Reviewed by Sherry Morin - Outside Sales Agent
Date visited: July 2009.
Resort: Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Resort & Thalasso
Description: The resort is tucked on 14 acres between a lush mangrove forest and secluded white sand beach.
Location: 12 miles south of Cancun International Airport on the Mayan Riviera (Puerto Morelos, Mexico).
Affiliation: The Leading SMALL Hotels of the World (www.LHW.com) & AmResorts
Rating: 5 diamond
Type of Vacation: Focused on Wellness, Serenity and Romance as well as social and environmental responsibility.
Features: “Endless Privileges” (see details below)
Attracts: Honeymooners, Experienced Travellers with discriminating tastes (wants & needs other than the main-stream all-inclusive resort experience), Repeat Clients, Hollywood Celebrities
Awards:
· AAA Five Diamond Award
· One of the 50 Hot Hotels in the World by Conde Nast Traveler
- One of the Coolest Places to Stay by Conde Nast Traveler
- Quality Assurance Award by Leading Hotels of the World
- Conde Nast Traveler Gold List 2009
- One of the “50 Hottest Resorts in the World” by Forbes Magazine
- One of the “50 Sexiest Hotels” by Brides Magazine
- One of the Top 15 Resorts to Watch in Mexico and South America by Travel & Leisure
- Leading Spas of the World
- Ranked 6th on “Top 25 Mexico Resorts” Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards
- Best Full Service Resort Spa, TravelAge West
- WAVE Award 2006
The Endless Privileges Include:
· Bvlgari bath amenities, aromatherapy pillows and linen scents, Frette linens and bathrobes, electronic security safe, welcome bottle of tequila, and a handmade beach bag.
· Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner gourmet dining options with an assortment of organic food and beverage selections.
· Unlimited cocktails and specialty beverages from a variety of domestic and international premium brands.
· Complimentary unlimited worldwide calls (from any resort telephone ... including your telephone in your suite).
· 24 hour private in-room dining.
· Complimentary entrance fee at Playa Mujeres Golf Club (transportation, equipment and golf cart not included).
· Daily shopping excursions by boat (advance reservations required and can be made at the Front Desk).
· Catamaran Sunset Sail (advance reservations required, 2 days prior, 5:30pm Monday – Saturday sailings).
· Hydrothalasso pool and aqua gym.
· Exclusive Visia complexion skin analysis (advance reservations required and can be made at the Spa Reception Desk).
· Relaxing 20-minute massage per guest (advance reservations required and can be made at the Spa Reception Desk).
· Traditional Temazcal steam room ceremony every other day (advance reservations required and can be made at the Spa Reception Desk).
· Access to sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and cold plunge pool.
· Daily afternoon tea time featuring live plant tea infusions (from 4 pm to 5 pm in the Bird Lounge).
· Complimentary 24-hour laundry service.
· Although tips are included, if you feel that any employee has gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve you, please feel free to show your appreciation by notifying his or her supervisor and/or leaving them a gratuity.
The Greek words “Zoe” meaning “life” and “poetry” meaning “artful creation” is the inspiration for the name of the resort – The Art of Life. And nowhere will you find that art expressed to a more refined degree than at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita.
Consistently named one of Mexico’s most exceptional boutique resorts, Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita is perfectly situated along Mexico’s famed Riviera Maya just 20 minutes from Cancun’s International Airport. Limited to just 90 oversized oceanfront suites, it offers a completely new kind of vacation experience focused on wellness, serenity & romance, as well as social and environmental responsibility.
At Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita you automatically receive the benefits of “Endless Privileges” which gives you limitless access to almost all the pleasures this perfect jewel has to offer. These include ultra luxurious accommodations, four celebrity chef restaurants, two lounges, creative activities, and cultural enrichment. To this add the remarkable Anti-Aging Center as well as the only Thalassotherapy Center in North America.
For the fifth consecutive year, Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita has earned the AAA Five Diamond Award. Only 100 of 33,000 AAA-rated hotels in the world – and just five in all of Mexico – have received this prestigious award.
Each suite provides a minimum of 1,100 sq. ft. and a private balcony or terrace with stunning ocean views (all individually appointed with treasures from around the globe).
The Thalasso Center & Spa is the first and only certified Thalassotherapy center in North America. It is 22,000 square feet! This temple of healing is composed of a large outdoor therapeutic seawater pool, 16 wet and dry treatment rooms, fitness facilities, separate male and female saunas and steam rooms, a Temazcal (an outdoor clay sauna), gym, beauty salon and anti-aging center. The spa incorporates ancient traditions and modern science to offer a range of therapies including seawater hydrotherapy and hydro-massages, Indiba, pressotherapy, digital skin analyses, personalized facials, slimming, remodeliing, toning, relaxing, revitalizing and detoxifying treatments and body wraps, and native Mayan treatments.
