My husband recently turned 40 and the two of us found ourselves in that place where we swore we would never be: 15 plus years into our marriage and never having been away together, without the kids, for more than a long-weekend. When Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Mexico invited us to come visit, we knew it was the perfect opportunity to reconnect with our youth, relax, and live like rock stars — even if only for a handful of days.
The rock star life? It’s a good one. Want a taste?
Pure swank. Everything about the Hard Rock feels top-notch. From the moment you pull into the resort and are greeted by security, you will feel like you are truly living the life. Not only are the grounds and buildings beautiful, but the small details and the vibe of the entire resort will have you imagining you are Ariana Grande. (Okay, maybe in my case, I was more like Madonna.) Don’t fear that the high-class vibe means cold, though. The staff is incredibly warm and intent on getting to know you. (We actually found this true of just about everywhere we went in Riviera Maya; the people are very nurturing.)
Budget on the back burner. Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is an all-inclusive experience. And when Hard Rock says all-inclusive, they mean it. There’s no limit on the number of sit-down meals you can indulge in (and with 9 themed restaurants plus cafes and bars, you won’t want to be limited). 24-hour room service is included. (Can you say breakfast in bed, every morning?) All beverages (alcoholic and otherwise) are part of the all-inclusive and there’s no watering down the drinks; Hard Rock goes top-shelf all the way. Even the minibar (which is anything but mini) and gratuities are included. If that isn’t enough, throw in daily activities, nightly entertainment, wifi resort-wide, unlimited phone calls to the continental US and Canada, parking, land sports and a fitness center — all without fees. That sound you hear isn’t the fabulous playlist being piped throughout the resort. That’s the sound of a giant sigh of relief when you realize your vacation is free from any financial stress.
Adventure within reach. As this was our first visit to the Riviera Maya area, we really had no idea the fun and adventure that awaited. The Hard Rock offers a whole slate of free activities each day including monkey tours, fitness classes in the pool, concerts and more. The private beaches and protected, natural sea cove are perfect for kayaking, swimming and snorkeling. Guests can arrange snorkeling tours and diving activities at the resort to dig deeper into an underwater adventure. You can play a round of golf, just off the property, or book a tour to any number of area Mayan ruins. Don’t miss Music Lab, Hard Rock’s newest offering, where you can star in your very own rock band, mix up the music as a DJ, perform live on stage or even star in your very own music video. It really doesn’t get any more rock star than that. If you're looking for adventure off-site, the wonderful concierge personnel will help you choose the perfect experience, book it and arrange transportation if needed.
Rock relaxation. You don’t typically think of relaxation as being very rock-n-roll but Hard Rock makes it so. With multiple pools, each with a different vibe (and some with swim-up bars), the breathtaking beaches, and stunning blue of the Caribbean Sea, it is impossible not to relax, especially with the included pool and beachside service. If soaking up the sun with your toes in the sand just isn’t enough, a visit to the Rock Spa for a Rhythm & Motion treatment will certainly do the trick.
My husband and I are determined not to let years go by again without a couples getaway. However, we are already considering a return trip to Riviera Maya with the kids. Hard Rock offers the best of both worlds with two sides to the resort — adults-only ’Heaven’ and family-friendly ‘Hacienda.’
Now, go on, crank up the volume a bit on your next vacation.
The author and her husband were guests of Hard Rock for 4 nights for the purpose of facilitating this review.
