"I can't wait to go on vacation!" are my husband's famous words as a scheduled family trip approaches. I, unfortunately, am not quite as excited knowing we will be staying in a condo where I will be cooking and washing dishes often. I'm grateful that our "on a budget" vacation habits allow us to take several trips a year. However, this mama really needs a vacation where I can truly relax . . . and I've finally found the perfect family vacation destination for that, Azul Beach Resorts Riviera Cancun.
Azul Beach Resorts Riviera Cancun is a five-star, gourmet focused all-inclusive family resort in Cancun-Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico. It includes meals, drinks, and many family fun activities so the ENTIRE family (including mom) can relax and have a great time. No need to grocery shop, cook or even plan excursions. Staff is on hand to minimize your work and maximize your fun. Best of all, it is very affordable!!
I was blessed to be a part of a Macaroni Kid press trip to Azul Beach Resorts which gave me a wonderful taste of what an amazing family vacation my family could have there. Allow me to share six reasons you too should visit with your family.
1. Food and Drinks
That's right, I'm listing food first. This mama finds joy in delicious food, especially when someone else cooks it. Did I mention this resort serves gourmet food! Enjoy the Carribean, Mexican, Spanish, Italian, American and World gourmet cuisine at five restaurants and two gourmet corners as part of your stay. Spoon offers a World cuisine with an open kitchen concept filled with amazing food displays that are sure to excite your taste buds. Treat yourself to a unique and delicious Avante Garde (Modernist) Cuisine at Le Chique at an extra cost. Le Chique offers an award-winning sensory-filled dining experience that challenges your perception of taste and texture. Don't be fulled by the serving size as the 14 - course meal is sure to fill you up.
 |  |  |  |
I personally don't drink, but for those that do the resort has you covered. Three indoor bars, one outdoor bar, three swim-up bars, and one beach bar are sure to keep your thirst quenched.
Room service and personal experience.
2. Accommodations
Rooms - With a number of room options to choose from, you can select to accommodate up to six people two connecting suites. The rooms are large and luxurious boasting a jacuzzi and private patio/balcony. I enjoyed my first bubble bath in years and was able to lounge outside my room reading a book. It was glorious! Some rooms are available with swim-up pools as well. I'd love to sit enjoying a cold beverage while my kids enjoy some water play just outside the glass door.
Each room has top-rate amenities including comfy robes to lounge in and a stocked minibar. There is even a turndown service every night. If you are traveling with babies or toddlers, the hotel will provide a stroller, high chair, bottle warmer, pack n' plays, and baby food amongst other amenities so you can minimize the items you travel with.
Pools - There are six sparkling pools you can cool off in that wind around the property. There is a kid spray park, a family pool, and an adult-only pool area with cabanas. Along the adult pool area, you will find swim-up bars to refresh yourself at.
 |  |
Gym - For those who enjoy getting a good workout while on vacation, you will not be disappointed by the gym. I enjoyed burning a few calories on the elliptical machines but really appreciated all the other equipment available which included weights, circuit training equipment, cardio equipment, and a multifunctional weight machine.
Spa - Take a moment to relax with a treatment such as a facial or a massage. Relax in the hydrotherapy area, sauna, or relaxation lounge.
3. Service
The service at Azul Beach Resort was unlike any other I have experienced at a hotel. The staff is super friendly, attentive, and provide immediate service. Staff is available at every corner to help. The facilities are kept extremely clean. I loved that we were received with a cold beverage and cold towel upon arrival.
4. Activities and Entertainment
There is not one dull moment at the resort. A myriad of activities is available. Next, to the concierge, you will find a display that shows the fitness class schedule which includes yoga, pilates, beach boot camp, aqua HIIT board, and Aqua Fit. You will also see an activity schedule that includes things such as tennis lessons, a kayak tour, Spanish class, cocktail class, Latin dance lessons, scuba demos, and much more. Kiddos have a full schedule of activities available to them as well at Azulitos, the kid's playhouse.
Water activities are available at the beach like kayaking and scuba diving. I went for both, breaking out of my comfort zone! If you want to just relax, the beach has some swings by the beach bar, cabanas, lounge chairs, and even massage tables where you can relax and enjoy the sound and view of the ocean.
You may be aware of the increase of sargassum along the Quintana Roo and Caribbean coast beaches in recent years. That is a naturally occurring condition that varies by season and weather conditions. It is important to note that the hotel did an amazing job of cleaning up the sargassum from the beach. There are also containment barriers out in the ocean and even Navy ships collecting it further out along the coast. Needless to say, the beach is still very enjoyable. However, be prepared to smell some of the decaying seaweed. But I assure you that all the amazing hotel facilities, amenities, activities, and gourmet food will quickly distract you from that. 
5. Kids and Teen Areas
At the resort playhouse, Azulitos, kids have numerous activities to keep them entertained. These include cooking classes, piñata making, crafts, movie nights, and much more. Drop the kids off and enjoy some alone time, a spa treatment, or a romantic meal with your significant other. Kids ages 4-12 can exercise at the resort's My Gym Children's Fitness Center. Kids are welcome in the entire resort as you will discover fun details like kid lounge chairs by the pool, a swing set by the beach, and a kid only food display at Spoons. There are even kids yoga and kid spa services for kids ages 5-17.
Teens ages 13-17 also have a cool place to hang out in at the Extreme Breeze Teens Club. They can partake in sports and music videos, ping pong table, billiards, air hockey, plus outside activities.
6. Safety
I will admit, I was a little nervous about traveling to Mexico. But I tend to just jump right into scary things. My transportation upon arrival and for departure was arranged through Lomas Travel. I was given specific instructions to exit the airport and look for the "Macaroni Kid" sign. I approached the Lomas Travel representative and he carried my bags and escorted me to a private Lomas Travel SUV. The driver took me to the hotel. There was a check-in gate at the beginning of a road that leads to the hotel. At this gate, the driver provided my name which was cross-checked with a guest list for security purposes. Once my name was checked off, we were allowed to enter the property. I was then taken to the guest drop off area where my bags were handed to the bell boy and I was invited to enter to check-in. This entire detailed process made me feel extremely safe and secure. There were even a few extra steps added upon departure to confirm my exit from the property. The hotel is not easily accessible by people who are not guests. During the day, there is staff at every corner. Of course, at night, common-sense safety precautions one would take in the states apply like not walking alone.
Once back at the airport for departure, again Lomas Travel staff went above and beyond by walking me to the baggage check-in and assisting in obtaining my boarding pass. I will only travel this way on future visits. It takes the stress out of transportation and ensures safety.
Needless to say, I highly recommend Azul Beach Resort for your next family vacation destination. You will not be disappointed by the quality of service, accommodations, and amenities. You CAN still have a relaxing vacation with the entire family.
I was hosted at Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun and was asked to share my review of their resort. All opinions and statements are my own and sincere.
We encourage you to subscribe to all your local editions as well:
| Roseville | Downtown Sac | Elk Grove |
We do our best to ensure that all event information is accurate. However, sometimes dates and times get changed or an event may be canceled and we are not made aware of it. It is always best to check the event website, Facebook page listing, or call ahead to be sure of final event details before going.
