Resort Review - Sandos Playacar - Mexico

Sandos Playacar Beach Experience -  Mexico


A couple weeks ago I was able to tour and stay at all three of the Sandos resorts in the Cancun area. The first one I stayed at was Sandos Playacar Beach Resort. It's all in the name. this is a true beach experience. This resort had a fantastic long stretch of sandy white beach with clear water and gentle waves rolling in.

Cancun beaches typically have a lot of sea grass this time of year, and this year in particular it's been pretty bad. Sandos was on top of it! They worked hard day and night keeping it cleaned up. What I liked most about this beach is that it was truly walk-able. The resort sits at the end of the strip of hotels in this area,  so I was able to take a very long walk down nothing but beach.

Large Beach Area

Sunrise 

The resort is only a few miles to Playa del Carmen, where you will find fifth avenue, a charming street with shops and restaurants. A short cab ride will take you right there. For those wanting to stay inside the resort for their stay, there's no need to worry about running out of things to do.

Beach at Sandos Playacar

Dining

I arrived at the resort just in time for dinner. Our group met at Riviera Maya, the Mexican restaurant at Sandos Playacar. This restaurant provided authentic Mexican dishes with seafood options. I only had dessert here but everyone at the table seemed very happy with their dishes.

The next night I had an amazing Vegetarian Lasagna from the Italian Restaurant, El Pimonte. I could have eaten 10 more (although the serving size was quite big) it was just that good.

In addition to Italian and Mexican dining options Sandos Playacar offers Asiana, with oriental cuisine, Blue Moon, a casual beach side sandwich shop, El Gaucho (steak house), Fogo de Janeiro (Brazilian), Iztapalapa for Mediterranean specialties, Le Gourmet (French) and the International Buffet. For those staying in the Sandos Select rooms, there is an additional breakfast buffet located in the Select Club. The newest restaurant is Chayita Mexican Grill. I had lunch here on  my second day and it was set up just like Chipotle. I had a burrito bowl and it was fantastic. The hot salsa was a little hotter than Chipotle's so keep that in mind. Sandos Playacar also offers 24 hour room service.

Chayita Mexican Grill

One of my favorite spots at this resort was the Cupcake Cafe. This cute little shop was full of pastries, gourmet cupcakes and coffee drinks. For travelers who need their morning latte or afternoon frap this place is heaven. The best part, of course, is that it's all included. No additional costs for any of the dining here.

There was so much to do here. I would have needed several more days to experience it all. From beach activities like  snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing to land sports (Biking, walking, billiards, ping-pong, chess, tennis, mini golf) There was something for everyone. Teens will especially love this place. The teens area offered plenty of activities and the entertainment team here is top notch!

I was able to see the Madonna show and it was fantastic. A tribute to all of her music with fun dancing and great visual effects.

Fantastic Entertainment

If you are traveling as a couple I highly recommend the Select Club. Access to the adults-only pool and beach area is a huge benefit, along with private check in. Families will love this whole property. There is so much to do for kids and teens (not to mention the adults) that everyone will be happy! The Royal Elite Haciendas on this property are ideal for large families who want VIP treatment and a semi-private pool.

I also found this to be a great place for weddings. Brides and grooms are able to choose from a beautiful garden location or a breathtaking beach spot. There are plenty of benefits to having a destination wedding here too, including a current special where you can get a free room when you book 7 rooms.

Garden area for weddings

I will be recommending this resort to my travel clients for sure and I will be back here in the future! For more details or a quote contact beth@lovelandandsea.com. For a full album of photos check out my Facebook page 

Resort Review: Now Sapphire - Puerto Morelos Mexico

Now Sapphire

I recently returned from a week in Mexico and had the opportunity to stay at and tour several resorts. The first resort I stayed at was Now Sapphire in Puerto Morelos, near Cancun. I took an AmStar Transfer from the airport, a company that I recommend and arrived at the resort around 11:00 A.M.

