Trip Report ~ Day 1 ~ Nov. 27th

janied · 12-09-2008

November 2008 ...

I booked our 23rd trip to Mexico back in May, it was a looong wait til our much needed vacation.

I chose the Gran Porto Real for the first part of this trip.

We were booked there in May 2007, but when we arrived we were asked if we wanted to go across the street to the sister resort, the Royal PDC, which we did, happily.

So maybe we'll be offered an upgrade again?

If not, the Gran Porto Real is very nice, and we'll be in Playa!

We are staying for 10 glorious days this time!

We are flying on USA3000 on Thanksgiving day.

This is our 4th Thanksgiving spent in Mexico, it sure beats stuffing that bird!

It's finally here ... Turkey Day!

Up at 2 a.m., dress, quick cup of coffee, do we have everything?

At 3:15 we are off to the Pittsburgh airport for our 6 a.m. flight on USA3000.

We drop our car at the park n ride, and off we go on the shuttle.

Get to the airport, and no one is in line at the check in counter.

Breeze through security, too.

The airport is pretty empty at 4:30 a.m.!

Mitzy and Ditzy want a pumpkin muffin and coffee at Au Bon Pain ...

Then Mitzy insists on a People magazine to read on the plane ...

We flew to Cincinnati to pick up some stinkin' Bengal fans,

then on to Cancun.

Got through immigration and customs quickly, and out the door into the sunshine.

Our USA transport was waiting for us with a smile.

He was very happy to see Mitzy again!

Our driver, Sharon, arrived in a Grand Marquis, and we were off to Playa!

We had reservations for the first 5 days of our vacation at the Gran Porto Real.

We went to the check in desk, and immediately the desk clerk said since we were Real Resort returning guests we could upgrade to the ROYAL for $40.00 a night per room, not per person.

She asked if we were interested.

Let me think about it ... in a nano-second I said, "YES!!!!!!!!"

The same thing happened to us last year, we were booked at the Gran Porto Real, and we upgraded to the Royal for $40.00 per night.

The ROYAL is adults only, better beach, better food ... of course we want to be upgraded!

The bellboy got our luggage, and off we go across the street to the fabulous Royal.

We were offered champagne upon arriving in the lobby.

The desk clerk at the Royal gave us a choice of 3 rooms ... one on the 3rd floor, one on the 2nd, and one on the first. I picked the first floor, it will be less walking for Norb (my husband has a boat load of medical problems).

The room wasn't ready, it was still early, but in the meantime we got our bracelets, and headed to the buffet at Spices.

I had scallops, shrimp and fruit ... rum and coke,
and the first of many plates of guacamole and chips ... YUM!

Mitzy and Ditzy wanted to go to the 24 hour All Inclusive room, with the pool tables, ping pong table, food, drinks, t.v. ... if you've read my previous trip reports you've seen the pictures of this room.
If you haven't read my previous trip reports, well ... SHAME ON YOU!

Norb wanted to sample the cookies, while I went to see if our room was ready ...

Our room was ready!!!

The bellboy got our luggage, and took us to room 134 ...

the jacuzzi ...

our very own liquor cabinet ...

the mini bar ... everything is included, you don't pay extra for the mini bar or alcohol in the room ...

the t.v. ...

The room had everything you could want, coffee maker, iron, electronic safe, lots of big fluffy towels, 7 pillows on each bed, candles ... luxury!

The closet and dressing area ...

Shower ...

Norb's lounge chair ...

And the view from our patio ... Oh, that blue sky!

Our large patio with a hammock, 2 chairs and a table ...

After we unpacked, and got cleaned up we went to the Lobby Bar, where Manuel made us
Mojitos with Havana Club rum, my new favorite drink!

(I seriously considered smuggling that Havana Club rum home, but I chickened out!)

I had asked the concierge about dinner reservations for one of the specialty restaurants, Maria Marie, but the only available time was 10 p.m.

Since we were up at 2 a.m. today I knew we would not be awake at 10, so we decided to go to the buffet restaurant, and we were glad we did!

There were turkeys on the buffet, coated with something, and decorated ...

We had roast turkey, and it was good!

Also, a sweet potato casserole dish was pretty good.

The stuffing was terrible, nothing like mom used to make!

They also had ham, pork, pasta, and a beautiful shrimp display ...

I don't remember what we ordered to drink, but I'm sure it had alcohol in it.

and, of course, desserts!

We definitely had plenty to eat.

