Cancun was my first stop on a three week visit to the Gulf of Mexico.  I stayed at Le Meridian Resort and Spa, owned by my beloved Starwood Hotels.  The hotel itself was beautiful, with multi layered infinity pools, in a unique dark blue that whispered, “zen.”  The canopy hammock beds were available for rent- $40 USD to swing in the shade while watching beachside sunbathers and drinking… whatever those things are the cabana boys bring in giant coconuts.  We rented the row of cabanas and lounged for the day in absolute heaven.  We did take a cabana break to wander down to the beach and rent jet skis- a task that is not for the light-hearted when the seas are acting playful.  I don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.

The staff at Le Meridien were friendly, and the front desk and concierge were particularly helpful, offering tips for attractions, and recommending well known restaurants such as Lorenzillos, a world famous seafood restaurant situated directly on the lagoon side of Cancun.  (Lorenzillos doesn’t seem to have a detailed website up yet, but in case they ever do, I’m sharing the link: http://www.lorenzillos.com.mx.)  I can honestly say, this restaurant has earned its reputation.  They not only serve the best lobster I’ve EVER had in my life, but they have their own lobster farm on site and an ideal setting, complete with deckside tables presenting plenty of opportunity to fish watch and crocodile-perv right from your table.  Lorenzillos is definitely my pick for Cancun restaurants.

One of Cancun’s more popular attractions are the pyramids of Chichen Itza, home of one of the largest known Mayan pyramids.  A 2+ hour drive from Cancun, our concierge suggested either a luxury tour bus or private car rental for our visit to the ruins.  We opted for a car, in case we decided to stay longer… or shorter, than a tour bus would permit.  Ok, let me warn you- if you ever rent a car in Mexico, expect the gas tank to be empty, or at least not full!  And stop for gas well before getting on the road to Chichen Itza because it will be well over an hour to the nearest gas station.  Eh, but while you’re stopped, there’s an excellent cafe with Tamales that are out of this world!  Well before this, just outside of a toll booth, we stopped at a tourist information center and ended up buying a Chichen Itza tour package that included our entry fees into the archaeological park, parking, and lunch.  We were given handy maps and background information about Chichen Itza’s attractions and the Mayan culture.

After arriving at the archaeological park, we opted to hire a private tour guide- this was definitely the way to go.  He shared detailed background information about the history, and culture of the ancient civilization.  This made it far more interesting than just walking around staring at ruins we knew little about.  I’d definitely recommend a private tour guide if you’re planning to visit Chichen Itza.  Just remember to arrive early and plan to do your shopping after your tour- otherwise, your tour could go very long and your tour guide might just get cranky, hanging out waiting while you’re negotiating how much to pay for that quartz pyramid or curious Mayan mask.

The weather in Chichen Itza?  Humid and hot, but the mosquitos seemed to like it.  Bring a hat, sunglasses, and dress cool, with a layer of insect repellent.  It was so humid while we were there, it was almost unbearable.  A thunderstorm started, but this just made the giant pyramid look cooler.

After the rainstorm passed, we wandered around the grounds.  There’s a hotel surrounding the archaeological park, which is actually built ON the ruins- of which we were told consist of more than 300 ruin mounds.  Wandering around the hotel, and through the villas and gardens, there were a number of “hidden” ruins, including statues and stone roads that few people get to see.  The wandering peacocks even add a nice exotic touch.

Well almost.

I decided to go all-inclusive at Aura, imagining the perfect spa retreat where I could lounge around the resort all weekend.  Well, the food made us sick and was, quite honestly, inedible with the exception of maybe the seafood soup and … no, that was all.  Chicken was served raw.  English muffin was actually a toasted hamburger bun.  Eggs were wet and runny.  Creme brulee was soggy flan mush with a piece of candy on top.  Need I go on?  What made things worse- we were far from other restaurants or resorts so we were stuck with disappointing meals and desperate snacks from the convenience on-site convenience store.  Probably my last time trying all inclusive, but at least the service was friendly.

Islander Spa in Aura Grand Bay Wyndham on the island of Cozumel – definitely a spa I would recommend.  Today was our third spa day in a row here.  Our first day, we had short facial and massage treatments to feel out the spa’s staff and products.  The following day, we booked a “gem and hot stone massage” which was just amazing, but paled in comparison to our treatment today-  a 3 hour Mayan Spa Treatment which included a mud bath and wrap, facial, and massage.  We opted for a couple’s room setup (who says you can’t do this with a friend right?) with coinciding massage tables, and a huge jacuzzi tub that could have fit far more than 2 people.   We turned up the iPhone with Michael Beckwith’s cd, “The Life Visioning Process” playing and chatted away for the first hour of our treatments.  By the end of the session, we were in deep meditative states, barely able to move, we were so relaxed.

While my readers await my official review of the Aura Bay Grand Wyndham in Cozumel, here’s my immediate impression:  absolutely beautiful, with stylish touches on every table and in every corner; from soothing water features to distinguished art sculptures, Aura Resort has certainly “got the look.”

My favorite feature of Aura Bay Grand in Cozumel by far, is their Islander Spa.  Stylish with an uplifting zen feel, a valet guides you from the waiting area and boutique, to the locker rooms where you are set up with your robe and slippers, followed by a refreshing beverage.  The steamroom and jacuzzi are in the next room over, with vanity areas in the room.  Guests are welcome to use these areas during normal spa hours, including the relaxation room.

I give this spa 3 stars out of 5.

Positives:

The products they used were good, particularly the mud used for the Mayan body wrap.  My skin felt and looked great even days later.

The gem and hot stone massage was out of this world!  I’d definitely recommend having this spa treatment if you’re planning to stay at the Aura resort.

Not so good’s:

Some of their staff could have used additional training- I had the harshest facial I’ve ever had on my first day at the spa.  The following 2 days however, I had amazing treatments by more experienced staff.

The atmosphere was a bit disappointing.  The relaxation room seating was hard, and uncomfortable vinyl.  The view is mostly bare rooftops with small glimpses of ocean.

Lack of air conditioning in most of the spa rooms.  Locker rooms, vanity room/jacuzzi room and relaxation rooms were warm and humid without ac.

Robes and slippers were not particularly comfortable, nor ideal.  They were very short and definitely not well sized.

Overall, I would probably not recommend this particular spa, in the hopes there are others that are better on the island.