[woodr35]

The wife and I just got back from the Aventura Spa Palace, we were there the first week of December 2003. This board was of great help to us so I though I would give back with a trip report. My goal though is to make this more of a "tip report" -describing issues that are not often mentioned (I probably read over a 100 reports prior to our vacation). As a calibration exercise, we are a mid (OK, maybe late..) 30's couple with kids, live in California, and have vacationed over the past 10 years in Cancun, Cabo, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Vallarta, Loreto, the Bahamas, Hawaii, and some quick trips to Vegas...so while not worldly travelers we do have some points of reference (I also travel quite a bit for business, albeit domestically)

Here goes. Room: we did not have brown water in the Jacuzzi, it was great. You can hear your neighbors (which could be bad, could be good :-? ) but no more or less than other resorts. Hall noise does travel more than interior entry, carpeted resorts due to the tile. Contrary to other reports we did use our hammock and observed other people doing the same. I would agree buildings 3, 4 or 5 are the best location, but if you don't get one of those (or an ocean view) don't throw a hissy fit, just enjoy. Yes the room was slightly musty but I have *never* traveled to a Caribbean destination where that was not present (to us now, it smells like vacation!). Minibar stocked every other day. Shower was not as big as we were expecting (but still fits 2 just fine :P Use about 3/4 bottle bubble bath (provided) for the Jacuzzi, we found out less is not enough, a full bottle a bit too much :o . Room safe provided (with key, not the electronic type). Ceiling fans in rooms. All else as expected.

Property: Beautiful. Nicely done. Even after reading the reports - still was in awe at how big the place is. Highly recommend walking the entire resort - end to end - to get a feel for the place. Takes a good 48 hrs to get comfortable with where you are. You cannot walk much North of the resort - just rock and jungle. You can walk South, over rock, to Puerto Aventuras (more later). Security guards at both ends of resort. I guess I'll address it here - the lagoon. We knew all about it going in, and we learned...we are beach people. I'm not a psychologist so I don't know why, but we missed the beach. The lagoon is not bad - calm water, decent snorkeling, enough room to spread out, and enough chairs - but it's not the beach. The "sand" is hard. We saw several people get "whistled" off the seawall when getting a better look at the sea or attempting to take pictures of the resort from across the lagoon. Best snorkeling spots: entrances to South lagoon from the sea, and around the little "island" (Southern end of the South lagoon) (I never snorkeled in the North lagoon, just didn't look as nice). Go spend $24 and get your own snorkel set. Best spots to sun: if you want to be around/close to people, the "main" beach, South lagoon. For more seclusion (but you will never be by yourself, which for the more, uh, "outdoorsy romantic" type couple, is a bummer) the "island" previously mentioned, or several outcroppings along the South and North lagoon - but you will need to get those early, they go first. If you are pool people you will find something to make you happy - nuff said.

Spa: you can use the hydrotherapy rooms for free, it’s not widely advertised. Do that at least once to experience it. Wife had the hot rock therapy per previous posts, expensive but well worth it. The men’s and women’s sections are separate, we wish there was a “co-ed” section.

Food, drinks, and service: better than expected after reading all the reviews. Food is highly personal and what I absolutely love you may absolutely hate. You will not starve. Drinks are good, margaritas good, did not find them weak. Too weak for you? Ask for a double. Service was great, never ran across a grumpy staff member, longest bar wait is at South swimup bar. Tip: take a plate of chips, salsa, and guac to your beach chair to snack on (we've gotten in trouble at other resorts for taking plates out of the dining area, seemed to be no problem here - just be respectful and bring them back).

Atmosphere: Good weather, warm during the day, a little cool at night (sweater one night required), no rain. Too cold to swim in the lagoon at night though. Pool temp a bit too cold for us, though it didn’t seem to detract most other people from swimming. Lagoon and ocean temps good. Now as far as resort atmosphere, we were slightly surprised that it was a little on the “tame” side. This is an “adults only” resort after all, and probably was the least “spicy” of the resorts we’ve been to - including ones that cater to families. Maybe we just plain missed it all, or our expectations were off - but we did not observe many “crazy pool games”, or other adult oriented type icebreaker games we’ve seen (and sometimes participated in) at other resorts. There appeared to be no strong “animation” team. Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t expect a Hedo or BBG type atmosphere (never been to either, but have read reports) but did expect more activities. There were some good pool volleyball games and a couple of groups of people cutting loose. But generally, the resort is clearly more geared towards relaxation, class and elegance. And it does this very, very well. Continuing, the first night we were there the disco was “happening”, very fun. The next night, and one more later night, the disco was “dead” - people just sitting around watching one or two couples dance. BTW, the disco is well appointed - and a good sound and light system. Finally, with regards to the often asked topless issue, most men were topless, and only 1 or 2 women discreetly around the lagoon. Now having said all this, I also - by both experience and research - know resort atmosphere can change week-to-week depending on the guests, so your mileage may vary. There also appeared to be a fairly large convention or company retreat (lots of people with plastic name badges), and that could have had a dampening affect on a “what goes on in Mexico, stays in Mexico” type attitude, behavior, and swimwear selection (think about it - would you want your coworkers angling to get a peek at your topless wife in her thong? :oops: )

