Mexico...My Little "Secret" (Part 2)

Well I am finally back to finish my review of our latest trip to Cancun and the Riviera Maya. As promised in the previous installment, this review will cover our stay at AMResort’s first Riviera Maya property, Secrets Capri Resort and Spa.

I must admit that for the first time in all of my travels, I went into this trip with very high expectations based on reviews I had read prior to our trip. That is in violation of my own rules about travel. I usually try to down play the overly positive and take the extreme negative with several grains of salt. But this time, I had listened too much to all of the VERY positive remarks as they related to the service at Capri. So many reviewers had mentioned that they were always greeted by name after the first day of being at the resort. So I was very excited to be able to experience what I call “Ritz Carlton service” at a non-Ritz Carlton resort. That was my mistake because I basically set the resort up for failure in that regard by possibly having unreasonable expectations based on some other’s supposed experience.

The service was good so let me get that out there right now. You will not be disappointed in the service once you arrive. The staff is very friendly and courteous. They will do what they can to help if you need assistance of any kind. You will receive a plethora of “hola’s” during your stay from every staff member that you pass along the way. So again...the service was good. But it was not near the level of great that I had read about before arriving. No one ever remembered our name after the first day. Some servers were less than good, but that does not take away from my overall opinion. Some pool bar servers were actually not good at all, but some other fantastic servers made up for their incompetence and lack of attention. You will find that variety at most resorts so I will not give Capri a bad review based on just a few bad server apples.

The same goes for some of the restaurant staff. Some servers were awesome while some others were non-existent after the first greeting, especially during breakfast in La Riviera.

Moving on...the food was good as well. The breakfast buffet was probably one of the best I have ever experienced as far as food and selection goes. One of the best omelet makers in the world works at Secrets Capri and her name is Rita. Make sure you try one of her very fluffy omelets during your stay. She is also a very warm and friendly person so say “hola” to her as you wait. We tried basically every restaurant during our stay and we enjoyed every one. There are 5 restaurants including their outside grill. All have nice ambience and some come with an awesome view of the Caribbean which always makes a meal taste better in my opinion. Some meals were better than others, but no complaints as far as overall taste and quantity. And don’t hesitate to order room service. It was always prompt and they have a nice variety offered on their room service menu.

The resort is smaller than some of the other all-inclusive resorts up and down the Riviera Maya.  It has a more intimate feel which I like.  The grounds and common areas are beautiful and the beach was fantastic.  They have added some new pool chairs which are very comfortable and we never had any issues when trying to a find nice spot by the pool or out on the beach.

The room was smaller than my previous stay at Secrets Silversands, but it was adequate and well appointed.  The bed was comfortable and the bathroom was huge and came with dual sinks, nice large shower and also a whirlpool tub.  We had an ocean view room with a balcony and the view was something that kept making me stroll out to the balcony to take it all in realizing it was not going to be my view anymore after 6 days.  The only complaint I have about the room was the furniture on the balcony.  It was very uncomfortable.  We had to stack towels on top of the chairs just to be able to sit for any length of time.  I hope management addresses that at some point.

Hastening on.  I have to mention the spa.  Probably one of the nicest spa experiences we have had.  Their facilities are beautiful and you cannot help but feel relaxed as soon as you step through the doors.  Yes the prices are high for any of their treatments, but you are on vacation for crying out loud so plan on splurging a little.  It is well worth it if you take the time to enjoy all that their spa has to offer.  Make sure you get to the spa about an hour before your appointment so you can relax in the saunas and pools. 

The one thing that I wish AMResorts would address is the tipping or gratuity policy.  They (and a lot of other resort chains do as well) advertise that their pricing also includes gratuities.  This should mean that employees at the resorts should decline gratuities when offered since their superior service is supposed to reflect the idea they have already been tipped.   But it appears that sometimes bar service is somehow on par with how much you have have tipped a particular server or bartender throughout your trip.  The resorts need to go one way or the other.  Either train their staff to refuse tips because they are already included or lower the room rates and then make it clear that your rate does NOT include gratuities.

Before I close I also want to give a shout out to AMSTAR tours.  They are on-site at Capri and they (and their drivers and tour guide) do a great job with excursions so look for them on the main level once you arrive. 