After dinner we started to take a walk down 5th Avenue, but we pooped out, and went back to the hotel in time for the evening show.

Tonight was the Mayan show. Norb with some of the girls ...

Some more of the entertainers ...

At 10:15 we went back to our room, we had turndown service.

Mitzy and Ditzy were happy to see that the maid left chocolates on the bed ...

We were ready for lights out ... it's been a very long day, but we were so happy to be back at the ROYAL in PLAYA!

queencityfan · 12-09-2008

Great pictures!

Hey, watch those cracks about the Bengals....... Man it's a tough year to be a Fan!

We fly USA 3000 too, great airline, even though we occasionally have some folks from Pittsburgh on our flights!

Carry on , looking forward to more.....

MartyC · 12-09-2008

Excellent start. Hey, your kids don't look like either of you. Are they adopted? Can't wait to read more.

silvergirl · 12-09-2008

Great job!!!

This brings back fond memories of the Royal.

A few things have changed.......

They didn't have a liquor dispenser or red coloring on the beds. Everything was so........white. I like the touch of color much better.

Can't wait for more!

Tlyn · 12-09-2008

Great start, nice pictures! How I would love to be back at the Royal right now instead of shoveling snow.

Looking forward to more!

Doggiemom · 12-09-2008

Uh, no offense, but what's wrong with your "kids" hair????

Great report, keep it coming!

texas kaki · 12-09-2008

Great Start! Im hungry for more!!!

Sol · 12-09-2008

Did Mitzi and Ditzi go to a tanning booth before they went to Playa? They have a nice tan.

Great start. I love all of the pictures of the food! I have never stayed at an AI but after seeing your pictures, I think it would suit me just fine at the Royal.

janied · 12-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by queencityfan

Hey, watch those cracks about the Bengals..

OOPS! Sorry!

janied · 12-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyC

Excellent start. Hey, your kids don't look like either of you. Are they adopted? Can't wait to read more.

The kids are my biological children, unfortunately!

janied · 12-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by silvergirl

Great job!!!

Can't wait for more!

Thank you!!!

I have always LOVED reading your reports!

janied · 12-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tlyn

How I would love to be back at the Royal right now instead of shoveling snow.

Me, too!

janied · 12-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggiemom

Uh, no offense, but what's wrong with your "kids" hair????

Great report, keep it coming!

What's wrong with their hair ????

janied · 12-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by texas kaki

Great Start! Im hungry for more!!!

Gracias!

janied · 12-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sol

Great start. I love all of the pictures of the food! I have never stayed at an AI but after seeing your pictures, I think it would suit me just fine at the Royal.

This was our 3rd trip to the Royal, we love it!

