A few weeks ago I jetted off on my first holiday of the year travelling a little further than usual, to Mexico! I’d never been to Mexico before but I was in need of some serious sunshine, so I booked 11 nights in the hideaway at royalton riviera cancun. An adults only top of the range resort with Ultra-All Inclusive luxury!
The Thomson Dreamliner
As we were flying long haul we had the pleasure of travelling on the Thomson Dreamliner their new luxury plane! Our flight out took 11 hours (only 8 on the way back) due to a rather pesky headwind but that didn’t bother me at all as the Thomson Dreamliner was such a pleasure! With free drinks in economy for the duration – including alcohol – roomy seat pitches, fabulous in flight personal entertainment, mood lighting and improved cabin pressure for reduced jet lag our journey was a complete breeze and didn’t feel like 11 hours at all. I’d pre-ordered a bottle of Champagne (not free I’m afraid!) which was a great start to the holiday and enjoyed it in front of a plethora of blockbuster films on personal screens. Food was good – a nice Asian inspired lunch followed by afternoon tea before landing – and drinks were free flowing throughout the flight, just head to the back galley and ask your in-flight staff for a top up!
When we arrived at the airport and made it through customs (lots of queues!) our hotel transfer was on a private minibus and took a mere 15 minutes which was fab!
The Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun
This resort is huge! I couldn’t believe it when we drove in and realised just how big the complex was. Split into four sections – The Family Pool, Main Pool, Diamond Club and Hideaway (adults only) – there really is something for everyone at the Royalton Riviera Cancun.
We were booked into the Hideaway which has it’s own reception and bar that I was encouraged to try before we’d even check in! The atrium of the hotel is beautiful with decking interspersed with clear water running around the balcony and escalators leading down to the pool area. Whilst enjoying my first taste of the Royalton bar (a frozen margarita for me!) we were checked in and taken to the room.
I’d booked a Junior Suite with a Mangrove view meaning it looked out over the back of the hotel – a protected mangrove field that went on for miles. It was incredibly peaceful and although you couldn’t see the sea from our balcony it was the best place to be getting the sun late afternoon until sunset which made for the perfect place to sit with a beer, listening to the sound of the crickets before getting ready in the evening.
With double sinks, a stand alone jacuzzi bath, huge double shower room and the comfiest King sized bed I’ve ever slept on abroad, the room was absolutely stunning. I donned my hotel robe and snuggled up with a drink from the mini bar (topped up daily) to watch a bit of telly before bed after a long but incredibly pleasant travelling day.
Wasting no time I got up bright and early at 7am and headed down for breakfast. As Hideaway guests you have use of the Dorado restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner which was adults only and looked out over the gloriously white beach. With fresh pancakes, omlettes, smoothies, fruit you were spoiled for choice every morning and the a la carte service was a wonderful touch…as were the breakfast mimosas!
I spent my time hovering between the Hideaway pool and the main pool which were both beautiful and boasted waitress service so you didn’t need to move from your sunbed unless you fancied a dip in the pool! Reserving sunbeds was a bit of a battle as some of the other guests were up at 5am to get their spot (say what?!)! but I found waking up between 7-7:30am got you some great beds and never really had any problems.
If you’re a beach bod you won’t be disappointed at the hideaway at royalton riviera cancun. With pure white sands surrounded by big and beautiful palms it’s a pleasure to look at and enjoy. I’ve never been anywhere with sand as white as this and although I tend to frequent the pools instead (sand just gets everywhere!) it was heavenly to look at and walk across after lunch or before the sunset.
There’s three beach bars complete with swings (so adorable) and I found myself sitting there looking out over the sea with a Bombay and Tonic most evenings before heading back to the room. There’s free wifi everywhere at the Royalton that even reaches out to the beach which is perfect for face-timing family back home and flooding instagram with your sunny pictures! #sorrynotsorry
Food & Drink – The hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun
The food and drinks at The Royalton Riviera Cancun were the best I’ve ever experienced on an all inclusive holiday. With 10 restaurants and 17 bars you certainly won’t go hungry and the staff make it their personal mission never to see a guest without a drink in their hand…this is my kind of place! With talented mixologists, premium brand spirits and fresh ingredients the cocktails are top notch and the beer (Modello or Corona) and shorts were fantastic. Each restaurant is different – from Tex Mex to Italian, Steak House to Sushi – you’re never short of a place to eat, and if you’re really struggling then the main buffet restaurant is always good with so much choice and excellent quality food. My favourite was the Japanese restaurant Zen and the Tex Mex restaurant, just order as many dishes as you like and pick away!
There’s no need to book a table, just turn up and get yourself on the list. The staff will give you a buzzer or a time to come back and eat which meant you had the flexibility to choose where you wanted to eat every night instead of having to think first thing in the morning and book yourself in. The wait was usually between 40mins-1 hour so factor that into your evening and head to a bar for some pre-dinner cocktails while you wait!
There’s also an adorable coffee shop located in the main reception that serves great hot and iced coffee with delicious gelato all day long. They even have soy milk so I found myself popping up for an iced soy latte most afternoons after lunch to sip on while strolling across the beach!
The whole resort was built for relaxation and the staff were incredibly friendly. The evening entertainment was great with magicians, dance acts and shows that again surpassed a lot of other resorts I’ve visited. I travelled at the end of February-start of March and the weather was glorious, 30C most days with one cloudy morning and a spot of rain which cleared up within half an hour!
There were plenty of trips and excursions that were easily bookable from the hotel and although I was tempted by a few, pure relaxation won me over on this occasion…maybe next time!
I honestly couldn’t have asked for more, my stay in hideaway at royalton riviera cancun was absolutely perfect in every way and we’d go back in a heartbeat. If you’re looking for a luxury resort in mexico with amazing food, free flowing drinks and views to die for then look no further than the Royalton Riviera, it was an absolute dream.
ANOTHER OPTION: The Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya Review!
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