Mexico’s Playa
Mujeres Excellence Resorts
Nearly 5000 years ago Mayans migrated into the
Yucatán region of Mexico and between 500 BC and 900 AD they constructed large
commercial, ceremonial and religious centers. The first documented Europeans to
sail into the area, although they did not land, were part of the 1513 Ponce de
León expedition. Four years later Francisco Hernández de Córdova, while seeking
slaves, landed. Encountering indigenous people he asked where he was in
Spanish. They responded in their language, “ Tetec dtan. Ma t natic a dtan,” basically,
“What are you saying?” Córdova believed
they were answering his question and, hearing their words as “Yucatán”, named
the land accordingly.
This unbelievably lush and bountiful region
remained relatively isolated until the 1950s because the only access was by
sea. In the mid-20th century both a railway and a road were
constructed to connect the Yucatán to the rest of the country. Because of its
former inaccessibility the region has maintained much of the Mayan culture and
is home to one of the largest indigenous populations and the greatest number of
indigenous language speakers.
The Yucatán’s semi-tropical eastern coastline is
lapped by the Caribbean waters, famous for being comprised of seven distinctive
colors of blue. The pristine beaches and world’s 5th largest barrier
reef make this a tourist destination just as it was a sacred and secular destination
for the ancients. There are currently more than 2,500 ruins, of varying sizes,
in the area including Chichen Itzá, Cobá and Tulum. Seventeen of the ruins have
been restored and two have been designated Wonders of the New World.
Mayan roads were engineering marvels. They were
comprised of three layers covered with limestone and crushed shells. These
“white roads” were luminescent in the dark and were gateways to the culture and
to the most beautiful and luxurious places along the coastline. Modern roads
follow many of these same paths and lead to still stunning destinations.
Three adjacent resorts comprise the Excellence Group
Luxury Hotels and Resorts complex and are located just a few miles from Aeropuerto de Cancun
off one of those ancient roads at the end of a stunningly landscaped boulevard
that appears carved out of the jungle’s lush foliage. Architecturally the
resorts blend harmoniously with the setting, the sea and each other. The two
newest properties, Beloved and Finest, offer unique experiences and
opportunities to immerse oneself in the culture and spirit of the country.
Finest Playa Mujeres is the larger and newer of the
two luxury resorts. It is the sole all-inclusive, family friendly resort in the
Cancun area and it accomplishes this in a novel manner. One entire section of
the resort is for families while a second section is reserved for adults only. A
common area accessible to all guests separates the sections.
There are more than 400 accommodations, including rooftop
suites and casitas, the smallest of which is 800-sq. ft. and features a full
range of amenities. The exclusively adult Excellence Club accommodations
feature Bvlgary toiletries and an upgraded minibar. ADA rooms are available.
Many activities are offered and Finest is an ideal wedding location because of
the setting and the layout.
Finest offers 12 all-inclusive international
restaurants complete with vegetarian options, 16 bars including the trendy Sky
Bar, 10 swimming pools, a 3,500-sq ft. state-of-the-art fitness center and spa.
The One Spa menu boasts treatments based on both traditional and modern
techniques with a special hydrotherapy experience that is linked to the sea.
www.finestresorts.com
Beloved,
a 5-star adults only boutique all-Inclusive resort is the most romantic
destination in the area. There are 109
luxurious accommodations with designer amenities, Jacuzzi and minibar. There
are 4 restaurants, 4 bars, 3 swimming pools, a 304-ft. beachfront and complete
selection of water based activities and land excursions. It provides a singular
romantic and intimate experience with an unprecedented level of service. There
are 3 service providers per guest.
Beloved’s
35,000-sq. ft. Spa & Wellness Center presents guests with numerous treatment
options. The signature hydrothermal therapies that are taken in the Agua Viva
facility include the crystal steam Hammam, Roman Caldarium and Swedish Sauna.
Each guest is assigned a personal thermal valet and treatments end with
champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. www.belovedhotels.com
Excursions
to nearby sites can be arranged from either resort that create a perfect
combination of traditional culture and sensual Caribbean luxury. There are
several nearby day-trip notable cultural destinations including Mayan ruins,
cenotes and Xcaret Mexico. Xcaret Mexico is a must for a quick overview of
authentic Mexico, its traditions and architecture. Highlights of a visit
include activities in an underground river, exhibitions and "Xcaret
Mexico Espectacular," a musical trip through history.
www.xcaret.com
Excellence
Group Luxury Hotels and Resorts is a best bet. Specials and packages are
offered online and you will be amazed at how affordable your visit can be.
Travel Tips:
There are small things about traveling that can be
problematic but charging your personal devices has just be removed from the
list by a new device, the Twist World Adapter Duo. This universal travel
adaptor functions in more than 150 countries, has 2 USB ports, a universal AC
outlet, a built-in MacBook charging port and you can charge as many as 3
devices at a time. The adaptor is round, lightweight, a mere 3.5 by 2.5-inches
long and it is available online at the Grommet. www.thegrommet.com
The Kingdom
of Peacocks, by Fadel AlMheiri,
is a great vacation read. Originally written as one of a trilogy of
screenplays. it deftly conjures up pictures of unbridled adventure. The story,
though not a historical narrative, recounts a tale of Portuguese exploration
and exploitation in the early 16th-century when Portugal ruled the
seas. The book is available in hardback, paperback and Kindle editions.
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