We recently returned from our first trip to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, the Hacienda Tres Rios. I felt some trepidation, due to the horror stories of well meaning friends, but was totally won over by my experience at this fabulous resort.
It sits on a 326 acre nature park in the Mexican Caribbean near Playa Del Carmen. It’s a green resort (sustainable tourism) and offers modern luxury, with Mexican and Mayan traditions.
Our two bedroom suite was spacious (1,236 sq. ft.) and very lovely. It was really like our own apartment (minus the kitchen), with two bedrooms with sitting areas, dining and living room combination, three bathrooms and balconies. There was an abundance of storage space and lots of mirrors.
I loved the local mahogany wood furniture and lovely Mexican marble floors. The patterns on the floor throughout the resort featured different colors of marble in striking patterns.
This is a large resort with several guest buildings containing around 273 suites. The landscaping is gorgeous – beautiful flowers, coconut trees, palms, and white sand beaches everywhere.
There was a long open corridor with comfortable seating that was used for tea time in the afternoon and then martinis in the evening.
The pools were beautiful, and these outdoor spaces had the Hacienda Grill in one area and a brick oven pizza restaurant in another. My grandson practically lived on the pizza and we couldn’t get him out of the water.
My favorite spot was the comfy beach bed right at the waters edge – the breeze, the sound of the waves, the swooping birds – could it get any more relaxing? Oh wait – that visit to the spa for a massage and facial was was pretty close.
We did a bicycle tour of the cenotes and paddled a kayak up and down the river and snorkeled. There were several shows and parties to attend in the evening, including a wonderful beach buffet. The resort staff set up the tables and food buffet right on the sand and had a live band for salsa dancing.
There was a Michael Jackson tribute at the theatre, a Mayan dinner show, the Caribbean beach night, a Circus dinner show and lots more. And the food, oh wow!
The garnishes were outstanding, with flowers, carved fruits and vegetables, butter sculptures and lots of other gourmet touches. There was something for everyone, even a tea enthusiast like me could visit the Patisserie for tea and treats, although I found myself drinking much more cappuccino than tea.
The madeleine shaped treat was white chocolate with a fruit filling and the meringues (in front) were delicious.
With so many options for 24 hour per day dining, it was difficult not to over indulge. I’m a seafood lover and enjoyed shrimp, lobster, seafood soup, paella, etc. during our stay. I tried zabaglione for the first time at the Portofino Italian restaurant – yummy. Don enjoyed the many lamb, chicken and beef dishes.
Overall, this was a great vacation and I’m looking forward to returning in a couple of years. We took over 300 photos (plus some by the resort photographer), so it was difficult to decide which ones to share with you. I hope you can at least get a glimpse of this little piece of paradise.
You can check out their website here if you’d like to see more.
