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Viceroy Riviera Maya

09/05 2014

You know you are somewhere special when you arrive at the Viceroy Riviera Maya.  Our car pulled off the main highway and after a short drive through the thick jungle, we arrived at a small outdoor sitting area covered with a thatched roof.  A man greeted us warmly and invited us to sit on the couch and enjoy a welcome juice while they collected our luggage and checked us in.  The process was so discrete, the lobby so informal and breezy, it really gave a sense of the relaxing stay that was to come.  After a short few minutes, I was escorted down a path that was almost completely enclosed by lush tropical jungle.  En route to my villa, we stopped near the spa where I received a special Mayan blessing, and then we continued on.

You know when you walk into a hotel room and your jaw just drops?  I had this “wow” moment when I laid eyes on my room (a Viceroy Signature Villa) for the first time.  The spacious villa was surrounded by a privacy fence which hid a kidney bean-shaped heated private swimming pool, white crocheted hammock with pillow, wicker patio furniture with thick cushions and a basket of towels.. all of which summoned me to take a dip right that second.  But I continued on the villa tour to the bathroom where jaw drop #2 occurred.  The bathroom beautifully combined both indoor and outdoor spaces with a large solid glass wall which separated the vanity, free-standing tub and open shower from the outdoor rain shower.. complete with a small bench, basket of towels and plenty of natural trees and plant to complete the tropical ambiance.  I tried out every square inch of the 1,400 square feet of total living space, and wistfully wished my husband was on the trip.. it is truly one of the most romantic places I have ever stayed in.

The sexy jungle ambiance is the star attraction here- all of the 41 villas are free-standing and most have a private fence surrounding the private pool (which all units have).  There are a few villas that are ocean-facing and therefore lack the privacy fence.. from those, you can sit in your pool and look directly out onto the sparkling sea.  But for me, I personally preferred the feeling of being in my own completely private jungle villa.

Signature Villa private pool and outdoor living

Signature Villa private pool and outdoor living

Signature Villa bedroom

Signature Villa bedroom

Signature Villa bathroom, infused with plenty of natural light

Signature Villa bathroom, infused with plenty of natural light

Signature Villa bathtub and outdoor shower

Signature Villa bathtub and outdoor shower

The Viceroy is a boutique resort, with a super sexy vibe and great restaurants.  La Marea features interior Mexican cuisine and has a loft with sea views, and the Coral Grill is open air and casual with Mexican-Mediterranean cuisine.  The bar by the Coral Grill always had guests lingering at it during the day.  I saw many couples when I was there, some were on their honeymoon, others celebrating anniversaries.  The resort is actually adults-only, only allowing age 14 & up.

Our first evening featured a private dinner on the beach, the mood set with tiki torches and moonlight.  While dining, we even watched a marriage proposal take place!!  A man had set up a path on the beach which led up to the Viceroy’s picturesque pier, and along the path were photos of their years together.  I assume she said yes because they spent the better part of the next few hours set up at a private dining table at the end of the pier under the thatched roof.  We cheered when they finally walked past us on their way back to their villa.  Of course, who wouldn’t be wowed in this romantic setting?!

Picturesque Viceroy pier

Picturesque Viceroy pier.. you can have private dinners at sunset here!

Did I mention it is picturesque?!

Picture-perfect setting

Gorgeous Viceroy oceanfront swimming pool

Gorgeous Viceroy oceanfront swimming pool

Day beds set up for casual beachfront lingering

Day beds set up for casual beachfront lingering

Perfect white powder beach

Perfect white powder beach and thatched roof daybeds

Basket of magazines by the beach.. a really nice touch!

Basket of magazines by the beach.. a really nice touch!

Viceroy pool at dusk

Viceroy pool at dusk

Chef feeding the monkeys that live in the trees above the Viceroy!

Chef feeding the monkeys that live in the trees above the Viceroy!

We did fun activities at the Viceroy like an artisanal cocktail making class and a private paella lunch with crisp wines on the lawn near the beach.  Offsite, we trekked the ancient ruins of Coba, including a climb to the top (not common to be allowed at these ancient sites) and visited a very authentic eco-park where cenotes were the star of the show.  We did everything in them.  To recall Forrest Gump’s ways with shrimp, we rappelled into cenotes, swam in cenotes, snorkeled in cenotes, received a blessing by a Mayan shaman in a candlelit cenote, and my personal favorite, zip-lined into a cenote.  Literally, we started in the trees and ended with a water landing.  It was truly one of the most memorable days I have had traveling in a while.. made perfect by great company and the private guides who made the experience personal.

Artisanal cocktail class.. I made the watermelon margarita

Artisanal cocktail class.. I made the watermelon margarita

Tableside guac at the Viceroy

Tableside guac at the Viceroy

Race to the top of Coba

Race to the top of Coba

Part of the ancient Mayan site of Coba

Part of the ancient Mayan site of Coba

Really, this was a pretty perfect little slice of paradise for a few days.  Powder white sand that rivals any Caribbean beach, calm turquoise waters.. It was especially fabulous since I live in Dallas, and there are many direct flights a day into Cancun, all just over 2 hours!  I literally had coffee in my house in the morning and lunch on the beach a few hours later.  Cannot beat that for a haute holiday!