Off-Site Stuff to do: went to Puerto Aventuras by walking around the dirt pile at the South end , then along the rocky coast, finally over a small bridge (lots of fish there) and along the beach and through the Oasis hotel lobby. I think those beaches are considered “private” so we just acted like we knew what we were doing and didn’t stop. PA is nice, watched the dolphins, shopped a bit. Walked through the Omni lobby to a pretty nice beach, walked South to an old (pier?), nobody there except occasional beach walkers from the Omni. Took a taxi to Xpu-Ha, stopping at Lapis factory (very nice jewelry, most pieces cost more than the vacation itself). Xpu-Ha beach nice but crowded, we didn’t walk the beach as we had already walked a fair bit that day. Snorkeling in the inlet was fantastic - much better than lagoon at ASP. Vests are mandatory (just press on the button on the end of the tube to let the air out, makes it a little easier), and for once do use fins as there is a current. If you have nothing - don’t worry, all equipment provided, but I liked having my own mask and snorkel. Our other excursion was to the beach at Tulum - no, not the ruins where the loads of busses from Cancun go, but further South to a white sand, uncrowded (perhaps a dozen people over many hundred yards), aqua blue water beach. We walked out to the highway from ASP, caught a collectivo (stand on the side of the road the direction you are going,; several passed us, they must have been full - many cars will flash their lights at you, I’m not sure why (perhaps the wife’s board shorts?) - the collectivos have an orange or blue stripe that runs down the side - after 20 minutes we were about to give up, but one finally pulled over. Just tell the driver where you are going, 20 pesos per person, pay when you get off). We took the collectivo to Tulum Pueblo (not the ruins), Taxi’s are plentiful, take one to El Paraiso (35 pesos), find your spot, and enjoy. Bliss. Not many women left their tops on, you may see a nudie or two, nobody cares. The beach is contiguous from Diamante K to the ruins, with the best spot (IMHO) just South of Vita e Bella. Bring your hotel towels in a backpack, we also brought a soft sided cooler and filled with beer and water from the minibar. Bars/snacks available at Vita e Bella or El Paraiso (Corona’s never tasted so good). When we had had enough sun we walked the road to Gringo Dave’s for beers/snacks, then caught a taxi and reversed the process back to ASP. Was thinking of heading to Paamul for less-crowded beach experience, but ran out of time (it’s close to ASP), if anybody goes please post

Wrapping up: we had a !fabulous! vacation - the biggest mistake I made was that it was too short, I shouldaa coughed up the money and made it 7 nights instead of 5, given the haul from California and our kids are a little older now. To this day I still say the keys to a great vacation are expectations and attitude, I could go on and on about that... but I won’t... Other random tips: make copies of your passports and keep the copies in a couple of your bags; bring a key chain to put the room safe key on ; bring more sunscreen than you think you need, and use more than you think you need (saw some silly looking pink people, even in December); bring a small fanny pack type thing to keep cameras, towel cards, room card, dollars etc..in; get Mapchick’s map if you plan on venturing outside the resort; in the Cancun airport don’t talk to anybody until you are all the way outside (I think all legit transportation companies are outside, anybody inside is just a timeshere shark); men, bring a pair of pants for Ventanas or La Huerta restaurants, required (and don’t forget matching socks - Doh! I had to wear white socks with black pants :x ); checkout time is 12P, but if you don’t leave until later the front desk will issue a “temporary” card to get drink/food, no problem; when taking taxi’s, *always* ask how much - even though the rates are posted (the *one* time I didn’t I got ripped off for $5); we brought insect repellent, didn’t use it (no mosquitoes, just some annoying teeny tiny flies, no biggie); if you have a digital camera, go buy the biggest memory card your camera can accept and snap away liberally; in the resort, no Spanish needed (but it helps) - outside the resort, a little Spanish goes a looong way; do go to the hospitality orientation, but just say no to the ’special tour” (unless you *really* are interested in the timeshare/vacation plan whatever it’s called..); finally….read, research, compare this trip report to others…..and have fun, and email me or post if I‘ve missed anything…..