In summary, Secrets Capri Resort and Spa is a very nice resort and we had a great trip while staying with them.  Just go into your trip with reasonable expectations and you will not be disappointed.  You can view photos of the resort by clicking on this link...Secrets Capri Resort and Spa

Mexico...My Little “Secret” (Part 1)

I find it interesting that a major all-inclusive resort chain would choose to name one of their products “Secrets.”  No business anywhere of any kind wants to be a secret.  Maybe their goal was to aim for a name that would conjure up an image of exclusivity. That might well be the case with AMResorts when they decided they would build their first Secrets Resort and Spa in Mexico’s Riviera Maya back in 2003.  You get a sense that they almost like to keep their resorts a “secret” when you compare even the size of their gated entrances to those of some of the other big name resort players throughout the Cancun/Playa del Carmen area.   

But before I get into my review related to the resort itself and share my little “secret” with you, let me start by offering some tips on how best to navigate your way through customs and beyond once you arrive in Cancun.  First...have your customs and declaration forms filled out BEFORE you get off the plane in Cancun.  Sometimes this is unavoidable since Mexico does not always equip incoming planes with the proper number of forms needed.  But that was not the case on our latest American Airlines flight and, to much surprise, several passengers were huddled in a cramped gate area immediately off the plane because they did not have their forms pre-filled out before they landed.  The Mexican officials will not let you head on down towards the customs area unless you have your forms filled out.  So try really hard to get your hands on those forms before landing in Cancun.

Then, once you have navigated the customs and immigration area with luggage in tow, head straight through the sliding doors and outside to the transfer and transportation area with purpose.  If you are traveling to Mexico for the first time, do NOT wait until you arrive in Cancun before you start considering how you will get from the airport to your hotel or resort.  This will sound like an understatement to those who have been to Mexico before, but vendors in Mexico are pushy!  If you don’t know where you are going or what you are doing, they will sense that like a lion smells food on the Serengeti.  Make sure you have your transfers pre-arranged before arriving in Cancun and then follow your transfer company’s instructions to a T.  Vendors inside the airport (after you leave the customs area) will act as if they need to see your reservation or confirmation to “help you make sure you know where you are going” which they don’t so keep your eyes looking forward and walk with purpose past their nonsense and out to the area where you were told to go. 

We chose USA Transfers again for this trip and they were wonderful.  They greet you by name and offer clean and well-maintained vans for their shuttle service whether private or shared.  Their prices are reasonable as well. Various other suppliers that I use such as GOGO and Pleasant Holidays all use reputable transfer companies and have clear instructions to follow so, again, make sure you have your transfers pre-arranged before heading off on your vacation.

Second tip to consider.  Take along about $100 to $200 in US dollars and try to take along small bills such as $1’s and $5’s.  Even though most resorts will advertise that “tips are included,”  most every employee still expects some form of small gratuity when fetching you a beverage or calling a taxi etc.  If you go down with larger bills and then try to buy something to get change, you will most likely be given pesos in return.  So try as best as you can to set aside some money just for tipping.

Third tip...be patient for crying out loud.  Remember that you are the visitor.  You are the tourist.  Your ways are not their ways.  Your customs are not their customs.  Mexico has its own speed.  Schedules can sometimes have a plus or minus of 15-30 minutes (usually a plus).  Be patient with that and with the drivers and guides that you come across.  Remember that English is NOT their national language and the fact that many of them speak both Spanish and English means they are probably more intelligent than you and I.  So when your bus makes it 4th or 5th stop, take a deep breath and remember that you are in Mexico where life is harder for most of its citizens and they have the same goals as you and I which is to provide for ourselves and our family and try to live as comfortably as we can and at peace. 

Fourth and final tip...spend a day away from your resort.  The local economy is better supported when tourists remove themselves from the confines of the resort.  Taxi drivers, tour guides, local vendors and artisans reap the benefits of your visit when you buy their wares or use their services.  These service providers and vendors are mostly those who have called Cancun and Playa del Carmen their home for most of their lives versus some of the employees at the resorts who may have been transplanted in because of their education and their ability to speak English fluently. So get out and experience more of what Mexico has to offer.  While their sales techniques can be a bit much compared to what we are used to in the United States, you will still meet some of the nicest, most hospitable people found anywhere on the planet.  So get out there and see what they have to offer.

So now please stay tuned for my review and observations of AMResort’s first resort of the Riviera Maya...Secrets Capri Resort and Spa.