As a "Preferred Club" guest I was able to leave my luggage with the bell man,  bi-pass the front desk in the lobby and head over to the Preferred Club Lounge for a private check-in.

Inside the air-conditioned lounge there were a few desks, couches and chairs, several snacks and cookies and a business center with computers for personal use. I sat down at the desk to begin the check in process. A moment later the lounge bartender came over and asked if he could get me a drink. Despite the fact it was eleven in the morning I requested a Pina Colada. He returned quickly and the drink was amazing.

Now Sapphire Preferred Club Lounge

Check in was very easy. Since I'm a travel agent and had a full property tour arranged with management later that afternoon we skipped the resort introduction. I did overhear another couple and a resort representative discussing details. He was explaining the dining options, how reservations were not needed, where to find entertainment, bars, etc.

My room was not quite ready so I headed over to the Blue Water Grill for lunch. The outdoor seating gave a perfect view of the ocean and had a lovely breeze. The blackbirds would occasional come down to steal leftover food or wait on the umbrellas for someone to drop a tortilla chip. To some they may be considered a nuisance, to me they were fun to watch and just part of being outside.

The garden salad was fresh and beautiful, but I didn't care for the dressing. The cheese quesadillas I ordered were very good, as was the salsa and guacamole.

Blue Water Grill

Garden Salad at Blue Water Grill

I continued my day by meeting with the sales director and taking a tour of resort facilities. The main lobby is large and surrounded with fountains and clear water. There are some decks that go across and act as bridges to get from one area to the next. Here is where you find a path to the restaurants, lobby bar, beach and pools.

Main Pool

The pool was very large, and even though the resort was at full capacity it did not seem overcrowded. The vibe was lively with music and pool activities going on.

The resort offers fantastic meeting spaces and would be ideal for corporate incentives, workshops and events.

The kid's program had a full schedule, broken down by the hour so children always had something to do and parents could relax at the beach or at the pool.

The beach was a bit disappointing. The entire area of Cancun has had a bad year with sea grass. This particular stretch had quite a bit. The resort staff was working hard on it around the clock, starting early in the morning. The water was not as clear and blue as I would have hoped for.

I had dinner at Cibu, and my vegetarian lasagna was amazing. I also enjoyed the bruschetta appetizer and salad bar.

Overall, I think that Now Sapphire offers a great value. The rooms are nice and very clean. The staff was all very helpful and food was great. If your main focus is a great beach, this resort is not for you. If you tend to spend more time at the pool then it's a great option! I do recommend the Preferred Club option. It just adds so much to the experience. For booking information, please contact beth@lovelandandsea.com  or www.LoveLandandSea.com

Preferred Club Garden View Room

Sunset

Garden View 

Swimming with the Whale Sharks

I suppose it's fitting that I write this post during "shark week," even though this particular encounter has been on my mind for several years now. Since I first saw footage of someone swimming next to a whale shark I knew that I wanted to swim alongside one myself.

It was one of those things that stayed in a little corner of my mind, labeled "some day." I spoke of it a few times when others would discuss ocean adventures, dreams and bucket list items.

I learned of the places where people can experience these creatures.  The Philippines, Seychelles, Galapagos, Belize, Australia, Mozambique, Maldives, Thailand and Isla Mujeres Mexico. As much I would like to (and intend to) travel to every place on the list, I knew that realistically Mexico was my best bet to make it happen.

A few months ago I was contacted about a travel agent trip taking place in late June in the Cancun area, and I knew that it was my time. Whale shark season was in full force in June and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to experience these amazing creatures.

I did some research online and chose to book a tour with Mexico Whale Shark http://www.mexicowhaleshark.com/

I liked the fact that their rate was inclusive of the resort transfers and food and drinks on board.

My driver, Juan, picked me up from my hotel lobby in the Riviera Maya. He was right on time, 6:50 A.M. We talked the whole way to the next resort, where he filled up the van with a group. Everyone was very excited as we made our way to the marina near Cancun.

