The Vine in the Cancun Hotel Zone (Miami Beach style, with entertainment and restaurants surrounding a wine theme with a great cellar), Dreams Natura Resort & Spa (a newly-opened family resort in Riviera Cancun including extensive area for children and teens with a waterslide, lazy-river and zip-line coaster!) and Breathless, Riviera Cancun (AMResorts adult-only brand with a party atmosphere). AMResorts has a Preferred Club where the rooms are the same, but for around 15% more the room location is better, the minibar is stocked with liquor, and there is a private club, restaurant and pool…definitely worth the little extra when deciding where to stay.

Dreams Natura Spa

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All resorts had the same protocols, and quite frankly I am more apprehensive about catching COVID in Florida than flying to Mexico and staying at one of these great resorts. In fact, I felt so safe and love to travel so much, I’m headed back next month on my own dime because the promotions are fantastic, booking either directly or through Funjet Vacations.

Are you ready to enjoy a Margarita relaxing in a lazy river while waiting for a spa treatment after a delicious meal? Head to Mexico before everyone learns how easy, safe, and affordable it is right now! www.amresorts.com

Steve Eidelberg is the owner of Cousu Main Travel, an affiliate of Cruise Brothers Travel 401-369-8477 seidelberg@cruisebrothers.com, cousumaintravel@gmail.com

Riviera Cancun Wedding venue

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