12-09-2008	#1 (permalink)
janied beachaholic Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 478	Trip Report ~ Day 1 ~ Nov. 27th November 2008 ... I booked our 23rd trip to Mexico back in May, it was a looong wait til our much needed vacation. I chose the Gran Porto Real for the first part of this trip. We were booked there in May 2007, but when we arrived we were asked if we wanted to go across the street to the sister resort, the Royal PDC, which we did, happily. So maybe we'll be offered an upgrade again? If not, the Gran Porto Real is very nice, and we'll be in Playa! We are staying for 10 glorious days this time! We are flying on USA3000 on Thanksgiving day. This is our 4th Thanksgiving spent in Mexico, it sure beats stuffing that bird! It's finally here ... Turkey Day! Up at 2 a.m., dress, quick cup of coffee, do we have everything? At 3:15 we are off to the Pittsburgh airport for our 6 a.m. flight on USA3000. We drop our car at the park n ride, and off we go on the shuttle. Get to the airport, and no one is in line at the check in counter. Breeze through security, too. The airport is pretty empty at 4:30 a.m.! Mitzy and Ditzy want a pumpkin muffin and coffee at Au Bon Pain ... Then Mitzy insists on a People magazine to read on the plane ... We flew to Cincinnati to pick up some stinkin' Bengal fans, then on to Cancun. Got through immigration and customs quickly, and out the door into the sunshine. Our USA transport was waiting for us with a smile. He was very happy to see Mitzy again! Our driver, Sharon, arrived in a Grand Marquis, and we were off to Playa! We had reservations for the first 5 days of our vacation at the Gran Porto Real. We went to the check in desk, and immediately the desk clerk said since we were Real Resort returning guests we could upgrade to the ROYAL for $40.00 a night per room, not per person. She asked if we were interested. Let me think about it ... in a nano-second I said, "YES!!!!!!!!" The same thing happened to us last year, we were booked at the Gran Porto Real, and we upgraded to the Royal for $40.00 per night. The ROYAL is adults only, better beach, better food ... of course we want to be upgraded! The bellboy got our luggage, and off we go across the street to the fabulous Royal. We were offered champagne upon arriving in the lobby. The desk clerk at the Royal gave us a choice of 3 rooms ... one on the 3rd floor, one on the 2nd, and one on the first. I picked the first floor, it will be less walking for Norb (my husband has a boat load of medical problems). The room wasn't ready, it was still early, but in the meantime we got our bracelets, and headed to the buffet at Spices. I had scallops, shrimp and fruit ... rum and coke, and the first of many plates of guacamole and chips ... YUM! Mitzy and Ditzy wanted to go to the 24 hour All Inclusive room, with the pool tables, ping pong table, food, drinks, t.v. ... if you've read my previous trip reports you've seen the pictures of this room. If you haven't read my previous trip reports, well ... SHAME ON YOU! Norb wanted to sample the cookies, while I went to see if our room was ready ... Our room was ready!!! The bellboy got our luggage, and took us to room 134 ... the jacuzzi ... our very own liquor cabinet ... the mini bar ... everything is included, you don't pay extra for the mini bar or alcohol in the room ... the t.v. ... The room had everything you could want, coffee maker, iron, electronic safe, lots of big fluffy towels, 7 pillows on each bed, candles ... luxury! The closet and dressing area ... Shower ... Norb's lounge chair ... And the view from our patio ... Oh, that blue sky! Our large patio with a hammock, 2 chairs and a table ... After we unpacked, and got cleaned up we went to the Lobby Bar, where Manuel made us Mojitos with Havana Club rum, my new favorite drink! (I seriously considered smuggling that Havana Club rum home, but I chickened out!) I had asked the concierge about dinner reservations for one of the specialty restaurants, Maria Marie, but the only available time was 10 p.m. Since we were up at 2 a.m. today I knew we would not be awake at 10, so we decided to go to the buffet restaurant, and we were glad we did! There were turkeys on the buffet, coated with something, and decorated ... We had roast turkey, and it was good! Also, a sweet potato casserole dish was pretty good. The stuffing was terrible, nothing like mom used to make! They also had ham, pork, pasta, and a beautiful shrimp display ... I don't remember what we ordered to drink, but I'm sure it had alcohol in it. and, of course, desserts! We definitely had plenty to eat. After dinner we started to take a walk down 5th Avenue, but we pooped out, and went back to the hotel in time for the evening show. Tonight was the Mayan show. Norb with some of the girls ... Some more of the entertainers ... At 10:15 we went back to our room, we had turndown service. Mitzy and Ditzy were happy to see that the maid left chocolates on the bed ... We were ready for lights out ... it's been a very long day, but we were so happy to be back at the ROYAL in PLAYA!

register to remove these adverts
Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

12-09-2008	#2 (permalink)
queencityfan añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,207	Great pictures! Hey, watch those cracks about the Bengals....... Man it's a tough year to be a Fan! We fly USA 3000 too, great airline, even though we occasionally have some folks from Pittsburgh on our flights! Carry on , looking forward to more.....

12-09-2008	#3 (permalink)
MartyC life=playa Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 898	Excellent start. Hey, your kids don't look like either of you. Are they adopted? Can't wait to read more.

12-09-2008	#4 (permalink)
silvergirl añejo Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,777	Great job!!! This brings back fond memories of the Royal. A few things have changed....... They didn't have a liquor dispenser or red coloring on the beds. Everything was so........white. I like the touch of color much better. Can't wait for more!

12-09-2008	#5 (permalink)
Tlyn life=playa Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SSP, MN Posts: 787	Great start, nice pictures! How I would love to be back at the Royal right now instead of shoveling snow. Looking forward to more!

12-09-2008	#6 (permalink)
Doggiemom añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Humble, Texas Posts: 7,017	Uh, no offense, but what's wrong with your "kids" hair???? Great report, keep it coming!

12-09-2008	#7 (permalink)
texas kaki ruined Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 81	Great Start! Im hungry for more!!!

12-09-2008	#8 (permalink)
Sol añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Gem State Posts: 12,729	Did Mitzi and Ditzi go to a tanning booth before they went to Playa? They have a nice tan. Great start. I love all of the pictures of the food! I have never stayed at an AI but after seeing your pictures, I think it would suit me just fine at the Royal.