After years of modifying and studying articles about all-inclusive beach resorts, I lastly took the leap on my very first all-inclusive seashore journey.
In June, I traveled to Isla Mujeres, a small however accessible island off the coast of Cancun, Mexico (which is a well-liked all-inclusive resort vacation spot in and of itself). Isla Mujeres is a widely known resort vacation spot, too, however it's a bit of quieter and slower than Cancun's famed, typically frenzied Resort Zone. On the island, I had the pleasure of experiencing the second adults-only, all-inclusive property in Marriott's Luxurious Assortment: Almare, a Luxurious Assortment Resort. As a result of it opened in October 2024, the resort had that shiny, new lodge high quality about it — ultimate for an all-inclusive first-timer like me.
Bookable from $569 or 78,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time — a fairly unimaginable worth primarily based on the standard of my expertise — this resort appears like one price saving up these factors for.
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Right here are some things that I beloved most about Almare and my time there.
Associated: The best Marriott all-inclusive resorts to book with points
I felt the straightforward tempo of island life all through the resort
While you head to an island resort, you anticipate it to be simply that — an island resort. However since this was my first all-inclusive seashore resort expertise, I wasn't solely positive what it could actually really feel like. I anticipated plenty of exercise, noise, crowds, and so forth. A lot to my reduction, although, the vibe was an expertly balanced concoction of laid-back and luxe, all beginning with a soothing, 20-minute boat journey from Cancun aboard a non-public, hotel-operated vessel.
Upon arriving, workers members greeted visitors dockside with a refreshing, fruit-forward welcome drink. After that, we merely floated up the dock to the sandy seashore the place we entered an open-air foyer adorned with loads of wicker seating, lovely nods to historic Mayan tradition and bountiful greenery. Examine-in was swift, with pleasant reception desk attendants slipping a handy room key bracelet onto our wrists — no plastic keycards to fret about.
After that, it turned abundantly clear to me that the secret at this resort was rest. There was no sense of being rushed anyplace or compelled into actions; somewhat, workers introduced visitors with a day by day schedule (which we might additionally see within the Marriott Bonvoy app) and defined the seashore, pool and spa places. Then, we had been off to discover and lounge as we happy.
Our 463-square-foot deluxe visitor room, which neglected the pool and the glistening sea past from floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doorways, featured two luxurious double beds, a classy sitting space, an ocean-facing balcony with lounge chairs, an attractive marble rest room, a big flat-screen TV and an outsized tub.
The room was laborious to depart every morning, and the flexibility to order breakfast straight to the room (extra on the meals under) made it much more tempting to remain cozied up. The truth that all of the snacks and drinks within the room had been included within the price was laborious to get used to, in a great way.
The Mexican meals was phenomenal
There was plenty of discuss what number of run-of-the-mill, all-inclusive resorts provide uninspired menus with watered-down drinks, however all-inclusives are altering now greater than ever. (Learn TPG Senior Resort Reporter Tanner Saunders' article on why now is the time to book all-inclusive resorts.) I skilled this alteration firsthand at Almare. Since I used to be in Mexico, I actually wished to deal with native delicacies, and by chance, out of the seven on-site eating shops, there have been a number of genuine Mexican eating places to select from.
My favourite was Boga, the place dishes that incorporate a fusion of genuine Mexican and conventional Mayan cooking strategies are on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There, I had the perfect tamale of my whole life (served with a poached quail egg and a wealthy roasted cherry tomato cream), in addition to contemporary native ceviche and a really flavorful brief rib.
For breakfast, I loved the whole lot from a refreshing acai bowl and delectable do-it-yourself quesadillas made in a clay griddle to chilaquiles and fluffy pancakes with smoked butter and carrot compote. The espresso all through the resort was fabulous, however I particularly loved the cappuccinos at Boga, in addition to the freshly squeezed juices.
One other must-try spot was The Breeze pool bar, the place visitors might snack on bites like crispy shrimp tacos, contemporary guacamole and aguachile whereas sipping ice-cold pina coladas or a relaxing Tecate, in fact.
The rooftop had one of many prettiest sunsets I've ever seen
The one factor higher than a seaside resort with a pristine white sand seashore is one which has that and a rooftop overlooking the ocean.
Almare's rooftop took the cake by way of the place to benefit from the evenings. The small infinity pool (that includes submerged lounge chairs) provided sweeping views of the sundown, which I might see simply past the rooftop restaurant, Seasalt. (Seasalt provided a Mediterranean-centric menu, which wasn't my favourite however nonetheless had quite a bit to select from, together with uncooked bar objects like Baja oysters and loads of pasta, pizza and protein-forward dishes.)
My favourite option to start the night was with an expertly crafted cocktail from the restaurant's open-air bar and that unbelievable sundown. I'd suggest beginning there earlier than heading right down to Boga for dinner.
The affect of Mayan tradition was threaded creatively all through the property
One of many very first issues I observed — and continued to understand all through the length of my three-day keep — was the emphasis on native artwork items and installations, in addition to considerate nods to Mayan tradition.
From using chukum plaster — an historic Mayan observe that entails making use of a mixture of tree resin and limestone to partitions for a weather-resistant, lovely impact — to large handpainted murals from native artists and a cenote-inspired set up within the foyer, Mayan creative strategies and cultural affect abounded.
I observed this all through the spa, too (which was a magical microcosm throughout the resort). It featured a menu paying homage to Mayan wellness practices by way of choices like a shaman session and therapeutic massage remedies using native elements.
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It was laborious to say goodbye to Almare. After I left, I used to be nonetheless type of pinching myself — the all-inclusive beginner that I’m — about how a resort might provide a lot at such an excellent worth. If you happen to e-book money charges, a multinight journey right here will value an excellent chunk of change, for sure. However Almare feels, to me, like the kind of property that’s actually price saving up your Marriott Bonvoy factors for. That is particularly as a result of the standard of the Mexican delicacies is so excessive, the service is dependable and pleasant, and the property itself is so new and due to this fact in glorious situation.
Those that take pleasure in artwork and tradition will recognize the abundance of native artwork, and the charges cowl loads of on-site actions. Plus, the attractive stretch of seashore meant there was at all times one thing to do — or an excellent motive to do nothing in any respect. (And let's not overlook that glimmering pool with a swim-up bar.)
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, airline or lodge chain, and haven’t been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of those entities.