I am pleased to be able to offer my guests at the Viceroy the following value-added amenities (aka can’t get these online yourself!):

  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
    • served in restaurant
  • $100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
    • (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
  • Early check-in/late check-out
    • subject to availability

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Filed Under: Beach, Honeymoon, Mexico, Riviera Maya, Romance, Spa, Viceroy Riviera Maya 2 Comments

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Riviera Maya Mexico Imanta Resort Punta de Mita Rosewood Las Ventanas al Paraiso Andaz Mayakoba

Comments

  1. Kristy Brown says

    04/07 2016 at 9:42 am

    I just came across your blog on Riviera Maya hotels! It’s been by far the best I’ve come across. Since you’ve seen this options firsthand I hope you could steer me in the right direction. I am having the MOST difficult time choosing between some of the hotels you’ve posted about. I had narrowed it down to viceroy and nizuc. We’re going for 3 nights and do not intend to leave the property. Viceroy-I’m concerned that only 2 completely open air restaurants (end of may) will not leave with us a lot of options and possibly very hot! Also concerned that the rooms/spa are not very updated or nice. (basing this off trip advisor photos- some have said the rooms smell moldy and noise from neighboring low end hotel was bad)

    Nizuc- We have a 2 year old and are trying to finally take the honeymoon we never got to take so the kid friendly resort is actually a turn off. It also seems to be lacking any sort of casual dining option and all seems a bit formal.
    I’ve also looked at Banyon Tree, Secrets Maroma Beach, Rosewood and Grand Velas. I’ve been scouring the internet for 2 months and I HAVE to make a decision. I think i’ve seen every trip advisor or oyster photo out there. I wish there was an all inclusive with private villas that was adults only, romantic elements and felt new and luxurious! Any advice you have for me would be so greatly appreciated. We don’t get travel much anymore so we’re trying to do this right!

    Reply

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LETS CONNECT!
@hauteholidaystravel
Paradero Todos Santos is for adults seeking an adv Paradero Todos Santos is for adults seeking an adventure and connection to nature and self in an authentic setting on Mexico’s Baja peninsula☀️🌵

Todos Santos is not Cabo, nor does it want to be. So, leave your fancy shoes at home (seriously, I didn’t wear my espadrille wedges once🤷🏼‍♀️); here you’ll soak up the Baja landscape by day and stargaze from your room’s rooftop star net at night💫

If you’re looking for something new & experiential in a friendly place not yet filled with big hotels & tourists, @paraderohotels is for you! Who’s ready to book a stay??🙋🏼‍♀️ #hauteholidaystravel #paraderohotel #bajacalifornia #todossantos #thejajoftravel 

📧: laura@hauteholidaystravel.com
Golden hour at @paraderohotels in Todos Santos, Me Golden hour at @paraderohotels in Todos Santos, Mexico✨

Less than one month old, this 39 room eco-chic hotel is set right in the middle of a farm- between the Sierra de la Laguna mountains and the oasis- and just a few minutes by car to the beach🏖 An adults-only adventure playground, rates include breakfast + activities like surfing, hiking, mountain biking & a taco tour🧡

The heartbeat of the hotel is the living room, an open-air space with low cushions & a cozy fire by which to regale tales from the day.. the open air kitchen beckons with barstools scattered around.. the long pool is accentuated with cozy beanbags and overlooks the 200 year-old local cardon cacti☀️🌵

In a word, I am already in love with this place, in a quieter part of Baja, just an hour north from bustling Cabo. Questions about @paraderohotels, please let me know!! So excited to begin booking this hideaway for our clients🥰 #hauteholidaystravel #paraderohotel #todossantos #bajacaliforniasur #mexico #thejajoftravel
Happy national margarita day.. one day late but wo Happy national margarita day.. one day late but worth the wait😎👏🏼🍹 @zadunreserve #hauteholidaystravel #rcreserve #zadunreserve #loscabos
WHAT A WEEK❄️❄️❄️ I’m grateful to ha WHAT A WEEK❄️❄️❄️ I’m grateful to have power back after several days mostly without. We are now, though, boiling water due to multiple water main breaks and thousands of residential pipe breaks, but at least we have water. This weekend temps rise above freezing and more damage may be revealed😕🙏🏼

So many are still suffering- no power, no water, broken pipes, etc. It’s been a trying week for Texans but we strong & resilient.. thank you all for the outpouring of love & well wishes!❤️ 

A strange thing happened in my house this week. Tuesday evening in our dark & cold home, we huddled around the fireplace to play Apples to Apples (a funny card game)➡️ Without distractions, we laughed until our sides hurt before going to bed.

The next night, we thankfully had power back, but were scattered across the house, once again sucked back into normalcy- TVs on, WiFi in use, running around in our own worlds. Exasperated, my 10 yo daughter exclaimed “can we just turn all the lights off and play cards in front of the fire again?!”

In that moment, I felt so grateful for what being mostly powerless for a few days gave us. A chance to slow down, reset.. sleep four across in a king bed for warmth🤣 I love to find silver linings, and while I know we aren’t completely out of the woods yet, this was ours.

It brought me back to some of my favorite off-the-grid travel memories like our beautiful US National Parks, remote lodges in Costa Rica, life-changing African safaris. A good reminder to slow down and disconnect to reconnect in this busy world😌 

Sorry not my usual post but have a lot on my heart this week, if you’ve read this far! Thankfully Haute Holidays is back in biz- happily continuing work on upcoming client getaways☀️ Sending a huge hug & prayer for everyone still in need that we get through this as quickly & safely as possible❤️ #hauteholidaystravel
Gratuitous beach pic today because COLD!!😬 Roll Gratuitous beach pic today because COLD!!😬 Rolling blackouts in Dallas this week have me longing for some sun & sea!☀️🏖 After this crazy cold snap🥶, what I wouldn’t give to be in this hammock again at the lovely @stregispuntamita 🙌🏼 

Judging from recent client inquiries.. I think we allll want this right now!!😄 Book this one thru us for free breakfast, resort credit & more! (Seriously- I have a whole new respect for my northern friends.. stay safe & warm everyone!!🙏🏼) #hauteholidaystravel #stregispuntamita #puntamita #mexico #givemesun
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