The marina was a private little dock with an outdoor restaurant. We were offered complimentary continental-style breakfast, coffee and juice. We were briefed on the safety procedures and reminded that this is wildlife, and not a zoo.  It may take some time to find the whales. He said the initial trip out to sea would be about an hour.

We loaded into 2 boats since our group was large. They allow up to 10 people per boat to meet regulations and we were all required to wear our life jackets while on board. As we set off I just thought to myself how amazing it was and how lucky I was to be on my way to experience whale sharks.

We were going pretty quickly when all of the sudden the boat stopped and everyone became quiet. I knew we were too close to be near the whale sharks. Jimmy, the first mate and whale shark guide yelled out, " Dolphins!"

We all went to the side of the boat to watch as three dolphins swam around and jumped in and out of the water. What an amazing thing to see. After a few moments Archie, our Captain, started the engine back up and we were on our way. We saw a flying fish but did not encounter any manta rays as some others have seen during this tour.

Finally, we get to the spot. I had lost track of time but my guess is it was about 50 minutes. The engine stopped and we saw a few boats stopped as well behind us. The boats all formed a circle and you could see the captains and first mates of all of the boats looking around for signs of a whale shark in the water.

Jimmy had the first set of swimmers ready to go. They had their snorkels and masks on and their fins were secured. They sat on the edge of the boat and Jimmy held the back of their life jackets so they wouldn't fall in as the boat rocked back and forth. Finally, we heard Archie say Go! Go! Go! as the boat moved forward.  The two swimmers jumped into the water with Jimmy and swam alongside the whale shark.

A few minutes later they were back on the boat,with huge smiles. "Amazing." "Incredible." were the words I heard from the other side of the boat. Now the next two prepared and waited for the next shark to be spotted. There were a few times when it was called out, "whale shark!" but the boats that were in the circle would all take turns sending in their swimmers and we had to wait until it was our turn again.


We went through this process over and over until it seemed the whale sharks were no longer coming to the surface. Archie decided to go to a different spot in the ocean.

At this point there were four people on the boat who were already seasick. It seems the worst part is when the boat is not moving, but just rocking in the sea. Two of them were physically throwing up over the side and the other two were just lying down trying to feel better. When the boat started moving again they were relieved and started to feel better.

We stopped at the new location and it was my turn. Kristen, a girl I met on board was sitting next to me on the edge of the boat. She grabbed my hand before we jumped in.  It took a few seconds to catch my breath. I swam as fast as I could to catch up with the whale shark. I came within a few feet of the back end of this huge fish... and saw his tail move side to side. It was incredible to be so close to this animal in the wild.

The whale shark moved on and we climbed back into the boat. Jimmy asked who wanted to go again. Of course, I did. Kristen did too. We got on the edge of the boat and waited for the next whale shark to be spotted.

This time, Jimmy grabbed my hand and pulled me so we could get ahead of the whale shark. I saw it swimming right towards me with it's huge mouth slightly opened. That was when I felt it. The first experience was amazing, but this was life-changing. I watched as the entire creature swam right past me. I was close enough to touch it, but followed the rules and resisted temptation. Just those few moments made it worth the wait.  Not just the hours on the boat that day, but the years that I was waiting to experience this.

On the way back everyone was much more relaxed. We listened to music and everyone ate sandwiches, homemade ceviche, chips and fruit. Since I don't eat meat I just had the chips and fruit but everyone on the boat said the food was very good. I would recommend this tour company to anyone who wants to experience this.

Me & Jimmy 

Some advice:

1. If you tend to get sea sick make sure you take something before the trip and bring extra with you.

2. Only wear biodegradable sunscreen. You can't wear regular sunscreens into the protected areas of the ocean and they are bad for the environment.

