Vacation: A little taste of heaven

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We all want that place where we can go, where we can escape. Some can do it by meditating, me, I need to hear the waves. Now, there are waves all over the world and I've seen a lot of them but there is one wave that calls my name and that wave is at a little resort, tucked away in Mexico that most people have never even heard of. Akumal Bay - Beach Wellness Resort in Akumal, Mexico. Most people have heard of Cancun, Cabo, Playa del Carmen, Tulum but few (a lot more now) have heard of Akumal. If you have been to Tulum chances are high that you drove right by Akumal and never even knew it. It is about half-way between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

I don't want to take away from anyone's experience at any beach because truth be told...any beach is better than no beach. With that being said, my beach is better than your beach.

Imagine this...white, sandy beach, palm trees, the sound of the waves, the smell of the ocean. Now that you can feel it let me tell you why this is my favorite place.

I'm too old for parties...I did that in my 20's and a little into my 30's but now I appreciate the need to relax (and remember my vacation). This resort, not too big, not too small is the perfect combination of it all. A little night life, great food but what keeps me going back...the staff. I've been to the big fancy five star resorts and for the most part they lived up to their name but here everyone is treated to five stars.

Now, I understand that your environment is what you make of it so if you are a crabby person going in chances are you will be a crabby person coming out and nothing will please you. If you are that way...I lied, the name of the resort I like is in Cancun. If you want to relax, be among family (and with one visit the staff is like family) I highly recommend this resort. They offer live music every night until 10 PM and for those who feel the need to party longer they have a "club" in the resort. I cannot give any insight on it as I have never been (did I mention I am old and want to relax). Each night is themed so one night you will have champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, another night they bring in local vendors (no vendors allowed any other time so your time on the beach is just that...no harassment from vendors walking along the beach trying to sell you something).

My husband and I visit our home away from home twice a year. We could go anywhere in the world that we want...we want this resort. Each and every room has a view of the ocean and two of the four buildings also have views of the pool. Each room has a Jacuzzi on either the balcony (for 2 floors), the patio for ground level rooms or the rooftop for the penthouses.

The difference from what you have probably experienced at an all-inclusive resort; I've been to all-inclusive resorts that allow you only a few number of times you can eat at the restaurants or only one time for each per seven days of stay. Reservations required and you have to make them days in advance. I don't know what I'll be in the mood for in two days...I'm on vacation! Let's not forget the plastic bracelets, actually I have forgotten all about them because here you have soft threaded bracelets. Beach towels. You either have a towel card where you have to turn that in for a towel and you are charged $75.00 if you check out without it (seriously, where do they shop that a towel is $75.00) or you are allowed only one towel. This place actually treats you like you are not a criminal and trusts that if you take two towels it's because you need two towels.

The food. Simply amazing. The buffet is always fresh and delicious and you have your choice of four restaurants; Japanese, French, Mexican (my favorite) or Brazilian steak house. No reservations needed, first come first serve.

The Spa. If you need it chances are they provide it. Massages (even on the beach if you like), hair treatments, haircut/style, manicure, pedicure...oh you get the idea. You cannot go wrong with anything you want.

The rooms. You will not find fancy anything in the rooms. What you will find is a very comfortable bed (made up with the most beautiful towel designs each day), a safe, the best little shampoos, lotions and shower gel available in Mexico (Oatmeal honey), a couch, fridge, table, shower, toilet (sorry if I don't say shower and toilet someone will ask me if they have them there).

The staff. Now here is my absolute favorite part of this resort. No where else will you find the staff who actually WANT you there. No facade. They are nice because they are nice. It's that simple. You need something and if it is in their power you will have it. Imagine your favorite person in the entire world. Now imagine not seeing them for a month. The smile on your face when you see them for the first time...that is what you get from the staff. When you've been there for a few days (or like us twice a year) they remember your name. We met a couple that moved there and stayed at this resort a year prior to us meeting them. We invited them in for the day and the staff remembered their names! If you want to learn about their experience of moving from the States to Mexico you can read all about that in their blog here.

The tips. Yes it is all inclusive but that doesn't mean you shouldn't tip. The staff will treat you the same whether you tip or not (that's just who they are) but when you see the level of service you receive you will want to tip. How much? That is up to you, what you want and what you can afford. I always encourage people to include tip money into their vacation budget. They don't make a lot of money (it is about $10.00 PER DAY, not per hour). Your tips for their excellent service help feed their families. I'm always asked do you tip in US dollars or Mexican pesos. It really doesn't matter to them but I always check the exchange rate. If the US dollar is greater than 10, I tip in US dollars. Less than 10, I tip in pesos. Locals get a better exchange rate so you are giving them more than you think. It may only be a dollar to you but at the time I am writing this it is equivalent to $1.80 to us which is more money in their pockets. Many argue over US dollar vs. Mexican pesos but I like to give them more value. JUST DON'T TIP WITH AMERICAN COINS. Sorry for the bold capitals on that but they are useless in Mexico as they have no value there. We end up coming home with a lot of coins cashing them in for the staff. If you want to see what the exchange rate is you can click here.

Is this place for everyone? I sure hope not because there are some that I would rather not vacation with. Is it for you?

One way to find out....GO! But better make your reservations quickly because last I heard they were a year out for availability (that should tell you right there how great it is).

If you are on Facebook head on over to their Facebook page here. I would put their website here but to be honest...it's not the best place for information. If you contact them via email or Facebook and don't get a response (doesn't normally happen but they are human) let me know and I'll help you get in contact with them.

This is a true statement of my vacations at Akumal Bay - Beach & Wellness Resort. I was not offered anything nor was I paid to write this.

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