Secrets Silversands Spa and Resort Review Summary

Time flew on this trip. I spent most of day 3 relaxing on the beach listening to the calm lapping of the Caribbean waves under the shade of a palm tree. I want to go back and comment again on the beach. Quite a few people have commented on the beach conditions that I mentioned in the day 2 summary. I took a few moments and walked down the beach on this day to see the conditions of some of the adjacent resorts. Not only were they just as saturated with seaweed and somewhat rocky sand, they had much fewer palm trees. Secrets Silversands has one of the prettiest beaches (photogenic) you will ever see. It is lined with palm trees which is one thing I look forward to seeing when I visit the Caribbean. So while it may not be conducive to playing in the water, it is a wonderful place to lounge and relax under the shade of a palm.

This resort gets an A+ when it comes to its outdoor areas. Silversands has an abundance of pools. If you like more of an active pool scene, they have a main pool with a swim up bar which is also the pool that the wonderful staff engages the crowd in afternoon games and exercises. If you want a pool where you can sit and take a view of the Caribbean as well, they have one amazing infinity pool where you can swim out to the edge and stare at the beautiful turquoise sea. If you are wanting a place to relax by the pool, read a good book in peace and quiet, there are several pool areas made just for you. The pools were absolutely beautiful.

I was also able to work out twice in the resort's gym and again I was quite pleased. They had adequate equipment with a good mix of machine and free weights. The gym also had a shower in the men's and women's restrooms in case you wanted to clean up before heading back to your room.

After a day full of relaxing it was time to decide on the last dinner spot of the trip. Since this trip was only 3 days, I would be unable to eat at every dinner venue so my choice was between the Italian (Portofino), the Mediterranean (Ratatouille) and the French (Bordeaux). After looking at the menus, I decided on the French. The food here at Bordeaux was fantastic. I started with a venison consomme and then opted for the filet mignon for my main. Then I finished the meal with a traditional French apple tartin. Food again was well prepared and beautifully presented and the service "excellente!" This would be my top choice for a romantic meal and evening. Bravo Bordeaux!

The night was capped off with taking in another show which was comprised of local dancers who took the audience on a tour of Mexico through traditional song and dance. This was by far my favorite show of the trip. The costumes were colorful and exquisite and their talent was superb.

Every night as well, the resort has live music near the main lobby bar which I enjoyed just sitting and listening to some of my favorite jazz classics being played.

So in summary...the resort gets a huge thumbs up from me. The staff was very courteous and friendly and always greeted you with an "hola" as you passed by. The restaurant service was fast and very knowledgeable of the dishes being served. I give all of the staff an "A+." The room was great and in an excellent location. The modern decor may be a turn off for some travelers, but I found it simple yet elegant. Food again overall gets a "A" from me as far as the dinner venues are concerned.

It is a resort specifically suited for couples. The restaurant decor is tailored towards romance with lots of heart shaped items and rose or red colored lights which are dimly lit to set the mood. This may not be my first choice for adult family gatherings, but it is perfect for a special couple getaway or celebratory event like a honeymoon or anniversary.

If you are interested in seeing more photos of this resort, please click on this link and you will be directed to my Flickr account.

Please feel free to ask any specific questions about this resort or add your own comments.

Secrets Silversands Spa and Resort Review--Day 2

Hola from Cancun and the Riviera Maya. This is the first full day here at the resort. You really have 2 choices when it comes to breakfast here at Silversands; the buffet at the World Cafe or room service. I chose to try out the buffet. It is your standard resort buffet which includes a variety of eggs, breads and meats with the addition of some Mexican breakfast items such as tacos, Huevos Rancheros and refried beans.

After breakfast it was time to get ready for my spa appointment. The spa here at Silversands is ran by Pevonia. I had scheduled an 80 minute deep tissue massage. Like most resort spas, this one includes a steam area and a dry sauna with the addition of a hot and cold plunge pool and individual water beds to relax on before your schedule appointment. Most spas, including this one, include quiet areas to also relax before your treatment that are separate from the sauna and pool areas. My criticism for this spa is mainly centered around these areas. The main quiet area is located directly behind the desk where everyone checks in and it not conducive to a peaceful setting. They should escort everyone upstairs to the other quiet area which also includes reading material. But this brings me to the second criticism. Even when escorted upstairs once you reach the 5 minute mark before your appointment, you are seated outside the quiet reading and meditation room and nothing is explained to you as far as if you can use that room or not. After my massage, I was asked if I wanted a bottle of water and the massage therapist went into that room to get it for me but that is all it seems it is being used for...to store the post-massage water.