3. Eat something before the tour, but not too much. Even if you don't usually get sea sick the water can be choppy at times and you don't want an empty (or too-full stomach)

Questions or comments? Want to book your trip to Mexico? Contact beth@lovelandandsea.com

Hidden Fees at All-inclusive Resorts

This morning's segment on Fox 19: Video

Fox 19 Morning News – Wednesday March 24^th 2015

All-Inclusive Resorts – Hidden Fees

Not all  All-Inclusives are the same.  While some all-inclusive resorts cover just about everything, others will have you spending more money than you may have anticipated.

1.       Airport Transfers.

Many resorts do not include these. You could end up spending about $20-$100 per person for roundtrip airport transfers, depending on how far your resort is from the airport.

2.       Gratuities.

Some resorts have a “no-tipping” policy, and gratuities are included in the room cost. At others, you will be expected to tip your room attendant, bartender and servers.

3.       Dining Upcharges.

While food is typically included at all-inclusive resorts, some allow only a certain amount of dinners at the specialty restaurants and the rest have to be at the buffet. Also, some charge an additional fee for Lobster or the nicer restaurants.

4.       Drink Upcharges. 

Some resorts include top-shelf liquor and all mixed drinks, while others provide standard drinks and charge extra for the premium brands.

5.       Activities & Spa Services

A lot of all-inclusive resorts include activities onsite at no additional charge such as land sports, snorkeling, and kayak rental. Some include more than others, and many charge for any type of motorized water sports. Off-Site excursions are typically not included and spa services are not included at all-inclusive resorts. 

Meat-Free Dallas

As a vegetarian, I must admit I was concerned about traveling to Texas. When I think of Texas I think of huge T-Bone steaks, smoked meats and lots of barbecue... at least I used to. I'll admit I'm a bit ashamed of my narrow-minded preconceived ideas of what Dallas had to offer in the way of dining. If you are looking to eat vegetarian or vegan in Dallas, here are some ideas and reviews.

Cane Rosso  Menu
My accommodations were near Deep Ellum, a neighborhood with several arts and entertainment venues that I wanted to check out. It was suggested that I try a place there for dinner.  Pizza is always on the top of my list to try in any city, so I headed to Cane Rosso for some Neapolitan style pizza.

The place was full of diners and bar-goers that Saturday night. The atmosphere was modern and hip, yet casual and comfortable. It seems like the perfect place to go on a casual first date or out for happy hour with friends. There was a 45-minute wait, and although there was a bit of confusion with the hostess finding us when our table was ready, my dining partner and I were eventually seated at a cozy table near the door.

Although vegan cheese is an option here, we opted for the Margherita Pizza with house-made mozzarella. The crust was thin and had the perfect crisp. It was easy to tell that the pizza was cooked in a wood-fire oven. The sauce had a subtle and fulfilling flavor that left us wanting more.

Besides the Margherita Pizza there were a few other menu items appropriate for vegetarians, along with the option to substitute vegan cheese. Overall I give this place a 6/10. The pizza and atmosphere were great, but I would love to see a few more meat-free specialty pizzas or sandwiches.

Cane Rosso

Dream Cafe  Menu 

For brunch on Sunday we found a cozy place Uptown called the Dream Cafe. We couldn't resist trying the cinnamon coffee cake to start. The decision was a good one. This was by far the best coffee cake I've tried. Next was the Granola-Crusted French Toast. While the overall taste was good, and unique, I would have preferred less granola on the edges since it made the overall texture awkward. We accompanied the french toast with some vegetarian sausage. Even though it was cooked from a frozen patty (Morningstar Farms) it was cooked to perfection and was a nice protein source to balance the "carb fest" we had going on.  The eggs we ordered on the side were tasty, and were cooked just as we requested.

The atmosphere is very laid back and casual. The staff was friendly and the vibe was chill. I noticed quite a line forming as we were leaving near 11:00 am, so earlier on the weekends is probably your best best. I would have liked to have seen some more vegan options, but overall this place was a 7/10 for me.