Temazcal: A pre-hispanic healing ceremony. A traditional steam bath with herbal essences to harmonize and balance body, mind and spirit. The native songs, the smell of “copal” and aromatic herbs infused with the steam, combine to create a magical ambiance, inviting you to enjoy a deep relaxing and therapeutic journey in a ceremony conducted by a real Shaman, who will guide you through this unforgettable experience. This introduction is complimentary to the guests on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday’s from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm at the Temazcal located within the Thalasso Center Garden. You bring your bathing suit and do not wear any metal or jewelry. Participants shower before the ceremony and do not eat or drink alcohol for 2 hours beforehand.
Yoga Therapies: Hatha (mixing different yogic families to include Ashtanga, Viniyoga, Tantra, 5 Tibetan Rights, Tantra, and Kundalini), PowerYoga (Ashtanga inspired, strength and movement), Kundalini Yoga (awakening to spirit, sacred spiritual, and healing yoga).
Master Wellness Programs with Charles Wills: Eliminate stress & anxiety forever, be thin forever, start to sleep like a baby again, increase energy/IQ/memory ... complimentary 20 minute consultation included for all guests (contact the Front Desk).
La Bonita is a spacious Lagoon 47 sailing catamaran (47 foot luxury yacht) with ample sunbathing and shaded areas on deck, air conditioned saloon, and four uniquely appointed staterooms with private bathrooms. Whether you wish a sailing adventure full of activity, a romantic getaway or a relaxing day, the professional full-time crew of “La Bonita” will tend to your every need from the minute you step aboard. The crew will provide you with top of the line service and gourmet meals to suit every palate. Hourly, half day, full day and overnight charters are available upon request from the Concierge.
My on-site notes (in point form):
· Airport transportation is provided by private white Lincoln Navigators owned by the resort ... cold liquid refreshments served for your transfer to the resort.
· Very quiet, serene, relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. Everyone seems to be like-minded with this!
· Excellent service, friendly staff.
· Beautiful manicured well-kept clean grounds within the resort.
· Fruit & Champagne provided “in-room” complimentary upon request.
· Free tequila bottle in your suite comes with salt, lime & shooter glasses.
· Mini-bar is stocked daily with bottled water, pop, wine, beer, liquor “shooter” bottles.
· Housekeeping service three times per day. Evening turndown service includes aromatherapy scents sprayed to your bed linens and pillows.
· Motion-sensored lights in the bathroom (great for night-time washroom visits).
· Wireless internet is complimentary and works in your suite or throughout the resort.
· The “Sundial” is the daily newsletter that will be in your suite, on your bed, after the housekeeping turndown service. This newsletter informs you of restaurant and bar hours, discounts or promotions, activities/entertainment program and the Iced Tea & Cocktail of the day.
· DVD player is in your suite ... however, no DVD’s for rent ... so bring your own if you require.
· Unlimited international calls complimentary (in your room or on the resort telephones) ... great for checking in at home or at work!
· No formal check-in at a front desk as found at every other resort or hotel. Upon arrival to the resort you are immediately taken on a resort tour and directly to your suite.
· Golf carts are used for transportation throughout the resort ... great for those located in block 4 which is the furthest from the public areas (restaurants, bars, boutique, front desk, pool, etc.).
· No check-in or check-out times,
· Suites are not numbered, they are named. A room legend will be provided in your suite. Block 1 is closest to the lobby ... Block 4 is furthest from the lobby.
· All suites are oceanfront!
· Some suites have private plunge pools and/or private outdoor shower (upgraded cost).
· Complimentary sunset cruise on-board “La Bonita” daily from Monday thru Saturday at 5:30pm. Can only make a reservation 2 days in advance.
· No reservations for dining. You may dine at any restaurant at any time and there will always be a table available!
· Beach is extremely quiet, no beach vendors, no transients ... often you are the only one on it!
· The 2nd largest coral barrier reef in the world is located directly in the waters at the resort ... snorkelling is excellent and a must-do while here.
· Sea weed and twigs on the beach and on the water’s edge ... but beach is cleared by tractor every morning.
· The beach is very long and very wide. Beautiful white fluffy Caribbean sand!
· Never a problem getting pool chairs or beach chairs. Enough to go around!
· Restaurant and bar service available at the pool. Pizza, Shrimp Ceviche or Seafood Ceviche, Sushi and Hummus Platter were my favorite lunch items served to my pool chair!!!
· Room service is available 24-hours daily. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Excellent food choices. Included in your stay but you should tip the waiters.