So with that said and those criticisms out of the way, I want to move on to the positive which was my massage therapist. I have had several massages at resorts, on cruises, etc and I have to say it is difficult to get a deep tissue massage that is just right. Well this one was just right. Not too firm to the point that your eyes watered and not too soft to the point that it was no longer a deep tissue, but instead more like a Swedish. The therapist was also quiet and focused on making it a great spa experience. A+ to her.

Now here is something everyone needs to understand when it comes to resort credits. I received a $200 resort credit that can be used for specific items at the resort including spa treatments. Upon check-in, my credits were given to me in the form of coupons with dollar values of $20 and $40 totaling $200. Each coupon can be applied to one item such as a massage. So you don't get to apply all of the credit towards one thing and some may think $200 credits would at least get them a free massage. Nope..you can apply $40 to a massage of 50 minutes or more. The average spa treatment seemed a little high in comparison to other spas so my 80 minute massage was priced at $160 before applying the coupon.

I also noticed that the spa runs daily specials (i.e. 15% off of selected treatments) that may equal the credit coupon so check with the spa before redeeming a coupon in case you want to save one for some other resort purchase.

I spent the rest of the day touring the facilities and beach. The beach here at Silversands is highly criticized. It is loaded with seaweed and the sand is not near as soft and powdery as other resort beaches. If you are looking for a resort where you can also get in the Caribbean and walk along the soft sand beach, this may not be the place for you. There are lots of lounge chairs available on the beach under LOTS of palm trees and this is mainly due to most guests deciding to hang out at the pools due to the issues I have mentioned.

Tonight's dinner was at Himatsu which is Silversands Asian restaurant. I love this restaurant. Food portions were not huge, but you did not leave hungry. The atmosphere was excellent and the service was again stellar. My main course dish was called Bangkok Beef and it had excellent flavor and came with a side of steamed rice.

I have been very pleased with the dining so far. I had read other reviews and it seemed so many had critiqued the food, but I have found it well prepared and nothing has been bland by any means.

The last thing I will touch on tonight is being in a "Preferred Club" room. Is this something I would pay for in the future? The simple answer is probably not. The only true benefit you receive is the free internet in your room. The Preferred Club lounge offers free internet from 7AM to 11PM everyday, newspapers and reading material, 2 TV's and your own bar and bartender. The bartender leaves around 7PM every night. The TV's are ok, but you have a TV in your room and every guest gets 15 mins of free internet every day in the business center so I really can't see paying for the upgrade for what little it offers. You do get your own check in area which may have its advantages during crowded times, but there were no check in lines at all when I arrived in the main lobby.

Stay tuned for more from Silversands in Cancun...

Secrets Silversands Spa and Resort Review--Day 1

Couldn’t have asked for things to go any smoother as far as logistics to get to from the airport to the resort. Plane landed early…got through customs fairly easily and walked outside and was greeted immediately by the U.S.A. Transfers representative. Within 10 minutes I was on my private shuttle and on the way to Secrets Silversands Spa and Resort. Manuel has been with U.S.A. Transfers for 2 years now and his service was A+.

The hotel staff greeted me as I walked in and I was surprised to learn that I had been upgraded to the preferred club. Preferred Club guests get escorted to a private lounge where you check in and have access to your own beverage bar, TV lounge and internet computer center with unlimited internet access.

I will give the resort and the transfer company huge props for going above and beyond. As soon as we started walking over to the Preferred Club area, I realized that I had left my sunglasses in the seat of the transfer van. I let the resort representative know and she called our transfer company for me to let them know that I had left an item in the van. To be honest…I had written the sunglasses off. I had a feeling I would never see my "Maui Jims" again. But before we left the Preferred Club check in area, I was told that the sunglasses were on their way and then within 10 minutes they were already at the concierge desk of the resort.

That level of service stands out in this day and age and I am becoming a quick fan of Secrets Silversands.

The dinner choice the first night was “The Patio” which is Silversands Mexican cuisine restaurant. The food was excellent and leans more towards what you will find in the region of Mexico including fresh fish, grilled chicken and steak. Eduardo or “Brad Pitt,” as he preferred to be called, was our server and did a wonderful job. We were served quickly and the food was well prepared.

First night’s entertainment was a mixture of juggling and acrobatics and left a little to be desired. I have found cruise entertainment better choreographed than what they had put together, so I give it a "C-" as far as grade goes.

This pretty much wraps up day 1. Stay tuned as I continue to blog live from Cancun.