Touching down in Cancún, Mexico, I was eager to experience the newly opened, all-inclusive Ventus at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort.
Peel off the cold weather clothing layers, find your driver, and steer away from the Cancún Hotel Zone. You begin to get the feeling that Ventus at Marina El Cid is very much not Cancún.
Seventeen miles later, entering the tiny fishing village of Puerto Morelos, you‘re quite certain. If nonstop action is what you‘re after, this is not the place.
Feels like a ritual, walking out onto the massage table on the jetty at Ventus at Marina El Cid in Riviera Maya
Ahhh, bliss. This property’s corner of the world is tranquil. There are no hotel high rises, no nightclubs rocking until 5 a.m., no traffic jams, no busy beaches.
Step inside the Ventus at Marina El Cid hotel lobby, a clean, contemporary space, where the signature aroma is fresh and light, a floral and citrus zest.
Ventus at Marina El Cid Club Perks
“Would you like something to drink?” You‘re seated in the Ventus at Marina El Cid Platinum Club Lounge for a stress–free check-in to a guaranteed ocean view room as you run through guest privileges. There are so many, they’ve made a list for guests to keep: Complimentary drinks, internet, private beach, cabanas, water sports, fitness center, bicycles, kids and teens clubs, 24/7 room service, in-room mini bar, aromatherapy pillows on request.
All-inclusive means that all meals, drinks, and service is included, even room service and cocktails at poolside.
At your service: Platinum Lounge at Ventus at Marina El Cid has more staff than guests
And naturally, Ventus at Marina El Cid offers you your very own butler cum concierge (love the Spanish word “Mayordomo“) who is waiting to introduce himself and offer unpacking assistance.
Welcome touches at Ventus at Marina El Cid: A stylish Mexican sombrero with the hashtag #TheFeelingOf inscribed
Luxury and junior suites sleep four with a king-size bed and a queen-size Murphy bed or two double beds, large marble walk-in showers and two sinks. For multi-generational families, there’s the rare flexibility of a two- or three-bedroom suite configuration with a generous dining table and private jacuzzi.
Guest room suite, Ventus at Marina El Cid
Lay of the Land
You can lose track of the number of pools. They come in various types and sizes: infinity pools, adult-only, kids only, with slide or waterfalls, connected under bridges, hot tubs. They’re all absolutely immaculate. And the best pool of all is the blue tiled one connected to the guest suite terraces just beyond the hammock.
Just after sun up, views and pools, Ventus at Marina in Riviera Maya
Pools at Ventus at Marina El Cid are immaculate throughout the resort
Pretty pools throughout the property
One of two infinity pools at the resort
Two Hotels in One
Spread over meticulously landscaped grounds, Ventus at Marina El Cid (yes, it is a mouthful) sits beside its sister, Hotel Marina El Cid. Ventus is the newest of the group’s seven luxury Mexican properties in three resort locations.
You may spot a lizard, but never litter
Guests are invited to use all the facilities and dine at the restaurants at both properties. Since everybody inside the resort’s grounds belongs there, nobody asks for a card or a signature. If you’re Platinum Club, a silver wrist bracelet does the job until you check out.
Cabanas at the Platinum beach area
The Platinum experience
There are adult-only pools and bars; there’s a kids club and a teen club, too.
Kids club and babysitting at Ventus at Marina Resort
Everything is within a 10-minute walk. Or, just catch a ride on one of the golf carts that ply the property on their rounds. Ventus at Marina and Hotel Marina El Cid both work well for families. Kids were exceptionally well behaved, frequently seen playing giant chess with mom or dad.
Giant chess by the beach
It’s like a dine-around, choosing the flagship Ile de France or the restaurants within the Marina El Cid complex, including El Alcazar, La Alhambra, Hacienda Arrecife, La Trattoria Di Gulio and La Marina. Or, pop into the popular Mercado de Dolores where seven different international cuisines are presented as a deluxe, upmarket food court where it all looks so good that making a decision can be tough. Never mind, you’ll choose another cuisine the following day.
International dining at Mercado de Dolores
Assorted ceviche at Mercado de Dolores
Mayan Massage
Look over a menu of Mayan-inspired massages, body wrap and scrub treatments, facials, hydrotherapy, steam and sauna experiences recalling the power and magic of traditional healing. Opt for an 80-minute Kukulcan Massage therapy at the end of a jetty on the Caribbean Sea. Recalling the legend of the great Mayan god, Quetzalcoatl, the signature treatment performed by two therapists promises to be “practically a poem.”
At the beach, Ventus resort at Marina El Cid
Tranquility out on the jetty
Explore Tulum
Tulum, Mexico has been discovered twice, it seems. Once by an expedition in the early 1800’s and then by mass tourism in the 21st century. But, by all means, go. It’s handy enough for a half-day visit from the resort and there are plenty of tour services to get you there.
It’s a compact area; you’ll see all of Tulum within 90 minutes; longer if you plan on taking a dip in the Caribbean Sea. Just be ready for sequined sombreros, $1 Corona promotions, and selfies with trained iguanas.
Ruins overlooking the sea at Tulum
Tulum, the Mayan ruins
Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Tulum ruins
Touristic #Tulum
This is kitschy Tulum between the parking lot and the ruins
To get even more into #TheFeelingOf at Ventus at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort, visit their website.
DETAILS:
Ventus at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort
Puerto Morelos
Cancún Riviera Maya
Quintana Roo, México
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Note: The author was a guest of the resort, received no financial incentives, and all views expressed are her own.
A career-long tourism, destination, hotel sales and marketing pro, Laurie Jo Miller Farr is a dedicated urbanite who loves walkable cities and has a knack for always finding the best public restrooms. As a San Francisco-based travel and copywriter, she enjoys views from its crazy signature hills following half-a-lifetime promoting her dual hometowns, a couple of oh-so-flat places: NYC and London. Her work is found online at USA Today, Yahoo, Eater, CBS, Where Traveler, and more. She tweets @ReferencePlease and posts on Instagram @lauriejmfarr.