· Suites are a minimum of 1,100 square feet. There is a curtain divider between the bedroom/bathroom and living room.
· Resort was previously frequented by Hollywood Celebrities (Dustin Hoffman, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Hillary Duff, Tony Hawk, Ricky Martin, Sophia Loren, etc.).
· All restaurants offer fantastic “gourmet” food with a large selection of items to choose from. Many items are organic (grown on-site).
· Birds, Peacocks, Parrots and, Mackaws live on-site.
· Iguanas are plentiful and hang out amongst the grounds of the resort. Harmless!
· A racoon is often spotted outside the Kaax Restaurant patio in the evening ... lurking around for food. Harmless!
· Resort accepts children but no facilities for them (i.e. Kids club, etc.). However, babysitting is available.
· Children pay full adult price, no exceptions.
· No children are permitted in La Canoa Restaurant (inside or patio). However, to get around this, we spoke to the Restaurant Manager (Victor) and were able to be served the La Canoa menu at a table in Hippos Bar which was literally a few steps away from their restaurant patio.
· Each suite has collected art & accessories from around the world – each with distinctive character.
· Flood-lit tennis court on-site. Tennis included. Staff will bring you a bucket full of cold bottled waters for court-side.
· Meeting rooms available for up to 70 people.
· Each day a new Iced Tea is served. Fantastic! Best Iced Tea I have ever tasted!!! They wouldn’t divulge the recipes unfortunately!
· Very few mosquitos.
· Boutique is small ... selling mostly clothing and jewellery.
· Bring your own toiletries, medicines, etc. as there is no store nearby to purchase these items. The boutique does sell sunscreen though.
· Recommend to use your free 20 minute massage as an upgraded longer duration massage. You can pay the 30 minute upgrade (to receive a 50 minute massage) or pay the 60 minute upgrade (to receive an 80 minute massage). Otherwise, your free 20 minute massage is on massage chairs located on the Thalasso grounds (outside). Not quite the same massage experience as being on an actual massage table. You may choose a massage in one of the spa treatment rooms or outside on the pier.
· Recommend to book a private dinner on the beach (or pier or in-suite) for an extra charge. We booked the private dinner on the beach after our sunset cruise on “La Bonita”. Ask for Hector to serve you ... he is the King of romance and gives impeccable service! These special dinners can be booked with the concierge and typically cost USD $150.00. We had an absolutely beautiful table set up on the beach with an aisle of candles leading up to it from the Watersports (Palapa) staircase. The table was adorned with beautiful flowers, candles and china. We had dinner with our almost 3-year old and she absolutely loved it. Sunset is around 7:30pm so book your dinner for 7:00 pm - 7:30pm. We had the “Surf & Turf” (steak & lobster) which was decadent. We chose a rare bottle of champagne from their 5,000 bottle wine cellar (extra charge) to indulge with our meal. A Mexican duet serenaded us at our table with beautiful authentic Mexican songs (singing & guitar playing). This private dinner was definitely a highlight of our trip!
· Recommend to use the laundry service (complimentary) 2 days before returning home ... so that you can pack clean clothes in your suitcase for your arrival home! The laundry bag is provided in your room and housekeeping will take it during one of your three daily housekeeping services.
· If you require a Doctor during your stay, simply ask the front desk. They will call a Doctor onto the property. The charge is USD $90.00 for an assessment. If medications are required, the Concierge will pick them up for you and deliver them to you. The cost for the medications will be added to your room bill. Remember to ask for detailed receipts so that you can submit this claim thru RBC Travel Insurance (if you purchased Emergency Medical Insurance from me).
· If you’d like to swim with the dolphins, there are a few Dolphin Discovery places in the area ... Cancun, Puerto Aventuras and Isla Mujeres. We went to the Puerto Aventuras location which was at least an hour by car (transportation provided by Dolphin Discovery). Next time, I’d do the Cancun location as it is much closer.
· Puerto Morelos town is about 10 minutes from the resort (by car).
· Playa del Carmen is about 60 minutes from the resort (by car).
· Cancun Airport is about 20 minutes from the resort (by car).
· Cancun is about 30 minutes from the resort (by car).
Final comments:
My family (me, my husband, and my almost 3 year old) absolutely loved this resort! It is fantastic for those looking for a very quiet, pampered, luxurious vacation experience. It is not your “run-of-the-mill” all-inclusive resort. It is a “boutique” style five-star luxury property. The facilities are minimal in comparison to the large resorts but the “added amenities” that this property offers are well worth it. We loved this experience so much that we are already planning another vacation to this same resort. And for a Travel Agent to go back to the same destination & resort twice, says a lot!
