GAL Travel – Hacienda Tres Rios (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
When you dream of a Mexican vacation, you might imagine beautiful beaches, Mariachi bands and tropical cocktails. At Hacienda Tres Rios in the heart of the Riviera Maya, you will experience all that and more. Opened in November 2008, Hacienda Tres Rios is an exclusive eco-friendly resort located forty five minutes south of Cancun, amongst a 326 acre nature park. Enjoy the natural beauty of the lush jungle, mangrove forest, and coastal dunes. The three freshwater rivers, or tres rios, that run throughout the property and the ten cenotes (cave like sinkholes with natural wells), end where the immaculate white sand beach meets the Caribbean Sea. Hacienda Tres Rios offers travelers the best of worlds old and new – a luxuriously modern vacation destination set within the pristine beauty and historic landscape of the Mayan Riviera.
Rest
The 273 suites at Hacienda Tres Rios are immaculate. From the local Mexican mahogany furniture, marble floors and bathrooms, luxurious bedding, and flat screen televisions, to the in room jacuzzi (available in most) and spectacular ocean views, you may never want to leave the room. And with the unlimited, 24 hour room service available, you might never have to. From junior suites to spacious one and two bedroom suites, Hacienda Tres Rios can accommodate everyone from couples on a romantic getaway to families on summer vacation.
GAL Travel Tip ~ Request an upper level suite away from the main lobby for the best overall experience.
Indulge
All-Inclusive at Hacienda Tres Rios means Endless Luxury, the ultimate indulgence for all your food, beverage, and entertainment needs. On the Endless Luxury plan, guests are allowed unlimited meals, snacks, and alcoholic beverages during their stay. With six restaurants on site, multiple bars, a fully stocked in room minibar, plus 24 hour room service, one can wine and dine to their heart’s content. The Mexican cuisine at El Alebrije is deliciously inventive, with cricket empanadas and ostrich tamales as popular dishes. The pizza at il Forno, the poolside pizzeria, is tasty and a perfect complement to a frosty piña colada. The Hacienda Grill has savory grilled fare, from jumbo shrimp to juicy carne asada. And the International buffet at Casa La Islas, features alternating menu items each day that will leave you craving more. All tips are included in the All-Inclusive plan, but once you experience the warmth and generosity of the property’s servers, you’ll want to take care of them too.
GAL Travel Tip ~ Befriend the general manager of each restaurant to enjoy unique dishes off the main menu.
Enjoy
Also included in the Endless Luxury plan is exclusive access to the activities in the Tres Rios Nature Park. Tours are available daily for all levels, from beginners to advanced. Guests of all ages can enjoy biking through the jungle, kayaking on the pristine rivers, and snorkeling (gear included) in the amazing cenotes. Guests can also discover the reforestation process in the botanical garden and nursery. With additional daily activities for kids, teens and adults ranging from mask making, yoga, and tequila tasting, there is definitely something for everyone. An incredible experience for the entire family is the SenseAdventure Tour, which leads guests on a journey of the five senses. Led by a Mayan native in the jungle of the nature park, this tour exposes you to the elements of the universe and awakens your senses inside and out. The resort also offers fine evening entertainment, from a spectacular fire presentation to a traditional Mayan show. However, if all you desire is a little quiet time, unwind on the comfortable beach beds overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
GAL Travel Tip ~ Experience both the beginner and advanced cenote tours – snorkeling down the river is easier and more relaxing than kayaking. When kayaking, prep your skin with insect repellent as you will encounter pesky critters amongst the mangroves.
Relax
Become one with the Mayan gods at the Ya’ax Che Spa, the temporary spa retreat at Hacienda Tres Rios. Although the permanent site for the spa will not open until later this year, Ya’ax Che will not disappoint. Signature treatments such as the Mayan Gods Ritual will leave your skin soft and supple from the cocoa bead scrub and body wrap. The Yaa’ Kun Ritual is a romantic option for couples, combining a relaxing massage with an aromatherapy bath, topped off with two glasses of champagne and fresh fruit. Other treatments are also available, from a la carte massages, nourishing facials, nail services and waxing. The spa also has a full service fitness center, as well as a co-ed hydrotherapy room with a whirlpool, steam room and sauna, which guests can use at their leisure. (Spa treatments are not included in the Endless Luxury plan.)
GAL Travel Tip ~ Inquire about the Ancient Mayan Ritual, the Temazcal Bath. This unique, native experience is very rare and includes a steam bath performed in an authentic Mesoamerican hut. This relaxing, purification ritual is meant to have many therapeutic benefits.
Fall 2010 Promotion
This Fall, Hacienda Tres Rios is enticing visitors to enjoy the splendor of the Riviera Maya with a special limited time promotion. A party of 2 can enjoy a mangrove or ocean view junior suite and experience all the benefits of Endless Luxury. When guests purchase three nights at the discounted rate of $429 per couple/per day, they will receive the fourth night free! This promotional price is valid until October 31, 2010 and includes the suite, the All-Inclusive Endless Luxury plan, exclusive access to the nature park, and all the above mentioned tours and activities. For more information, click here.
Kara Birkenstock 