Our Chris and his wife Liz have made many forays into the glamorous environs of Mexico, and recently they got that glorious itch to make a return visit. This time they took a jolly swing around Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun and El Dorado Seaside Suites, and have some golden insider knowledge to share with the world.
Manchester Airport
We had a Quick Pass through security (which is available for just £3.50 per person), which saved us over an hour of queuing, and we promptly made our way through to the Escape Lounge. The staff in the lounge advised us that security queues had been up to 3 hours long earlier in September, and most people had queued for around 2½. The Quick Pass and the Escape Lounge were money well spent, as they afforded us a full 3 hours in the lounge before boarding the flight. Free breakfast butties, newspapers and a cheeky beer is definitely the way forward, and a great way to start your holiday.
Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun
Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun is a delightfully romantic property which is small and personal, focusing on high-level service. All of the suites are Preferred Club and have a whirlpool bathtub (only big enough for one, but very relaxing after a couple of hours in the gym). The complimentary mini-bars are re-stocked on a daily basis, and are filled with beers and soft drinks (including bottled water).
The quirky nature of Secrets Capri Riveria Cancun is highlighted by the split level reception area which drops down a very grand staircase to the ground-floor level, where you’ll meet the resident turtles (and even feed them with the staff at around 10am each day). If you walk through the double doors you’ll be greeted by the beautiful colours of the pool area, a perfect place for relaxation.
I was worried before arriving that the pool area would be busy and noisy, owing to the fact that there is only one pool area. However, I was pleasantly surprised the following morning, and at around 9am we were still able to get a sunbed with some shade (which is a top tip, as it gets very warm around the pool between 11:30 and 13:30). In the end, there was no need to worry at all.
As with all of the AMResorts, Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun operates with premium branded spirits behind every bar, and the entire selection of restaurants (even the Cactus Club Ceviche & Taco Bar) serve an a la carte selection of food at both lunchtime and for evening meals. For a less “formal” option at lunch the Chef’s team also have a barbeque serving burgers, and sometimes juicy shrimps. The dining highlight for me was the Himitsu Restaurant which serves Asian Fusion cuisine, and stood out as a restaurant where finer points of service were consistently delivered. The food was superb and the atmosphere refined and peaceful. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, this is the perfect place to dine.
All-in-all Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun is perfect for visitors looking for something peaceful and refined. With easy access into Playa Del Carmen and just a short 40 minute transfer from Cancun International Airport, Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun is the perfect location for Mexico first-timers and returning guests alike.
My insider tips for Secrets Capri
• You’re really close to Playa Del Carmen, so make the most of it.
• Upgrade to the Ocean View for great views over the resort.
• The Himitsu Restaurant is the place for special occasions and celebrations.
• The VIP section in Coco Bongo’s is the perfect place to spend your Friday or Saturday nights.
El Dorado Seaside Suites
It has been 5 years since our last visit to El Dorado Seaside Suites, and although it has retained many of its endearing features there are also many fantastic new developments that were a delight to experience.
Firstly, approximately 100 new Premium Junior Suites have been added. These form a new 6-story building that sits behind the garden restaurant and towers impressively over the resort, offering stunning ocean views (especially from the top floor, which is where we were located). The addition of these suites has brought the resort some much needed modernisation; the original Junior Suites are narrower, meaning they let in less daylight. In addition to the modern décor and great views that the new suites have on offer, you’re also afforded your own “Concierge” who will make reservations for your favourite restaurants. Although the hotel operates a no reservation, no wristband policy, the concierge reservations mean you’ll be able to eat where ever and whenever you want without having to take a pager to the closest bar and wait for a table. The Concierge will also book spa treatments for you, and will re-confirm flight and transfer details prior to your check out. For my mind, this is an excellence use of your hard-earned cash and an upgrade that is certainly worth thinking about.
I’m pleased to say that the restaurants at El Dorado Seaside Suites haven’t changed a great deal. They do the fine-dining vibe excellently, but at the other end of the scale is the brand new Gastro-Pub. I wasn’t overly enthused by the menu on first inspection, but after our first meal in there I couldn’t wait to return! The atmosphere is very modern, with up-to-date music playing in the background and a very contemporary architecture, and the food really was excellent. The piece-de-resistance for me was the sharing menu, which fuses the Spanish Tapas style with modern takes on traditional “pub grub”. My favourite dining experience by a long way on this trip!
The beach has been bolstered with some sandbags to combat beach erosion, which has had the side effect of creating a lagoon. The lagoon is absolutely fabulous for snorkelling, and even less confident swimmers are able to walk waist deep into the sea and see a large variety of local tropical fish. This constitutes the best “beach snorkelling” I’ve experienced outside the Red Sea resorts in Egypt!
El Dorado Seaside Suites is intimate and more personal than many adults only hotels in Mexico, but offers enough choice keep your days fresh and interesting.
My insider tips for the El Dorado Seaside Suites
• Upgrade to the Premium Junior Suites; they’re larger accommodations with great views and a personal concierge.
• Don’t forget to try the Gastro-Pub for those special occasions; the food and atmosphere are outstanding.
• The spa at the hotel is ultra-modern, and is easily amongst the best I’ve ever used. It’s certainly worth a visit.
• If you want a sun-bed, get up early and go quickly – it’s a popular sunbathing spot.
And that concludes Chris’ recent reconnaissance around Mexico! If you’ve got the holiday bug, we can help you out on 08444 999 333. If you’ve got your own insider tips for Mexico, let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.
