every aspect of getting to mexico was a pain in my ass.
1) both of my girlfriends cancelled. one was work-related, the other questionably medical.
2) everyone went on and on (and on) about how unsafe mexico is right now (which made everyone worry that i was going alone)
3) the hotel was reserved through a wholesaler (hence the excellent deal), and it was impossible to change the name on the reservation.
4) i had a chatty MAN next to me on my flight. i should've upgraded to 1st. hindsight is 20/20.
5) getting to playa del carmen is expensive ($90-105), and the cheap shuttle ($30) for which i opted (it's a recession!) took 1.5 hours - i was the last stop.
but... once i arrived, i realized... the fairmont mayakoba is PARADISE. i guess the hotel can't take all of the credit; the weather is pretty fantastic. but the service is unbeatable. upon arrival, i was upgraded to their amazing signature deluxe casita. i was served a delicious fruity iced tea while checking in. i received a work call during check-in, and they just continued on, motioning me where to go, and didn't disturb me during my entire call (which lasted well after i reached my room). my room is incredible. the fitness center is nice - not a health club, certainly not the Sports Club/LA at the ritz-carlton in DC - but it's nice. and they provide fruit, water and a delicious mayan juice. the pool and views are amazing. and have i mentioned the ultra-courteous, helpful and friendly staff? this place oozes relaxation.
i actually don't want to go home. i'd be happy to rent a budget room in town (as long as there's air-conditioning, a pool and a jacuzzi tub - ha, very budget) because my one complaint is that the fairmont mayakoba is a COMPOUND. it's gated and fenced in. and to get to the road is a HIKE. and i'd rather spend my day in the sun (since i only have 2 full days of sun). and the food here, although not terribly expensive (15 pesos to the dollar - i have no idea if that's a good exchange rate, but for a nice hotel, the food's not expensive), is just hotel food... not even good hotel food. i know there's unbelievable CHEAP street food out there, somewhere relatively close. i want fish tacos; i bet they're fantastic here.
so next time, i'll rent a car.
fairmont mayakoba
Carretera Federal Cancún
Playa del Carmen Km. 298
Playa del Carmen
Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, Riviera Maya, Mexico 77710
TEL +52 (984) 206-3000
1) both of my girlfriends cancelled. one was work-related, the other questionably medical.
2) everyone went on and on (and on) about how unsafe mexico is right now (which made everyone worry that i was going alone)
3) the hotel was reserved through a wholesaler (hence the excellent deal), and it was impossible to change the name on the reservation.
4) i had a chatty MAN next to me on my flight. i should've upgraded to 1st. hindsight is 20/20.
5) getting to playa del carmen is expensive ($90-105), and the cheap shuttle ($30) for which i opted (it's a recession!) took 1.5 hours - i was the last stop.
but... once i arrived, i realized... the fairmont mayakoba is PARADISE. i guess the hotel can't take all of the credit; the weather is pretty fantastic. but the service is unbeatable. upon arrival, i was upgraded to their amazing signature deluxe casita. i was served a delicious fruity iced tea while checking in. i received a work call during check-in, and they just continued on, motioning me where to go, and didn't disturb me during my entire call (which lasted well after i reached my room). my room is incredible. the fitness center is nice - not a health club, certainly not the Sports Club/LA at the ritz-carlton in DC - but it's nice. and they provide fruit, water and a delicious mayan juice. the pool and views are amazing. and have i mentioned the ultra-courteous, helpful and friendly staff? this place oozes relaxation.
i actually don't want to go home. i'd be happy to rent a budget room in town (as long as there's air-conditioning, a pool and a jacuzzi tub - ha, very budget) because my one complaint is that the fairmont mayakoba is a COMPOUND. it's gated and fenced in. and to get to the road is a HIKE. and i'd rather spend my day in the sun (since i only have 2 full days of sun). and the food here, although not terribly expensive (15 pesos to the dollar - i have no idea if that's a good exchange rate, but for a nice hotel, the food's not expensive), is just hotel food... not even good hotel food. i know there's unbelievable CHEAP street food out there, somewhere relatively close. i want fish tacos; i bet they're fantastic here.
so next time, i'll rent a car.
fairmont mayakoba
Carretera Federal Cancún
Playa del Carmen Km. 298
Playa del Carmen
Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, Riviera Maya, Mexico 77710
TEL +52 (984) 206-3000
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