Outside of Dream Cafe 

Spiral Diner Menu 


This was such a find. If I lived in Dallas I would spend at least 1 meal a day here. Not only is the place completely organic, it's all vegan too. You can order anything off the menu and know that you aren't consuming any animal products. With so many choices on the menu, I consulted with a few patrons who frequent the Spiral Diner.

They suggested the nachos and cheese and said that it is considered the best nacho dish in Dallas, despite the fact that it's not even made with real cheese. They also insisted that I try one of the desserts the Death Star. One of the women ended the conversation with, "Really, anything you choose here will be great. I have never had a bad meal here."  We were feeling pretty confident that we would enjoy our food. The decision was hard, but I went with Ramsey’s Perfect
Protein Platter. The dish was black beans and quinoa cooked with homemade salsa,  avocado and tahini dressing.

Ramsey’s Perfect Protein Platter

My dining partner chose the Sketti and Meatballs. I had to try some, of course, and found that they had the a great texture, unique flavor and just the right hint of spice. I would definitely order either of these dishes again. 

For dessert, I took the advice I was given and chose the Death Star. Never in my life I have been more impressed with a dessert. This sundae  consisted of a brownie, covered with a shot of hot expresso, then topped with i-scream and whipped cream. This was the most delicious combination of vegan desserts I've ever had. I should mention, also, that I'm quite confident that anyone who tries this dish with the assumption that it is made with dairy products would never know the difference. It tasted like a real ice cream sundae. 

The Sprial Diner was my favorite restaurant in Dallas. I will return many times if I should travel to Dallas again.  This place was 10/10 for me. I wish they had a location in Cincinnati! 

Non-Traditional Spring Break Destinations

Earlier this month I talked to Fox 19 about some non-traditional Spring Break destinations. Here are the highlights! 

Fox 19 Morning News Segment – March 11^th 2015

Non-Traditional Spring Break Destinations

Phoenix  

Sunny days, warm weather, less crowds and direct flights out of Cincinnati. Plenty of resort options available offering upscale dining, amazing spas and family-friendly activities.

Example: http://www.pointehilton.com/   Rooms from $269/night

Japan

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Japan. There are numerous Spring Festivals and Events.  If you visit the middle region of the country, Cherry Blossom season is right around March/April.

Washington D.C.

Spring is beautiful in Washington D.C. with their Cherry Blossom season predicted to be in full bloom Mid-April this year. With so many attractions and landmarks parents and kids can all enjoy this destination.

Vermont-

While many people want to head somewhere warm for Spring Break, it’s also prime skiing season in many mountain areas. There are great deals for kids, fun activities and great conditions for skiing.

Example: http://www.okemo.com/

Spring Break Travel Tips

Today I talked about Spring Break travel with Frank Marzullo on Fox 19 News. Below are some tips and a video of the segment.

http://www.fox19.com/clip/11073492/spring-break-travel

Spring Break Travel Tips  - January 27^th 2015

More Comfort

-         If you are traveling with only adults stay at an adults-only resort. It will be less crowded than a family resort. Just make sure you are aware of the “Spring Break” Policy.

-         Avoid Disney World during Spring Break if you don’t like crowds. This is the a very crowded time to visit. Try going in September instead when crowds will die down and prices will drop – or try a Disney Cruise combined with a few nights in a beach resort.

Save Money

-         Get better rates by leaving mid-week. If you take a trip Tuesday-Saturday you can save a lot on airfare compared to leaving on a Friday or Saturday.

-         Book now! Prices will only get higher and flights and hotels will fill up.

-         Book a cruise. This is the best time of the year to book a cruise. It’s the Wave Season and the cruise lines are all offering great deals.

-         As always, I suggest booking with a travel agent. We will help you find the best options for your particular needs.

Beth Duppstadt

LoveLand & Sea Travel

www.LoveLandandSea.com

www.Facebook.com/LoveLandandSea

513-813-TRIP