After years of enhancing and studying articles about all-inclusive seaside resorts, I lastly took the leap on my very first all-inclusive seaside 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 well known resort vacation spot, too, however it’s a little bit quieter and slower than Cancun’s famed, typically frenzied Lodge 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 — best for an all-inclusive first-timer like me.
Bookable from $569 or 78,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening — a fairly unbelievable worth based mostly on the standard of my expertise — this resort seems like one price saving up these factors for.
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Right here are some things that I cherished most about Almare and my time there.
Associated: The perfect Marriott all-inclusive resorts to guide with factors
I felt the simple tempo of island life all through the resort
Once you head to an island resort, you anticipate it to be simply that — an island resort. However since this was my first all-inclusive seaside resort expertise, I wasn’t fully positive what it might actually really feel like. I anticipated a variety of exercise, noise, crowds, and so on. 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, employees members greeted visitors dockside with a refreshing, fruit-forward welcome drink. After that, we merely floated up the dock to the sandy seaside the place we entered an open-air foyer adorned with loads of wicker seating, stunning 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 grew to become abundantly clear to me that the secret at this resort was leisure. There was no sense of being rushed anyplace or compelled into actions; reasonably, employees introduced visitors with a day by day schedule (which we may additionally see within the Marriott Bonvoy app) and defined the seaside, pool and spa places. Then, we have been off to discover and lounge as we happy.
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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, a gorgeous marble lavatory, a big flat-screen TV and an outsized tub.
The room was onerous to go away 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 have been included within the fee was onerous to get used to, in a great way.
The Mexican meals was phenomenal
There was a variety of speak about 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 Lodge Reporter Tanner Saunders’ article on why now’s the time to guide all-inclusive resorts.) I skilled this transformation firsthand at Almare. Since I used to be in Mexico, I actually needed to concentrate on native delicacies, and fortunately, 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 methods are on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There, I had one of the best tamale of my total life (served with a poached quail egg and a wealthy roasted cherry tomato cream), in addition to contemporary native ceviche and a really flavorful quick rib.
For breakfast, I loved all the pieces from a refreshing acai bowl and delectable selfmade 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 may snack on bites like crispy shrimp tacos, contemporary guacamole and aguachile whereas sipping ice-cold pina coladas or a calming Tecate, after all.
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 seaside 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 may see simply past the rooftop restaurant, Seasalt. (Seasalt provided a Mediterranean-centric menu, which wasn’t my favourite however nonetheless had rather a lot to select from, together with uncooked bar gadgets like Baja oysters and loads of pasta, pizza and protein-forward dishes.)
My favourite method to start the night was with an expertly crafted cocktail from the restaurant’s open-air bar and that unbelievable sundown. I would suggest beginning there earlier than heading all the way 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 includes making use of a mixture of tree resin and limestone to partitions for a weather-resistant, stunning impact — to large handpainted murals from native artists and a cenote-inspired set up within the foyer, Mayan creative methods 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 choices like a shaman session and therapeutic massage therapies using native components.
Testing
It was onerous to say goodbye to Almare. After I left, I used to be nonetheless kind of pinching myself — the all-inclusive beginner that I’m — about how a resort may provide a lot at such a very good worth. For those who guide money charges, a multinight journey right here will value a very good 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 subsequently in wonderful situation.
Those that get pleasure from artwork and tradition will admire the abundance of native artwork, and the charges cowl loads of on-site actions. Plus, the attractive stretch of seaside meant there was at all times one thing to do — or a very good purpose to do nothing in any respect. (And let’s not neglect that glimmering pool with a swim-up bar.)
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