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Mexico
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Plaza 23 in downtown Cancun
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Cancun's Caribe Park Royal Grand: An All-Inclusive Primo Retreat
Story and photos by Steve Mirsky
I had the great fortune of joining other bloggers on a sponsored trip to Cancun's Caribe Park Royal Grand right on the wide-open, white powdery beach overlooking turquoise Caribbean surf. This all-inclusive is the primo retreat for a fun-in-the sun holiday.
Cancun's Caribe Park Royal Grand right on the wide-open, white powdery beach overlooking turquoise Caribbean surf
The perfection starts with their two lavish pools. One is an activities-oriented, DJ-hosted pool with a walk-up bar where gregarious tenders efficiently churn out the margaritas and rum and cokes. Poolside bingo, chicken dances, and water games flow freely where poolside loungers are rarely idle. Here the spring break crowd predominates with nonstop volleyball pickup games an arm's length away on the beach. Walk around the corner on a stone path surrounded by palm trees and tropical vegetation, and you'll reach a second, more sublime pool area flanked by cushy lounger beds and a swim-up bar designed for lingering as your kids play in the three-inch-deep shallows.
These two atmospheres, family and relaxation, along with partying and cutting loose complement each other perfectly, giving the entire Cancun Caribe Park Royal Grand experience a festive, yet laid back vibe. And the food offerings here combine to work the same magic.
Breakfast
You can either start the day with an a la carte breakfast at La Concha, a type of octagonal enclosed palapa overlooking the pool and ocean, or with a lavish buffet at Cocay. My pick was Cocay, where one side of the spread included waffles, fresh toast, cereals, and a sophisticated omelet station. The other boasted platters loaded with fresh slices of ripe mango, papaya, orange, and several varieties of melon. Woven baskets bulging with assortments of fresh baked Mexican sweet rolls sit alongside bowls of dried fruits, nuts, granola, and shredded coconut, providing the ingredients for a healthy muesli when mixed with a helping of yogurt.
Lunch
Surrounding the deck of the main pool area, Snack El Jardin grills up burgers with all the fixings, including several varieties of hot pepper condiments along with their authentic fresh made nachos. You can top these with the classic melted cheese from the dispenser or sprinkle with finely grated jalepeno and pimiento powder. My favorite was the latter, giving the chips a flavorful bite. At Pizza Corner, dough is kneaded by hand right in front of you before being baked into personal sizes, sliced, and served for the taking. At first glance, it's familiar finger food, but upon tasting is clearly homemade with native touches.
Dinner
Similar to a cruise but not as formal, when the sun sets, it's time to shed the bathing suits and flip-flops for long pants, shirts, and dresses. This signals elegant menu offerings paired with extensive wine lists and top-shelf mixed drinks. My favorite was the El Oriental Restaurant, featuring oriental classics and a vast array of sushi paired with a Vinos Demeco Blanc 2008 from the Baja Peninsula. And no dinner here would be complete without a glass of Xtabentun anis liqueur, Mexico's signature after-dinner aperitif.
Beyond the Hotel
Even though it's tempting to eat on-site during your entire stay and not venture out, I recommend exploring where local families (staff), as well as these hotel restaurants source their fresh produce and other seasonal ingredients. Skip the taxis, head down the front drive to the bus stop next to the main entrance, and wait for the Route 1 Express. Hand over your 7 pesos and ask the driver when to get off for Plaza 23 in downtown Cancun. It helps to brush up on your Spanish, bring a stack of pesos, and be ready to bargain. There isn't any clear signage marking this vast public market, so once you get off the bus, immediately cross Tulum Boulevard and walk up one of the side streets leading right into the activity. In return for your intrepid spirit, you'll be rewarded with tons of authentic Mexican crafts, mangoes the size of your thigh, freshly-made corn tortillas, and spices you'd be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Just be sure to visit mornings when all the stalls are open for business.
Some helpful links:
www.park-royalhotels.com/cancuncaribegrand/index.cfm
mexicanfood.about.com/b/2005/11/21/pan-dulce-mexican-sweet-bread.htm
www.gardenguides.com/2935-pepper-sweet-pimiento-seeds-bulbs.html
luxuryexperience.com/liquor_cabinet/liquors/xtabentun.html
twitvid.com/3A8B2
© Story and photos by Steve Mirsky, 2010
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Mexico
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