Review of Sens Del Mar

Entry of the Sens Del Mar

The Entry of the Sens Del Mar

Recently, we were invited down to visit all of the Oasis properties in Cancun.  The main reason they wanted us to come was because of the re-opening of the property now called “Sens del Mar”.

Sens del Mar is a new name for this property.  The owners put new investment into this property and have re-opened it as an adult oriented property.  I say “Adult Oriented” because, while they don’t offer children’s rates or any facilities for them whatsoever, they do allow children.  There were only a couple on property while we were there, but then again occupancy was quite low overall.

The lobby was very contemporary looking and was dominated by a large sculpture in the middle.  Oversized chairs and sofas also dot the lobby.  One of the hotels Smart Cars is also parked in the lobby to promote the promotion whereby guests staying in the VIP room category are entitled to the use of one of the fleet of Smart Cars.  The Smart Cars are subject to availability and, in fact, we were told while we were there that there were none available.  Also in the lobby a lobby bar.

Lobby at Sens Del Mar

Lobby at Sens Del Mar

Several of the restaurants are reached by taking a flight of stairs down from the lobby.  We did ask and were told that there was no accessible way to reach the restaurants, so keep that in mind if anyone in your party has mobility issues.

Restaurant at Sens Del Mar

Restaurant at Sens Del Mar

Speaking of restaurants, most of the food we ate at the restaurant during our stay was very very good.  The hotel offers 24 hour room service as well.  I did order it one night and found it quite acceptable.  There weren’t printed room service menus.  You call the room service department and they describe the offerings of the moment.  I’m not sure if that will be the case permanently or if the printed material just wasn’t in place yet.

Room at Sens Del Mar

Room at Sens Del Mar

In fact, there was no printed material in the rooms at all.  We were placed in the VIP section where each room has an amazing balcony with a jetted pool and lounge chairs.  Since we were there in January, it was great to be in my room and have the big sliding glass door open and watching the sheer white curtains billow in with the breeze of the Caribbean Sea.  That balcony really made the room.  There is an interesting feature on the wall behind the bed.  There is the “swoop” where they’ve installed a light feature that you can set to whatever color you want, or you can set it to change at whatever speed you set.

The room has a small dorm type refrigerator that is stocked daily with an assortment of water, soda and beer.  If you want more than what is put there daily, there is a charge.  I also used that dorm fridge to put my suitcase while I unpacked because there were no luggage stands in the room.  Kudos to them, however, for choosing to have hangars that can be removed from the closet rod. (One of my pet peeves.)

The towels in the bathroom were nice and big.  There was a built in hair dryer too.

My favorite part about the room by far was that, attached to the big flat screen TV was a cable box that allowed me to pause live TV.  One of my biggest frustrations is that when I watch a show while in a hotel room is that I can’t pause it like I can at home.  This was a fabulous discovery while I was in my room at night editing pictures and video.  I know you probably won’t be spending hours editing photos and video while on your vacation, but you might find it helpful at some point too.

Overall, Sens Del Mar was a good property.  The timeshare desk in the lobby was somewhat aggressive, but if you don’t mind ignoring that, you’ll have a great vacation at Sens Del Mar.

Pool at Sens Del Mar

Pool at Sens Del Mar

Newly Resdesigned MiHotelito Category at El Dorado Maroma

On our recent trip to Cancun, we also took a quick trip down to a couple of our favorite resorts in the Riviera Maya.  We were very excited to see the newly redesigned “MiHotelito Beachfront” room category at El Dorado Maroma.

I don’t know how they did it, but somehow the way they rearranged everything makes those rooms that used to feel so tiny, feel very roomy!  I also love the Pineda Covalin scarves made into pillows for the bed.  Each of those pillows probably costs hundreds of dollars.

The creamy yellow walls lend warmth and tie the whole room together.  The beds are to die for, as usual.  These rooms are the only ones in the whole El Dorado brand that don’t have in room Jacuzzis, but the private terrace and proximity to the pool, swim up bar and beach make these rooms a great choice.

 

Take a look:

ATVs at Paradise Maroma

While we were in Cancun this past weekend, we had the opportunity to do the ATVs through the jungle at Paradise Maroma.  They gave us the choice between the ATVs and speedboats.  Nicki and Erin decided on the ATVs.

I think the tour lasted an hour and a half.  There were paths through the jungle where we followed the leader through the whole thing.  Of course, Nicki was a wild person and was fishtailing whenever possible.  I was the last one in the group, which was fine by me because I didn’t want to feel pressure to go faster than I was going.  Much of the time I couldn’t even see the group because I was so far behind.  They stopped every so often though to let me catch up.

The whole time I was riding I could only keep thinking, “It’s high season, I have no time to heal…”

They do provide a helmet, so I guess my brains would have been fine.  Here are some pictures from our adventure.

Erin Getting Her ATV Unstuck

Erin Getting Her ATV Unstuck

 

Erin and Nicki, Ready to Roll

Erin and Nicki, Ready to Roll

 

Through the Jungle

Through the Jungle

Review of Renovations at Azul Beach Hotel

This past Saturday, myself and a couple of our agents went to see hotels in Cancun as well as couple in the Riviera Maya.  One of the ones we made time to see is Azul Beach Hotel.  I’ve seen it a couple of times as the renovations have been in progress and, now that they’re almost complete, I must say I continue to be blown away.  Let me show you what we saw:

New lounge area off the main lobby of Azul Beach Hotel

New lounge area off the main lobby of Azul Beach Hotel

 

This is a picture of one side of the new lounge area they’ve built right past the main lobby.  It’s just beautiful and makes the lobby so much more open.

View from Main Lobby - Azul Beach Hotel

View from Main Lobby - Azul Beach Hotel

This is the view from inside the main lobby.  See the ocean?  Isn’t it pretty?  The hotel is using this area as a “Plan B” venue for weddings in case of rain.  Lots of brides are using this as their main choice of wedding venue, too!

 

Here are some restaurant pictures.  Breathtaking, right?

Restaurant at Azul Beach

Restaurant at Azul Beach

Italian Restaurant - Azul Beach Hotel

Italian Restaurant - Azul Beach Hotel

 

Then here are pictures of a family suite.  The honeymoon suite is the same, except for no trundle bed and the honeymoon suites are oceanview.

Bathtub in Family Suite or Honeymoon Suite at Azul Beach Hotel

Bathtub in Family Suite or Honeymoon Suite at Azul Beach Hotel

 

Family Suite or Honeymoon Suite at Azul Beach Hotel

Family Suite or Honeymoon Suite at Azul Beach Hotel

 

Azul Beach Hotel has always been a favorite.  Now it’s better than ever.