First stop Riviera Maya (click here for my blog on Cozumel)

It’s been a few years since we have travelled beyond Europe. It all began with a rather squashed 11 hour flight from Gatwick airport. We always used our air miles and vouchers to fly long haul in the past. This time, we made an error with the booking. It wasn’t until 4 days before the flight that we realised our error.

We were thus unable to lie back and enjoy the flight. Have BA change their fleet to make them suitable for small people with short legs only?!

We ended up buying those neck pillows at the airport. I’ve noticed some weird people take them on a 2 hour flight. This was much cheaper than trying to upgrade! I’m amazed my poor husband could walk when he got off the plane. At 6ft 3 he didn’t fit in the seats too well.

The service was below average. Definitely not with a smile; the food basic; and we were the lucky ones who actually got a hot meal. They ran out of these and had to give some people sandwiches! They also ran out of alcohol, so only served tea, coffee, water or juice for the second meal (aka sandwich). Not impressed with BA at all.

Anyway, once we landed it was all lovely until it wasn’t. An hour and 20 to get through passport control and another hour to wait for the luggage. To top it all, we then got pulled by the customs police and had our luggage searched. They noticed our disdain for their choice to pull us aside (can’t think how they noticed). That meant they then proceeded to take every bikini out my packing cube, and throw them all onto the table. They made a complete mess of all our luggage. I felt slightly violated. Not impressed!

As we sat in the taxi on our way to the hotel my husband turned to me and said “I’m not coming back here. Once I’ve ticked diving in cenotes and Cozumel off my list that’s it!” Well, that’s a first!! We hadn’t even stepped out the taxi; it was dark and we’d seen nothing. But, at the end of the trip, I have to say that I agreed with him. That doesn’t happen very often in our marriage! Usually we are on opposite sides of any conversation!

At this point I felt we needed a bit of luxury and pampering. Thankfully we soon arrived at the Grand Luxxe Vidanta, Riviera Maya. As this is mostly an ‘owners’ property there are only a few unused rooms on offer to non members. You have to be lucky. We are Hilton Grand Vacations owners so could use our points at this property. Perhaps it would have availability when looking for a last minute trip. I will still review this, as I’m sure a lot of the resorts are very similar here. I also noticed that there was a Nickelodean resort here which I’m sure is amazing if you have young kids!

Words can’t describe the vastness of this resort, but one can only try. Named one of the Top 5 hotels in Eastern Mexico by Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Vidanta Riviera Maya is an experience like no other.

Set in over 1,000 acres of jungle, with pools and beaches. Fifteen world-class bars and restaurants, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, spa services, and entertainment for the kids and adults.

We personally don’t like huge resorts, but for our first 4 days we wanted somewhere where we didn’t have to go far to eat, drink, sunbathe and sleep. This wasn’t it!!

You had to be content to walk the many jungle walkways above ground. Imagine the maze at Hampton Court Palace or one of the many labyrinths around the world and this was it. Or take one of the Universal Studio style electric buggies/trains. These zipped round the resort like bumper cars. Stopping and starting for pick ups and drop offs; reversing and spinning down the one way paths.

Each block has it’s own concierge. They can make your dinner reservations, help you get to where you need to be albeit verbally. They can basically organise anything you need. The staff were mostly charming. The restaurant staff all seemed in a hurry so not actually that attentive. The food was delicious everywhere we ate and there were some lovely restaurants and a nice wine bar also.

Our residence comprised of a large double bedroom with one large open plan bathroom where the wardrobes were. An enclosed shower and toilet within and then there was another shower and toilet for my husband. Miles from mine! Across the kitchen into the next hallway!! Perfect! I can’t speak for the whole resort but at our specific location the room smelled of damp. We were smack bang in the middle of the jungle. Our balcony looked out onto jungle so we didn’t venture out there at all. When the sun wasn’t shining it was cold due to the humidity. There were also squirrel/ratty type animals who didn’t hesitate to come close if they thought there was any food around.

The ratty things actually had an amazing Christmas lunch by the pool on Christmas Day. We had nachos and pina coladas poolside. They soaked up the sun on a nice cabana, feasting on children’s cereal,c and crisps. They even managed to sneak away a kids t-shirt whilst the family were playing on the beach completely unawares!

So, as luxurious as the rooms were, they were also quite uncomfortable. The weather for the 4 days was rainy and sunny and if it was a competition, then the rain won! Nothing seemed to get dry. Even my crossword book was slightly damp!

We weren’t here for the sunshine only, luckily, BB dived the cenotes, (deep water wells or ‘sink holes) so that’s ticked off his list.  Diving is amazing here apparently. The hotel organised it, or you could organise it yourself.  Taxis are readily available once you get to the central lobby.   I really needed to do nothing, so didn’t really mind if it was under an umbrella, in the sun, or in the bedroom.

Our next stop was Cozumel, a short taxi ride and a 40 minute ferry ride away.